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All Reviews Trasparenze

Trasparenze Becky Tights

Trasparenze constantly comes up with eye-catching designs and exciting variations on themes. Trasparenze Becky is a new take on the “tights styled as stockings and suspenders” theme.

As usual with Trasparenze, there are 4 sizes to choose from, covering a wide range of shapes and sizes. The sizing is as accurate as ever. There is no denier quoted on the packet, but our estimate for the sheer part of the panty and leg is 20 denier. The legs are shaped and finished with a lightly reinforced toe. The panty is finished with flat seams and a cotton-lined gusset. There is just the narrowest of reinforced strips on either side of the seam in the panty.

The seam detail is wide and runs from the toe to the “stocking top” design mid-thigh. The same design is used for the suspender straps, of which there are 4 per leg. There is a small suspender belt detail below the waistband that carries a Trasparenze motif on each hip. We can’t quite see the point in the sheer material between the belt and waistband. It destroys the illusion of stockings and suspenders. UK Tights stock these tights in both black on white and black on nude. Our review sample came in black on black, which is the least effective colour combination.

Lovely tights, but they don’t get us quite as enthused as other similar styles from Trasparenze. That said, at £11.50, they offer a lot of reasonably priced styles.

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Trasparenze Bach Tights

Trasparenze Bach Tights

First impressions count for a lot, and having seen the picture of these tights above; we were ready to wax lyrical. But there was no first impression.

We were still not quite sure what to say once the tights were opened out. Other than to note that the sheer and opaque parts of the tights looked very similar in weight. It was only when we started to look at the detail that we started to form an impression.

The “sheer” part of the leg is a fine tulle rather than a true sheer; a soft heavy fibre is quite an open-knit pattern. The opaque parts are the same fibre but knitted more closely, like a traditional opaque. The opaque parts are restricted to the sole and sides of the foot, the back of the lower leg and the high leg panty design in brief. There is a small amount of shaping at the heel, and the brief is finished with flat seams and a cotton-lined gusset.

The design only makes sense once you have the tights on your legs. The opaque parts on the lower leg are styled to look like a shoe, with a lace pattern joining them together at the front of the leg. And by lace, we mean as in a golden shoelace on the sheer black part of tights rather than a lacy pattern. The idea is repeated on the hips as a lace pattern joining the opaque front and back of the brief.

To make the idea work, you need to wear a pair of shoes the same colour and plain court shoes. Because any straps or other details will clash with the shoe design in the tights. A suede or fabric finish would work best to complete the look. In truth, the opaque parts are not dark enough, the sheer parts not sheer enough, and the lace detail is slightly too faint to look completely convincing.

These are well-made and accurately sized tights that fit well. But when you would wear them, we don’t know what with. You are probably better to get a quality pair of sheers and buy lace fronted boots/shoes if that is the look you want. This is a design that will divide opinion. We even changed our minds here during the day. It so very nearly works, and it grew on us with time. Trasparenze tights are never boring!

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Trasparenze Anita Tights

Trasparenze Anita Tights

We know Trasparenze as the leading making of sheer fashion hosiery and as a maker of great sheer tights, too, but this is entirely different. Not just control top tights but full shaping tights with a 40 denier semi-opaque leg.

Trasparenze never does things by halves. Just from the picture above, you can see that they have gone to town with these tights. Hosiery from toe to upper thigh but engineering from there upwards. We have seen similar complete shaping tights from Aristoc and Charnos, so how do these compare?

There are 4 sizes, with the largest fitting up to 180cm or 6’1” we say or because 180cm is 5’11”. Trasparenze tends to fit long legs well, though. The other total shaping tights have sheer legs. Trasparenze has opted for 40 denier, which appears on first inspection to have been closely knitted to give a fully opaque look. The legs are very lightly shaped at the heel and have the toes the same weight plus a run stop, so toe holes do not become leg ladders.

