Friday 28 September 2012

Just arrived: Emilio Cavallini Cult Edition unisex tights / mantyhose

A nice package arrived from Italy today. Emilio Cavallini have kindly sent me two samples from their new Cult Edition of unisex tights.

I have been previewing this collection over recent days (there are more images to come).

I have been sent samples of the Question Mark Opaque Tights and the Horizontal Stripes Opaque Tights.

I am looking forward to trying these out and reviews will appear soon.




Reviewed: Aristoc Luxury 40 Denier Opaque Tights

Hosiery retailer The Tights House kindly sent me a pair of the Aristoc 40 Denier Microfibre Luxury Opaque Tights to test and review.


I have previously reviewed the Aristoc 80 Denier Luxury Opaque Tights from the Aristoc Ultimate Leg Luxury range.

Materials and features

The Aristoc 40 Denier Microfibre Luxury Opaque Tights are attractively packaged in a card box.



The card box encloses a plastic sleeve containing the tights.



Curiously, the front of the packaging has the word 'ENGLAND', although these tights are made in Italy. That is fine by me as Italian-made tights are, in my experience, invariably good quality.

      

The Aristoc 40 Denier Microfibre Luxury Opaque Tights are made from 87% Nylon, 12% Elastane and 1% Cotton.

These tights are very smooth and silky to the touch. They don't look very long, but have masses of stretch. The 3D construction means that they stretch in all directions for a superior fit

Legs are straight and with a superbly constructed reinforced toe. They are sheer to waist and have flat seams. There is a cotton gusset. The brief is deep and roomy and has a deep 4cm waistband, that provides support without any digging in.

As 40 denier tights, they are not completely opaque. However they are darker than many 40 denier opaque tights I have tested. The appearance is uniform and matt throughout.

Fit and sizing

The Aristoc 40 Denier Microfibre Luxury Opaque Tights are available in three sizes: S/M, M/L and XL.



I tested the XL size. The fit was superb. The generous amount of stretch meant that they fitted my 32" inseam with ease and the brief stretched comfortably above my hips and waist.

These tights fit very close to the skin and sees to mould themselves to the body's shape and movement.

Colour range

These tights are available from The Tights House in six shades:
  • Bitter Chocolate
  • Black
  • Burgundy
  • Deep Purple
  • Midnight (Navy)
  • Pewter
      

The XL size is available in Black only.

Price and availability

The Aristoc 40 Denier Microfibre Luxury Opaque Tights are available at The Tights House for £15.00.

As with the Aristoc 80 Denier Luxury Opaque Tights, this might seem expensive. It's true that at this price level we are are in Falke and Wolford pricing territory. But this is a quality product and it's clear that Aristoc are aiming to raise the bar with the Ultimate Leg Luxury range.

Conclusion

As most Aristoc tights usually come in just two sizes S/M and M/L, it is a very positive development to see them now making products in the XL size. The extra length will certainly be a bonus for many men buying these tights.

In summary, the Aristoc 40 Denier Microfibre Luxury Opaque Tights are great quality. They have a wonderful amount of stretch and the high Elastane content and three dimensional construction provides for a close fit with no bunching or sagging. They are very comfortable under trousers and the overall matt appearance looks smart in place of socks.

Emilio Cavallini unisex Cult Edition for men and women #6

Here is a further preview of the new collection of unisex tights for men and women from designer Emilio Cavallini.

Today we feature the Grid Opaque Tights from the Emilio Cavallini Cult Edition.


Thursday 27 September 2012

Wednesday 26 September 2012

Tuesday 25 September 2012

New men's tights from Comfort4Men

I have just been informed that two new styles of men's tights are now available from Comfort4Men.

I have written positive reviews of several Comfort4Men products here on Hosiery For Men including:

60 Denier Luxury Men's Opaque Tights

70 Denier Men's Opaque Tights

80 Denier Opaque Men's Tights

The new styles are:

The C147M 64 Denier Robust Opaque Tights - these are available in high waist and low waist styles.

These are available in Black and Skin shades and, as with all Comfort4Men tights, are available with a choice of fly opening and gusset colour.





The C418M50 Denier Luxury Microfibre Opaque Tights - these are available in high waist and low waist styles

These are available in Black, Dark Brown and Navy shades. There is a choice of fly opening and gusset colour.

