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All Reviews Philippe Matignon

Pierre Mantoux Flou 15 Tights

Pierre Mantoux Flou Tights

We have loved the Pierre Mantoux tights we have seen up to now. But they have all been what could be described as “special”, being either seamless or summer tights with cooling fibres; this is the first standard sheer style we have seen.

First impressions are excellent. Indeed, there is a lightness and softness that belies the 15 denier weight. They feel far sheerer and delightfully soft. Could they have been wrongly described on the packet?

From the very lightly reinforced toes. Detailing is excellent through the shaped heels and up to the ever so classy waistband that carries the Pierre Mantoux motif. Sheer to waist with just the narrowest of reinforced areas on either side of the flat seams and around the cotton-lined gusset. Sensibly, a finger band gives a strong transition from the delicate sheer fabric to the elastic waistband.

A little care is needed with reading the size chart. If you are used to the 1-5 system used by German makers, here the XL size is size IV. We tested the large (III). There are sizes given for Italy, France, Spain, the rest of Europe. The UK and the USA all use similar numbers except for the US system, which uses height, weight and hip measurement.

We said similarly as although the notation is the same and the numbers in the same range. There is no correlation between systems size L (III) being 46-48 in Italy, 44-46 in France, 34-38 in Spain and 36-40 in the rest of Europe; so much for EU standardisation. The UK sizing refers to dress sizes that are most certainly not UK dress sizes!

Based on the US sizing method, the good news is that the sizing of these tights is 100% perfect, and there is enough stretch and strength to go beyond the suggested heights if you need to. Our advice is to work from the US sizing when buying.

The fit and finish are gorgeous. It’s like a second skin in black shows off every curve and contour of the leg with just a slight shimmer. We won’t have a price until our friends at UKTights get their stock in later in the month, but these are high-class sheer tights up there with the best; who cares about the price!

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

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All Reviews Pierre Mantoux

Pierre Mantoux Effet Tights

Pierre Mantoux Effet Tights

If you spend time looking at any topic for too long, you start to ask questions and worry about things that don’t occur to other people. In this case, the question that has bothered us is that although we see a lot of 20 denier and 30 denier hosiery, 25 denier is a rarity. (3 other styles, in case you wondered, two from Wolford and one from Marks & Spencer. Two support styles and one with Lurex).

Then along come Pierre Mantoux with a genuine sheer to waist fashion style in 25 denier. Lycra 3D, you expect to be soft, and these tights certainly are not light but super smooth and soft. If we had not known the denier in advance, we would have struggled to guess; I think we would have gone for 20 denier rather than 30. The 3D makes it harder to judge.

We’re getting ahead of ourselves there! There are five sizes to choose from, and you need to take a little care in selecting, mainly if you are used to the system used by other top quality brands. Size 1 is small, and size IV is extra large. This largest size has a comfortable rear panel rather than a traditional gusset. In all sizes, the seams are flat and well finished.

The legs are shaped at the heel and finished with a reinforced toe detail. From there upwards, they are sheer to the finger band, which is contiguous with the reinforcement on either side of the seam (T-band detailing is how some brands describe it). The finger band carries a feint “Pierre Mantoux” motif on each hip.

The sizing is spot on, remember to read the chart carefully. For once, the comfort gusset in the XL size does not spoil the fit. The colour on the leg is perfectly even and just a little denser than from a 20 denier sheer, with a matt finish, of course. These tights may be soft and smooth, but they give a feeling of quality and strength too. A super-classy sheer that justifies its price tag.

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

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All Reviews Pierre Mantoux

Pierre Mantoux Douceur 8 Tights

Pierre Mantoux Douceur 8 Tights

After reviewing quite a few pairs of light summer tights recently, we rather expected these eight denier tights from Pierre Mantoux to be from the same mould, but they weren’t.

First off, the material had a far stiffer feel to it. Then there was the detailing. Sheer to waist, but unlike summer tights, these have reinforced toes. The rest of the detailing is typical of regular good quality sheer rights, shaped non-reinforced heels, flat seams in the panty, a cotton-lined gusset and T-band reinforcement for strength.

Sizing is slightly unusual in that size III is very slightly larger than the German size III, but in the German brands such as Falke, this is medium/large Pierre Mantoux call this large. Size IV (XL) has a comfort gusset rather than a cotton gusset and is the same size as the German Size IV (L). But fortunately, the sizing is accurate, and so long as you are careful and patient, there is plenty of stretches. But note that these are not tights for the very tall or full-figured.

