Sheer Pantyhose That’s in Control

Hosiery manufacturers are hoping to create a run on their panty stockings by offering ones that give a sheer look while holding in the stomach and thinning the thighs. The aim is to draw consumers back to sheer hosiery, which has seen a decline in demand as more women don socks and tights or go bare-legged in summer.

Body-shaping products, such as Hanes’ Smooth Illusions and No-Nonsense Great Shapes from Kayser-Roth Corp., “squeeze everything in,” said Valerie Ross, manager of the hosiery department at the Carson Pirie Scott store on State Street in Chicago.

The pantyhose gets its compression characteristics from Spandex.

Smooth Illusions, introduced 18 months ago, already accounts for 8% of Hanes’ sales, said Cathy Volker, president of Hanes Hosiery, which is part of Chicago-based food and personal products conglomerate Sara Lee Corp. Sara Lee also owns L’eggs hosiery.

Among Hanes’ newest products is Hanes Resilience, which it bills as a sheer pantyhose that resists runs.

“Is it going to last forever? The answer is no, not as long as opaque” hosiery, Volker said. “But it will last longer than comparable sheers.”

Similarly, Kayser-Roth is now rolling out a more resistant sheer, No-Nonsense Run Resist, and will bring out No-Nonsense Sheer Endurance in December.