Category: All Reviews

The feel in hand is undoubtedly that of “nylons”. The legs do not look over long, and the feet look very short. The seam is a woven-in pattern that stops short of the panty area. The panty is finished with flat seams and a cotton-lined gusset. The detailing on these tights both in terms of design and manufacture is very good.

On the leg, the fit is excellent. The look and feel do not quite capture the essence of vintage nylons. This is a result of the Lycra in the yarn. There is enough Lycra to allow the foot to stretch so that the heel detail is on the heel, even on larger feet. Length in the leg is in line with the size charts, and with careful stretching, our tallest model could get them up to her 34″ legs.

She commented that if you are that tall, you should wear panties on top to keep them up. On the “nude” pair tested, the seam was rather too pale to be seen. For this reason, we would suggest that you stay with classic black unless you are looking to make a very subtle fashion statement.

We had two fears with these tights: that being made in only two sizes, small/medium and medium/large, they were unlikely to be generous in size, and that the sole and heel detail on this sort of tights is usually sized for a size 4-5 foot so on a larger foot the Cuban heel detail is lost. We are pleased to report that, in this case, our fears were largely unfounded. If you stay within the published size chart sizes, you will find that these are the best fitting of the seamed tights tested and the most comfortable (except perhaps for the Wolford Individual 10 Seamed Tights). A very practical alternative to fully fashioned stockings. Beautifully smooth and sheer tights given that little extra something by being seamed.

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Our recent reviews of Pretty Polly have been rather negative, so we thought we should push another style up the queue and see if we could say something positive. One thing to clear out of the way straight away is the idea that these tights in any way replace socks. What we have here is an alternative to plain opaque tights and reviewing against plain opaques; perhaps we can be positive.

Basic construction is straightforward with an unshaped opaque lower leg and an opaque panty. In between, the upper leg is sheer and around 20 denier. Unlike some mock hold-up tights, the transition is made to look and feel like the top of a sock, much more stylish. The top, though, sits a little lower on the leg, as the name suggests, just over the knee. The plain panty is finished with a good quality seam that sits flat in wear. There is no gusset in the panty, but this does not compromise fit and comfort for once.

Incidentally, there are two sizes S/M (5’0″ to 5’6″, 97-155lb, 34″ -40″ hips) and M/L (5’4″-5’10”, 11-174lb, 40-48″ hips). Sophie is S/M for hips, M/L for height, perfectly in the middle for both. The larger size fit perfectly. Unless you are particularly short and petite, the larger size will be the one to go for. We found that the lower leg and foot were light enough to cope with a sock worn over in cold weather. Perhaps slightly defeating the idea behind the design but considering these tights as a stylish alternative to plain opaques is a good thing.

Colour in the sheer part of the leg was not so even as we would have liked. But that part should be mostly out of sight. The best we have seen from Pretty Polly recently. But we still feel they are a little expensive for what they are. We can’t help but think that Pretty Polly is taking great style ideas and marking up high retail prices to maximise margin. Their accounts may love that approach, but we don’t.

When all is said and done, though, there is little direct competition for this style. And they kept one on us warm all day.

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These tights are supplied in an open packet, so if you buy in a high street store, you can both see and feel them before you buy. But of course, you will be buying online and anyway, your legs should neither look nor feel like white cardboard. Extricating the tights from the packet requires some care but once done, we can tell you that the feel is typical of any fishnet, and the look differs from a Micronet fishnet only in that around one in forty holes the net are filled in.

The detailing is very good indeed, with both a very small, short and narrow, reinforced toe and a generous unlined, opaque gusset. Both of these features should greatly increase comfort and improve the look. The waistband is narrow but strong and has a textured design, like a Jonathan Aston style we recently reviewed. There is surprisingly little stretch in both the legs and the waistband. The legs will stretch to fit a leggy 5’10” but as far as 42″ hips are concerned. Well, let us say that you need to be very honest about your measurement. The waistband will go over a pair of 42″ hips if you coax gently. If your hips are anything more than 42″, you won’t get these tights on.

