Month: June 2017

Aristoc Micro Fibre 40 Opaque Tights aren’t cheap but are worth it.

We took Aristoc to task when we reviewed the 80 denier version of these tights for proudly putting “England” on the front of the packet “British” on the back and “made in Italy” in the small print. The same comments apply here, come on Aristoc your new Ultimate sheers are made in England, so why not your opaques?

To the good news. Aristoc finally seem to be moving away from the two size system where sizes S, M & L gave way to SM and ML; now they have three sizes SM, ML and XL. The three sizes are intended to fit a range of heights from 5’0” to 6’0” (152cm – 183cm) and weights from 97lb to 224lb (44kg-102kg).  Helpfully they also provide guidance on hip measurement, 34” to 54” (86cm -137cm). The largest size is for the big girls, and that we applaud.

At first glance, there is little to justify the premium price tag of these tights. Soft to the touch but not exceptionally so, slightly heavier than we would have expected from 40 denier hosiery and very merely detailed. Straight legs finished with a reinforced toe detail, sheer to waist, flat seams and a cotton lined gusset, topped off with a thick plain waistband.

There is nothing really to make this £15 pair of tights stand out from a £6 pair other than the sheer to waist construction until you put them on that is. There merely is masses of stretch which we found translated mostly into extra length if you need it. Our tip on sizing is select on hip size only and let the stretch deal with the rest.

The stretch translates into a very close figure-hugging fit with no bagging or sagging at knee and ankle.

Ever so smooth and soft to the touch the finish on these tights is as pleasing to the hand as to the eye. Visually the finish it near perfect with flawless even colour and an utterly matt finish. Not quite a true opaque but on the darker end of semi-opaque.

Very classy tights that look great and will keep you just that little bit warmer than sheers. A bit steeply priced perhaps, but if they last well that could be forgiven.

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Aristoc Bodytoners Low Leg Toner Tights look and feel great!

A note on sizing…The Aristoc Bodytoners range is sized quite differently to regular tights. All sizes are designed for heights 4-10” to 5’10”, with only your hip measurement/dress size determining the size you require. You may find that although you usually wear large tights, you can wear the Small/Medium in this range.

These are the Aristoc Bodytoner Tights that most closely follow the “normal” design for control top hosiery. There is a heavy boxer style brief (low leg panty) that has flat seams; a small cotton lined gusset and a V-shaped tummy control panel.

The legs, which are shaped at the heel and finished with a sandal toe, are sheer and provide graduated compression.

We tested a Small/Medium pair on a tall model. At first glance there seemed no way that these little tights could fit someone of 4’10” never mind 5’10”, but with careful stretching they did. The size chart is accurate.

The control top does its job well, without feeling restrictive and the graduated compression is soothing on the legs. The fit is excellent, and the look on the legs is gorgeous. Control hosiery is just not meant to look and feel so soft, smooth and silky.

Even in you don’t need the control top, you should consider buying these tights just for their look and feel on the legs.

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Aristoc Lacey Tights is versatile and worth the price tag.

Call us cynical, but reading the last part of the packet notes from Aristoc, we can’t help but feel that they are trying to give the impression that these tights are made in Derbyshire, but are saying they are merely finished and packed there.

The first thing that you notice when you pick up the packet is that it seems quite bulky, and this impression continues once you take the tights from the pack. Although described as 20 denier, the clever lace knitting process means there is both thickness and texture of the material.

Construction is straightforward; there is a plain reinforced toe then it is lace all the way up the straight legs to the plain waistband. The panty features a cotton gusset and flat seams.

As is standard for most Aristoc styles these days, there are just two sizes; both fit from 4’10” to 5’10” with 42” hip being the demarcation between the two. At first, this seems very optimistic, but there is plenty of stretch and strength if you take things easy. A Small/Medium test pair easily coped with a 34” leg.

We can remember lacy hosiery from the 1980’s, and one of the issues then was the poor fit, that we are pleased to say is a thing of the past. The fit is very close from hip to toe, with no bagging or sagging at the knees.

Undoubtedly eye-catching party tights, a little too heavy for the summer months unless you are out on a chilly evening.

Well made and durable, suitable for wear all year round and well worth the £12 price tag.

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Aristoc Bodytoners Invisible Tights are great but do face a few issues.

A note on sizing…The Aristoc Bodytoners range is sized quite differently to regular tights. All sizes are designed for heights 4-10” to 5’10” with only your hip measurement/dress size determining the size you require. You may find that although you usually wear large tights, you can wear the Small/Medium in this range.

Controlling and shaping tights fall into two distinct types, those that look like they are made for the job like the Aristoc Bodytoner Hourglass Tights, and the far more rare type that look like classic sheer to waist tights. These fall into the second group.

Indeed, when you first handle them, there is no clue that they are designed to control and shape, they look and feel like any other 15 denier sheer to waist tights. The body seams are flat, there is a cotton lined gusset, and they are topped off with a 3 cm broad waistband that carries the Aristoc logo.