  

  

  

Emilio Cavallini unisex Cult Edition for men and women #3

This week I am previewing the new collection of unisex tights, socks and t-shirts for men and women from designer Emilio Cavallini.

Here is the third preview of the unisex tights/mantyhose from Emilio Cavallini Cult Edition. Today we feature the Horizontal Stripes Opaque Tights.


Monday 24 September 2012

Emilio Cavallini unisex Cult Edition for men and women #2

Designer Emilio Cavallini has launched a new collection of unisex tights, socks and t-shirts for men and women. This new collection follows on from the successful Emilio Cavallini mantyhose collection.

Here is another preview of the unisex tights/mantyhose from Emilio Cavallini Cult Edition.

Here are the Checkers Opaque Tights.



Stay tuned for forthcoming reviews of the Cult Edition mantyhose.

Reviewed: Falke Pure Matt 20 Tights

Hosiery For Men readers will know that I rate Falke hosiery very highly indeed. I have reviewed several styles already including:

Falke Pure Matt 50 Opaque Tights

Falke Pure Matt 100 Tights


I haven't reviewed the Falke Seidenglatt 70 Tights yet, but I have several pairs and they are superb opaque tights.



I am currently looking at several brands and styles of tights that are suitable to wear under trousers in early Autumn. I am following the advice of the TightsFashion website to start with 20 denier tights and then go heavier as the weather gets colder.

I ordered the Falke Pure Matt 20 Tights through the TightsFashion Falke Shop and they were supplied by MyTights.



Materials and features

The Falke Pure Matt 20 Tights are described as 'transparent tights with a matt finish for impeccably elegant legs.'

They are packaged in the usual Falke card sleeve that is enclosed in a clear plastic envelope. The tights are wrapped around a card featuring other Falke styles.



The first impression I had was how sheer these tights are; they look like 15 denier tights than 20. They also looked pleasingly long in the leg - a good sign for taller men who might want to purchase them.

The Falke Pure Matt 20 Tights are made from 89% Polyamide and 11% Elastane. The yarn has a very silky, soft feel and seems quite robust. Despite being described as matt, the tights do have a very slight sheen to them. They are also quite sheer and won't hide leg hair.

The legs and heel and shaped. The toes are lightly reinforced with a slightly denser ladder resistent yarn.

Seams are flat throughout and very high quality.The waistband is 2.5cm wide and has a a larger 3.35 cm reinforcement band below it. This waistband is height-adjustable so the tights could be worn with lower-waisted trousers or other clothing.

Sizes Small/Medium to Large have a cotton gusset. The Extra Large size that I tested has a rear comfort panel.



Fit and sizing

The Falke Pure Matt 20 Tights are available in Small/Medium, Medium Large and Extra Large.

I tested a pair in Extra Large.



As I mentioned above, the Extra Large size in these tights is quite long in the leg. They fitted my 5'10" perfectly. They need to be rolled into position carefully; the high Elastane content and good stretch provided an absolutely perfect fit. They cling like a second skin with absolutely no bunching or wrinkling.

The brief provides plenty of room and the waistband stretches with ease above the navel.

The slight sheen of Falke Pure Matt 20 Tights provides an excellent glide under trousers.

Colour range
The Falke Pure Matt 20 Tights are available in three colours:

  • Black 
  • Marine 
  • Poudre 


I tested a pair in the Poudre shade.

Price and availability
The Falke Pure Matt 20 Tights are available from the Tights Fashion Falke Shop for £12.00.

Conclusion
The design and quality of these tights is of the very highest standard. As with all Falke tights, one appreciates the attention to detail and effort to make sizing accurate.

These tights are very comfortable under trousers and feel wonderful against the skin.

Highly recommended.

Sunday 23 September 2012

Just arrived: Janira Panty Cotton 120 tights and Janira Panty Wonder 40 tights

I have just received a further selection of samples of tights made by the Spanish hosiery manufacturer Janira.

The Panty Cotton 120 tights and the Panty Wonder 40 tights.

I bought these tights from Mercería Gari. Their customer service is excellent and shipping is quick and efficient.



