Category: Donna Karen

Donna Karan Sheer Tanga Pantyhose are unbelievable!

There is no denier shown on the packet, but Alex Blake reliably informs us that the legs of these tights are eight denier. There is no mention that there is a control top either, but again Alex Blake suggests a light control panty.

Enough of what is missing from the packet. What it does tell you is that Donna Karan have thought a lot about sizing; there is a Small size and a Medium size both designed for ladies up to around 150lbs/68kg which between them cover heights from 4’11” (150cm) to 6’0” (183cm), then there are two larger sizes one for the more rounded figure and one for the longer legged lady. We have heard nonsense in the past that the stretch of pantyhose means that sizing is purely volumetric and that the same pair will fit a short, curvy lady and a tall skinny one but as anyone with an extreme figure will tell you styling for a body shape works much better.

It is quite a while since we said that a pair of tights flowed out of the packet, but these did; the light sheer legs just moved softly over out hands until brought up short by the weight of the tanga brief. The eight denier legs are finished with a simple toe seam; then it is the sheer material the way to the hip. The tanga panty is cut narrow on the tummy, like a thong at the back and very high on the hip. The seams in the panty are flat and very well made, and there is a cotton lined gusset. The waistband is quite thick at just over 1” (3cm).

Fit and finish are very good, although we must say that they are not the finest looking eight denier tights we have seen, our estimate would have been 10-12. Sizing is on the generous size of accurate with masses of leg length available in the “Tall” size.

The panty is excellent, just a hint of control without any constriction. Perhaps, more importantly, the panty is styled in such a way and is opaque enough, that there is no need to wear any other underwear.

If you are looking for very classy hosiery for a smart evening event then look no further, these pantyhose will give you an entirely smooth silhouette, the sheer legs in black will accentuate every curve of your legs and the sandal toe is perfect with strappy shoes.

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Donna Karan Sheer Control Top Pantyhose are so sexy!

The first point of note for these tights is the sizing, there are four sizes but rather than go up sequentially like most tights here there is a medium size sized for the average woman and then small/petite if you are shorter, plus petite if you are shorter but of fuller figure and tall that allows for a little more height and considerably more curves.

Soft and smooth are the two words that spring to mind when you first take these tights in your hand, they feel delicious! Opening them out you realise that softness was the gorgeous shaped sheer leg (we estimate around 10 denier). The panty is less soft and quite a piece of engineering.

The legs are finished with an entirely sheer sandal toe detail. Just below the cotton lined gusset the sheer leg gives way to the heavy opaque panty, the panty is styled high cut to emphasise leg length. The panty is made with top quality flat seams with a strengthened area either side giving a transition to the main part of the panty, this strengthened area is styled like a tanga panty the front part being ribbed and designed for maximum tummy control.

What a delight to wear, the legs feel beautifully soft and in the black that we tested have an incredibly sophisticated look to them, perfect even colour a slight shimmer and obvious quality. The control top is a control top worthy of the name you can feel it caressing your hips and smoothing your tummy and shaping your bottom. There is enough length in the body to shape and smooth your waist too.

The look almost manages to be sexy, clearly best worn without any other underwear. Most ladies will aim to keep underwear to a minimum when wearing these tights! These are the perfect secret under that little black dress, providing a foundation and a smooth silhouette, whether you need the control of not we would recommend these pantyhose for a classy night out.

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Donna Karan Satin Sheer Control Top Pantyhose are necessary for everyone!

For reasons that we can’t quite fathom, Donna Karan cover their packets in writing but tell you nothing about the pantyhose other than the style name, size and colour. The sizing is interesting though with four sizes, Small and Medium for weights up to around 115lb (70kg) and then Plus Petite for heavier ladies up to 5’4” (163 cm) and Tall for heavier ladies 5’5” (165 cm) to 6’0” (183 cm) tall. This system provides for a far greater range of shape and size than the more traditional linear system where each size is a little taller and longer than the last. Our test pair is in the Tall size.

So how are they made? The legs are sheer, shaped at the heel and finished with a sandal toe detail, there is no denier on the packet, but we would guess 12-15 denier.  The control panty is in the form of a low cut leg, just enough to add a little length to the leg while making sure that hips and bottom are entirely contained. The real control part of the panty is in a Tanga style within the main panty; there is a substantial V-shaped stretch panel in the front that narrows to the cotton lined gusset and them continue as a reinforced band either side of the flat rear seam. The reinforced area continues to provide a finger band to give a sharp transition to the deep waistband.

These are well made and well-detailed tights, but it only matters if they look and feel good to wear, and they do.

The light sheer legs are made long and generous, so the Lycra provides fit rather than stretch unless you are full in the leg. The sandal toe detail and satin sheen on the legs give a classy and sophisticated look.

The control top is very comfortable and does its job well, the front panel provides tummy control, and the tighter control of the rest of the panty means you get a smooth silhouette and no feeling of being squeezed. The styling and the cotton gusset mean these pantyhose are perfect for wearing without other underwear.

Whether you need the control or not these classy pantyhose are perfect for any time of day and is easy to recommend.

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Donna Karan Luxe Control Top Pantyhose is so comfy!

The first point of note for these tights is the sizing, there are four sizes but rather than go up sequentially like most tights here there is a Medium size sized for the average woman and then Small/Petite if you are shorter, plus petite if you are shorter but of fuller figure and tall that allows for a little more height and considerably more curves.