Massive is the only way to describe the panty. Out of the packet, it is fully 40% of the total length of the tights, and boy, does it feel robust. You might need the shaped heel to give you a clue as to which is the front and which is the back. Important as the design is intended to lift and smooth your bottom and flatten your tummy.

As well as bands and panels to the left and flattening in the bottom and tummy area, there are bands to shape the waist. Above the waist shaping, it is all about smoothing the underside of your bra. The feel is like a proper shaper. We had no problem with the top band rolling as we have with other tights with a similar design. As a shaping garment, these tights are superb.

Of course, tights are about showing off your legs, and Trasparenze has also hit the target. The 40 denier velvet finish is soft to the touch and has perfect even colour. The look is that of a true opaque but without the weight of 60 denier or heavier tights. These are simply the best shaping tights we have seen. No compromise in the design, and they work. Accurate sizing with enough stretch for taller ladies.

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All Reviews Zohara

Zohara Tights with Medusa Tattoo

Zohara Tights with Medusa TattooZohara sticks to a relatively simple recipe, one size, 120 denier plain tights with a printed pattern. Simple but effective. One variation they allow themselves is making some of the styles as tights and footless tights or leggings. This style is the footed version of their Medusa Tattoo tights.

The two styles are identical in terms of basic construction, aside from one having the toe end of the leg seamed and the other having it turned up into the hem. Sheer to waist with flat seams and a gusset, they are well detailed and well made.

Both garments are the same length. So the footless version could work best for you if you are very long in the leg. The heavy 120 denier material is smooth and soft to the touch and promises warmth, comfort and durability.

There is no front, and back to either style and whichever way you put them on, you will get a design down the front of your left leg and down the back of your right (not as pictured above). The only variation we noticed with our test pieces was that the pattern was printed higher on the leg on the closed foot version to ensure it started above the ankle.

Both styles stretch to fit even the tallest women, and the fit is excellent. Even at a maximum stretch, the pattern is well defined. The pale colour and artistic design are not particularly slimming, but they make a bold and eye-catching fashion statement if you are slim in the leg.

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Zohara Tights With Large Tattoo

Zohara Tights with Large TattooAll Zohara tights are based on the same construction, with only the printed design changing from one to another, so for details on the tights themselves, take a look at our review of Zohara Tights with Flower Print. A minor point we forgot on earlier reviews related to the packet. It is longer than the run of the mill tights packet, is quite solidly constructed and has a Velcro closure rather than the piece of sticking tape used by other brands.

Zohara intends you to get a lot of wear out of these tights and store them in their original packaging. Top marks! Just be aware that Velcro and sheer hosiery together is a recipe for tears, so take care. We love the soft feel of Zohara tights and how they are made to feel like they will last forever. The flat seams are excellent, the only hint niggle being the untidy edge of the gusset.

Zohara has limited the design to the front of the left leg with this style, and it is printed to the very highest quality. Even stretched to the maximum, the pattern retains excellent definition. The picture above is an honest depiction of how these tights will look on you.

Although one size tights, with no real suggestion on the packet of the limits of that one size, sizing is generous, and the fit is good too. Leggy girls over 6’0” can wear Zohara. Warm, cosy, and unique design. These tights were described by one of our readers as “lush”. We think that means they liked them.

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Zohara Tights with Flower Print

Zohara Tights with Flower Print

We were delighted to see that our latest box of samples we got contained several samples from Zohara. And not just because it finally meant that we could claim to have reviewed hosiery from A-Z rather than just A-Y.

There are three ways of getting a pattern onto/into tights; embroider on, knit in or print a pattern on the finished garment. Zohara used the last method, knitting plain tights in a base colour and printing on the artwork. For example, we have seen printed designs before from Celeste Stein. But Zohara does not print an all-over pattern but rather adorn the tights with an artistic design.

