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All Reviews Misc.

Leg Avenue Back Seam Garter Belt Stocking

Regular readers will know that there are a couple of things that worry us; are suspender tights or stockings? We are reviewing these tights/stockings on our site just in case you disagree with what we say. Following on from this, are they the best of both worlds or the worst?

Our second area of concern is with “one size” hosiery, which as cynics may say come in two sizes, too big and too small. So how are these? Unlike some suspender tights, these are not knitted in one piece with open crotch and sides. They are made as seven pieces, two lace top legs, four lacy straps and a deep lacey waistband, all sewn together.

The packet gives no idea of denier, but we would estimate that the legs are around 12 denier. The legs are made entirely straight and look very short, but despite having no Lycra, there is lots of stretch. Sizing is very generous. You can go way beyond the suggested maximum weight of 160lb. We would recommend that if you are much less than that or short, then the sizing will be too generous.

The legs feel soft and fit well, although the lack of Lycra meant there was a slight sag during the day. The detailing is good, a sandal toe means you can wear with an open toe shoe, the seam sits straight, and on the natural colour pair we tried is very subtle. The lace top and suspender straps won’t embarrass you should someone see them. The one disappointment was the waistband that we could not get to sit flat. Sexy and fun and less effort than real suspenders.

For more Leg Avenue Tights, click here. For more reviews, click here.

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All Reviews Le Bourget

Le Bourget Valmont Tights

Tights with a fantasy stocking design rather than tights trying to fake the look of stockings have been one of the massive hits of 2010 with more and more styles appearing from a range of manufacturers; this is Le Bourget’s latest design.

As with many of the designs of this type, you get a lot of exclusivity for your money. Only limited quantities are made. The only choice of colour from UK Tights is “Gris Souris” which means dark grey with light grey patterning. There are three sizes available.

Construction is to a high standard with a sandal toe detail, cotton gusset and flat seams in the panty. The waistband is quite narrow and finished with a pretty scalloped edge. The design is what makes these tights stand out. The pattern of spots runs from the toe seam to the faux garter detail at mid-thigh. Above the garter, the material is sheer except for two “suspender straps”. Until you reach an ever so pretty high leg panty design.

You would never mistake these tights for stockings, but that is not the point, what you have is an incredibly pretty and feminine design that manages to be practical too as the panty is heavy enough to make the need for other underwear questionable.

The fit is perfect, and the sizing is accurate, there is enough stretch to take a few liberties with size if you are careful. You will need to choose an outfit carefully to show off the design. Perhaps something with a little more substance than what Stacey wore for out photographs if you are going shopping or to work but these are tights to be bold in.

For more Le Bourget Tights, click here. For more reviews, click here.

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All Reviews Le Bourget

Le Bourget Trocadero Tights

For those of you who recognise the name “Trocadero” but can’t place where they’re from, it is the area of Paris bordering the river Seine directly opposite the Eiffel tower. So do these tights of chic Parisian sophistication?

First impressions are excellent, slightly heavier than a 20 denier sheer these tights exude quality and strength. The entirely shaped leg is what we would expect at this price point. The pattern of other sheer and patterned stripes runs from toe seam to waistband with no interruption; the panty has flat seams and a cotton-lined gusset.

There is a finger band to give a healthy transition to the plain waistband and light reinforcement either side of the central seam. Although this has been cleverly incorporated into the design and is a pretty detail rather than a purely functional one.

Our only slight concern from the visual inspection was that even in the largest of the four sizes, the panty section looked quite short and small.
Sizing is accurate but not generous, particularly in the panty which is styled in such a way that unless you have a tiny bottom, the waistband will be on your hips rather than your waist.

Fit is perfect, indeed. We had no problem getting the vertical stripes straight on legs at the very first attempt. The gusset ensures a very comfortable fit. The 5% Lycra does not provide a lot of stretch, but it provides for a wrinkle-free fit.

We love the pattern. The vertical stripes add inches to the length of your leg and at the same time as slimming they emphasise your curves too. A very stylish design that you could wear for any occasion at any time of day. Very well made and comfortable to wear. Certainly worth what until recently we would have called a premium price for tights.

For more Le Bourget Tights, click here. For more reviews, click here.

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All Reviews Le Bourget

Le Bourget Perfect Chic 10 Tights

When you use the word perfection in the name of a style of tights, they need to be pretty exceptional, and these tights are. Too many makers think that to be extraordinary, you need to be unusual. But the top makers know that the key is to deliver simplicity expertly. It seems almost unfair to sum these lovely tights up in a single sentence but. Sheer to waist with flat seams and a cotton-lined gusset, light shaping of the leg and sandal toes does just that.

That description applies to many styles. Still, it in no way tells you just how good these tights are. The artistry is excellent with all the seams beautifully finished. The reinforced areas either side of the seams and around the gusset are big enough to give strength and durability but no wider than they need to be.

