Reviewed: Charnos Xelence 50 Denier Opaque Tights

Charnos Hosiery recently sent Hosiery For Men a very generous selection of samples from their different ranges.

Two of the samples were from the new Charnos Xelence range which is aimed at 'curvaceous women'.

In this review we focus on the Charnos Xelence 50 Denier Opaque Tights.



Material and features 
Charnos describe the Xelence 50 Denier Opaque Tights as follows:

'Charnos Xelence is custom made for curvaceous women up to dress size 32. Designed using the breakthrough LYCRA® XCEPTIONELLE technology this product has been carefully constructed and finished to accommodate differing body shapes of larger women."



The tights come in quality packaging. They are folded around a card rectangle and then wrapped in a clear plastic sleeve. Everything is then housed in a robust card envelope which provides impressively detailed product information.





The Charnos Xelence 50 Denier Opaque Tight are made in Italy. The fabric is 89% Nylon, 10% LYCRA® Elastane and 1% Cotton.

The material feels very soft and stretchy. In appearance the tights are matt with no real visible shine.

The tights feel quite light. These are not thick, heavy opaque winter tights.

Toes are lightly reinforced.



The legs are straight, but one can see that the fabric has been knitted to provide more space from the knees up. As the legs arrive at the inner thigh area, the tights have a band made with higher density yarn. This has been designed to reduce chafing or digging in between the legs.



The other unique feature of these tights is the waistband, which is around 0.8cm wide. This is described as a 'narrow anti-roll waistband'. But running below the waistband itself is a much deeper 8cm wide band, that has been designed for extra comfort and to reduce any tightness in this area.



The seams in the panty/brief are flat, and there is a cotton gusset. The brief has clearly been designed to avoid the need for the rear comfort gusset that is common in plus size hosiery.

Fit and sizing
The Charnos Xelence 50 Denier Opaque Tights are available in three sizes:

• Light Shape
• Medium Shape
• Full Shape

I am not sure which size I tested as the sample sent did not indicate which size was in the packaging.



I found these tights to be a really comfortable wear. As a plus size style they certainly provided me with plenty of room in the leg. The high Lycra content in the fabric also made sure that there was a nice, close fit with no wrinkling.

The brief was particularly comfortable, with plenty of depth and a light, feeling when worn with no tightness or compression.

Under trousers, glide was reasonable. The tights, being quite light, were also breathable and I didn't feel my legs were getting overheated wearing them indoors.

Colour range

The Charnos Xelence 50 Denier Opaque Tights are available in two colours Black and Navy.

I tested a pair in Black.

Price and availability

The Charnos Xelence 50 Denier Opaque Tights from a very wide range of hosiery retailers, including:

UK Tights (£9.99)

My Tights (£10.00)

Stockings Direct (£10.00)

Stockings HQ (£9.99)

SockShop (£10.00)

The Tightspot (£9.95)

Conclusion

The Charnos Xelence 50 Denier Opaque Tights do seem to be an innovative product. The Oroblu Difference 80 tights are the only product I have seen with a similar waistband.

For men who might also need a larger size of tights, they might be a good choice, especially if you need a deeper brief and more space in the abdominal area.

The plus points for me in this Charnos style include the soft fabric, the excellent stretch and and the brief. I also liked this lighter type of opaque that can provide comfort and warmth, but with breathability.

Our next review in the Xelence range will be the 30 denier semi-opaque tights.