The packaging gives very clue about these tights but being called “Relax” and having the sweeping ribbon graphic we are guessing some shaping or support. Sizing needs to be considered carefully as Lady Sofia’s sizes are approximately 2 out of step with EU sizing. So their 6 is roughly an EU 4 or UK Large.

The tights are made with a straight leg and detailed as the packet suggested. Except that we would say that the waistband is pretty standard and that it is attached to an 8 cm deep finger band. Not so very different from a deep waistband, but we like to be accurate. The legs are unshaped, and the brief is finished with an unlined gusset and raised seams.

As with most tights, these are made by knitting two halves complete with waistbands and then sewing the two together. Top-end makers will often use a single piece waistband sewn onto the completed tights. We mention this here because sadly with our test pair the two halves were not perfectly aligned, so there is a step in the waistband. On the upside, there is a narrow reinforced strip either side of the central body seam that should add to durability.

These tights look good with a smooth matt satin finish that gives a subtle shimmer in the right light. The Lycra also ensures a good fit and allows you to take a few liberties with sizing. These are durable tights that will take the stretch.

The deep waistband certainly adds to the comfort. This would allow you to sit these tights little lower on your hips if you chose. The price list calls the waistband/finger band detail a “control top”, any control is minimal. We have no UK retail price, but the trade price suggests they would be good value tights for everyday wear.

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

Since we first looked at these tights, they have changed the design a little, they no longer quite look like the picture on the packet. The detailing at the waist now looks like this, with considerably more shaping to the waistband. They still feel beautifully smooth and soft in your hand as you take them out of the packet.

They do not look very long, but there is plenty of stretching. And you never feel that you are straining the fabric. Take care to buy the right size, and they will fit perfectly. The construction of these is a little different to other seamless tights as these have a gusset of sorts between the legs.

The wide “adjustable waistband” is very much more than a waistband. As you can see in the photo, this detracts from the overall appearance when compared to the likes of Wolford fatal 15, Victoria’s Secret Seamless Sensation and Pierre Mantoux Seamless. What these details do is to provide a perfect fit from waist to toe. Completely invisible under even the tightest of dresses and exceptionally comfortable.

All ladies who try seamless tights for the first time are amazed at how different they feel compared to regular tights. They are described by many as the most comfortable tights she had ever worn. She also remarked on how she hardly looked to be wearing tights. This is how matt finish tights should be, showing off the legs, not the tights.

These tights are not quite so sexy as the Wolford fatal 15. But they are more comfortable and at least as durable. They are much more durable and longer-lasting than the very hot Pierre Mantoux Seamless. A man may buy other seamless tights for his lady, but a lady buying for herself would buy these.

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

Hue sheers are the most innovative sheer available to modern women! Up to the minute, styling and all-day comfort combine for a look that’s rights for any occasion. Three distinct categories offer what you need for everyday wear.

SLEEK CONTROL – The latest developments in control
PRETTY DETAILS – Pretty feminine touches
FASHION CHIC – Today’s hottest trends

Sometimes, you see something, and you immediately think “that looks expensive”. That was our first impression with these tights from Hue. The impression continues as you handle the delightfully smooth soft material.

Being more objective, these are nicely made tights, but in common with most, if not all, US-made pantyhose the seams are not flat. The seams are however of very high quality. There is a lined gusset, and the legs are shaped a little at the heel. The toes are lightly reinforced with a high-quality seam.

There are three sizes, both two and three stretching to the same height, size 3 having more scope for width. We tested size 2. The length did not look very generous for tights to fit up to 6’0” tall, but there was enough stretch just to fit a 34” leg. We would suggest that unless you are a very slim size, three may be a better fit for the tall wearer.

Once on the leg the reinforced toe blends in entirely. The sheer finish from hip to toe flatters the legs, the even colour in the black pair tested added to the look of class. Designing a lace pattern into the transition band between sheer legs and waistband is an excellent detail, turning what is virtually a practical detail into a visual design feature.

All in all, they are tights that we adore. When you consider the price of $12.00 for two pairs, they are excellent value.