We took great care with these tights, but still, the fishnet ripped at the seam with the gusset. The seam is so light and narrow that this is probably inevitable. On the plus side, the failed seam at the gusset did not run into the leg. The failure of the seam is a great pity as otherwise. These are comfortable and well-fitting tights that look great on the leg. We love the look and are available in black and mulberry, the look, and the spot effect is an excellent alternative to regular fishnets.

We wanted to like these tights. Really we did, but somehow they failed to impress. We don’t know whether it was the failed seam or the very restrictive sizing. It was a nice style change for those with slim hips prepared to chance £6 on a pair of tights they may only wear once.

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It is great to see a piece of actual British invention. Still, the innovation is quite hard to see too. So setting aside those initial negative thoughts, what are these tights like? Well, they are, in essence, a pair of mixed weight tights. Not unlike what we have seen before except that these are mimicking a pair of hold-ups. The bottom part of the leg is knitted heavier and features a cuff much like the top of a sock. There is no shaping at the heel and no reinforcement at the toe either. The look and feel are very much like a 60-80 denier opaque tight. The material used does give something of a feel of a sock, but a light sock.

The sheer leg failed to deliver even colour. As you can see in our picture, there was a lot of banding. For £10, we expected better detailing in the panty. On the plus side, the panty is nicely styled to look like “big pants” and is reasonably opaque. But the lack of gusset for comfort and hygiene and the lack of flat seams was a disappointment.

So, is it a complete disaster? Well, no, not really. If you are reasonably slim in the hips, then the panty does fit comfortably, and the light socks mean that you can wear regular boots and shoes.

Sizing is on the generous side of accurate, but the effect of the sock is somewhat spoiled if you overstretch it. The banding on the sheer leg will be an issue if you wear shorts or short skirts, but with longer winter skirts, not too much leg will be on show.

In our second picture, things look much better. We can’t help but feel that these tights have been made down to a price rather than up to a quality. There is some gain in terms of comfort from the combined garment, and if you wear tights with socks and boots and need new tights, you could consider this option.

We are trying to be positive here but struggling. We might reconsider purchasing these if we needed tights and socks combined to keep warm with heavy boots. If we wanted to stay warm, standard opaque tights are just as good and probably cheaper. If we wanted the sheer tights and socks look, we would buy some new socks to wear over our tights. Somehow Pretty Polly has taken what is a good idea and created a pretty poor product.

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Unlike their 15 denier equivalent, these tights come in the more usual wide packet. The other significant difference aside from the denier of the legs is the panty style, which is styled low leg rather than the high leg. There is nothing to suggest that these are anything other than regular opaque tights on opening the packet. Only when you open them out, you feel the difference in weight and texture between the legs and the panty. On closer visual inspection, the transition line between the almost cardboard feel of the panty and the soft texture of the legs is visible. What is also clear to see is that the styling of the panty is high leg! Not in line with the description or the picture on the packet but a real plus from our perspective.

The legs are straight and finished with non reinforced toes. Legs and panty look to be quite generous for length in our M/L test pair. As with the 15 denier version, there is an S/M size for ladies up to 5’8 tall and 42” hips and M/L for everyone else. The panty is finished with flat seams and a cotton-lined gusset. Sizing is indeed generous for length, and you can comfortably go beyond the suggested heights on the size chart. As for fit on the hips, well, these are designed as control top tights. At the top end of the sizing, they will be tight.

The legs have a good even colour and a lovely matt finish, much like any 60 denier matt opaque. The panty changed entirely once on. A little body heat was enough to get rid of that cardboard feel, and the high waisted high leg control portion of the panty did an excellent job. You will note we said high leg portion. For once on, you can see that the panty is in two parts; the firm controlling high leg panty and a lighter low leg transition to the legs. The cost of these tights is in line with 60 denier opaque tights of the same quality, so the control comes free. Perhaps not the most stylishly detailed panty we have seen but very comfortable with effect control.

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Not to be confused with Pretty Polly Cool Occasion Tights that use a unique fibre mix to keep you cool. These are 100% nylon tights that deal with the problem of crotch ventilation by the simple expedient of having an opening where the gusset would typically be found. The three sizes are all designed for heights up to 5’8 or 5’10”, only the hip size varies much from size to size, with a spread from 36” to 54”. Why there is no small size we don’t know. Perhaps Pretty Polly feel that ladies with hips smaller than 36” or less than 5’0” tall don’t have ventilation issues.

