Tuesday 4 February 2014

Reviewed: Marks and Spencer Autograph 100 Luxury Satin Touch Tights

Marks and Spencer is probably the most famous and well-known department store on the British high street. They always stock an impressive range of tights, and the range is usually refreshed annually.

If you visit one of their flagship branches, such as the Marble Arch one in London, the tights and hosiery section is enormous.

I am sure every woman in the UK has purchased tights from Marks and Spencer, and certainly many men do also.




I recently purchased the Autograph 100 Denier Luxury Satin Touch Tights. They are described as:

"Super soft satin touch fabric with 3 way stretch for a perfect fit."



Materials and features
These tights are made in Italy and are part of Mark and Spencer's premium Autograph range. Tights in the Autograph brand range tend to be more expensive, but have a reputation for much higher quality.

The tights are packaged in a very simple card enclosure. It's a bit basic compared with other more upmarket brands, but it does mean you can touch the fabric if shopping in a Marks and Spencer store.



The fabric is 92% Polyamide, 7% Elastane and 1% Cotton. The fabric has a definite sheen, and even looks quite shiny but only when caught in the light.

They feel extremely smooth, even slightly luxurious to the touch. Opacity is excellent with an even coverage throughout.

Seams are flat. The Large size, that I tested, has a cotton gusset, with no rear comfort panel.

The brief is deep and comfortable, with the waistband easily stretching above the waist and hips.

The waistband is described as 'ultra comfort' and this is definitely accurate. At 4cm wide is provides excellent support without any digging in.

Another nice quality touch is the label inside the waistband. Very handy for identifying the style and brand if you have a large collection of black opaque tights.

Fit and sizing
The Autograph 100 Denier Luxury Satin Touch Tights are available in four sizes: Small, Medium, Large and X Large.

I tested the Large size. I always choose the Large size in Marks and Spencer tights as they are designed to fit taller people. In this case you can see that the height range is 5'10" to 6'0".



These tights have provided the best fit and wearing experience that I have had in recent years from a Marks and Spencer style.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s they sold some superb Italian-made opaques and semi-opaques, but I felt that quality had dipped since then. I got the impression that the store was aiming to sell cheaper tights, of poorer quality. But with this style, Marks and Spencer are certainly back on form.

I found these tights to be so comfortable and cosy in the cold weather, that I haven't worn much else since I bought them.

Leg length is excellent, and the fit overall was really superb. The Elastane content in the knit provides for a lovely close fit on the leg, with no wrinkling at all.

The waistband is really comfortable. I found that I could wear these tights for long periods without any adjusting or pulling up being needed.

The sheen provides a great level of glide under trousers.

Colour range
The Autograph 100 Denier Luxury Satin Touch Tights are available in three shades: Black, Dark Oak and Light Ebony.

I tested a pair in Black.

Price and availability
The Autograph 100 Denier Luxury Satin Touch Tights are priced at £9.50.

Conclusion
The Autograph 100 Denier Luxury Satin Touch Tights are a great purchase. Yes, they are more expensive than other more basic opaque tights from Marks and Spencer, but the improved quality is what you get. Flat seams, top quality fabric and a design that provides a great wearing experience. Under trousers they glide amazingly well.

Marks and Spencer state that their Autograph tights provide 'designer style and quality at high street prices.' The Autograpgh 100 Luxury Satin Touch Tights certainly fir that description. If these were tights from a more upmarket European brand, you would be looking to pay £12.00 to £15.00 for this quality.


I am so impressed with these, that I think I will be tempted to try more of the Autograph range. The Autograph Luxury Velvet Touch 100 Denier Tights might be next on my shopping list.

1 comment:

  1. Hi , They sound very good tights, On way to buy some now.

    Regards

    Wayne

    ReplyDelete