Category: All Reviews

We can’t help but feel that in early February we should be reviewing ultra-thick tights. Or debating whether hold up, stockings (or even tan tights) are suitable alternatives. However, here in England at least, we are started to see a bit of the Sun. So unless you have been on holiday, you will probably have seen very little of the Sun. So, always keen to match hosiery to the season, we are looking at a fashion net design from Levante.

There are just two sizes to choose from small/medium and tall/extra tall. We have long (literally) been a fan of the extra tall size from Levante, ideal for the leggier lady. Here we can forgive the reduction to two sizes as net tights, particularly those with 12% or more Lycra have masses of stretch. As well as suggesting combinations of height and weight for each size, the chart gives guidance on hip sizing too.

Construction is relatively typical of net tights. The straight legs are finished with a small plain reinforced toe for durability and comfort, and there is a plain waistband. We might have expected a gusset from Levante, but these tights are closed with a small seam (around 2cm long) between the legs.

Sizing is accurate, and Levante has managed to make net tights where the waistband sits on your waist rather than seemingly heading up to your armpits. To wear the feel is typical of fishnets.

The look, however, is not typically fishnet. The design provides a much lighter effect than the uniform coverage of the standard fishnet. The inclusion of some grey fibre in with the black adds to this. What we have here are very soft tights that will cover up your lack of tan. Works well with darker fashions all year round and even replace standard black fishnets for wearing at parties in the colder months (the ones meant to be cold).

Our only reservation with Levante Gigi tights is the price, £14.00 seems a little steep.

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

Back in the early time of Tights Fashion, Levante alone were making unique fashion hosiery, and cheap and basic sheers and opaques dominated the declining hosiery market. So now with exciting designs and top quality from around the World, how do Levante stack up?

First off, great to see that they have stayed with a three size sizing scheme, and retained medium, tall and extra tall as their sizing. Levante continues to be an excellent choice for tall girls. Everything we expect from a quality Italian maker is here, flat seams in the panty, a cotton-lined gusset and a neatly seamed toe with no reinforcement.

Denier is quite hard to judge, but we estimate that the panty and side of the legs is 15-20 denier and the opaque parts of the leg are 40-50 denier appearance.

Sizing is spot on with plenty of lengths, and the fit is excellent from hip to toe. Visually these tights are stunning. The heavier parts are matt finish and have perfectly even colour density. The pattern is well defined and draws the eye while enhancing the shape of your leg. The sheer panty means that there is almost a hold-up stocking look to the effect.

When tights have a boxer brief on sheer legs, we caution you to wear a skirt or shorts long enough to cover the brief. Here with a sheer boxer shaped brief on top of fashion tights give in to the temptation to go short!

Certainly a match for any fashion tights on the market, better quality than House of Holland from Pretty Polly and more wearable (safer) than Trasparenze.

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Class is a style that endures from season to season, or more correctly a set of styles as Levante class tights are made both in sheer to waist and in regular “boxer” brief style. Mostly they have reinforced toes, but some are made with a sheer sandal toe. Read the packets carefully as they use the same picture on all styles.

In previous years we have looked at the sheer to waist version, this time we are looking at the regular brief version in the new packaging. Construction is quite basic, boxer-style brief as expected, finished with a cotton gusset as expected, but the flat seams of earlier years are gone. The legs are completely straight and finished with reinforced toes.
Sizing is in line with the published chart, but not overly generous in length.

Fit is excellent with no bagging or sagging, the finish on the leg is slightly glossy with perfectly even colour. Quite smooth to the touch on the leg. The matt finish brief is quite unremarkable, but these are not tights for occasions when anyone sees. Good everyday tights, but not the same class as the sheer to waist version we reviewed previously.

Levante Class seems to cover quite a variety of styles. The standard available as of now is the version with a boxer brief and a reinforced toe.
They are not the basic style but a variation that is sheer to waist, although still with a reinforced toe.

It seemed to take ages to get a pair of these for review. The problem was that Helen had them on for work almost as soon as they were bought. The first impression on opening the packet is of quality, smooth, soft yarn, shaped heel, flat seams and a cotton gusset. The finish is smooth and glossy, and the fit is perfect. The classy look gives a glossy sheen to leg. So sheer, they are crystal clear.

Levante Class seems to cover quite a variety of styles. The standard available as of now is the version with a boxer brief and a reinforced toe. This pair purchased from UK Tights only cost £1.99 in Tall. They are not the basic style but a variation that is sheer to waist and a sheer toe.

The first impression on opening the packet is of quality, smooth, soft yarn, shaped heel, flat seams and a cotton gusset. The finish is smooth and glossy, fit is very good in the right size.