If you use all the available stretch, the fit is very close indeed. Eight denier is very sheer and gives a subtle and flattering finish on your legs. Once upon a time, we had issues with the durability of Pierre Mantoux tights, but not with these. After a full day of wear in the office, they came off as good as they went on. Interestingly the effect of a day of wear was to take some of the weight off the feel.

Somehow Pierre Mantoux has transitioned from premium-priced yet fragile tights to durable, high-quality ultra-sheer tights at very reasonable prices. Stunningly good sheer tights for girls who like their hosiery very fine.

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

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All Reviews Philippe Matignon

Philippe Matignon Jalousie Tights

Philippe Matignon Jalousie Tights

We miss seeing Philippe Matignon tights on the high street in the UK. But the brand is still widely available in continental Europe. It is particularly well represented in Italy and Spain in the major department stores.

Fashion in these countries is governed far more by the calendar than the weather. So even though it was 25°C when we were in Spain last week, some women had moved from summer sheers such as these to opaques. But many were still in their sheers.

Adding patterns to a sheer base has been a big trend in hosiery during 2010. But this is the only style we have seen so far where the pattern is restricted to the foot. The black on tan design covers the sole and over the toes and finishes with point heel detail. Otherwise, these are entirely regular ten denier sheer tights.

Normal but of high quality with a reinforced toe hidden in the pattern, shaped heels, flat seams in the panty and a cotton-lined gusset in all sizes. Sheer to the waist with no strengthening around the seams and gusset.

The tribal tattoo design on foot will be very much a matter of taste, it does look quite like a henna tattoo under tights, so if that is a look your favour, these are the tights for you. As sheer tights, these work, they feel much stronger than ten denier, and they look it too. We would have guessed at closer to 15 denier. The look on the leg is flawless with a subtle satin shine, certainly not a bare leg look.

Sizing is entirely accurate, but where the legs have generous length, the panty is on the small side, the waistband is set relatively low to accommodate summer fashions without showing.

Beautifully made sheer tights with a twist. For more Philippe Matignon products, click here. For more reviews, click here.

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All Reviews Misc.

Penti Second Skin Tights

Penti Second Skin Tights

The back of the rather smart-looking box states these are sold from an address in Nottinghamshire. That’s the home of hosiery manufacture in England. Sadly the manufacturing is carried out overseas, in this case in Turkey. So aside from an outstanding quality packet, what do you get for your £2.77?

Very light and sheer tights made with straight legs that are finished with a nicely made toe seam and a sandal toe detail. Sheer to waist with flat seams in the panty sensibly reinforced on either side of the seam.

There is a finger band around 2.5cm deep, giving a transition to a similar depth waistband. There are three sizes S/M, M/L and XL. XL is designed with a rear panel rather than a cotton gusset and is sized for ladies with hips over 48” or 122 cm.

The specification of these tights does read more £7 than £3. Still, there are a few compromises on quality, such as the transition from finger band to seam reinforcement being untidy and slight misalignment across seams. These problems are inevitable, but quality control in more expensive brands would stop tights with these issues being sold.

Of course, the proof is in the look and feel on the leg, and here we have no complaints. The sizing is accurate, and even stretching them a little longer presented no problems. We never once felt that the highly sheer fabric would rip under even pressure. There is just a hint of shine on the finish. Unless you are pretty close, the look is very much one of a tanned leg rather than tights, perfect for summer. The “tan” shade is perhaps just a bit “Mediterranean” or “late summer” for a lot of northern Europeans to wear in spring or early summer, but there are lighter shades, natural and illusion that will work earlier in the summer. All in all, we are delighted to recommend excellent value tights for everyday wear in the warmer months.

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

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All Reviews Pamela Mann

Pamela Mann 3 Big Bow Suspender Tights

Pamela Mann 3 Big Bow Suspender Tights

One of the critical trends of the present and immediate past seasons has been the combination of sheer and opaque in a single pair of tights and the use of this to produce designs inspired by the style of stockings and suspenders. This is one of several designs on that theme from Pamela Mann.

As is common in the Pamela Mann range, these are one size tights; there is no guidance on the packet about what that one size is. So we will not comment on the accuracy or otherwise of the sizing.

There are three deniers to consider in this design. The lower leg is a true opaque of around 60 denier; this part of the garment is entirely unshaped and finished with outstanding quality and robust reinforced toe. The upper part of the leg is sheer (15-20 denier is our estimate), and this carries the three bow design front and back.

