Reviewed: Couture Ultimates 'Sarah' 100 Denier Seamless and Ladder Proof Opaque Tights

Couture Ultimates launched their new and innovative seamless and ladder-proof tights this autumn.



All the tights in the Couture Ultimates collection are available from UK Tights, who along with Legwear International, provided us with samples from the range too trial and review.



We already published a review of the Couture Ultimates 'Victoria' seamless and ladder proof tights.

We now focus on the Couture Ultimates 'Sarah' 100 Denier Seamless and Ladder Proof Opaque Tights.



Couture Ultimates - the brand

Legwear International are the brand behind the Couture Ultimates range.



We recently interviewed Allan Falconer, the director of Legwear International, and he explained what is unique about the Couture Ultimates range:

"Normal hosiery is knitted in horizontal rows of stitches – the same as one would knit a jumper on a flat hand operated knitting machine or knitting using knitting needles. If a thread breaks the material then creates a run or in the case of tights, a ladder. Tights are knitted using a circle of needles where tubes are created and then sewn together, hence the seam through the middle of the body from front to back.

"Couture Ultimates have been knitted in one piece (therefore no seams) using a machine that was designed to make fabric – this machine can also produce netting and crochet type designs. This machine has a long bed of needles but each needle has an individual thread of yarn. Tights have previously been made on these machines but limited to netting type fabrics. Nobody previously has managed to develop a range of everyday hosiery using this technology.

"Because of the different knitting technique Couture Ultimates are made up from vertical rows of knots as opposed to horizontal rows of stitches. In addition to the other benefits this also makes them 100% ladder proof."



The Couture Ultimates range has nine styles: 60 and 100 denier opaque tights, together with seven fashion styles.

The collection can be viewed at UK Tights and on the Coutures Ultimates website.

Packaging



Packaging for the whole Couture Ultimates range is consistent across the collection: the tights are folded around a card that provides useful information on how to put on seamless and ladder proof hosiery.

This is then wrapped in a cellophane bag, and everything is then enclosed in a robust card envelope. 

Material and features

The Couture Ultimates 'Sarah' 100 Denier Seamless and Ladder Proof Opaque Tights are made from 81% Nylon and 19% Spandex.

The tights feel quite robust and substantial.

Opaque coverage is pretty much total with a matt appearance and little shine.

With 19% Spandex you would expect a lot of stretchiness an that is exactly what you get.

The waistband is 3cm wide and provides comfortable support with no digging in.

There is no central seam in the brief and no gusset. There is a well-engineered horizontal seam that runs under the crotch. This is completely flat and isn't noticeable when worn



Fit and sizing

The Couture Ultimates 'Sarah' 100 Denier Seamless and Ladder Proof Opaque Tights are available in four sizes:

• Small
• Medium
• Large
• Extra-Large

I tested pairs in both the Large and Extra-Large sizes.



Its really important to take care when putting Couture Ultimates tights on, and it's recommend that you refer to the detailed instruction card that is inside every pack.




Couture Ultimates have also released a helpful video to provide further support in how to put your Couture Ultimates tights on.



I tried the Extra-Large size first. The fit was perfect. The tights have plenty of stretch and there was more than enough leg length for my 5'10" height. The brief was deep and stretched comfortably over the waist.

The 'Sarah' style, with 19% Spandex, hugs the leg providing a very snug fit and a moderate amount of compression that provides welcome leg support.

Once in position you will notice that the 'Sarah' style provides smooth, even opaque coverage with no bunching or wrinkling.

I wore the Extra-Large style with shorts on a long rail journey and they were really comfortable.

The Couture Ultimates team also urged me to try the Large size to compare with the Extra-Large. This size also provided a great fit and didn't appear to be significantly smaller than the Extra Large size. The fit was slightly more snug, but there was once again sufficient leg length and the brief/panty was also perfectly comfortable.

The sizing information is therefore accurate: I would recommend the Large size for heights up 5'10". The Extra-Large if you are a taller person.

The 'Sarah' style provides a wonderful feeling of wellbeing to the legs. You can really feel them hugging you.



Colour range

The Couture Ultimates 'Sarah' 100 Denier Seamless and Ladder Proof Opaque Tights are available in Black only.



Price and availability

The Couture Ultimates 'Sarah' 100 Denier Seamless and Ladder Proof Opaque Tights are priced at £10.99 at UK Tights. However there is, at the time of publication, a 20% discount that mans they are available for just £8.79.

Conclusion 

This is our second review of tights in the Couture Ultimates range and we remain impressed with the quality as well as the overall wearing experience.

The overall positives are:

• Excellent sizing options with both Large and Extra Large sizes being suitable for larger and taller women and men.
• Smooth, even and total opaque coverage.
• Superb wearing experience, enhanced by the snug fit and moderate compression.
• Robust yarn and design which should stand regular wear.

Recommended.

Stay tuned for a further Couture Ultimates review that will appear shortly.