80's look

[Like Ra]

tights are more rugged than pantyhose.

Matter of language/definition, I think. In British English they are all tights 😁 But who started calling leggings "tights"?

[Vixien]

In my country, during 80-90's tights were 20 den (or more) footless pantyhose. Regular/normal pantyhose but thicker then 20 den are usually named Grilons.
Nowadays, thin pantyhose (max 20 den) are just "nylons", everything else are "tights", foot or footless.

[Culmor]

 But who started calling leggings "tights"?

It's 'American English' I think (which means the USA in practice). Speaking as an Englishman I've never heard 'leggings' called 'tights' in 'English' English

Edit, except for 'Running tights' which in the UK are sort of unisex leggings.  A recent borrowing from our colonial friends, I think.

[Like Ra]

Speaking as an Englishman

Is the word "maillot(s)" used for tights in English English (this is a nice one 😁) ? Or is it a synonym of "unitard"?

[Culmor]

Speaking as an Englishman

Is the word "maillot(s)" used for tights in English English (this is a nice one 😁) ? Or is it a synonym of "unitard"?

'Maillot' isn't used at all in English, I've only ever seen it as a 'borrow word' from French in international forums.

Edit: Apologies, I should have written 'in British English'.

[Like Ra]

Interesting. "Maillot" is in Merriam-Webster but not in Oxford dictionary (I thought it would be the other way around):

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maillot

mail·​lot | \ mī-ˈō, mä-ˈyō \
Definition of maillot

1 : tights for dancers or gymnasts
2 : jersey sense 1a
3 : a woman's one-piece bathing suit

[madjack]

Interesting. "Maillot" is in Merriam-Webster but not in Oxford dictionary (I thought it would be the other way around):

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maillot

mail·lot | \ mī-ˈō, mä-ˈyō \
Definition of maillot

1 : tights for dancers or gymnasts
2 : jersey sense 1a
3 : a woman's one-piece bathing suit

As a fellow Englishman I'm with @Culmor on the use of maillot - until this forum I'd never heard of the term or encountered it in use.

Generally I'm amused by the different terms in use around the world for items of hosiery:

I often wondered if there was a 'technical' difference between 'tights' and 'pantyhose' (I thought that perhaps it was that pantyhose have a proper gusset and tights didn't?).

Chinese hosiery adverts (eBay, AliExpress and the rest) are constant source of frustration and/or amusement - tights/stockings/pantyhose (or even pantyhoses!) all are used for the same item... whatever it might actually be (including men's socks on occasion!)

Back on track for a moment - my fondest clothing memory of the 80's was the fashion for anthracite coloured tights, in 40-60denier, worn under a skirt that fitted tightly around the bum and upper thighs, but flared out by the ladies knees. I say this with growing excitement as I recall many a fondle of my GF's legs, running my hands up her tights, squeezing under her skirt and onwards to my desired goal.... happy, happy days! 

Cold shower time!  😁

MJ

[Like Ra]

In Dutch, "maillot" is thick (e.g. woolen, cotton) tights. Strangely enough, in NL "tights" is "panty" (and "panties" is "slip" 😉 )

Chinese hosiery adverts (eBay, AliExpress and the rest) are constant source of frustration and/or amusement - tights/stockings/pantyhose (or even pantyhoses!) all are used for the same item...

They sometimes use "socks" for tights. I even heard this from an Italian (yes, it was Davie504 😁 )

"Pantyhoses" is a typical case of hypercorrection (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypercorrection)

[Culmor]

MJ wrote

...my fondest clothing memory of the 80's was the fashion for anthracite coloured tights

They're not easy to find but Platino Luxe Fata tights are (or at least were) available in 'Anthracite'. Sizing's important with these, they're not very 'huggy'. Wolford's 'Satin de Luxe' range had a very similar shade but a little darker but I can't put my hands on mine at the moment.

   

OK, now I'm confused...

   

[bondagetom1]

MJ wrote

...my fondest clothing memory of the 80's was the fashion for anthracite coloured tights

They're not easy to find but Platino Luxe Fata tights are (or at least were) available in 'Anthracite'. Sizing's important with these, they're not very 'huggy'. Wolford's 'Satin de Luxe' range had a very similar shade but a little darker but I can't put my hands on mine at the moment.

OK, now I'm confused...

Agreed, I have several pairs of Luxe Fata, including Anthracite, but they are not available in this color anymore (https://shapings.com/pantyhose/opaque/luxe-fata.html). They are not very huggy, not very stretchy, but short of Leohex, the shine and slipperyness is amazing.

To add a US perspective, pantyhose here are usually sheer, tights are usually thicker. I thought pantyhose were called tights in the UK, but not sure now either. A maillot refers to a one piece bathing suit or leotard in the US. Not used much anymore, but common in 1980s catalog advertisements. Oops sorry catalogue advertisement. Maybe it depends on the fibre in the centre, best to ask someone in theatre 😊