Cecilia de Rafael is one of the best known, adored, and respected names in sheer tights and fashion tights. They are a smaller company based in the city of Barcelona in Spain. One that is quite a bit younger and less spread across Europe than some of its competitors. But will a loyal fanbase that is passionate about its work and a certain prestige reputation you can bet that they are popular all the same. Cecilia de Rafael fashion tights are growing in appeal and so many people adore their products. It is one of the fastest growing brands of fashion legwear too, as its amazing reputation is starting to spread and grow beyond their cult following. So what is so great about Cecilia de Rafael exactly? What makes their tights so beautiful and amazing? Why have they become so successful and how did they get their start in the world of fashion tights?
This designer started making their wonderful items in the city of Barcelona in the Catalan speaking region of Eastern Spain. They first began making their incredible designs about 40 years ago in a small facility just outside the city of Barcelona itself, a place they inhabit to this day. The location and the company itself remains in the hands of the original owners. It is a family company and was never taken over or purchased by a larger corporation. Their location in Barcelona is one of the smaller ones for manufacturers of their size and is a factory and warehouse in one, yet it is only the size of a large two storey house. Why do they still inhabit their original location? It is actually a conscious choice, and they chose to turn down larger ranges to focus on getting their basics better and their fashion collection perfect. That’s right, they don’t just do fashion tights as our initial description of them might indicate. They also have a wonderfully robust range of essential tights, particularly sheer tights. They have just a few dozen people in their whole company. But they manage to make some of the best legwear around, especial for its reasonable price tag. They have some stellar sheer tights for summer and they can even handle the Spanish heat. Overall, people love their quality and price tag first and foremost. They are no more expensive than the average pair of sheer tights out there but are as great as items twice that price.
If you would like to see more from CdR, visit the website here.
First impressions are very positive; very light, soft and smooth in hand with an attractive sheen and sparkle. A strong contender both regarding quality and price, right up with Falke Seidenglatt and Kunert Moonlight 15 Tights on our all-time favourites list.
They may look small but there is an endless stretch, and that makes them a delight to put on. When you release the material, it merges with your skin to give a finish like oil or an excellent varnish. All shine and colour, very little tights.
Although not designed as support tights, you can feel a delicate squeeze on your lower leg as you put them on and this will help keep your legs fresh during the day sitting or standing. The Lycra in fibre provides a perfect fit and plenty of stretch.
There are a variety of ways of closing seamless tights and the use a method similar to the likes of Wolford, where the direction of knit changes to give, faint diagonal lines in the crotch area.
Some tights are made for a specific season, and some go further and even tell you on the packet which season. These, in particular, are summer tights. It is a bright sunny day, and we didn’t need any more excuses to try them.
Much as we like fashion tights, we also do love it when sheer tights arrive for review. Here we have ten denier tights made in Italy for a Spanish brand. We would hope this means they looked to Italy for exceptional quality.
There was a time when hosiery meant stockings and stockings intended a seam down the back of the leg. Back then the seam was a necessity; now even though tights, pantyhose and stockings can be made, and frequently are made, without a seam, the seam still appears as a design feature from time to time.
While contemplating our reaction to the colour, we realised that we were running our fingers through the material. It was so smooth and soft it took a while to register!
The “Fusion” name come from the use of Lycra Fusion fibre, which is designed to prevent runs forming. The prevention of runs is vital in sheer summer tights like these, which intend to give a tanned bare leg look.