Hose vs. Stocking — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 12, 2024
Hose (hosiery) refers to any form of tight-fitting legwear, ranging from socks to tights, while stockings specifically denote thigh-high or full-length hosiery that may require garters to stay up.
Difference Between Hose and Stocking
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Key Differences
Hose, or hosiery, is a general term that encompasses all types of knitted coverings for the legs and feet, including socks, tights, and stockings. On the other hand, stockings are specifically designed to cover from the feet up to the thighs, often needing suspender belts to hold them up if they do not have self-supporting bands.
While hose can be made from various materials and serve multiple functions from warmth to compression, stockings are typically made from sheer fabric and are used more for fashion and aesthetic appeal.
Hose can include items like tights, which provide coverage and support to the entire leg and waist area, making them ideal for colder weather. Stockings, being lighter and thinner, are often worn for formal occasions or aesthetic reasons under skirts and dresses.
The use of hose spans everyday wear to specialized uses such as medical-grade compression hose that helps in improving circulation. Conversely, stockings are usually associated with formal attire or lingerie.
Historically, the term 'hose' referred to any legwear worn by men or women, but in contemporary usage, it often pertains more broadly to all undergarments covering the legs, while stockings have retained a more specific usage and connotation related to women's fashion.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
General term for tight-fitting legwear.
Thigh-high or full-length legwear, often sheer.
Material
Varied (wool, cotton, synthetic).
Commonly sheer nylon or silk.
Function
Can be decorative, functional (compression, warmth).
Primarily decorative, used with garters or self-supporting.
Types
Includes socks, tights, stockings.
Limited to thigh-high styles.
Usage
Broad (daily wear to specialized medical use).
More limited (formal, aesthetic).
Compare with Definitions
Hose
General term for legwear.
He bought a pair of compression hose for his flight.
Stocking
Thigh-high legwear.
She wore silk stockings with her evening gown.
Hose
Includes varieties like tights and knee-highs.
She wore thick wool hose under her boots.
Stocking
Associated with fashion and aesthetics.
Designer stockings are often featured in high-fashion runway shows.
Hose
Often used for both genders.
Hose were a required part of the uniform for both the male and female flight attendants.
Stocking
Often require garters or have self-supporting bands.
Her vintage stockings were held up by a classic garter belt.
Hose
Available in multiple materials.
They chose lightweight cotton hose for summer wear.
Stocking
Made primarily from sheer materials.
The sheer stockings added a touch of elegance to her outfit.
Hose
A hose is a flexible hollow tube designed to carry fluids from one location to another. Hoses are also sometimes called pipes (the word pipe usually refers to a rigid tube, whereas a hose is usually a flexible one), or more generally tubing.
Stocking
Commonly worn for formal or decorative purposes.
For the wedding, she chose delicate lace stockings.
Hose
A flexible tube conveying water, used chiefly for watering plants and in firefighting
A sprinkler hose
Stocking
Stockings (also known as hose, especially in a historical context) are close-fitting, variously elastic garments covering the leg from the foot up to the knee or possibly part or all of the thigh. Stockings vary in color, design, and transparency.
Hose
Stockings, socks, and tights (especially in commercial use)
Her hose had been laddered
Stocking
A close-fitting, usually knitted covering for the foot and leg, often made of sheer fabric as nylon or silk and rising high on the leg.
Hose
Water or spray with a hose
He was hosing down the driveway
Stocking
A sock.
Hose
Pl. hose Stockings; socks. Used only in the plural.
Stocking
An elasticized garment that exerts pressure on the leg to improve blood flow and is used in the treatment of various circulatory disorders or sometimes following surgery.
Hose
Close-fitting breeches or leggings reaching up to the hips and fastened to a doublet, formerly worn by men. Used only in the plural.
Stocking
A bag in the shape of a large sock that is often decorated and hung on a mantle for the deposit of Christmas presents.
Hose
Breeches reaching down to the knees. Used only in the plural.
Stocking
A white marking on the lower leg of a dark-colored horse, extending from the hoof to at least the hock or knee.
Hose
Pl. hos·es A flexible tube for conveying liquids or gases under pressure.
Stocking
A soft garment, usually knit or woven, worn on the foot and lower leg under shoes or other footwear.
A pair of stockings
Hose
To water, drench, or wash with a hose
Hosed down the deck.
Hosed off the dog.