For more Hue Tights, click here. For more Reviews, click here.

If you are a regular hosiery wearer, then it is easy to forget how tricky it was to get your tights on the first time you tried. With tights coming back into fashion in a big way, and more young women than ever starting to wear tights the question of how to get them on is an important one particularly if you are one of those younger women who have a mother who went bare-legged and hasn’t caught up with fashion yet.

Many premium brands of hosiery include instructions on the card insert around which the tights. The example above is from Gerbe. Unfortunately many of the cheaper brands, and it is these that most new tights wearers will try, don’t have any instructions.

The instructions are similar to those above, but we would like to add a few pointers of our own.

1. Before even opening the packet, check your hands and feet for rough skin and sharp nails. Use a suitable quality nail file on any uneven nails, on hands and feet.
2. Use so foot cream on your feet if you have hard skin. If it is very bad, see a chiropodist. You should do this even if you don’t plan to wear hosiery; you only get two feet, look after them!
3. If the skin on your hands is rough and dry, or you can’t get rid of the sharp edges of nails then buy some hosiery gloves. These are thin cotton gloves that cost about the same a good pair of tights. They will quickly pay for themselves.
4. Make sure you have the correct size before opening the packet. Most companies will do exchanges but are less likely to if the package is opened.
5. Take the tights from the packet, check them for caught threads, snags and holes. Yes, a tiny percentage of tights arrive with faults, particularly at the cheaper end of the market.
6. Gently stretch the tights.
7. Put them on as per the instructions above.

If you find that the tights don’t come up to the tops of your legs properly, do not pull them! Roll them back down to your ankles and gently stretch them up over your legs again.

Hot top for tall girls: Should your tights come up short a second time don’t worry. Wait with them pulled up as far as they will go and allow your body heat to warm the material evenly. After a few minutes roll the tights off and start again at the toe, you should find you have gained several inches of stretch.

If you do get a run/ladder putting your tights on then keep the ruined pair for practice. It will soon be second nature.

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

Talflife Grey Tribal Tattoo Tights have such a unique design!

We can only write one review to cover all three of these designs as the tights themselves are the same with just the artwork being different. To write two reviews would be pointless. It’s like looking at two Rembrandt paintings and writing about the canvass they were printed on!

As plain back tights, they are nothing specially made. Straight-legged with a boxer style panty raised seams and no gusset. What they lack in detail they more than makeup for in providing a perfect background for the design.

Soft to the touch they feel beautiful on the leg, durably constructed to ensure you get to show off the design more than once. Make sure to hand wash gently!

The design is hand-printed by the artist, and the care shows in the precision and the intensity of the colour. Hand printing on stretched material means the design does not dim on your leg. It also doesn’t tear like some other printed tights design.

As for the designs themselves, there is a wide choice in addition to the two we are reviewing here, and we like them all. Whichever you choose you will get noticed.

The price of £20 a pair is a fair reflection of the work that has gone into the design. If we were to be picky, we would say that we would prefer better quality tights and a slightly higher price so we can enjoy the designs longer.

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

If there is one thing guaranteed to ruin the look of your legs when you are wearing sheer hosiery it is hair showing through your tights. There are only two options: wear opaque tights or get rid of the hair. Wearing opaques is fine in the late autumn, winter and early spring. But they’re not much of an option in the warmer weather.

What you do with the hair on your legs depends very much on the hand you were dealt with by your genes. Those of you with naturally fair hair and fine hair on your legs can, and probably should, count your blessing and leave well alone. At the other end of the scale, if you have heavy dark hair then you will need a routine to keep it in check.

There are many ways to remove hair, all with plus and minus points.

Shaving

Shaving it what most people think of when you mention hair removal. But we mention it first here not because it is the best method but because it is the one most commonly used. Certainly, shaving will give a very smooth finish but at the risk of cuts and nicks, shaving rash, stubble and, it is reputed, strengthened hair growth.