Unlike Celeste Stein, a good amount of the price has been spent on the knitting and sewing of the garment. A uniformed weight and finish hip to toe, flat seams in the panty and a lined gusset. The legs are unshaped, but that is understandable as the legs have to be straight and flat to print the design.

A printed design gives far crisper edges than a knitted or embroidered design as there are no thread ends, and the design on our test pair of this style was as clean and crisp as we could wish for. The downside of the printed design is that the pattern can crack when the base material is stretched.

You can put these tights on either way round as the pattern on the front of the left is repeated on the back of the right leg. If you are a tall UK size 16, these tights will easily stretch to fit and feel great. It is a very well-made 120 denier opaque tight from the toe with its run-stop detail to the soft waistband. The only downside of using all the stretch available is that although you get a good fitfully stretched, the design loses a little of its density and impact.

We like the floral design, and its hand-painted effect makes these tights stand out as a fashion statement. Black on cream (Panna is Italian for cream) works. They look exclusive and expensive. As far as value for money goes, £20 is not a lot to pay for exclusivity and quality.

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All Reviews Solidea

Solidea Venere 30 Tights

Miss Saba Models Solidea Venere 30 Tights for Tights Fashion

None of us knew what to expect from Solidea’s range of fashion support hosiery; least of all Miss Saba, who had never worn any sort of support tights before. She was an instant convert, describing these as the most comfortable tights she had ever worn.

Solidea tights generally come in two weights, 30 and 70 denier. We expected this to be heavy and very heavy. Still, We were pleasantly surprised to discover that the Naomi 70 tights did not feel heavy at all. So we approached this 30 denier style full of anticipation.

There are 6 sizes to choose from 1 to 5XXL, the sequence from S to XXL has to be watched with some care as 4 is L, then 4XL is XL and 5XXL is XXL, so 4 is in their twice. The range of heights and weights catered for is vast, so everyone should have a perfect size. Our test pair in size 4 was an ideal fit and perfectly sized.

Whereas the Naomi style had a lace panty design, the Venere is sheer to the waist. Detailing is first-rate with a lightly reinforced toe and a textured area under the foot to stimulate blood flow and massage the fall of your foot. Flat seams and a cotton-lined gusset combine with a soft waistband to ensure the best fit and a high comfort level.

These tights have all the characteristics of premium brand sheer hosiery. Indeed it is premium quality sheer hosiery with the bonus of graduated compression to keep your legs light and happy. Everyone who has tried our test pair has loved how they look and how they feel. So much quality really should command a premium price, so the £13.95 price tag is a big plus. If you like the semi-opaque look with a hint of sheen, you will struggle to find a better example for the same money.

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Solidea Selene 70 Tights

Miss Saba Models Solidea Selene 70 Tights for Tights FashionThere was a time when £21.25 was right at the very top of the price range for tights. Support hosiery also came from your doctor and was as sexy as leprosy, but times change. Now £21.25 is barely more than you would pay for some mid-market fashion tights, and you get top quality hosiery for that money from Solidea.

Flat seams in the panty, sheer to waist, a cotton-lined gusset, a textured sole to put a spring in your step and aloe vera to keep your skin moisturised. There is nothing more that we could ask for at any price. We do get more, though because, of course, these are medical-grade support tights too.

There are five sizes to choose from. Solidea provides an excellent size chart that lets you consider height and weight and the ankle, lower thigh and upper thigh measurements. The sizing is spot on. As everyone who has ever tried compression hosiery knows, it isn’t easy to get on, and you feel constricted. Well, prepare to be surprised. Saba described these as easy to put on and about the most comfortable tights she had ever worn.

Graduated compression means you are slimmed at the ankle, and blood flow is encouraged to make your lower legs feel lighter and fresher. Graduated compression also means that the panty is well-fitting but not controlling.

As for how they look, you can see for yourself that they match any opaque with perfect even colour. There has seldom been as much competition to take our test sample home as we have had for these tights; whether you need the compression or not, you should try them. And if you are standing or sitting a lot of the day, you really should try them. They could save you from needing them in the future.

