Tights Fashion

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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When we first saw this on our list of samples, we thought that Pretty Polly had maybe reproduced their Metallic Tights from the late 1990s. But these are pretty different. Rather than being sheer tights with a metallic sheen, they are semi-opaques with a far more metal look to them.

Made sheer to waist with flat seams and a gusset all topped with a 3cm deep waistband. These are well-made tights. They are “one size” concerns as even 12% of Lycra can only give limited stretch. The good news for taller ladies is that they are long, quickly reaching the top of a 36″ leg. We suspect that they may be too long for short to average ladies.

We tested a pair in silver, and we have to say that they are one of the most flattering tights we have ever tried. The look is like the surface of liquid metal, constantly shifting with movement and changes in the light. They feel good on the leg, too, especially when you run your hand over them, and you will do this more than once. Couple these tights with a grey dress/skirt/short and grey shoes, and every eye in the room will be on you. The fit is excellent too.

They are not quite perfect as we could see a slight change in colour at the top of the thigh, but close. Shimmery, smooth, shiny, sexy as well as durable and well made. If you like a gloss look to your hosiery and are not short, you should buy several pairs!

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Given that hosiery manufactures must have their teams of designers putting together collection after collection, season after season, you might wonder why they need to use celebrity designers to produce designs for them. Well, of course, there is the obvious answer that they can sell “designer” styles at a higher price.

Perhaps more importantly, the celebrity designer can go a little outside the box and come up with something completely new. Confession time now, I have no idea who Joanne Hynes is, but I can tell you that she knows how to style a pair of tights for maximum visual effect. The legs are unshaped, and the panty has no gusset. This design is unique. You can make out that down the inside of each leg, there is a more sheer strip that cleverly is not straight but slightly wavy. This extends upwards into the panty as the black “straps” through the red. The only other adornment is a large red heart on the inside of each leg.

The comparison with standard opaques extends to the sizing. These are “one size” tights to fit up to 5’10” (178cm) tall, 160lb (72kg) weight and 42” (107cm) hips. If you are at the bottom end of the range, you might find them too big. On a slender model (5’6” and a UK size 8), they do fit, as you can see in our picture. If you are much bigger and taller, the good news is that there is stretch to go way beyond what Pretty Polly suggest. The panty section is particularly generous. (Will fit up to 6’3, 220lb, 46” hips).

The simple styling does not compromise fit, so you will feel as good as you look. The weight means they will keep your legs warm too. The one flaw in the design is that the gorgeous panty section would be hidden, so you need to take your skirt as short as you dare, pair it with high black heels, and then the vertical elements in the design will make your legs look endless.

Of all the tights in for review this season, this is the one the models wanted to take home. Lots of style and quality without breaking the bank.

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We have reviewed these tights twice in the past, once in the packaging below and once after the newer packaging above was introduced. The last time we looked, we said, “These tights are just a repackaging of the earlier design”. On closer inspection, although the overall design is the same, the sizing has changed. In light of this small error and the fact that this style is a favourite of so many of our visitors, we are taking another detailed look.

So, about the sizing. In common with the rest of the Pretty Polly Italia range, the previous three sizes of Small, Medium and Large have been replaced with two sizes. Small/Medium and Medium/Large. The smaller heights are between 5’0” and 5’6”, and hip sizes 34” to 42”. If you are taller (up to 5’10”) or bigger in the hips (up to 46”), you will need the bigger size.

The weight of these tights is apparent even in the packet. Even released from their cardboard envelope, the impression is of tights much heavier than 30 denier. Unwrapping them from the card reveals sheer to waist tights with the slightest shaping at the heels and reinforced toes. The brief is finished with flat seams and a lined gusset. There is no reinforcement on either side of the seam. Just the narrowest finger bands below the 4 cm deep waistband.

We had our tallest tester try these tights, and we are happy to report that the Medium/Large size stretched comfortably beyond the suggested sizing. The fit was perfect from hip to toe with perfect even colour. A 30 denier look but with the strength of heavier tights, ideal for everyday wear in the colder months. In black for the office, in black or skin tone for evenings out in short skirts or shorts.

Fantastic value at £4.50. You would not get the quality of finish with Wolford or Fogal, but these tights are a quarter of the price and much better than a quarter of the quality.

They are exclusively designed in Italy to ensure the ultimate quality and feminine styling. Italia is the premium choice for women who want a hosiery that is glamorous and sophisticated. Very shiny, surprisingly soft to the touch. Best in a pale skin tone or nude, these are very expensive looking sexy tights at a great price.

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We usually start our reviews with impressions of the tights as we remove them from the packet, but we are stepping back a bit. One size tights for £9.95? A packet designed for the style with a picture on the front but no style-specific notes on the back? No indication of just how sheer and opaque the various parts of the tights are? These will have to be very, very good tights to excuse such lazy packaging design.

Well, the packet is open, and we have another complaint. The colour is described on the packet as blue. But, as anyone can see, the tights are turquoise – gorgeous colour but not blue unless you are thinking duck egg.

The first good news is that the feel in hand is deliciously soft. The second bit of good news is that the seams in the panty are flat and well finished, and there is a cotton-lined gusset. Visually these tights are most peculiar before you put them on. The sheer portion between the panty and the straight legs is much more narrow than the opaque parts, no doubt because being sheerer, it will be far more elastic.

The portion is crossed by two thin lines of opaque material on each leg, one front and one back. The toes are “reinforced” but oddly sheerer than the legs. The sizing seems quite generous, so the one size should fit you unless you have legs more than 34” long.

OK, so we have been pretty negative so far, but this design does work, not least because it does not try to look like stockings and suspenders. The legs have good even colour, and the sheer panels on the upper thigh turn a boring opaque into a funky design. Once separated from the leg by the sheer parts, the panty takes on the look of a pair of panties rather than the top of a pair of tights and is opaque enough not to need any other underwear.

The colour is perfectly even. The fit is perfect. Worth £10? Well, yes, they are if you are looking for something fun to wear to a party in a short dress. The vibrant colours are the perfect antidote to the nights and grey weather.

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