Month: October 2021

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.

For more Pretty Polly products, click here. For more reviews, click here.

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.

For more Pretty Polly products, click here. For more reviews, click here.