Emilio Cavallini Cult Edition for men and women #1

Designer Emilio Cavallini has launched a new collection of unisex tights, socks and t-shirts suitable for men and women. This new collection follows on from the successful Emilio Cavallini mantyhose collection.

You can still read the Hosiery For Men feature on Emilio Cavallini.

I will be publishing a selection of images from the new collection.

Here are the Blended Cotton Basic Tights.

Wednesday 19 September 2012

Spotlight on The Leg-Care Company

There is now much better awareness of some the benefits of tights for men, particularly of how they can provide leg support for men who are standing all day or stationary at a desk. Tights with support can provide relief for tired and aching legs.

Support hosiery is widely available, and many of the leading men's hosiery retailers, such as Activskin®, provide a wide selection in sheer and opaque styles.

Some doctors also prescribe compression tights for men for the treatment of various medical conditions. Many sportsmen and women also use compression tights for recovery from exercise and to improve performance.

On of the leading support and compression hosiery retailers in the UK is The Leg-Care Company. I recently interviewed David Thickpenny of the Leg-Care Company and am pleased to now publish this on Hosiery For Men.




The Leg Care Company has been providing a service for 18 years according to your website. Can you tell Hosiery For Men readers about the company?
We are a small family business started by my wife in 1994. Originally we only sold support hosiery but over the years compression hosiery has assumed a far greater importance.

You specialise in support and compression hosiery. What are the particular benefits that this type of hosiery provides?
Support hosiery helps to relieve tired and aching legs as well as to prevent the development of conditions such as varicosity. Compression hosiery is generally medically prescribed to alleviate conditions that have already developed.

Do you feel that men who are standing or sitting for long periods can benefit from support and compression tights?
Without a doubt support and compression hosiery can be of benefit to anyone who spends long periods of time relatively immobile. More information on the benefits of support is available on our website.

It is becoming much more acceptable for men to wear tights these days. There is even a great deal of media coverage about 'mantyhose'. Is this trend being reflected in more interest in the products you sell?
We have very few enquiries for men’s tights. The majority of purchases are for below-knee products (80%) and the balance is for thigh-length grip top products.

Do you sell support and compression tights made and designed particularly for men, or are most your products unisex?
We have a wide range of hosiery specifically designed for men manufactured by Sigvaris, Lloveras and Venosan. Sigvaris have unisex products that appeal to both sexes including the Sigvaris Cotton 200 tights.


Sigvaris Cotton 200 Tights


Are men an important part of your customer base?
Although at the moment our sales to men form only a minority of our business we have noticed that this is one of the faster growing markets and it is becoming increasingly important to us.

What products are men buying? 

The majority of our sales to men are for below knee products. Thigh length products are indicated for some conditions and in a small number of cases tights might be most appropriate.

Are there any tights that you would particularly recommend men try to relieve tired and aching legs? 

We are introducing a new Solidea range from Italy that includes tights designed to prevent tired and aching legs. These will be on our website in the near future.

We will have 'Panty Plus' (down to the ankle) and 'Panty Contour' (down to just above the knee) in stock.


 Solidea Relax Unisex 70 Knee Highs 



Solidea Panty Plus



Solidea Panty Contour


What kind of support will male customers receive if they need help with choosing a product? 

Generally we advise customers to consult a medical professional first if purchasing hosiery with a compression greater than 14mmHg for the first time.

Once this is established customers can contact us by phone or email and we are happy to discuss the various products available, including composition, appearance, colours and sizes and whether knee-high, thigh length or tights is most suitable.

Many thanks for talking to Hosiery For Men. I hope readers can visit The Leg-Care Company and tale a look at what you offer.

Thanks. It is good to know that someone is making men aware, as it isn't just women who develop leg problems.

Tuesday 18 September 2012

Exclusive! Interview with Selim de Somavilla

I have been quite interested, and also surprised, to learn that there are a considerable number of contemporary fashion designers who are incorporating tights into menswear fashion.

You can see an impressive collection of examples on the Men Wearing Tights With Shorts Tumblr page that collates images from designer fashion shows.

One of the designers featured is Selim De Somavilla who has incorporated tights into several of his collections.

I recently interviewed Selim for Hosiery For Men and I am sure readers will be really interested in this exclusive post.