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Since we last looked at this style, the packaging and price have changed, but the fibre mix and design features have not. We must say that we love the picture on the new packet. It is proof if ever that, even if it was the hot look for 2008, it still works today.

We described these tights as “not exceptional” in the past, which was a little unkind. It is apparent as soon as you take them out of the packet that they are good quality. They feel light and soft in hand, and the black pair we tested had the look of classic nylons. The dark look is perfect for any sort of smart evening wear. It works best with evening gowns, so try them with those long black dresses.

Entirely sheer to waist with no reinforcement either at the toes or either side of the flat body seam and only small cotton-lined gusset, these are perfectly detailed tights for evening or day wear with the shortest of skirts or shorts. The 3 cm deep waistband and 2 cm deep finger band below it should ensure a good fit and improve durability.

Sizing is not overly generous. Even with 16% Lycra, there is not enough stretch to go beyond the sizes on the size chart. Stay within the sizes Levante quote on the packet, and you will be rewarded with a near-perfect fit. No bagging at the knee or ankle and excellent even colour.

Quite soft to the touch with just enough texture to give a little “swish” when you cross your legs. Very nice tights that we are happy to recommend for work and play. Helen, one of our good friends, wore a pair to an evening event. They looked stunning with her black evening dress, and they stayed comfortable all evening.

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Over the years there have been very few changes to these tights. Over the past five years the only difference has been from “15 denier appearance” to “20 denier” and even that may have just been a correction of terminology. But the packet keeps changing and that is all the excuse we need to update the review of these long time favourites.

20 denier is a convenient weight for tights, sheer yet durable. Fine enough for evening but concealing enough for daytime. Levante sizing is excellent too, medium, tall and extra tall rather than small medium and large is an accurate description of how they have fit over the years.

Levante provides a sensible range of colours too, two natural shades, grey barely black and black. The grey looks particularly good with the gloss finish. Our latest test pair came in size “tall” and colour Londra, which is Levante speak for barely black.

The label on the inner packet said the style name was “Velux 20”. At first, we thought that this was a case of incorrect packaging, something we have seen before from Levante. Then we remembered we had seen Levante Velux before. You guessed it, different names for different markets. It seems as though the 15 denier Levante Brillante was replaced by Velux 20 renamed as Brillante.

The tights are as good as ever. Sheer to waist, reinforced toes and a lightly shaped heel. Flat seams in the panty and a lined gusset.
There seemed less shine than we remembered so we pulled out some of the original Levante Brillante Tights (see bottom of page) for direct comparison. The older style is lighter and more sheer, but in terms of shine, there is nothing in it.

Levante has always been the tall girl’s friend. Even the tall size will stretch to cover what the extra tall should although comfort levels are compromised a little at an extreme stretch. As all sizes share the same detailing, there is no reason not to buy the largest if you need it.
Still among our top choices for everyday good quality tights but it has to be said that having looked again at the earlier version we preferred them in a less practical lighter denier.

Hardly a year goes by without Levante changing the packet for Levante Brillante Tights. But this year they have gone one step further and altered the denier of this classic style from 15 to 20.

Aside from the denier, nothing has changed. They are still entirely sheer to waist with just a fingerband between the reinforced toes and the waistband to break the expanse of sheer glossy material. The shaped legs are near perfection if you like your hosiery with a shine.

There are three sizes, medium, tall and x-tall. Sizing is accurate, and the fit is excellent. Another thing that has not changed is the pricing. At £4.95 from our friends at UK Tights, they are an absolute bargain.

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

Levante is one of the most prolific makers of tights. So, surprisingly, we have not seen seamed tights from them before. Their sheer tights are generally outstanding quality. The description reads like high end seamed tights while the price is very much at the bottom end. So are they any good?

First impressions are good, sheer to waist construction, a cotton-lined gusset and flat seams in the body. We were a little disappointed that the legs were not shaped at all; if we are picky, we could say that the toe detail was a missed opportunity, being reinforced rather than a sandal toe or a styled reinforced toe as seen on RHT stockings.

The soles of the feet are reinforced, and the reinforced area is shaped in a V to give a transition to the seam and the heel. If you have big feet, you may find that the heel detail sits a little low. But again we are picky.

Only when you put these tights on do you appreciate them, they fit very well from hip to toe. The seam details run to the waist, and the seam ran straight up the back of the leg without any adjustment. Smooth to the touch and with a silky shine to the finish these tights look and feel more expensive than they are. Beautiful sheer pantyhose with classic back seam and heel detail. They are made with the most beautiful Italian hosiery yarns combined with the strength and comfort of Lycra.