Stocking
A broad ring of a different fur colour on the lower part of the leg of a quadruped.
Hose
To attack and kill (someone), typically by use of a firearm:
Stocking
A knitted hood of cotton thread which is eventually converted by a special process into an incandescent mantle for gas lighting.
Hose
To exploit, cheat, or defraud.
Stocking
(forestry) A ratio of the actual density of trees in an area to the ideal density that would make the fullest use of the land.
Hose
(countable) A flexible tube conveying water or other fluid.
Stocking
Present participle of stock
I've almost finished stocking these groceries.
Hose
(uncountable) A stocking-like garment worn on the legs; pantyhose, women's tights.
Stocking
A close-fitting covering for the foot and leg, usually knit or woven.
Hose
(obsolete) Close-fitting trousers or breeches, reaching to the knee.
Stocking
Any of various things resembling, or likened to, a stocking{1};
Hose
(transitive) To water or spray with a hose.
Stocking
To dress in GBs.
Hose
(transitive) To spray as if with a hose; to spray in great quantity.
Stocking
Close-fitting hosiery to cover the foot and leg; come in matched pairs (usually used in the plural)
Hose
(transitive) To deliver using a hose.
Stocking
The activity of supplying a stock of something;
He supervised the stocking of the stream with trout
Hose
(transitive) To provide with hose garment
Stocking
Wearing stockings;
Walks about in his stockinged (or stocking) feet
Hose
(transitive) To trick or deceive.
Hose
To break a computer so everything needs to be reinstalled; to wipe all files.
Hose
To cause an unfair disadvantage to a player or team through poor officiating; especially, to cause a player or team to lose the game with an incorrect call.
Hose
Close-fitting trousers or breeches, as formerly worn, reaching to the knee.
These men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments.
His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wideFor his shrunk shank.
Hose
Covering for the feet and lower part of the legs; a stocking or stockings.
Hose
A flexible pipe, made of leather, India rubber, or other material, and used for conveying fluids, especially water, from a faucet, hydrant, or fire engine.
Hose
Socks and stockings and tights collectively (the British include underwear as hosiery)
Hose
Man's garment of the 16th and 17th centuries; worn with a doublet
Hose
A flexible pipe for conveying a liquid or gas
Hose
Water with a hose;
Hose the lawn
Hose
Can serve specific functions such as warmth or medical support.
The doctor recommended wearing support hose to prevent varicose veins.
Common Curiosities
Can hose be used for medical purposes?
Yes, certain types of hose, like compression hose, are used for medical reasons to improve circulation.
What is the main difference between hose and stockings?
Hose refers to all types of legwear, while stockings specifically refer to thigh-high or full-length legwear.
Do all stockings require garters?
Not all; some stockings have self-supporting elastic bands to stay up without garters.
Are stockings still popular today?
Yes, stockings remain popular in fashion, particularly for formal and elegant attire.
What should I consider when choosing between hose and stockings?
Consider the purpose—whether for warmth, fashion, or medical needs—as well as the outfit and occasion.
How should I care for fine silk stockings?
Silk stockings should be hand-washed gently and dried away from direct heat to preserve their quality.
Is there a fashion etiquette for wearing stockings?
Traditionally, sheer, neutral-toned stockings are worn for formal events, while more colorful or patterned options can be chosen based on personal style and occasion.
Are there stylish options available in compression hose?
Yes, modern compression hose come in various styles and colors to blend fashion with function.
How do I choose the right type of hose for winter?
Look for hose made of thicker materials like wool or thermal synthetics for extra warmth.
What are some common materials used in making hose?
Hose can be made from a variety of materials, including wool, cotton, nylon, and silk.
Can I wear stockings with open-toed shoes?
While traditionally stockings are worn with closed-toed shoes, fashion norms have evolved, and it's acceptable to wear toeless stockings with open-toed shoes.
What are some tips for wearing stockings with garters?
Ensure that garters are securely fastened and evenly placed around the thigh for comfort and to prevent slipping.
Can men wear hose?
Historically, hose were worn by both men and women, and today, specific types like compression hose are used by men for health reasons.
Are there eco-friendly options for stockings and hose?
Yes, eco-friendly options are available, utilizing sustainable materials and manufacturing processes.
What are the benefits of wearing stockings?
Stockings can enhance an outfit aesthetically and can also be more breathable than tights in warm weather.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