The panty is heavier than the upper leg and has the look and feel of the boxer brief standard on many lower-priced sheer tights. The budget feel carries on into the detailing of the panty as it has no gusset and lacks flat seams. The colour density on the lower leg is, excellent and the matt finish looks great. Sadly the upper parts are not good at all. The bow motif doesn’t work either as a mock suspender or as a design in its own right.

To make matters worse, these tights are made by joining two identical halves. And the top of the ribbon is not central. As you can see in the picture above, this means you cannot get symmetry and will always look like you can’t put tights on properly. The boxer style brief is a natural passion killer, and the lack of a gusset compromises both fit and comfort.

Sizing is quite generous, so even if you are tall or big in the hips, these tights should still accommodate you. This is not a flawed concept but is not well executed.

For more Pamela Mann, click here. For more reviews, click here.

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All Reviews Misc.

Ose R20 Tights

Ose R20 Tights

We got a big surprise when we came to review these tights before we even opened the packet. If you had asked us about the Ose brand, we would have waxed lyrical about the high-quality hosiery from Italy, the sublime Ose Angel Seamless Tights. Then we realised that we have never actually reviewed any Ose tights before.

The name R20 caught us out too. Entirely how Ose came up with the name, we are not sure. Indeed it is the shortest name we have ever seen, but why R20 when the tights are 40 denier? Why not R20? The packet at least gives a partial description of the tights and a size chart explaining the four sizes available.

Heights up to 185 cm or 5’10” are catered for, although we are unsure why metabolic ladies can be 3” or 7.2cm taller than others. (The second time this week, we have seen inconsistent sizing between imperial and metabolic units).

So to the tights

No surprise at all. High-quality Italian tights! Sheer to waist with entirely shaped legs. The sandal toe detail is elegant and lighter than the legs. There is a run stop detail to prevent holes in the toes from becoming ladders in the legs.

Stretching these tights over your hand to inspect them, you can feel the light support which is graduated from a peak at the ankles. The panty is finished with flat seams that have a narrow transition strip on either side for strength. There is a pretty finger band of 2cm depth and a 3cm deep waistband.

The cotton gusset appears only on sizes 1-3 (S-L), size 4 (XL) has the comfort gusset (v-shaped rear panel) that is common in Italian hosiery. The rear panel is heavier than the legs but not exceptionally so. Don’t rush putting these tights on. They need to be put on slowly and carefully. Not because they are in any way fragile, but they do cling to your legs and take a while to adjust if you don’t get it right the first time.

They cling excellently, of course, giving a perfect fit and a sensation of support on your legs that is caressing rather than constricting. Smooth them evenly up your legs, and you are rewarded with perfect even colour.

Sizing is spot on with enough stretch to go beyond even the bigger metabolic sizes suggested, a 34” / 86cm leg being easily accommodated. The comfort gusset provides extra space in the seat in the XL size. And for once, the fit and feel of the tights are not spoilt by this detail. Excellent semi-opaque tights that support your legs without any clue that they are not purely fashion tights.

If you are on your feet all day working or expect a long night out partying, these tights could be the answer to your prayers. Now we know why they call them R20. Easy to remember when you go to buy some.

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

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All Reviews Pamela Mann

Pamela Mann 28 Heart Seam Tights

Pamela Mann 28 Heart Seam Tights

Pamela Mann produces a wide range of styles. Many of them affordable versions of styles, made initially as part of the range of one of the more expensive brands. This particular style is not copying any specific kind. But the idea of a seam made of hearts is undoubtedly not new. Some have worked, others have not.

When taking these tights out of the packet, you first notice that they are a combination of 15 denier sheer leg and much heavier boxer style panty. The legs are stretched and finished with a reinforced toe detail. Up the back of each leg from the toe to the start of the panty is a row of hearts, each about 1cm wide (unstretched). The panty is very ordinary with raised seams and no gusset.

Pamela Mann makes these tights like most of the others in their range as one-size. Unfortunately, the packet does not indicate what that one size is. Our tests suggest that they will stretch to cope with a slim to the athletic leg. With a 34” inseam and that 44” would be the upper limit on hip size, it’s quite generous for one size tights.

The heart design is quite effective, but the quality of our test pair was such that horizontal lines ruined the sheer look. These knitting faults should never have passed inspection. The panty does help you see why some people call tights “passion killers” it just doesn’t look great, and the lack of a gusset compromises fit and comfort.

