Category: Pretty Polly

Such has been the fuss about the Henry Holland tights styles from Pretty Polly it is easy to forget that Pretty Polly have their fashion designs for Spring/Summer 2011. And they look pretty exciting. In this case, Pretty Twirly.

In common with much of the rest of their fashion tights range, including the Henry Holland styles, these are made “one size”, and again we are obliged to say that the price is a little steep for tights only made in medium.

So what do you get for your money? Well, a nice touch is that the label that seals the inner bag carries instructions for putting the tights on. A very sensible idea when many young women will be wearing sheer hosiery for the first time. A pity, though, that the label has to be torn to open the bag.

The tights are smooth, soft, and detailed with a small, lightly reinforced toe, cotton-lined gusset, and a plain low leg panty of around 40 denier. Well made, but nothing special. With seasonal tights like these, the look is everything. Here, Pretty Polly has done well running the “Twirly” seam from just behind the toe to a simple bow on the upper thigh.

We can forgive the one-size design as there is simply masses of stretch. Even if you usually wear large tights, these will fit you perfectly. The 20 denier legs have dense even colour and manage to look slightly glossy 15 denier. The gorgeous background beautifully sets off the ribbon seam detail, and the seam itself is both eye-catching and slimming.

The plain panty is opaque enough to mean that there is no need to spoil your smooth silhouette by wearing any other underwear. Great looking, extremely comfortable tights that it turns out are well worth the asking price.

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Until recently, Pretty Polly Tights at £12 a pair would have caused a few raised eyebrows. Them being also one size would have caused an outcry, but it is becoming quite the norm. So are these tights worth it? The design is all about the pattern of diamond studs that cover a large part of the front of the legs of these tights. They are very evident looking through the window on the packet completely eclipse the rest of the garment once you unpack it. The pattern is where the money was spent, too. The tights themselves are of quite basic construction with unshaped legs, no gusset and raised seams in the panty.

On the upside, the material feels smooth and soft. Although it has the opacity of 60 denier hosiery, it does not have the weight either. The sheer toe is not the same weight as the leg, so it is clearly visible. Sadly, the panty is different knit to the legs with a deep transition band visible at the top of the leg. So no wearing with short skirts ladies. Fit is reasonably good, and there is plenty of stretch to get the most out of “one size”. The colour is even but less dense than would be expected of 60 denier opaque tights. Sadly the studs distort the background a little, which spoils the overall impression.

Indeed a great look with a black dress and black or sparkly silver shoes for a party or a night out. But a bit expensive for a pair of very basic opaques. These would sell for no more than £3 without the studs. Premium price without premium quality.

Despite our reservations, we have to say that this unique look and individuality sometimes comes at a price. If these tights had been sheer to the waist with flat seams and a cotton-lined gusset, we would have been raving about them. Even if they did cost £15-18.

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First off, we would like to answer many of our readers’ questions about this design. Yes, they are tights. The Over The Knee (OTK) refers only to the design. As with other styles in their Premium range, and indeed their super-premium House of Holland range, Pretty Polly have opted to make this design in just one size, a little limiting but heights up to 5’10” should fit most women.

The inner packet again carries instructions on how to put your tights on, and again we have to say it is a pity that the label with the instructions is not “easy peel”, so you can still read it after opening the packet. Maybe next season. These are very much tights in three parts. The unshaped lower leg is 60 denier and finished with a reinforced toe detail. The opaque material continues to above the knee, where there is a chain detail around the leg with two “locket” details running downward (clearly visible in the picture above). The chain detail is in a metallised polyester fibre, aka Lurex.

The upper part of the leg is sheer, around 20 denier. The panty is opaque, about 60 denier, like the lower leg and styled as classic low leg panties. There is a cotton-lined gusset in the panty, which we like, but a heavy raised seam that we are not so keen on. At £12, a flat seam would have been nice. There is no denying that this both looks and feels like a quality garment.

