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RadiciSpandex for Legwear: The Science Behind the Style

They are words hosiery manufacturers have been waiting to hear: hosiery is hot.

After several seasons of growing hints at a strong return for women’s legwear, it appears the fashion industry may have finally embraced the category as a key style statement. The coming fall will be a good one for legwear firms that take advantage of several fashion trends set by designers that require well-dressed legs to complete the season’s looks. RadiciSpandex Corp. offers hosiery makers a selection of spandex types with performance features that help them create the top looks.

Tights are once again the top item driving hosiery’s revival as a fashion accessory and sheer hosiery sales improved somewhat in 2006 according to industry reports thanks to a continued trend in womenswear toward a more pulled-together, ladylike look.

Heading into fall ’07, legwear marketers will benefit from a variety of trends.

Tights of all kinds are big as hosiery makers continue their outreach efforts among New York’s Fashion Week designers to accessorize their runway looks with legwear. Key looks include black tights, shiny effects, Lurex, and heavy ribs. For tights, RadiciSpandex type S85 is an affordable stretch fiber available in deniers 10 through 1680 that offers excellent dyeability for uniform colors.

Layering was a big message for Fall as knee-high socks worn over short boots and mini-dresses and miniskirts had a major presence on the designer runways. This trend is driven by the popularity of boots and dresses.

Dark colors rule the season’s palette. Black, browns, charcoal grey and gunmetal are expected to be dominant. Although some brights were shown as pop colors on the runways, retailers are opting to drive sales of elegant dark hosiery with the ladylike trend of high heels worn with dresses. RadiciSpandex’s new black spandex type S-RB provides a clean, consistent shade of black that won’t show grin-through when fabric is stretched.

On the opposite end of the trend spectrum, white tights were a novelty concept presented by a few top designers as part of a "finishing school" trend. It’s a look best worn by very thin, high-fashion types with long legs, but could catch on as a trend among teens if the junior retail chains adopt it. RadiciSpandex’s multifaceted type S-17B spandex would be a good choice for creating this trend look thanks to its brightening feature that keeps white stretch yarns pristine.

Heavy knits and luxe fibers are expected to warm the legs of fall as sweater-like knits appear on chunky leggings in cozy fibers such as cotton, wool, cashmere and acrylic.

Demand for shaping products with high spandex content will continue due to their cosmetic benefits. The influence of Hollywood’s never-ending red carpet moments will drive this trend during the holiday party season as consumers seek out functional legwear that smooths out their silhouettes under glamorous cocktail dresses and eveningwear.

Last, but not least, footless tights in Capri and ankle lengths, like shapers, have become a new mainstay of hosiery departments.