Seamless Hosiery
Seamless hosiery refers to stockings or pantyhose manufactured without a back seam, created using circular knitting technology that produces a continuous tube of fabric.
How It's Made
- Circular knitting machines create tubes
- No flat pieces to sew together
- Shaped through stretch and heat-setting
- Modern standard for most hosiery
History
- Pre-1950s: All stockings had seams (fully-fashioned)
- 1950s: Seamless technology perfected
- 1960s: Seamless becomes dominant
- Today: 95%+ of hosiery is seamless
See The Seamless Revolution for full history.
Benefits
- No alignment needed: Seams don't need straightening
- Faster to produce: Lower cost
- Modern look: Clean, minimal appearance
- Comfortable: No seam ridge against skin
Seamless vs Seamed
| Seamless | Seamed |
|---|---|
| Modern, minimal look | Vintage, glamorous look |
| No alignment needed | Must be straight |
| Less expensive | Often premium priced |
| Everyday standard | Special occasion/retro |
Types of Seamless
Seamless Stockings
- No back seam visible
- May have stay-up bands
- Modern everyday option
Seamless Pantyhose
- Legs knitted as tubes
- Joined at panty section
- Most common type today
Seamless Tights
- Opaque seamless construction
- Some have decorative faux seams
Toe Construction
Even seamless hosiery may have:
- Sewn toe: Closed with a seam
- Seamless toe: Truly seam-free
- Sandal toe: Invisible seam
When to Choose Seamless
- Everyday wear
- Professional settings
- When seam alignment would be difficult
- Modern, minimal outfits
Note
"Seamless" refers to no back leg seam. Most seamless hosiery still has a toe seam where the tube is closed, unless specifically labeled "seamless toe."