Month: July 2021

We know that Pierre Mantoux make some sublime fashion hosiery and gorgeous, delicate sheers, including the sexiest seamless tights that we have ever seen. But can they impress as much with opaque tights?

Indeed, there is a feeling of quality to these tights when you handle them, and we applaud Pierre Mantoux for including instructions on how to put them on the card, although these are less important with opaques than sheers. Detailing is better than getting on the run of the mill opaque tights. The toes are not reinforced, and there is a hint of shaping at the heels. The panty features a cotton-lined gusset in sizes 1-3 and a comfort gusset in size 4. All sizes have high-quality flat seams and a soft waistband.

The size chart provided sizing for all the various European countries plus sizing based on height, weight and hip size for the USA. As the European systems all use the same notation but mean different sizes. The measurement information is handy. As reviewed, the largest sizes were intended to fit up to 6’0” tall, 225lb weight and 54” hips (183cm, 100kg, 137cm).

The large size fits only to within 1” (2.5cm) of height, so unless you need the extra hip space, that size would be the better choice to get the cotton-lined gusset. Our testing confirms our initial thoughts on sizing, the largest size will easily cope with a 34” leg (87cm), so unless you are incredibly leggy and full in the hips, the large size will fit. Sizing is on the generous side of accurate for length.

Fit is excellent, and the colour density is ideal even for the hip to toe. Entirely sheer to the waist, these tights can be worn with the shortest fashions. For once, a comfort gusset deserves the name. Somehow Pierre Mantoux has managed to avoid the usual problems inherent in gaining hip space in this way; perhaps it is the leg length allowing the seat to be free of downward pull.

So to answer our opening question, yes, Pierre Mantoux can impress with opaque tights too. Veloutine 70 fits beautifully, feel great to wear, flatter the legs and look expensive. Well worth the premium over lesser brands.

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

The fashion at present is for the bare-legged look provided by ultra-sheer tights, but with the summer bank holiday in the UK at the end of this week. The autumn will soon be on us, and we will be looking towards heavier hosiery.

30 denier is a very versatile weight, a little warmer than a sheer but not so heavy as a winter opaque. Interestingly, these tights follow the recent trend of using microfibre in lighter hosiery. The first thing that struck us about these tights was the waistband, deep and textured and most reminiscent of the type used on seamless tights. Not a massive surprise as Pierre Mantoux make two seamless styles.

The panty below the deep waistband features the T type reinforcement of a finger band and strengthening either side of the central seam and around the cotton gusset; all vert narrow, just enough to improve durability without spoiling the sheer to waist effect. Note that the largest size has a comfortable rear panel rather than the cotton-lined gusset. The legs are straight and finished with a reinforced toe detail.

Stretching the material for a close inspection, you are struck by the velvety softness, the strength and the stretch. The stretch is just as well as for large tights our test pair looked small. The card on which the tights arrive very helpfully contains instructions on how to put them on. In an era when many women are coming to lighter weight hosiery for the first time is very sensible.

Follow these instructions, and you will find that the sizing is accurate, the fit is like a second skin, and these are very comfortable tights indeed. 

Our main complaint about microfibre hosiery has been getting the colour even on your legs. An issue with all weights but most noticeable with the more sheer styles. Hallelujah, Pierre Mantoux has made microfibre tights that look fantastic, just perfect even matt colour from hip to toe.

The semi-opaque weight is very flattering, scarcely any heavier than some sheers. It gives much better coverage of any blemishes on your legs. Beautifully made tights at a very sensible price. Stock up now before everyone starts buying them!

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

Having thoroughly enjoyed the Pierre Mantoux Veloutine 30 Tights, we had high hopes for their more sheer sister style. And we were not disappointed. Very superior sheer tights, the feel from the packet is light, soft and very inviting. The texture of the material is very much like that which you get with premium seamless tights.

Detailing is what you would expect from a premium sheer tight. Sheer to waist, flat seams in the panty and just the lightest of reinforced strips on either side of the seam and beneath the waistband to add strength and durability. Slightly unexpected was the reinforced toe detail. But it makes sense on such soft and sheer tights, and once on the toe is hard to see anyway.

Our test pair came in the largest size (IV or XL), which Pierre Mantoux claim will fit up to a height of 6’0” and a weight of 225lbs. Looking at the tights, it is hard to believe that they will stretch to anything like that size. But there is 40% Lycra in the yarn, and they stretch and stretch quickly, reaching their intended maximum size. The fit is like a second skin, and the flawless matt finish is more like make-up than hosiery.

Sizes I-III feature a standard gusset, but size IV has the V-shaped comfort gusset. On the whole, we try to avoid this detail, but the combination of the light fabric and 40% Lycra meant that in this case, comfort and fit were not compromised.

Lots of stretch is all well and good. But not if the tights sag or creep down during the day or if the stretch does not spring back when you take them off. No problems here. Pierre Mantoux has managed to make tights that stretch and fit perfectly without feeling tight yet, which return to near their original size when you take them off.

Almost £16 is a lot to pay for 15 denier tights. But although sheer, they are durable too – a whole day in the office and not a hint of distress. Utterly gorgeous sheer tights that you have to try.