Although only ten denier, there is an impression of strength, and the strength is no illusion either. Two days about the office and they were as good as new at the end. The fit is excellent, and the sizing is spot on. There is a stretch to go beyond the suggested maxima, but for optimum comfort stay close to the recommended sizing.

The look on the leg is gorgeous with a soft sheen, more subtle than a satin finish but no a barely-there look. So Perfect Chic? There is no such thing as the perfect pair of tights, but there is a look on your leg that cannot be bettered and these tights deliver that look. The packet says “Soyeux & Elegant” which means silky and elegant. Essentially, these tights summed up in two words.

One other thing, Le Bourget present their Perfect Chic Tights in a plain packet in the box. Very classy and ideal for storing the tights in afterwards.

For more Le Bourget tights, click here. For more reviews, click here.

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All Reviews Le Bourget

Le Bourget Lutecia Tights

Less than three weeks to Christmas and the party season will soon be upon us. Time to be thinking about what to wear. The classic little black dress and black heels combination take some beating for sheer glamour. But plain black tights somehow fail to add that final magic touch. These chic tights were born to finish the look and make your legs stand out from the crowd.

Very carefully packaged on a card in a packet in a bag in a box, you get a feeling that you are getting class and quality for your money. The tights add to that sense of class and quality. Sheer to waist with flat seams in the panty and just the narrowest of T-band details to provide maximum strength with either side of the seams. There is a reinforced sole and heel with just a hint of shaping at the heel. And lightly reinforced toes too (not entirely invisible).

Le Bourget make these tights in a full range of 4 sizes to fit heights up to 6’1″ (185cm) and weights up to 184lbs (83kg). Sizing is accurate, and the 22% Lycra in the fibre ensures a perfect second-skin fit. The finish on the leg is quite smooth and soft to the touch. You may find yourself taking longer than is strictly necessary to smooth them on your legs! The look is quite glossy with excellent even colour; as sheer tights, these are the equal of the best from Falke, Gerbe or Wolford.

What catches the eye, of course, is the design at the ankle. A classic pyramid heel topped with five tiny pearls and a delicate lace bow. No printed on bow here, it’s the real thing. The seam is a delight, not a genuine three thread seam but a well defined knitted in design that ran straight from heel to upper thigh first time with no fiddling or adjusting. The only question here is who will be bagging our test pair for the Christmas party.

For more Le Bourget, click here. For more reviews, click here.

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All Reviews Le Bourget

Le Bourget Ariane Tights

Sheer tights with an opaque pattern are all the rage at present, and this pair from Le Bourget features a vine pattern swirling around the legs. There are four sizes to choose from, but size 1 is so small that it is rarely stocked. The choice of colour is a choice of black or black.

For 15 denier tights, these feel very heavy indeed. Both the weight and soft velvety feel in hand give the impression of something closer to 40 denier.

A visual inspection reveals that the legs are lightly shaped and that the “invisible toes” are nothing of the sort, they are the same fibre weight as the legs but with double the stitch density. Not a bad thing as running the design to the toe seam would improve neither the look nor the durability of these not inexpensive tights.

The panty is finished with flat seams and a cotton-lined gusset; there is just the narrowest of reinforced strips either side of the seam. Contiguous with a deeper finger band to give a healthy transition to the plain waistband. The pattern runs from behind the toe to the bottom of the finger band.

Sizing is accurate, but you need to take a little time and care if you are at the upper end of a size, it is easy to forget that there are 15 denier sheer tights and you can’t go pulling at them like an opaque.

Fit is perfect, and the finish is perfectly even. The design stands out well against the very slight sheen of the sheer background. It draws the eye up and around accentuating leg length. From shorter distances, less than two steps, the pattern does not stand close inspection, but that is our only complaint. High-quality premium-priced tights to get your legs the attention they deserve.

For more Le Bourget Tights, click here. For more reviews, click here.

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All Reviews Pierre Mantoux

Pierre Mantoux Charente Tights

Tights really should be all about the look and feel on the leg. Still, somehow, some brands manage to create something that stirs your heart even before you open the packet. This is one of those occasions, with the rear of the package that gave us a sneak look at the shiny material.

Also on the rear of the packet is a size chart which provides sizing guidance for Italy, France, Spain, Germany, UK, and the USA. If you are in the UK, please look at the US chart which works on height. Weight and hips, the UK dress sizes are just plain wrong! Sizes 30-42 would be so big that the dresses would be tents and the tights suitable for trawling for fish. The tights come on a card that gives full instructions on how to put them on.

Shiny is the keyword here. These tights are up with the German Seidenglatt styles, Wolford Neon and Charnos Sheer Lustre. The 20 denier weight is spot on for this finish. Sheer enough to be sheer yet opaque enough to give the colour density to make that shiny finish glow.

Detailing is top quality, all sizes are sheer to waist and feature reinforced toes, shaped heel, flat seams and a narrow band of reinforcement either side of the panty seam and between the sheer material and the waistband. Sizes 0-3 have a standard gusset, size 4 (XL) features the comfort gusset or rear panel.