A word of warning, take care putting these tights on. It would be easy to get carried away stretching the robust 60 denier opaque material over your leg and to suddenly find you are treating the more fragile sheer upper leg the same way, which will lead to tears and tears. Stretch slowly and carefully, and these tights will fit the leggiest of 5’10” ladies. The exact position of the chain detail will depend on your leg length and foot size. You cannot fault the fit and comfort. The opaque panty feels snug and holds the legs in place beautifully.

The styling is something we love. The opaque lower leg flatters the shape of your calf and ankles, and then the chain and locket design catch your eye. Get the length of your skirt just right, and the lockets will be clearly visible to all with the chain and perhaps the sheer fabric above just being glimpsed from time to time. If you go more daring and decide to show off a lot of thigh, the opaque panty will protect your modesty even if you choose to go without any other underwear. Flat seams and a choice of sizes would have been excellent at the £12 price point, but those are minor quibbles. Style never did come cheap, after all!

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Pretty Polly offers you shaping with discretion. Whether you prefer the bare leg look of their Natural Secret Slimmer Tights or this style from their Nylons range.

The legs of these tights are just like the others in the Nylons range. Ten denier, slightly glossy, shaped at the heel and finished with a reinforced toe. A winning formula that Pretty Polly have applied to good effect over the years. Just below the gusset level are the first of three horizontal bands. The first two are about 7mm deep and the third is nearer 2cm deep. These bands are not just darker but have greater stretch resistance. As well as being decorative, they should avoid the bulging effect you sometimes get when sheerlegs are sewn directly to a heavy control top.

The boxer style brief has a cotton-lined gusset and attaches directly to the top band at the top of the leg. Pretty Polly has changed over the years in their sizing, so now there are just two sizes S/M and M/L. Both sizes cover heights 5’0” to 5’10” (152-178cm) with just the hip size differentiating; less than 42” or more than 42” (107cm). There is more length to play with than the size chart suggests, and the hip sizing is accurate. If you are at the top end of the hip size range, you could find them tight, so consider just how much slimming you can take.

We have always liked the look and feel of Pretty Polly Nylons, and these look and feel better than ever. A second-skin fit on the leg with perfect even colour and an alluring sheen. Silky smooth and perfectly sheer, you get a look that is a class above what you would expect at the price.

As for the control top, well, it is smoother and sharper than a squeezer, you know it is there indeed, but you will be able to move and eat. There is no problem that we could see with bulging at the top of the leg. You get a perfectly smooth silhouette. Should you decide to go without other underwear, the cotton-lined gusset will help to keep you fresh. The heavy opaque panty means your modesty will be protected even if the Paparazzi do ambush you as you get out of your limousine.

Excellent tights that are equally suitable for the office or a night out. Our one quibble is that we would have liked to have seen flat seams in the panty. But that will not stop us from stocking up on a few pairs!

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We were tempted to add this review to the one for Pretty Polly Nylons Cuban Seamed Tights. Still, in the many years since we looked at that style, Pretty Polly have changed the style name and included the gusset and seam material in the overall fibre mix. So we decided to create an entirely new page.

The first stand out feature of the design is that, as far as we can ascertain, it is only currently available in sherry (a medium tan shade) with a contrast black seam. First impressions are good. Pretty Polly has taken the trouble to shape the legs, and they feel as sheer as they look. The entire toe is reinforced and in the tan shade. The underside of the foot has a black sole knitted into it. This finishes with a diamond-shaped heel detail that joins the seam. The knitting technology was not available when the earlier design was current, so we were right to treat this as a new design.

The seams run up to the top of the thigh, where the sheer leg meets a heavy plain boxer style brief. The brief is well made and has a cotton gusset. But this detailing means these tights cannot compete for allure with sheer to waist tights that feature seams to the waist too.

There are just two sizes, small/medium and medium/large, with only the hip measurement to differentiate them. A height range of 5’0” to 5’10” is catered for. The sizing is accurate, so if you are an average woman. They will fit, although you may need to perform some delicate stretching if you are particularly long in the leg. You may lose the whole Cuban heel detail under your foot if you have big feet. But again slow, careful stretching will get the heel correctly positioned.