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All Reviews Solidea

Solidea Naomi 70 Tights

Solidea Naomi 70 TightsWe like to think that we have learned a little about tights over the years we have been reviewing. But compression hosiery is something we do not see much of. For most brands, if they do support or compression styles, they are a tiny part of their business for older customers alongside their high volume fashion and sheer styles. For Solidea, their compression range is their sheer and fashion range.

Sizing is critical for this type of hosiery, and three are no fewer than 6 sizes to choose from. Sizes are based on a combination of height, weight, ankle size, calf size, and thigh size. Our test sample came in size 4, so we recruited a new model to help with the testing, which in theory, at least was the perfect shape and size.

Although 70 denier Naomi 70 are not opaque, semi-opaque at most. Fibre weight is constant from hip to toe, but the knit constantly varies such that once on your leg. You have even finished and colour and compression that graduates from quite firm at the ankle to almost nothing at the top of the thigh.

 

Solidea tights are complex pieces of engineering design and beautifully made fashion garments. The foot features a sheer toe with a run stop feature from covering for the unlikely event of a hole developing in the toe; under the ball of your foot, there is a textured patch to massage your foot and provide grip in your shoes. Unlike some other Solidea tights, the Naomi style has a complete control top. Bikini cut features flat seams, a cotton-lined gusset and a medium pressure tummy control panel.

As soon as you put your foot into these tights, you start to feel refreshed. There is no doubting their value as support tights for tired legs. Our new model, who had never tried this type of hosiery before, was blown away by how wonderful they felt. Fit and sizing are simply perfect, and the finish is flawless. The control top not only helps to flatten your tummy. But it is opaque enough to be worn without underwear when you want a smooth silhouette with no VPL.

The look on the leg is like a top-quality 30-40 semi-opaque. There is no clue that these are both 70 denier and compression tights. It is highly recommended whether you need the compression or not.

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Solidea Naomi 30 Tights

Solidea Naomi 30 Tights

Compression hosiery is just for old ladies with oedema, and varicose veins, isn’t it? Well, no, actually it isn’t! What is true is that very many of those old ladies would not have those conditions now if earlier in their lives they had worn some sort of compression hosiery to help their circulation. Compression hosiery can help men, but Solidea aims its designs firmly at the female fashion market. They aim to give you the benefits of compression tights without anyone looking at your legs to tell you that that is what you are wearing.

So who should be wearing compression hosiery? Well, if you spend a large part of your day either sitting or standing still, or you regularly fly long haul, or if you find your legs feeling heavy at the end of the day, then you should try compression tights; you will be amazed. There are several choices in weight and degree of compression. Naomi 30 is a semi-opaque style offering relatively low levels of compression. From a fashion perspective, 30 denier is one of the most flattering weights of hosiery.

Detailing is first-rate. The panty is cut high on the hips and is designed to control and shape your tummy; it has flat seams and a cotton-lined gusset for optimum comfort and freshness. The feet feature a pad under the ball of the foot for comfort and a reinforced toe for durability. Compression tights are hard to put on. Well, not really if you follow the instructions on the card in the packet and take things slowly. The other advice would be to roll them back to the ankle and start again if they come up short, never pull, leave them on for 10 minutes, and try again after your body heats warms them up, so they stretch better. One more thing; for maximum benefit, put them on as soon after you get up as possible.

Even with the relatively light compression, you can feel energy surge up your legs when you put these tights on. You do feel lighter. The fit is excellent and the sizing accurate, although you can steal a few inches of length if you have slim to average legs. As compression tights, these work, but what of their fashion credentials? As you can see in the photo, the colour density is very good and perfectly even. The look and feel are right up there with the very best fashion brands.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is the price. The pricing is very competitive compared to similar quality fashion brands, sufficiently so that we would recommend these as a top choice in semi-opaque tights whether you need the compression or not.

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