Sizing is spot on, and the fit is excellent from hip to toe. The XL size is a little compromised by the comfort gusset. We would suggest that unless you need the extra width in the hips, the L size would be the best bet. There is only 1” difference in the suggested maximum heights, and there is plenty of stretch.

The high shine look is not for everyone, but we love it, and this is one of the best examples we have seen. The smooth satin sheen finish is flawless and the excellent even colour covers a multitude of imperfections without looking bulky.

Top-quality tights that feel like they will last forever. A must-have for your wardrobe.

For more Pierre Mantoux, click here. For more reviews, click here.

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All Reviews Philippe Matignon

Philippe Matignon Intensite Tights

We thought you all deserved a treat, so here are two reviews in one day!

It has been some time since we reviewed any tights from Philippe Matignon as the brand was withdrawn from the UK market some years ago. Fortunately, one of our newly recruited reviewer friends lives in a country where they are still available. We are hopeful of seeing more styles from this quality brand in due course.

Philippe Matignon Intensite Summer ultra pantyhose with floral pattern and back seam design feel like ten denier. Fully shaped legs, a flat seam in the panty, sheer to waist, sandal toe, cotton gusset, comfort waistband.

As you stretch the tights ready to put them on they feel very soft indeed. A feeling that continues once you have them on. They feel so soft and sheer that you don’t even remember that you are wearing hose. Perfect for showing off with a mini skirt in the summertime. For no reason that we can see, the natural colour pair felt softer than the black.

As you can see from the pictures, the fit is perfect, and the pattern is a very sophisticated design that shows off your calf and ankle. The seam runs perfectly straight and flatters the leg. We love the flower detail at the top of the seam.

You do need to take care when soothing the tights up your leg to make sure that you get the seam straight. You can judge for yourself whether the pattern looks better on a natural or black background as Filodoro very kindly brought a friend for a similar picture.

There are five sizes from extra small to extra large. All except the extra-large have the cotton gusset, the extra-large size has a comfort rear panel. The style and quality of Philippe Matignon are as good as ever.

For more Philippe Matignon, click here. For more reviews, click here.

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All Reviews Misc.

Lady Sofia Relax Tights

The packaging gives very clue about these tights but being called “Relax” and having the sweeping ribbon graphic we are guessing some shaping or support. Sizing needs to be considered carefully as Lady Sofia’s sizes are approximately 2 out of step with EU sizing. So their 6 is roughly an EU 4 or UK Large.

The tights are made with a straight leg and detailed as the packet suggested. Except that we would say that the waistband is pretty standard and that it is attached to an 8 cm deep finger band. Not so very different from a deep waistband, but we like to be accurate. The legs are unshaped, and the brief is finished with an unlined gusset and raised seams.

As with most tights, these are made by knitting two halves complete with waistbands and then sewing the two together. Top-end makers will often use a single piece waistband sewn onto the completed tights. We mention this here because sadly with our test pair the two halves were not perfectly aligned, so there is a step in the waistband. On the upside, there is a narrow reinforced strip either side of the central body seam that should add to durability.

These tights look good with a smooth matt satin finish that gives a subtle shimmer in the right light. The Lycra also ensures a good fit and allows you to take a few liberties with sizing. These are durable tights that will take the stretch.

The deep waistband certainly adds to the comfort. This would allow you to sit these tights little lower on your hips if you chose. The price list calls the waistband/finger band detail a “control top”, any control is minimal. We have no UK retail price, but the trade price suggests they would be good value tights for everyday wear.

For more Tights, click here. For more reviews, click here.

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All Reviews Misc.

La Perla Fusion 20 Tights

Since we first looked at these tights, they have changed the design a little, they no longer quite look like the picture on the packet. The detailing at the waist now looks like this, with considerably more shaping to the waistband. They still feel beautifully smooth and soft in your hand as you take them out of the packet.

They do not look very long, but there is plenty of stretching. And you never feel that you are straining the fabric. Take care to buy the right size, and they will fit perfectly. The construction of these is a little different to other seamless tights as these have a gusset of sorts between the legs.

The wide “adjustable waistband” is very much more than a waistband. As you can see in the photo, this detracts from the overall appearance when compared to the likes of Wolford fatal 15, Victoria’s Secret Seamless Sensation and Pierre Mantoux Seamless. What these details do is to provide a perfect fit from waist to toe. Completely invisible under even the tightest of dresses and exceptionally comfortable.

All ladies who try seamless tights for the first time are amazed at how different they feel compared to regular tights. They are described by many as the most comfortable tights she had ever worn. She also remarked on how she hardly looked to be wearing tights. This is how matt finish tights should be, showing off the legs, not the tights.

These tights are not quite so sexy as the Wolford fatal 15. But they are more comfortable and at least as durable. They are much more durable and longer-lasting than the very hot Pierre Mantoux Seamless. A man may buy other seamless tights for his lady, but a lady buying for herself would buy these.

For more Tights, click here. For more reviews, click here.