Cuts and nicks you can avoid by buying a quality multi-blade razor and changing the blade regularly. If you have quite thick hair you will find that razor blades will wear out very quickly. You should never use a blade that is not 100% sharp so shaving can be expensive. Ladies, you may find that a man’s razor gives better results than the pretty pink ones made for ladies.

Cuts, nicks and shaving rash can all be reduced by a combination of lubrication and paying close attention to the direction of growth of your hairs and shaving in the right direction, this will vary from one part of the leg to another. 

Shaving foams and other alternative products

Shaving foams and creams can dry the skin, and after much experimentation, we have identified what we believe to be the best lubricant: baby oil. If you are not in a hurry run yourself a warm bath and just before you get in squirt in some baby oil, this will float on the surface. Relax in the bath taking your legs in and out of the water; the oil will form a very thin film over your skin and provide for a smooth shave as well as moisturising your legs.

Stubble will only be an issue if you have very thick and quick growing hair or you don’t shave every day. Try combining shaving with IPL for optimum results.

Once you start shaving you may find the only way to move to another method is to stop to allow a full growth to establish.

Tweezers

OK for taking out the odd rogue hair. But, given the numbers of hairs on a typical leg, it’s not a practical method for total hair removal.

Epilator

The epilator is a mechanical device that mimics the action of tweezers but grabs and pulls multiple hairs simultaneously. They work, but if your hair is strongly rooted you can find that once it gets a grip on several hairs, the skin is pulled into the device rather than the hair being pulled out. We recommend that the epilator is reserved for softer and less well-rooted hair.

Waxing

Generally, waxing is notorious for being painful but like when you pulled a sticking plaster off your knee as a child; the faster it is done the less it hurts and the pain is transitory. Waxing works well because it takes a firm grip of the full length of the exposed hair shaft so is less likely to snap it than the epilator. 

It should be noted that waxing needs to be done with swift and confident movements, so we recommend you have it done at a salon rather than trying home waxing.

A fair warning, waxing may inflame the follicles and lead to a rash or spots if you have sensitive skin. Before you have a whole leg done, try just one strip in an out of the way area. Be warned, back and inside of this part of the leg can be particularly sensitive.

Sugaring

Sugaring works in a very similar way to waxing. But rather than wax, it uses a paste the main constituents of which are sugar and lemon juice. This is something that you should most certainly have done at a salon. The recipe of the sugar paste and its temperature is hot. Hot sugar can cause very severe burns. If done regularly for years sugaring greatly reduces re-growth of hair.

In parts of the world where sugaring is done as a matter of routine for girls from puberty onwards, hair removal is almost unnecessary by the time that they marry. Not cheap but the best and most effective of the “pull it out” methods. It hurts less than waxing too!

Boots do a home sugaring product that gets rave reviews but we are yet to try it.

Hair Removal Creams

The chemical composition of hair is dramatically different from that of the skin. So it is possible to find chemicals that will dissolve the proteins in the hair without damaging the skin. The commercial hair removal creams use one of these chemicals combined with others to add bulk, to soothe, to moisturise the skin and to prevent the cream splitting. 

The best known of the hair removal creams come from Nair and Veet, and they both produce many different creams that are formulated for coarse hair, sensitive skin etc. etc. or have a particular scent. The basic active ingredients are the same in all of them.

Patch-testing is essential

All these creams will tell you to test them on a small area first to test for sensitivity. We would take this advice a step further. Select an area of your skin from which you would like the hair to be removed, selecting what you think will be the most sensitive area of the leg. Follow the maker’s instructions to the letter and do not on any account leave the cream on longer than they recommend, don’t worry at this point whether you get perfectly smooth hairless skin. 

Twenty-four hours later if you have not reacted to the cream do the same area again, this will generally remove surviving hair from the first treatment. It is better to do two shorter sessions 24 hours apart than to risk a burn by being too eager or leaving the cream on too long. 

If after your two applications on the test area you have smooth skin with no rash or burn then you have found the cream for you.

