Tuesday 26 February 2019

New additions to Wolford's Aurora Range

We recently reviewed two items from the new Wolford Cradle to Cradle® Collection: biodegradable skin-wear products that have a safe biological lifecycle.



Wolford Aurora Leggings

The Aurora Leggings review will be updated shortly, as we now have them in the L size.

Wolford Aurora Pullover

In creating the Cradle to Cradle® Collection Wolford is tackling waste, leading to a sustainable circular economy where all elements used are kept in an endless life cycle. The fabric used is made of three fibres, all of which are able to biodegrade without any harmful substances being released.

The new additions to the Wolford Aurora range are:

The Wolford Aurora Top





The Wolford Aurora Shirt



Monday 25 February 2019

New Comfort4Men Luxury Men's Tights

Comfort4Men, the men's tights brand from Germany, have just launched another new style of men's tights.



These are the Comfort4Men C454M Luxury Tights. They are 90 denier, high waist, warm and with a shimmer.

Available in dark brown, anthracite, black and bordeaux colours.



 

 

Other key features are:

  • The signature Comfort4Men black gusset designed for male comfort
  • Fly opening
 


The tights are available in two sizes: 5 and 6.



Wednesday 13 February 2019

Reviewed: Wolford Velvet Sensation Leggings

Wolford sent us a pair of their Velvet Sensation Leggings to review.





These leggings are a footless version of the Wolford Velvet Sensation Tights, which we reviewed in 2016.

Wolford describe the Velvet Sensation Leggings as follows:

"Wonderfully warm: The inside of these double-faced leggings flatters the skin with extra-thin, insulating plush material. The exterior features a fine mesh structure. The gusset-free finish means they can be worn as trousers for different occasions."


Readers may be interested to know that the Velvet Sensations Leggings are one of the hosiery garments that Wolford specifically recommend for men. They are displayed on the webpage where all the Wolford products for men are curated.

Packaging

Wolford package these leggings in a sliding draw box, similar to the Aurora range we recently reviewed.



The rear of the box provides sizing as well as other product information.

The leggings are folded around a rectangular card with information on other Wolford products. Tissue paper is folded around them before they are packed into rectangular card tray. This then slides into the outer packaging. It is basically as a drawer that can be opened and closed.







Interestingly the Velvet Sensation Tights are packaged more conventionally.

Material and features


The Wolford Velvet Sensation Leggings are made from 88% Polyamide and 12% Elastane. This is a slightly different yarn compared to the Velvet Sensation Tights which are 84% Polyamide and 16% Elastane.

Like the Velvet Sensation Tights they are designed to provide warmth and insulation. This is achieved by the double-sided material. The inside has a soft, plush, insulation fabric which is very soft and comfortable on the skin. The outside of the garment has a "fine mesh structure" that provides completely opaque coverage.

The brief/body has a conventional central seam, with all the stitching on the inside. There is no gusset (a further similarity with the Velvet Sensation Tights). 
However, note that the Wolford Aurora Leggings are, by contrast, completely seamless in the body.

The legs in the Velvet Sensation Leggings are also knitted like tights, with no seam running up the inside leg, as you get in most leggings.



The waistband is 4cm wide (1cm narrower than the Velvet Sensation Tights). The waistband, as is customary, has a Wolford tag sewn onto the inside rear.





At the ankle the leggings have a 1cm wide cuff.



A useful, and probably important thing to remember, is that when you wash these leggings you should not use a fabric softener.


Fit, sizing and wearing experience

The Wolford Velvet Sensation Leggings are are available in five sizes: XS, S, M, L and XL.



I trialled them in the XL size.

It was good to check out the Velvet Sensation Leggings after our recent review of the Wolford Aurora Leggings.

The first observation is that the Velvet Sensation style provide a close fit on the leg, similar to tights.

I mention this first as our review of the Wolford Aurora Leggings in the XL size, found that they came up larger than expected, and provided a looser, relaxed fit.

I raised this with Wolford and they explained that many 'Ready To Wear' Wolford leggings are not made with the circular knit technology used in Wolford tights, and therefore have a looser fit.

However, as mentioned the fit of these Velvet Sensation Leggings are more as you would expect from Wolford opaque tights.

The fit overall was perfect, as you would expect. Perhaps they are less stretchy than most Wolford tights, but once on they really hugs your legs.

The opacity is total and provides a great, smooth and even look.

The brief/body is nice and deep and stretches comfortably above the hips and waist.

The insulating plush material on the inside is soft and comfortable. These leggings provide excellent warmth.

