UK: Hosiery Designers Draw On Colour And Yarn Technology

Sleek, sexy "soft touch" stockings and tights ideally suited for wear with ultra feminine high heeled shoes? Or a return to kiddy style ankle socks? The UK hosiery trade is deeply divided about which styles will sell best to fashion-conscious females in the winter of 2000/2001. Whichever way the market swings, however, manufacturers are agreed on two points ― the increased use of colours that co-ordinate with those of apparel, and the employment of the latest yarn technology for higher performance. In the case of sheer hosiery the move is to microfibres with particular emphasis on duo yarns which knit up to produce melange effects, or which can be used to create geometric patterns without loss of translucence. Patterns that contrast high lustre with matt surfaces as well as variations on animal skin designs, particularly python and ocelot, are also expected to score at the high fashion end of the branded hosiery market. These types of pattern will also make their mark in the "new generation" of socks for adults, while obviously employing heavier weight, coarser gauge yarns. And taking their inspiration from the specialist sports sock sector, many of the latest ranges of fashion socks will feature layered constructions. These will use fibres like DuPont's Tactel aquator on the inside of the sock and wool on the outside to allow for moisture transportation, keeping well wrapped feet smelling sweet and feeling comfortable.