Two Tone Fishnet Pantyhose with Poker Suit Knit Pattern

Most patterned pantyhose repeat the same knit on both legs. This pair does not: one leg carries poker suit motifs, spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs, repeating every 4 cm in jacquard, while the other is an open mesh with roughly 1 cm holes ranked vertically. It is a one piece pantyhose cut, so nothing clips or straps on, and the waistband is a flat 3 cm knit with a cotton gusset below it.

Dense Knit Versus Open Mesh

The jacquard leg is knitted about twice as tightly as the mesh leg, and that difference is felt rather than only seen: the patterned side grips the leg and slides less over an evening, while the open side stays loose and breathes. Since the motifs come from the knit structure and not from a print, rubbing against a boot shaft does not wear them off. The pattern wraps the whole circumference with no front or back, so pulling them on takes no alignment and you choose which leg gets the card suits. Under a lamp the dense side reads matte and the open side stays brighter.

• Poker suit motifs repeat about every 4 cm on the jacquard leg
• Open mesh leg has roughly 1 cm holes in vertical ranks
• Motifs are knitted in, so they do not rub off with wear
• Flat 3 cm waistband stays flat under a high waist skirt
• Cotton gusset panel in the brief section

Night Out Combinations

Two tone legs work best when everything else stays plain. The first combination is a black faux leather mini skirt with an oversized shirt and round toe ankle boots, where the boot shaft covers the open mesh leg to mid calf and eases the switch between patterns. The second is a plain black mini dress with platform heels and no jewellery, letting the legs do all the work. A daytime version puts faux leather shorts under a long blazer so only the jacquard leg shows below the hem. Red patent heels add the one point of colour these all black outfits need, and for Halloween or a themed party the card suit motif is bold enough to stand in for a costume.

One Size Stretch Limits

These are produced in one size and sit comfortably on 45 to 70 kg and 150 to 175 cm. Above 70 kg the knit stretches, the 4 cm motif spacing widens and the card suits thin out, so the pattern stops reading clearly from a distance even though the fabric holds. Over 175 cm the waistband can settle just above the hip instead of the waist. The foot section is not reinforced, which is where most runs begin.

• One size covers 45 to 70 kg and 150 to 175 cm comfortably
• Past 70 kg the motif spacing widens and the pattern thins
• Foot section is unreinforced, so nails start runs easily
• Sharp stiletto heels can catch in the 1 cm open mesh

Washing and Run Repair

The nylon and spandex blend loses its stretch above 30 degrees. Wash by hand, or use a mesh bag on a delicate cycle; a tumble dryer or a radiator stiffens the spandex and can slacken the waistband after one round. Fabric softener leaves the mesh tacky, so leave it out. If a small run starts, sealing both ends with clear nail polish stops it travelling further up the leg. Store the pair loosely rolled instead of folded, and keep them away from clips, zips and brooches in the same drawer, because the open mesh catches on metal before the pantyhose ever reach your leg.