As you can see from the picture there is a vast contrast between the legs and the brief part of these tights; the legs are very sheer, perhaps even less than our 12 denier estimate, they are soft and very finely knit; the brief is quite heavy and opaque but still soft.

The shaped legs are finished with a sheer sandal toe detail that has one of the shortest seams we have seen. On first look, the legs themselves look pretty short too, but time will tell.

The brief is nicely shaped in the “low leg” style and is well finished with flat seams and a cotton lined gusset. The waistband is soft yet strong and around 1” (2.5cm) deep.

We need not have worried about the apparent lack of length in the legs; the fine sheer material with its high proportion of Lycra simply stretches incrementally.   Once on your legs, the look is like makeup rather than hosiery, you almost need to touch to see if there are tights there at all. Sizing is spot on, and the fit is excellent.

The control top is conformable and keeps the legs perfectly in place. The degree of control is not overly great, more of a smoother than a shaper. What is perhaps best about the control top is that the opaque construction and cotton lined gusset means that you can manage without other underwear for a smooth silhouette under clingy dresses and skirts.

Great looking comfortable pantyhose.

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Donna Karan “The Nudes” Control Top Pantyhose are incredible!

The packet notes for these tights tell us very little other than what Donna Karan thinks about sheer pantyhose, there are however two interesting facts about the hosiery anorak. Firstly the yarn used to knit these tights is not a straight mix of nylon and Lycra threads, there is a third component which is a yarn made up of both fibres. Secondly, these American pantyhose are made not in the USA, but in El Salvador. Although some American’s may not like to hear this our experience is that hosiery made in El Salvador is more “European” regarding style and quality and far better than hosiery produced in the USA.

Sizing is very sensible, rather than four sizes each accommodating more height and weight there are two slim fits sizes and two larger sizes for those with less slender hips, both pairs fitting the same range of heights. The overlap is around 150lbs, 68kg. Our only criticism is that the name “tall” is used for the biggest size, possibly confusing if you are tall and slim and don’t read the size chart carefully.

So what do you get for your £10?

The contrast between the light legs and the control brief is massive. The straight legs finished with a sandal toe detail, are gossamer thin, like a lighter version of Falke Shelina, light enough to be worthy of inclusion in our summer tights section if it were not for the control top. The control top is cut in the style of a thick leg panty and is opaque and stretchy. The cotton lined gusset and flat seams in the panty are signs of quality design. Our only criticism of the construction is the deep waistband which although joined using the flat seam stitching has been overlapped at the seam both front and back.

As you may expect from the wise words of Ms Karan these tights do indeed seem to disappear, the legs do anyway. Very smooth and perfectly sheer the effect is just a flawless finish on your legs. The high Lycra content in the fibre ensures a perfect fit, far superior to the Lycra-free Falke Shelina…although to be fair to Falke these pantyhose cost twice as much. The panty indeed does not disappear, nor it has to be said does it control much either, more a smoother than a squeezer.

The upside of the design of the panty is that you can safely wear these tights with no other underwear safe in the knowledge that you will have no visible lines and should you happen to be wearing a short skirt and accidentally give a flash then your modesty will be suitably protected.

All in all, a fantastic pair of tights, a little more attention to detail in the seaming in the panty would have been nice but accurately sized, comfortable; sheer hosiery will always get top marks from us.

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Donna Karan Sheer to Waist Pantyhose is a must-have!

We first looked at these tights, more correctly pantyhose as they are from the USA, several years ago, our comments then were somewhat brief so now that our friends at Alex Blake have provided a new sample we are taking another look.

These are sheer to waist “Nudes”, there is also a control top version that we will look at in the coming weeks, and a tanga top version. The fibre mix is quite impressive, 42% is a biconstituent fibre of 51% nylon, 49% Lycra that is combined with 45% nylon and 13% Lycra to arrive at the 67%-33% overall mix.

Three sizes are made, covering heights 4’11” to 6’0” and weights from 95 lbs to 195 lb. As tends to be the case with American brands the tall and medium sizes cover roughly the same height range with the larger size providing for extra space in the hip and seat area.

Despite the passage of several years, the only noticeable change is in the packaging; the heavy polythene outer packet now seals with two sticky pads rather than a press stud.

Another feature of the packet is a swatch on the rear to show what the six available colours look like.

There is no denier quoted on the packet, but we estimate that there is around 7-10 denier. The first impression is that they have a crepe texture very much like ultra sheer summer tights. Unusually for American tights, they are made with flat seams in the panty and lined gusset.

The unshaped legs are finished with a completely sheer sandal toe detail, so these pantyhose are perfect for wear with open toe shoes.

The panty is finished with a very deep waistband 2” deep (5cm) and a finger band only slightly shallower.

Putting on ultra sheer hosiery is always a treat, the soft material seems to melt into your legs leaving just the colour and an even finish. When there are just masses of stretch to provide latitude on the sizing and a perfect fit the pleasure is redoubled.

There is just a hint of sheen to add to the impression of a healthy tanned leg.

Stunningly good tights, superb pantyhose, we love them! Best of all at the time of writing Alex Blake have them on sale at $9.60 a pair. Get on there and buy them before someone else does.

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