It has to be said that these tights look very much like supermarket multi-pack tights on the first impression. Detailing is relatively unremarkable with a reinforced boxer style brief attached unshaped legs finished with reinforced toes. The seams in the panty are of the raised type, relatively small and reasonably well finished. The same “seaming” is used to finish the edge of the open gusset. In our XL test pair was slightly bigger than the usual gusset opening in a pair of tights.

Considering that these are 100% nylon tights, there is quite a lot of stretch, and the fit is excellent. The Colour is even, and the matt finish provides a subtle if unremarkable finish. The boxer style brief sized for hips up to 54” in our XL test pair was too generous for any of our testers. Be sure to buy the right size for your hips. There is enough stretch to go down a size if you are borderline.

The open gusset will appeal to some, as to how effective it will depend on the underwear you pair these tights with. A cotton-lined gusset gives you the option of not wearing other underwear, and no gusset is more limiting. The degree of ventilation when wearing panties cannot be compared to what you would get from wearing stockings or hold-ups. The open gusset saves nothing in manufacturing costs, and at £4.00, we think these tights are a little expensive. You could get the same effect from any tights with a gusset simply by spending a couple of minutes with a pair of sharp scissors.

All in all an interesting concept that doesn’t quite work for us. Average everyday tights at a slightly inflated price. Although they provide a rare opportunity to buy Lycra free tights, and much as we like the fit Lycra gives, we know many people yearn for the 100% nylon tights of years gone by.

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Such has been the fuss about the Henry Holland tights styles from Pretty Polly it is easy to forget that Pretty Polly have their fashion designs for Spring/Summer 2011. And they look pretty exciting. In this case, Pretty Twirly.

In common with much of the rest of their fashion tights range, including the Henry Holland styles, these are made “one size”, and again we are obliged to say that the price is a little steep for tights only made in medium.

So what do you get for your money? Well, a nice touch is that the label that seals the inner bag carries instructions for putting the tights on. A very sensible idea when many young women will be wearing sheer hosiery for the first time. A pity, though, that the label has to be torn to open the bag.

The tights are smooth, soft, and detailed with a small, lightly reinforced toe, cotton-lined gusset, and a plain low leg panty of around 40 denier. Well made, but nothing special. With seasonal tights like these, the look is everything. Here, Pretty Polly has done well running the “Twirly” seam from just behind the toe to a simple bow on the upper thigh.

We can forgive the one-size design as there is simply masses of stretch. Even if you usually wear large tights, these will fit you perfectly. The 20 denier legs have dense even colour and manage to look slightly glossy 15 denier. The gorgeous background beautifully sets off the ribbon seam detail, and the seam itself is both eye-catching and slimming.

The plain panty is opaque enough to mean that there is no need to spoil your smooth silhouette by wearing any other underwear. Great looking, extremely comfortable tights that it turns out are well worth the asking price.

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Until recently, Pretty Polly Tights at £12 a pair would have caused a few raised eyebrows. Them being also one size would have caused an outcry, but it is becoming quite the norm. So are these tights worth it? The design is all about the pattern of diamond studs that cover a large part of the front of the legs of these tights. They are very evident looking through the window on the packet completely eclipse the rest of the garment once you unpack it. The pattern is where the money was spent, too. The tights themselves are of quite basic construction with unshaped legs, no gusset and raised seams in the panty.

On the upside, the material feels smooth and soft. Although it has the opacity of 60 denier hosiery, it does not have the weight either. The sheer toe is not the same weight as the leg, so it is clearly visible. Sadly, the panty is different knit to the legs with a deep transition band visible at the top of the leg. So no wearing with short skirts ladies. Fit is reasonably good, and there is plenty of stretch to get the most out of “one size”. The colour is even but less dense than would be expected of 60 denier opaque tights. Sadly the studs distort the background a little, which spoils the overall impression.

Indeed a great look with a black dress and black or sparkly silver shoes for a party or a night out. But a bit expensive for a pair of very basic opaques. These would sell for no more than £3 without the studs. Premium price without premium quality.