These are among the best value seamed tights that we have tried. Classy enough for that big night out, cheap enough for the regular night out with the girls.

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Levante makes these tights in 4 sizes from small to extra large and in two colours, ivory and black. Black seamed tights put us in mind of sexy evening wear. But the ivory colour of our test pair makes us think of weddings. As it must be said does the style name, Amore: Italian for Love.

If these are not the tights made for a girl’s big day then none are. They are far more than just seamed tights. Sheer to waist tights with a shaped leg and heel finished with reinforced toe detail, flat seams in the panty and a cotton-lined gusset. What is the end of the description for a basic sheer is the start here. There is a reinforced sole to the foot that runs through into the shaped heel. Above the heel, there is the classic Cuban taper to give a transition from the heel to the seam up the back of each leg.

To give that hint of passion and romance, the bottom of the seam has a heart detail in the pattern of the tights. Below it, a silk bow centred with a tiny pearl is stitched on.

Sizing is spot on, and the fit is excellent. These are durable tights that will take a little stretching if you are borderline for size. They are strong enough to not let you down on your big day. The seam runs to the waistband. It goes on straight and stays straight with wear.

With a slight shine and perfect even colour these tights look great. The seam, heel and bow detail taking this look to another level. If you are not getting married this summer, then buy a few pairs of these tights to put away for the future.

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The fabric feels soft and smooth. The legs and heel have some shaping.

Typical quality Levante with flat seams. Extra tall size does not have a gusset, but a triangular back panel. The back panel does make for a very loose fit in the panty area. The toes are the same thickness as the legs, but at 70 denier can’t be called sandal toe.

These tights are very big and very long. I would suggest that unless you need the extra size in the panty area or you are over 6’4″ tall, the tall size would be quite big enough. In 2007 this style was replaced by Levante 80 denier Ultimate Tights.

Levante Ultimate 80 vs Levante Airskin Opaque 70

Levante told UK Tights that the Ultimate 80 are the Airskin Opaque under a new name. Of course, being told that an 80 denier tight is a 70 denier does raise a few questions. More questions were raised when we found that the Levante Ultimate 80 tights in size X-Tall (black) fit our tester perfectly. That same tester remembered that the Levante Airskin Opaque in size X-Tall (charcoal) had been about the biggest tights they had ever tested in terms of the size of the brief.

We decided therefore to re-examine the Levante Airskin Opaque in size X-Tall and to compare this with Levante Airskin Opaque in size Tall and another pair of Levante Ultimate 80 in size X-Tall to see if we had another case of Levante “mispackaging.”

4 Pairs examined

• Levante Airskin Opaque in size X-Tall (charcoal) – 11cm wide rear panel (measured at the waist), waistband 53cm un-stretched. Weight 60g 
• Levante Airskin Opaque in size Tall (mocha). Identical to Levante Ultimate 80 in size X-Tall (black) in every detail, waistband 44cm un-stretched Weight 55g
• Levante Ultimate 80 in size X-Tall (black). Identical to Levante Airskin Opaque in size Tall (mocha) in every respect, waistband 45cm un-stretched, Weight 55g
• Levante Ultimate 80 in size X-Tall (mocha) Big in the brief but less so than Levante Airskin Opaque in size X-Tall (charcoal). 9cm wide rear panel (measured at the waist), waistband 49cm un-stretched. Weight 65g

There is no mention on any of the packets about a comfort rear panel in the brief. Airskin Opaque is described as 70 denier and credit Meryl with the microfibre manufacture, no mention is made of Meryl on the packets for the Levante Ultimate 80.

The main visual difference between the Levante Airskin Opaque and Levante Ultimate 80 is that the Airskin Opaque appears to have been shaped a little at the heel during finishing. On the leg, you cannot tell them apart.

What we did find is that Levante Ultimate 80 in size X-Tall (black) had a cotton gusset. Still, the same tights in mocha had a comfort rear panel and were much more prominent in the brief, although a little smaller than the Levante Airskin Opaque in size X-Tall (charcoal). That detailing should vary according to the colour in a given design is not good.

The change in denier from 70 to 80 is a mystery as the tights look and feel the same. The scales did tell us though that the 80 denier with the comfort rear panel was slightly heavier than similarly detailed 70 denier.

If you can get your size correct both styles look and feel great, and will last and last. We have no idea if the sizing anomalies go through the range. But if you are looking for long tights but don’t have large hips, you may want to ask your supplier to check that you are getting cotton gusset tights. Luckily this can be done quickly without taking the pantyhose from the packet.

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