The legs are slightly shaped at the heel and finished with sandal toes.

The legs looked very short, but there was enough stretch in the Medium/Large pair to fit a UK size 16 with a 34” leg. The colour on the leg is very even, and there is a subtle pearl sheen. The fit is perfect, with no bagging at knee or ankle.

These tights do not shape as firmly as the other tights in the range, but that may be partly because the others we tested were the smaller size. It is no bad thing anyway, as not everyone likes the constrictive of my patterned control hosiery.

Although the look on the leg is very smooth, almost glossy, there is a coarseness to the finish if you run your hands over them; not a huge issue though if you are wearing them. On the plus side, these are great looking, comfortable tights that seem to be fantastically durable. If you only need a little shaping, these are the ideal solution, and even your closest friends won’t notice.

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 Aristoc Bodytoner Hourglass isn’t cheap, but well worth it!

Please Note: This is part two of Aristoc Bodytoner Hourglass review

I had never worn any tights like these before, with the panty designed to come up so high to just under your breastbone. For me, it initially raised a lot of questions about how comfortable and practical there are to wear. These were entirely answered fully after wearing them for a while.

Opening the packet for the first time you notice the panty is slightly larger than usual and not the most elegant with the compression band for the waist, seeing how sheer and elegant the legs looked to give me more confidence that these were going to look nice on.

Knowing how difficult some control top tight is to put on I was initially concerned about laddering the sheer legs while putting them on, the legs in these had a lot more stretch than many tights and went on like a dream. The insert card contains a few pointers to put them on and advises you to stand up which made it a lot easier.

It was strange I have to say putting the panty right up over your waist and realising how high it comes up. You can feel them on and pull you in a little; I soon realised that there was little movement around the lower rib cage and this is, why combined with the elastic welt, they stayed up very well for me even after 6 hours of wearing.

I do not think they would be a direct replacement for traditional foundation wear like a girdle or corset, then how many ladies wear those these days? For a modern alternative there was a small reduction in my waist and indeed smoothed out a few bulges.

These are great to wear with a close fitting evening dress; I would say they do not look like the most romantic hosiery ever. The legs of these tights are very sheer and yet durable, with a very silky finish, as close to silk as I have felt without it being silk on my legs. The control element of these tights is noticeable without being constrictive.

Once you get over the concept of wearing these tights especially if you’re young, I agree with Aristoc that 75% of ladies will benefit from wearing them.

Aristoc also claims they are comfortable to wear when it comes to going to the powder room. I am probably in agreement, compared to magic knickers they are a lot easier. For long hot summer days, they might be a little uncomfortable to wear all day. With close-fitting garments in colder weather, they are great.

On the downside, they cost a more than others in the same range, but sometimes it’s worth paying a little more for something to wear for a special occasion.

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Aristoc Bodytoners can help create that hourglass figure!

Note: This is part one of Aristoc Bodytoner Hourglass review.

A note on sizing…The Aristoc Bodytoners range is sized quite differently to regular tights. All sizes are designed for heights 4-10” to 5’10” with only your hip measurement/dress size determining the size you require. You may find that, although you usually wear large tights, you can wear the Small/Medium in this range.

The Bodytoners range is made up of 8 items each designed to either shape or smooth a specific part of the body. Except for the Bodytoner Shorts and Bodytoner Waist Toner, these are all tights designed to show off your legs too.

Of all the range, it is this style that has got all the publicity, and rightly so, as these tights combine all the features of the range into one garment. The combination of waste toner, shaping shorts and sheer legs makes for quite an intimidating looking clothing. These are quite unlike anything we have seen before, but if you are going to wear hip, thigh and waist shaping, it makes some sense to wear just one garment and avoid bumps and ridges at the joins.

The construction looks excellent with flat seams in the body, a cotton lined gusset and beautiful slightly shaped sheer legs with lightly reinforced toes. Aristoc has borrowed the Gerbe waistband design we like so much, but of course, with this model, it sits not on the waist, but just below your breasts.

You put them on just like any other tights; the strong brief makes them perhaps easier to put on than regular sheer tights. They are very comfortable too; the sheer legs have no compression, fit perfectly, have perfect even colour and have a beautifully smooth, soft finish.

The long leg brief/waste toner combination is never going to be called sexy, but it does what it needs to do, by staying where you put it and smooths your curves. The compression band shapes the waist but does not constrict it. The brief is designed not to flatten your bottom, but to lift it. These tights are the perfect all-in-one foundation garment for wearing under close-fitting outfits, just so long as your skirt is not too short, and your top isn’t cut low at the back. The legs are good enough for the smartest evening function. We have no hesitation in recommending everyone to buy at least one pair!

What if you ladder the legs? Well, it is a fair question given that ten denier tights are not everlasting. We would suggest that you remove the legs carefully and keep the remainder as a foundation garment to wear with regular tights.

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Aristoc Bodytoner Tights is both smooth and sexy!