These tights quite literally grew on us. At first, we found them a little small. But once warmed up by body heat, we managed to tease out enough stretch for our leggiest model to get them on. The fit was then excellent on the legs.

The finish is smooth, even and just a little glossy. The subtle gloss could be mistaken for healthy, vibrant skin. But the seam detail does make it rather apparent that you are in tights or stockings. At this price, we expect compromises, and on balance, Pretty Polly have the balance right here.

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When we first looked at these tights, we said, “From the packet, these tights have the same look and feel like the summer tights with Polyurethane in the fibre mix”. At that time, the packet quoted a fibre mix of 56 % Nylon with 44 % Lycra. As it turns out, we were quite correct. The second pair we obtained to test had the corrected mix as shown below the picture.

The look on the card is quite similar to how cheap micromesh tights can look. Do not be deceived. In the hand, they are smooth and soft and feel gossamer thin. These tights are made sheer to the waist with an invisible toe and with a cotton-lined reinforced gusset. On the leg, these tights feel and look lovely. What you see is just a faint sheen on the skin. Perfect for summer.

If you take care and buy a shade to match your tanned skin colour, your tights will be almost invisible, but they will give your legs a healthy, even glow.

Pretty Polly has introduced a new sizing system for this style and others. Size Small/Medium, if you are, are under 5’6” and under 42” in the hips, size Medium/Large if you are any bigger. If you are tall or of a fuller figure, you may find the fit of these tights a little on the small side. Our earlier comment, “One size to cover medium and large is optimistic even for tights with 44% Lycra”, clearly no longer apply as there is no Lycra in fibre, accounting for the limited stretch.

The raised seams in the brief and the wide area of reinforcement around the gusset are a disappointment. But these tights do look great on the leg and feel wonderfully smooth and soft, so well worth buying.

Perfect fit, flawless matt finish. Soft and smooth to touch on the leg. Body fit is a little loose, ventilated as the Aristoc Soleil moisturising tights but less suitable. Comfort waistband prevents rollover.

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When we first saw that these eight denier summer sheer tights were “secret slimmer”, we thought it was a terrible idea. We want summer rights to be light and sheer to the waist. On reflection, we realised that it was a very sensible idea as the need to shape and firm does not disappear with warmer weather. Lighter summer fashions are far more limiting in terms of what you can wear under them. So great theory, how about the tights?

There are only two sizes to choose from, small/medium and medium/large, both detailed the same way. Straight sheerlegs is finished with a sandal toe detail and a brief control panty with a cotton-lined gusset. The seam in the panty is not flat, and that is a shame as it will compromise comfort and may be visible through some clothes. Thankfully the seams fall quite flat once you have the tights on. The control top is quite gentle. A smoother rather than a shaper, and entirely plain aside from a panel on the hips that transitions to the sheerlegs.

There are two shades, “barely there” and “slightly sunkissed”. Our test pair came in a slightly darker shade. The lighter shade will be best if you have yet to get your summer tan. Yes, lighter shade on untanned legs. The idea is to enhance what you have naturally and flatter your skin, not add a false tan look. Get the right shade, and you should have people guessing whether you are wearing tights at all.

Size is more generous lengthways than the size chart suggests. The larger size will easily cope with 34” long legs, long if you are 5’10”. The medium control top is snug if you are at the top end of the size range, but that is the idea. Excellent tights at a sensible price. A second-skin fit on your legs and a comfortable control top has the added benefit of doing away with the need for any other underwear.

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We can perhaps all remember the summers of our teenage years. Long hot sunny days, tanned legs, and perfect skin, although we did maybe not appreciate it at the time. That perfect smooth, natural tanned look is how we would love our legs to look now. The way to get that look is ultra-sheer hosiery.

Pretty Polly has an excellent track record of making summer tights that are not only sheer but cool and finished to give a freshly oiled finish. We last looked at them five years ago when they went by Pretty Polly Perfectly Natural Sun Oil Sheen Tights. We think the change of name and the tiniest change in fibre composition is reasonable to look at again.

