by 
The Curious Bag
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The numbers and small letter "d" on the tag of your new luggage or the label of your sheerest stockings may seem mysterious, but it is easily explained. The "d" is for "denier", which is a unit of textile measurement.
Definition
A "denier" is a unit of fineness for rayon, nylon, and silk yarn. One denier is equivalent to yarn that weighs one gram for 9,000 meters.
Usage
The denier measurement is most commonly used today for pantyhose and luggage. Higher numbers represent thicker and sturdier fabric.
Function
Using a standard measurement for the thickness of certain types of yarn means that disparate items (such as pantyhose from different manufacturers) can be objectively compared.
Types
For pantyhose and tights, 10 denier or less means ultra-sheer; 10 to 20 denier is semi-sheer; 25 to 35 denier is semi-opaque; and 40 denier or more is opaque. For sturdy luggage, look for 600 to 1800 denier polyester or 1800 to 2500 denier ballistic nylon.
Fun Fact
Denier is used to measure the toughest, most rugged nylon, but is also used to measure the finest microfibers. These can be as fine as 0.5 denier (meaning that 18,000 meters of the microfiber would weigh a single gram).
Source:
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary; 2010
Microfibers: Functional Beauty
More Information:
Road & Travel Magazine: A Guide to Must-Have Lightweight Luggage
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