Despite our reservations, we have to say that this unique look and individuality sometimes comes at a price. If these tights had been sheer to the waist with flat seams and a cotton-lined gusset, we would have been raving about them. Even if they did cost £15-18.

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First off, we would like to answer many of our readers’ questions about this design. Yes, they are tights. The Over The Knee (OTK) refers only to the design. As with other styles in their Premium range, and indeed their super-premium House of Holland range, Pretty Polly have opted to make this design in just one size, a little limiting but heights up to 5’10” should fit most women.

The inner packet again carries instructions on how to put your tights on, and again we have to say it is a pity that the label with the instructions is not “easy peel”, so you can still read it after opening the packet. Maybe next season. These are very much tights in three parts. The unshaped lower leg is 60 denier and finished with a reinforced toe detail. The opaque material continues to above the knee, where there is a chain detail around the leg with two “locket” details running downward (clearly visible in the picture above). The chain detail is in a metallised polyester fibre, aka Lurex.

The upper part of the leg is sheer, around 20 denier. The panty is opaque, about 60 denier, like the lower leg and styled as classic low leg panties. There is a cotton-lined gusset in the panty, which we like, but a heavy raised seam that we are not so keen on. At £12, a flat seam would have been nice. There is no denying that this both looks and feels like a quality garment.

A word of warning, take care putting these tights on. It would be easy to get carried away stretching the robust 60 denier opaque material over your leg and to suddenly find you are treating the more fragile sheer upper leg the same way, which will lead to tears and tears. Stretch slowly and carefully, and these tights will fit the leggiest of 5’10” ladies. The exact position of the chain detail will depend on your leg length and foot size. You cannot fault the fit and comfort. The opaque panty feels snug and holds the legs in place beautifully.

The styling is something we love. The opaque lower leg flatters the shape of your calf and ankles, and then the chain and locket design catch your eye. Get the length of your skirt just right, and the lockets will be clearly visible to all with the chain and perhaps the sheer fabric above just being glimpsed from time to time. If you go more daring and decide to show off a lot of thigh, the opaque panty will protect your modesty even if you choose to go without any other underwear. Flat seams and a choice of sizes would have been excellent at the £12 price point, but those are minor quibbles. Style never did come cheap, after all!

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Pretty Polly offers you shaping with discretion. Whether you prefer the bare leg look of their Natural Secret Slimmer Tights or this style from their Nylons range.

The legs of these tights are just like the others in the Nylons range. Ten denier, slightly glossy, shaped at the heel and finished with a reinforced toe. A winning formula that Pretty Polly have applied to good effect over the years. Just below the gusset level are the first of three horizontal bands. The first two are about 7mm deep and the third is nearer 2cm deep. These bands are not just darker but have greater stretch resistance. As well as being decorative, they should avoid the bulging effect you sometimes get when sheerlegs are sewn directly to a heavy control top.

The boxer style brief has a cotton-lined gusset and attaches directly to the top band at the top of the leg. Pretty Polly has changed over the years in their sizing, so now there are just two sizes S/M and M/L. Both sizes cover heights 5’0” to 5’10” (152-178cm) with just the hip size differentiating; less than 42” or more than 42” (107cm). There is more length to play with than the size chart suggests, and the hip sizing is accurate. If you are at the top end of the hip size range, you could find them tight, so consider just how much slimming you can take.

We have always liked the look and feel of Pretty Polly Nylons, and these look and feel better than ever. A second-skin fit on the leg with perfect even colour and an alluring sheen. Silky smooth and perfectly sheer, you get a look that is a class above what you would expect at the price.

As for the control top, well, it is smoother and sharper than a squeezer, you know it is there indeed, but you will be able to move and eat. There is no problem that we could see with bulging at the top of the leg. You get a perfectly smooth silhouette. Should you decide to go without other underwear, the cotton-lined gusset will help to keep you fresh. The heavy opaque panty means your modesty will be protected even if the Paparazzi do ambush you as you get out of your limousine.

Excellent tights that are equally suitable for the office or a night out. Our one quibble is that we would have liked to have seen flat seams in the panty. But that will not stop us from stocking up on a few pairs!

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