There are just two sizes to choose from these days, small/medium and medium/large, with sizing defined in height, weight and hip size. On the face of it, the sizing is quite limited, with a range of heights from 5’0” to 5’10” (152-178cm) and a range of weights from 97-174lbs (44-79kg). The clearest line is between sizes in the hip measurement, up to 40” or 102cm for the smaller size, 40-48” or 102-122cm for the larger.

First impressions. A gossamer-thin, soft light leg; it is not only the colour that is “barely there”. There is no real evidence of any oiliness. As for the detailing, you get some shaping at the heel and, surprisingly, a lightly reinforced toe for summer tights. The panty portion is heavier but knitted to be breathable. It features a cotton-lined gusset and neatly sewn seams.

Sizing is more generous than the chart suggests. The larger size will stretch to accommodate a 35” (90cm) slim or athletic leg, which is a lot of leg if you are 5’10”. Fit is like a second skin, thanks to the very fine yarn and the excellent proportion of Lycra.

You do get a subtle, freshly oiled look that is incredibly flattering. Pick the correct shade, and someone would have almost to touch your leg to see the tights; even the lightly reinforced toe is hard to see. You perhaps don’t want anyone to touch your leg as the feel is almost as smooth as an oiled leg too! The panty is nothing special to look at. But it keeps the legs in place and is cooler than regular tights – perfect tights for summer at a sensible price.

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We had a slight feeling of deja vu when we read the details of these tights. Then the penny dropped that they are pretty similar to Pretty Polly Naturals Sideria Tights, which are the same fibre mix and just a little heavier at seven denier. Like this other style from Pretty Polly, they are designed for summer wear.

As with the seven denier Sideria tights, the first impressions are not tremendous but open them out of the card, and things improve. These are very light and gossamer-thin tights. Sheer to waist with strips of reinforcement on either side of the body seams, around the cotton-lined gusset and below the waistband. These are such sheer tights that seaming without this transition would be folly, but we would have liked narrower strips. The seams themselves are fine and well finished but not flat.

Being summer tights, there is, of course, a sandal toe detail. This ensures that the tights live up to their branding. Aside from smoothing and adding a nice sheen of colour, the tights are pretty much invisible. When lit from the side, there is a lovely sheen that could be mistaken for a light oil coating.

Despite the absence of Lycra, there is plenty of stretches, and the fit is good. These are delightfully light and smooth tights to wear. They feel fantastic too. Perfect for summer. Get the right colour for your skin tone, and all that friends will notice is that you have gorgeous legs. More generous in the fit than the seven denier Sideria tights. These may be the tights for the summer.

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We must start with the box. They say the tights are designed in Japan. The box must be too, as it is miniaturised just 6x9x4.5 cm. What this means, of course, is that you can keep a spare pair in your handbag in case of emergencies or if you feel like changing colour mid-evening. There is quite a selection of colours, and our test pair came in “Teal”.

Lots of colours but only one size, designed for everyone up 107 cm (42”) hips and 178 cm (5’10”) tall. The sizing is a bit of a fright when you first take the tights out of their box; you really would think they were made for a child and a Japanese child at that.

Construction is quite basic, straight tube legs finished with a simple toe seam, boxer-style brief with an unlined gusset. The body seams are well made but not flat – no need to worry about sizing. There are masses of stretch, so they should fit even if you are a little bigger than the packet suggests as a maximum size. Fit is pretty good, too, with no obvious bagging or sagging. The finish on the leg is matt and very soft to the touch.

The colour of the legs is very even. But the design is let down just a little by the transition from the legs to the slightly darker brief, marked by a 2 cm wide transition zone. If you were to wear these tights with short shorts or a skirt as short as the one pictured above, these would be visible and funky opaque tights like these are meant for wear with shorts. That said, these are quality tights that are a must-have for the spring. Just watch the length of your shorts and skirts.

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