Tights were first worn by European men for horseback riding in the 16th century. Tights were mostly made from wool but also from silk or cotton for men to wear under their riding pants.
When women began wearing stockings they were held up by garter belts right above the knee. By the 20th century, women would wear stockings held up by suspender belts (later to be named the Garter Belt). It wasn’t until the late 60s, when the mini skirt became fashionable, that the demand for tights went up.