Of all the creams that we tested, we found the best to be from Boots, it is their “expert sensitive hair removal cream”. It seems to remove even quite tough hair, and it does not irritate sensitive skin (in the case of our tester who reacted badly to waxing, shaving, Veet and Nair anyway). Everyone should buy at least one tube of this if only to get one of the little plastic spatulas that come in the box. 

Used one way the spatula is for spreading the cream, always spread, never rub in, turn it over and you can use the edge to remove both cream and hair using a motion very much like shaving. This tiny tool hugely improves the effectiveness of the removal of the cream.

One few words of warning about hair removal creams:

• Always read the ingredient list, even if repeat buying your favourite.
• The active ingredient may change from one that suits you to one that does not.
• If you leave the cream on too long and get a chemical burn that can trigger a sensitivity
• Repeated used of any cream can cause a sensitivity…if this happens then stop using the cream at once.

Laser and IPL

We list Laser and IPL together because a lot of salons offer “laser IPL hair removal”. This is misleading as they are two distinct methods that both just happen to use light.

Laser: In simple terms, a laser is an extremely intense beam of light that destroys a single hair follicle. As such, it is especially popular for permanent hair removal. Laser hair removal is expensive and if you having your legs done very time-consuming. The laser is a salon procedure, with the exception of the Tria home device. We recommend you have laser done at a beauty centre, though.

IPL or Intense Pulse Light: The head of the IPL machine looks a little like a photographic flash, and indeed it works a bit like one too. The key difference is that the IPL head has a mirrored screen to ensure that only non-harmful wavelengths hit your skin.

IPL takes advantage of the different light absorption properties of dark hair and light skin so that the dark hair gets hot without the skin getting warmed. The hot hair in the follicle interrupts the growing cycle of the hair which reduces the amount of growth an number of growing hairs.

The head of the IPL machine looks a little like a photographic flash, and indeed it works a bit like one too. The key difference is that the IPL head has a mirrored screen to ensure that only non-harmful wavelengths hit your skin. IPL takes advantage of the different light absorption properties of dark hair and light skin so that the dark hair gets hot without the skin getting warmed. The hot hair in the follicle interrupts the growing cycle of the hair which reduces the amount of growth an number of growing hairs.

IPL isn’t a hair removal method in itself though. Before treatment, you need to remove as much hair from above the skin as possible, most likely by shaving. IPL both reduces wear and tear on the flash head and ensures that as much heat as possible is generated in the follicle rather than wasted in burning surface hair. IPL is very good at preventing and removing ingrown hairs too.

Any IPL treatments at a studio can be costly, so much so that we would recommend that you try just one treatment to see if it works for you and then look to buy a machine to use at home.

Be aware that IPL only works if you have pale skin and dark hair. Plus it takes some weeks for the results to become evident and lasting.

We hope you find our hair removal guide useful. Should you have any questions, leave them in a comment and we’ll try to answer them. Or, maybe, check out our latest reviews on sheer tights.

Golden Lady Sheer Nude Seamless Tights are legendary!

Fact; seamless tights are expensive to make and costly to buy. Err, someone forgot to tell, Golden Lady because here we have a seamless sheer at just £5!

Three sizes to fit up to 185 cm or 90kg looks hopeful. Of course, we will try to manage both together.

Comfort waistband sounds like they took clues from the premium brands.

A marker to show which is the back. That hints at real care in the design and styling.

Feeling in hand is excellent. It’s slightly smoother than some seamless that have a crepe feel, yet not to the degree of a Pierre Mantoux Gloss.

Detailing looks very promising, just the lightest of reinforced toes, carefully seamed so that if you wear the right way around the flat seam is under your toes, sheer throughout without a hint of the lines you see on Wolford fatal, just a slight depending on the waistband on the hips.

Easy to put on you get a second skin fit from hip to toe. A great fit and utterly sheer too, not a line in sight anywhere. You are adding colour and texture to your skin, not clothing. At present, the tones are nude and black, but we live in hope.

There is the narrowest of transition bands connecting the sheer material to the plain waistband. The waistband is the only sign that these are not tights from one of the top makers, but it holds the tights in place and is comfortable.

