The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word NYLONS
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
N
Y
L
O
N
S
More clues leading to the result NYLONS
- Stockings, new, only ruined by son
- Stretchy hose only sprayed neighbours’ borders
- Legwear only sported in Nova Scotia
- Only son, legless, trips over end of garden hose
- Only construction partners may have ladders
- Partners accepting only twisted leggings?
- Spoilt only son throwing away old hose
- Clothing Lynn so crazily
- Hose sprayed on sly catching indefinite number
- Hose only sprinkled borders of nasturtiums
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "may have ladders" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case may have ladders = nylons.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does NYLONS mean?
NYLONS noun- Originally, the DuPont company trade name for polyamide, a copolymer whose molecules consist of alternating diamine and dicarboxylic acid monomers bonded together; now generically used for this type of polymer.
- (in the plural) A stocking originally fabricated from nylon; also used generically for any long, sheer stocking worn on a woman's legs.
- Stockings made from nylon