Can you provide Hosiery for Men readers with some background information about yourself, and your career as a designer? 
I was born in Barcelona and I am based there. In 2005 I graduated here but I also studied in London at the London College of Fashion.

My first major collection was called MAELSTRØM and was shown in February at the last Fall-Winter 2012/13 edition of Valencia Fashion Week and later in Move Sevilla in Seville.

KNOCKOUT is my latest and current collection and was shown in September 2012 in Deebee Lab, an art gallery in Barcelona. Inspired by boxers in the 30s, the collection brings a fresh summer breeze with bold colors like green or fuchsia contrasted with metallic copper or bright black.

What was the inspiration behind the Autumn/Winter 2012/13 MAELSTRØM collection? 
It’s a collection full of contrasts: a mixture of cold and fire. Men come in from the cold to dress up with certain delicacy. Red, orange, gold …mixed with gray and black. Printed silks, cool wool and angora are some of the fabrics I used. Maelstrøm is a solitary cottage surrounded by woods on a quiet and dark glimpsed by red dawn sun.



In the MAELSTRØM collection you style shorts with opaque tights in various shades. You also included tights as part of the outfits in your Spring/Summer 2009 MOORLAND collection. Are tights central to the concept and aesthetic of your collections?
In both of those collections tights were quite important. I think they are an interesting item of clothing for both men and women to wear. They give you an easy chance to change the way an outfit looks.

In recent years a number of menswear designers have created collections that have featured tights, including Givenchy, Prada and agnès b. Were you influenced by their work, or were you inspired from elsewhere to include tights in your latest collection?
I admit that Givenchy is an important inspiration for me. Anyway it was more about creating a unisex garment that everyone could wear. It’s amazing how many possibilities you have for using different tights just with the various prints or fabrics you use.



Did you use any particular hosiery brands for the latest collection? 
Not any particular brand. Some of them are from vintage markets, others from traditional hosiery shops.

Has there been a positive reaction to the inclusion of tights in your men's collections? Was this picked up in media coverage? 
It has been a bit difficult. Here in Spain, people generally like the idea of it but they’re not very ready for using them daily.

You state that your clothes have a 'unisex' influence. Can you say more about this? Lots of my garments are unisex, especially shirts, t-shirts, jackets and pants... I like the idea of anyone be able to wear what they like. The man I dress has a bit of a feminine touch and the other way round with the woman.



Tights were, of course, originally won by men. In recent years they are clearly to be coming popular again - for their comfort and practicality, as well as a fashion trend. Do you see this trend continuing and tights for men becoming more mainstream?
I’m hoping so. As I said before here in Spain it’s not strong a trend but… soon!

There has been a huge amount of media coverage of 'mantyhose' (tights and pantyhose for men) in recent months, with some brands, such as Emilio Cavallini, now marketing tights as unisex. Do you have any plans to create a line of men's or unisex tights?
Sounds interesting…You’re giving me new ideas now! Thanks.

Do you think collections such as yours are encouraging men to be more adventurous in how they dress?
I think so. That’s what I’m trying to do. Day after day men are being more open-minded and a little more daring in how they dress. 



You are based in Spain where there are a number of high quality hosiery manufacturers, such as Cecilia de Rafael and Janira. Do you think that these brands might be encouraged to develop a range of tights for men, or do you feel that their current products can be seen as 'unisex' items? 

They should start creating a new trend with products for men at first. Eventually tights will be seen as and will become a unisex garment.

What plans do you have for the future? Are you working on ideas for further collections? 

Just two days ago we had the catwalk show for the latest one. So we can say that it is is fresh out the oven!

KNOCKOUT is the new Spring/Summer 13 collection and was inspired by boxers in the 1930s. It showed showed in an art gallery called Deebee Lab here in Barcelona where the brand is based.

Selim - thank you so much for talking to Hosiery For Men. It's been a pleasure to speak to you and I hope that the readers of this blog will enjoy reading about your work. Do keep us informed about future collections where you might feature men's hosiery.

Just arrived: Philippe Matignon Noblesse 50 Opaque Tights

The Phillipe Matignon US shop have very kindly sent me some further samples to test and review. I have just received two pairs of the Noblesse 50 opaque tights.

I have one pair in the Coffee shade and one in the Nero.

I will review these tights soon.