Colour range


The Wolford Velvet Sensation Leggings are available in Black and Anthracite.

 

We trialled them in the Black shade.



Price and availability


The Wolford Velvet Sensation Leggings are priced at £50.00.

Conclusion

I'm really happy to be broadening the range of products reviewed at Hosiery For Men. This is the second style of Wolford leggings reviewed recently.

The Wolford Velvet Sensation Leggings don't disappoint. The perfect fit and warm insulation make them a versatile garment. They can be worn under pants for warmth and comfort, but will look fine under shorts.

A great product for leisure, walking and hiking, outdoor activities, sports and even as loungewear too.

I recommend that if you buy these, that you go for your normal size in Wolford tights. If buying the Wolford Aurora Leggings, I would suggest going down a size unless you want a loose, relaxed fit.

Look out for our forthcoming review of the Wolford Perfect Fit Leggings.

Friday 1 February 2019

Reviewed: Bahner Stripes Ribbed Support Tights

UK Tights recently sent us a pair of the Bahner Stripes Ribbed Support Tights to trial and review.



UK Tights told us that these provide a perfect fit, along with support for the legs.

The German brand Bahner is new to us, and we were eager to check out one of their hosiery styles





UK Tights describe them as follows:

"These tights are the perfect ribbed tights as they give you great support and look fashionable too. They are soft and comfortable to wear and they fit perfectly. Good price for a genuinely durable product."


Packaging

The Bahner Stripes Ribbed Support Tights are packaged quite conventionally. You could say it is pretty much standard hosiery packaging. The tights are folded around a rectangular card, with instructions for putting on the tights, as well as washing information.

A tri-fold card holds the tights in position, and is then enclosed in a cellophane envelope.







Material, design and features




The Bahner Stripes Ribbed Support Tights are 890 denier and made from 95% Polyamide and 5% Elastane.

They are very soft to the touch, and feel even softer once on the leg.

The fine vertical ribbed pattern extends from the toes to the waistband, with no demarcation between leg and body.

Appearance is matte, with almost no shine.





Toes have no reinforcement.

The brief has a gusset. There is no rear comfort panel in sizes S, M, L and XL. The XXL size does have this feature.

The brief has a rise of 26cm from gusset to waistband. Seams are flat.

The waistband is 3cm wide. A Bahner tag has been sewn in to the inside rear.



These are support tights so will provide support and relief for the legs if you are standing or sitting for long periods.

The pressure is highest at the ankle and lower calf and then decreases further up the leg.



Sizing, fit and wearing experience

The Bahner Stripes Ribbed Support Tights are available in five sizes:

  • Small
  • Medium
  • Large
  • X Large
  • XX Large


I considered getting the XXL size, but UK Tights convinced me that these Bahner tights are very stretchy, and that the XL would probably be a perfect fit. They were right.

The "Stripes" tights were quite easy to get on, although you can feel the compression on the foot and ankle.

As mentioned above, they are very stretchy. The size chart indicates that XL size will fit up to 180cm (5'10"), and this is accurate.

I would be keen to try the XXL size at some point to see how these wear. If you're taller than 5'10" and have chunkier legs and thighs my advice would be to go for the XXL size.

The fit of these Bahner "Stripes" tights was really perfect. A completely second skin feeling on the leg.

The brief was so stretchy that it fitted comfortable above the hips and waist.

Although these tights do not aim to provide medical grade compression, they definitely provide a feeling of wellbeing to the legs. As you wear them you can actually feel them providing a gentle massage to the lower leg. It's a very pleasant sensation.

Colour range

The Bahner Stripes Ribbed Support Tights are available in three shades:
  • Black
  • Navy
  • Mocca
We tried them in the Mocca (brown) shade.



Price and availability

The Bahner Stripes Ribbed Support Tights are priced at £19.99.

For tights of this quality, I feel this is good value.

Conclusion


The benefits of compression or support hosiery can be enjoyed by men as well as women. If you are standing for long periods, have circulation problems or travel long distances then you should really consider trying them.

I was really impressed with Bahner Stripes Ribbed Support Tights. The real positives are:
  • Perfect fit
  • Amazing soft feeling on the skin
  • Light support for the legs that provides a wonderful sensation of wellbeing.

The ribbed pattern is smart. If you wore these tights in place of socks, no-one would notice.

This is definitely a style I would buy more of. In fact I am now keen to get pairs in Black and Navy to complete the Bahner Stripes set!

Thanks to UK Tights for the sample and the great support they provide to Hosiery For Men. They are a retailer we confidently recommend for their range, customer service and commitment to supporting men who buy and wear tights.