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

We don’t see a lot of hosiery from Pierre Mantoux. But when we see a pair of their tights arrive for review, it always brightens up our day. They put us in mind of another northern Italian company that makes exciting is sometimes fragile products. If Falke is Mercedes, then Pierre Mantoux is Maserati.

These soft, smooth, entirely shaped sheer to waist tights don’t only look and feel gorgeous. They give that feeling of strength and quality that only quality hosiery can. The detailing is very good with a small, lightly reinforced toe detail, a shaped heel and flat seams in the panty. Smaller sizes have a cotton-lined gusset, but the XL size has a comfort gusset/rear panel. You need to pay close attention to the sizing as XL is size IV, wherein for most brands, size 4 is large. The only real difference between sizes III and IV is the extra hip measurement that the comfort gusset caters for.

Sizing is most certainly on the snug side of accurate so pay close attention to the size chart. Certainly, don’t try to get away with size III to get a cotton gusset if you need size IV. The comfort gusset works in this style, and the generally slim styling means it fits well.

Once you have these tights on, you can see that the finger band (under-welt as Pierre Mantoux call it) carries a jacquard knit diamond pattern, it also takes a Pierre Mantoux motif on each hip, but it is not easy to see. The waistband is similar to the finger band (about 3cm) and is entirely plain.

Fit and finish are both excellent. Smooth to the touch, strong even colour. Our one issue is that these are described as glossy tights, and our test pair was most certainly matt. As matt semi-opaque tights, they are excellent, well made, strong, and a delight to wear if you are of a slimmer physique.

If these had been genuinely glossy, we would have been giving them a strong recommendation. As it is, we would suggest that you look at Pierre Mantoux Veloutine 30 for a slightly softer semi-opaque for the autumn. Both styles are top quality.

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

Somewhat unfairly, we tend to compare any sheer tights to Falke. Falke has been our brand of choice for day to day wear for years, offering what we believe to be the best balance between price, quality, comfort and durability. For once we have a style that meets that challenge.

Silky smooth and soft but with an obvious strength, these tights are a treat from the first touch. The detailing is all we could ask for. With flat seams at the toe and in the panty, invisibly reinforced toes and shaped (carded) legs. The panty has a cotton-lined gusset in size I-III and a comfort gusset in size IV. For strength and durability, a reinforced strip on either side of the panty seam and around the gusset and a finger band transition to the deep soft waistband.

The size chart suggests that there are five sizes. The lack of comment about a gusset style in size IV makes us believe only four sizes are made as it happens UK Tights stock sizes I-III anyway. Size III should fit up to a height of 5’10” (178cm) and a weight of 165lb (75kg). Happily, the sizing is a little on the generous side, and there is plenty of stretches.

Size III is large and equivalent to a Falke size IV. It’s something of a shock, but these Italian tights are sized bigger than the German standard. On the leg, the look and feel are both equally good. Delightfully soft and smooth with a perfectly even matt finish. There are three skin-tone shades to choose from, plus coffee and black, so a shade for every time of day and every season.

A full day of wear about the office, and our tights came off looking as good as they went on. This is quality hosiery, doubly remarkable considering the issues with Pierre Mantoux tights when we first saw them some six years ago. We could almost be tempted to change at £2 a pair cheaper than Falke Pure Matt 20 Tights.

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

The day we picked up these tights, we also collected some suspender tights designs from Trasparenze. A casual look at the packet for this style made us think this was a style of the same ilk from Pierre Mantoux. When we read the packet notes, we realised they are full tights with a mock stocking design.

Pierre Mantoux makes this style in a full range of four sizes, from small to extra large. If you want any colour other than black, you are out of luck. One point to note on sizing is that it is out of step with some other quality brands you may be familiar with. So that size IV (German 44-46), which is Large in many brands, is XL here. Take care when ordering. We picked up size III (Large) when size IV (X Large) was what we wanted.

The feel of these tights is more like lace than patterned tights. Until that is, you get to the upper thigh where there is a band of 15 denier sheer material crossed by the suspender straps, four per leg.

The lace runs from the simple toe seam around the shaped heel and to the stocking top. The panty area is plain, about 50 denier and styled as a high leg high waist panty with integral suspenders. Flat seams in the panty, of course, and a cotton-lined gusset. The whole is topped off with a plain waistband.

Sizing is accurate, and the 14% Lycra provides a good amount of stretch, but you need to use this with care. The lace legs feel robust and will take assertive handling but don’t get carried away and try the same thing with the sheer part at the top of the leg. It will respond just like any other sheer material. Fit is excellent from hip to toe.

The look on the legs is very flattering and ideal as a partner for that little black dress. If your dress is clingy, then don’t worry about VPL. The panty is opaque enough to make additional underwear unnecessary for all but the most modest of ladies.

Looking at our test pair and comparing it with the picture above, we suspect there may be both a black on black (as tested) and black on nude colour choice (as pictured above). At the time of writing, we have only seen black on black.

Pierre Mantoux does make top class hosiery, and this is one of the best styles we have seen from them. Classy, sophisticated, beautifully made and in the current market with one size “designer tights” at £15.00, an excellent value too.

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