Very disappointing and not where we would spend £8 of our money. And no, we don’t know where the 28 in the style name comes from.

For more Pamela Mann products, click here. For more reviews, click here.

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All Reviews Oroblu

Oroblu Unique 20 Seamless Tights

Oroblu Unique 20 Seamless Tights

Ask our reviewers what type of tights excite them the most, and they will all have a favourite. Then they will say “and of course top quality sheers” before remembering sheer seamless tights and starting to recount when they first tried a pair. However, as you will see if you read our page dedicated to seamless tights, new seamless styles don’t come along very often and sadly seldom stay around long. So today is an exciting day, a new seamless sheer from Oroblu.

Called “Unique”, they follow a similar formula from other leading brands. 20 denier with 17% Lycra in the legs and 11% Lycra in the waistband. It’s made in four sizes to fit up to 5’11” (180cm) and 187lb (85kg). As the fibre composition hinted at, these tights are made in two parts the leg and crotch area, which are sheer, and a heavier waistband sewn on with a flat seam; not a construction we have seen before. The legs are entirely sheer to the toe seam and lightly shaped at the heel.

Unlike other seamless tights we have tried, these are far more like conventional tights in the leg, and they feel far more robust. Seamless tights tend to look short in the leg, and these are no exception, but there is simply masses of stretch, and a 34″ leg is easily catered for by the largest size. In addition, the strong stretch fabric fills you with confidence. Not much heavier than the Pierre Mantoux seamless, they are many times more robust.

What we like about seamless tights is the way they follow every curve for a perfect fit. These are no exception; the fit is second to none. The waistband sits on your waist even if you are of a fuller figure, and the clever shaping hugs the curves of your hips, as well as the sheer panty, follows the curves of your bottom.

Creative knitting means they are sheer below the waistband, not even the tiny lines you see on Wolford Fatal. Perfect even colour with a matt finish to flatter. Smooth and soft to the touch, too, once warmed up a little The sexiest seamless tights ever? Maybe Pierre Mantoux still hold that title, the most practical for everyday wear? Most certainly! If you are taller than average, then these are perhaps the first seamless tights made for you.

For more Oroblu products, click here. For more reviews, click here.

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All Reviews Oroblu

Oroblu Stefany Tights

Oroblu Stefany Tights

Tights that give the visual impression of leggings worn over sheers are nothing new. We have seen them several times over the past couple of years from several manufacturers. What makes these stand out is that they arrive just when the fashion world is looking back to the 1980s, the decade that inspired this look. Fashion is all about timing, and this is where style is now.

The initial visual impression is quite strange. The leggings part is heavy opaque, and well, just like a pair of leggings. Then the sheer parts hang down like two little afterthoughts seemingly out of scale being un-stretched. The construction is quite simple forward. The light sheer lower legs are straight and finished with a sandal toe. With just a few decorative bands and the top of the calf. The “leggings” are entirely plain and finished with flat seams and a cotton-lined gusset, typical of any good quality 80 denier opaque.

Oroblu make this design in three sizes. The sizing is accurate but with enough stretch to cope if you are slightly taller than the size chart recommends. The fit is perfect throughout, and we were particularly pleased to find that the change of weight below the knee was not noticeable. You can feel the difference with some control top/sheer leg hosiery, and there is visible bulging.

The Colour is perfectly even throughout, and the strong contrast between opaque and sheer does give the impression of leggings over sheers with just the five bands at the top of the sheer parts giving away the fact this is one garment.

Those five bands are the one area that caused us a minor concern. In case you are not aware, tights and stockings are knitted as a spiral tube. Most of the time, you would not be able to tell that each line of stitches was not a closed circle. And even where there is a change from sheer to opaque the slight “step” is not so easily spotted. If, however you try to knit in darker hoops that are just 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 stitches deep, as these are, then the misalignment is quite apparent. Mainly as the “steps” are all lined up vertically.

Not a big issue from a distance. But again because of the way a pair of tights is made, by sewing to identical halves together. You will find that however you put them on, this misalignment will be on the front of one leg and the back of the other and highly visible to anyone sat opposite. That one small gripe aside, these are well made. Good quality and very stylish tights. They combine all the benefits of sheers to show off your shapely calf and ankle and opaques to keep you warm and protect your modesty. Sensibly priced at £10.95 too.

For more Oroblu products, click here. For more reviews, click here.