A note on sizing…The Aristoc Bodytoners range is sized quite differently to regular tights. All sizes are designed for heights 4-10” to 5’10” with only your hip measurement/dress size determining the size you require. You may find that although you usually wear large tights, you can wear the Small/Medium in this range.

These tights give an excellent first impression, soft in hand, smooth to the touch and a beautiful sheen. More objectively the panty is finished with flat seams and a cotton lined gusset, the sheer legs are slightly shaped at the heel and finished with a sandal toe.

A word on the panty. Control tops can often be an ugly appendage to a pair of otherwise lovely sheer legs. In this case, the impressions are of a pair of satin finish panties high leg briefs, finished with a broad waistband carrying the Aristoc motif.

The factor 8 compression in the leg is apparent when you stretch these tights over your feet to put them on, but after that, it is very subtle. The legs feel strong and durable and extend to cope with even very long legs (We tested the Small/Medium on 34” legs, and they were perfect). The best news is that you are the only one who will know you are wearing support tights, the fit is excellent, and the finish is sheer with a silky sheen in the right light.

The panty is comfortable too with a V-shaped front panel giving just a hint of control in the tummy area. Worn without underwear, you get an entirely smooth silhouette.

The one slight problem we found was that the waistband tended to roll when you sit. A pity they did not use the weld design on the Hourglass Toner Tights.

All in all, some of the best control tops we have seen, combining style, sexiness and practicality.

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Aristoc Floral Lace Pattern Tights fit well and is gorgeous!

Aristoc makes these tights in two sizes, both to fit heights 4’10” to 5’10” (147-178 cm) with the Small/Medium size fitting hips 34”-42” (86-107 cm) and the Medium/Large size fitting hips 42” – 48”  (107-122 cm). Just like the Model T Ford car you can have any colour you like so long as it is black. We tested the larger size.

First impressions were pretty good. When you spend £12 on a pair of tights, it is comforting to feel something substantial when you slip them from the packet. As these are 100% nylon relying entirely on the knit stretch, they look enormous too.

Construction is quite simple on the first inspection; then you notice that there is no seam at the toe, and you realise that the seam up the back of each leg is not a decoration, but it is the actual construction seam. These seams like the seams in the panty and around the unlined gusset are raised and well finished. Flat seams clearly would not work as a feature on the legs so we can forgive the absence of flat seams in the panty too, as it would make no sense to mix two seaming methods in one pair of tights.

The lace design is in the form of climbing flowers. The lace covers the entire garment except for the waistband. The waistband is beautifully detailed and on a par with Gerbe, Wolford and Fogal.

The trick when putting these tights on is to make sure that you get the seam straight under your foot and over the middle of your heel. Do this, and you will be rewarded with a straight seam up the back of your leg.

There is far more stretch than we anticipated, so the larger size could easily cope with a 34” leg. The sizing in the panty is spot on. Of course with quite heavy material and no Lycra there is some tendency to bunch behind the knee when you are seated, but this in no way detracts from the look. The waistband is very useful so you should not spend your evening pulling your tights back up.

These are tights for the evening rather than the working day. If you haven’t bought your hosiery for your Christmas parties yet then look no further.

Our tip: Wear over a pair of glossy sheers for a little more warmth and a healthy glow through the lace. Or for an eye-catching look wear over a pair of bright coloured sheers.

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Arisoc Fishnet Tights are a real catch!

These fishnet tights are real “micronets”. The first impression in hand is that they are highly elasticated. This is a good thing as they only come in two sizes, both intended to fit 4’10” to 5’10” with only the hip size differing. As our testing model is 6’2″ size was a concern.
Construction is seamless aside from around the circular cotton lined gusset. The waistband is about 12 mm deep and is just a band of elastic.

The high Lycra contend did give enough stretch to fit, and once on the fit hip to toe was better than most net tights. Once smoothed evenly the colour was very even, although some care is required to avoid “banding”.

We also tested these fishnets over a pair of ultra sheer Charnos Transparent tights. The effect was very nice and highly recommended, both look and feel was improved.

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Aristoc Crystalli Tights are well made, but a little pricey.

These are sheer to waist tights styled with a twist on the classic seamed tights idea, a vertical crystal pattern on the back of each leg.

The tights we would estimate at 15 denier, they are well made with a broad waistband for comfort and a finger band and reinforcement either side of the flat seams in the panty for strength. The dot-dash-dot pattern of bright metal studs will cover just 9”-10” on your calf, eye-catching but not so stylish as a full-length seam design.

Aside from the stud design, these are classic sheer to waist tights with flat seams in the panty and with reinforced material on either side of the central seam running into a finger band below the waistband. The toes are lightly reinforced.

Both sizes Small/Medium and Medium/Large are sized for heights 4’10” to 5’10” with just the hip sizes varying between them. Christina tested the smaller size and found the sizing and fit to be good. This time we tried the larger size and found the fit to be good and the sizing accurate to generous, if you are borderline between sizes, you may prefer the smaller.

Perhaps a little overpriced at £9.00 but they will get your legs noticed.

The packet photo must be a pre-production sample, perhaps too expensive to put into production.

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