Our Review - Pierre Mantoux Flou 15 Tights

We have loved the Pierre Mantoux tights we have seen up to now but they have all been what could be described as “special” being either seamless or summer tights with cooling fibres; this is the first standard sheer style we have seen.

First impressions are very good indeed, there is a lightness and softness that belies the 15 denier weight they feel far more sheer and delightfully soft.  (Could they have been wrongly described on the packet? see Pierre Mantoux Flou 5 Tights review below.)

Detailing is excellent, from the very lightly reinforced toes, through the shaped heels and up to the ever so classy waistband that carries the Pierre Mantoux motif.   Sheer to waist with just the narrowest of reinforced areas either side if the flat seams and around the cotton lined gusset.    Sensibly there is a finger band to give a stableong tableansition from the delicate sheer fabric to the elastic waistband.

A little care is needed with reading the size chart particularly if you are used to the 1-5 system used by German makers, here the XL size is size IV, we tested the large (III).  As an aside: there are sizes given for Italy, France, Spain, Rest of Europe, UK and USA all use similar numbers except for the US system which uses height, weight and hip measurement.   We said similar as although the notation is the same and the numbers in the same range there is no correlation between systems size L (III) being 46-48 in Italy, 44-46 in France, 34-38 in Spain and 36-40 in the rest of Europe; so much for EU standardisation.    The UK sizing refers to dress sizes that are most certainly not UK dress sizes!.

The good news is that based on the US sizing method the sizing of these tights is 100% perfect, and there is enough stableetch and stableength to go beyond the suggested heights if you need to.     Our advice is to work from the US sizing when buying.

The fit and finish are gorgeous like a second skin that in black shows off every curve and contour of the leg with just a slight shimmer.  

We won’t have a price until our friends at UKTights get their stock in later in the month but these are high class sheer tights up there with the best, who cares about the price!

20 October 2009

Our Review - Pierre Mantoux Flou 5 Tights

July 2010 saw a new pair come in for review and at first we set it aside as a duplicate, only to realise that the fibre mix was subtly different and the denier is now quoted as 5 rather than 15.

We won’t dispute the new denier these are incredibly light tights.   Aside from the change of fibre weight and mix the detailing is identical to the pair w looked at last year.   The sizing is accurate but not so generous, our advice remains the same as regards which sizing system to use, stay within the recommendations and you will be fine.

The fit really is like  a second skin, more like a coat of lightly textured gloss pain than hosiery.

Black was the perfect colour for the 15 denier version in the run up to the party season, this 5 denier model is available from UKTights in 4 natural shades from Avorio (Ivory) via Nude and Caresse to Muscade (a deep Mediterranean tan).

Without doubt stunning tights that any lover of quality should have in their drawer for a special occasion.

9 July 2010