More generously sized regarding length in leg and body than most seamless tights Golden Lady have not just opened up seamless tights to those on a budget but to taller/bigger ladies too.

These tights are a game changer. OK so they don’t follow the curves of your bottom as well as Wolford fatal 15, and they won’t last so well either but at £5 a pair there is no need ever to wear seamed tights again!

For more Golden Lady tights, click here. For more reviews, click here.

Girardi Satin Tights is supreme!

We loved the very first pair of Girardi tights we saw; their Chic Tulle style is a delight. It was mixed feelings when this pair arrived for review. Elation at a second Girardi style to review. But, we were tinged with disappointment that is was a 70 denier style in the English Spring. But of course, we could rely on the English weather to allow us to try them; cold wet and grey.

At a shade under £23, you would expect tights with quality detailing, and quality detailing is what you get. The legs are lightly shaped at the heel and finished with an un-reinforced toe with a flat soft seam. In the panty, you have flat seams and no reinforcement other than a very narrow transition to the waistband. Our test pair came in size 4 and rather than the expected cotton lined gusset we found a comfort gusset (V-shaped rear panel).

There are five sizes to choose from according to the size chart each offering a little extra height and weight over the size below until you get to size five which caters for the same maximum height as size 4. We must assume that sizes 4 and 5 are similar to size 5 having a bigger gusset. According to the size chart, the maximum height and weight for size 4 are 5’10” and 180lb. A quick look at the metric limits and we see 185cm, and 85 kg and the sharp-eyed will have spotted that that equates to a maximum height of 6’1”.

The sizing is quite generous with enough length to fit a leggy 6’1” and plenty of width in the panty. The sizing of size 4 is generous enough to cover the suggested range for size five too. Assuming the generosity of sizing goes down through the sizes, we would look to go to size 3 to get a proper cotton gusset if we were even close to the size boundary.

Sheer to waist opaque tights look way better than those with a reinforced panty, and these do look superb — great opacity without looking bulky. Perfectly even colour throughout and a delicate satin sheen to the finish to make them as suitable for the evening as the office.

Not cheap tights but this are premium pantyhose, and the mid-market brands are not far behind these days. You are getting what you pay for, comfort and class plus a bit of insulation.

For more Gerbe tights, click here. For more reviews, click here.

Girardi Chic Tulle Tights are super comfy!

We are perhaps overdue in reviewing tights from Girardi seeing as they have been making hosiery in Italy since 1954! But better late than never as they say.

The packet notes don’t tell us much about the tights so we have no idea what to expect other than a hint from the denier and the word tulle in the name that these may be some great net tights. We love uncertainty.

The hints were accurate; these are indeed fantastic net tights. Think net curtain or bridal veil, certainly not fishnet.

Detailing is excellent, sandal toe, shaped legs and sheer to waist — flat seams in the panty and a broad plain waistband.

There are five sizes to choose from, and our test pair came in size 4. Sizes 4 and five both fitting to the same height. The maximum height is quoted as 185cm or 5’10”. Anyone quick at maths will have worked out that these are not the same; 185cm being 6’1” and 5’10” being 178cm. As cotton is mentioned in the fibre content we had expected size 4 to have a cotton gusset but surprisingly it has a comfort gusset, and we must assume size 5 has a bigger version of the same.

Combine a net tight with 13% Lycra, and you should get plenty of stretches, and you do so, in fact, both height figures are wrong, these tights will fit a leggy 6’2” (188cm). The weight side of the sizing is generous too so if you prefer a cotton gusset and the size chart suggests size 4 for you then a size three should fit.

The fit is excellent, and the comfort gusset is one of the better ones we have tried. These are very comfortable tights and the more open nature of the knit means they should keep you cooler in warm weather. The thick waistband is a delight, soft, comfortable and practical.

The tulle knit produces a perfectly even colour and a matte finish. From more than a couple of paces away these tights look entirely sheer, and from a few paces more you have an almost bare leg look.

These are the first tight we have seen from Girardi, but we hope they are not the last. Top quality!

For more Girardi tights, click here. For more reviews, click here.