Tights are back, and darker than ever

Tights. There is definitely a need, now that the weather has gotten colder, but beyond necessity is style. Balenciaga really made an argument for wearing full leg coverings as a styling element. We saw pink, green, purple, grey Lycra legs as second skin beneath dresses and skirts. There was no denying that it was, in a word, cool. This was not about keeping warm. This was a look. And this was what we are on a quest for today on our discussion on tights.

From Wolford

Individual 100 Leg Support Tights

Matte look, energising feel. These tights are made with compression knitting technology which promises to prevent legs from tiring too quickly. What this means: these tight stimulate the blood flow and prevent legs from tiring (or worse!) swelling prematurely. Compression tights are recommended for anyone that gets spider vein treatments or for long haul flights to combat swelling. The heel is knitted in which promises to give shape to the help so that when worn with strappy shoes the tights are pretty true to shape. There is no denying the expertise of tights when it comes to Wolford. While this may not sound sexy, with the new added technology they are like wearing Lululemon leggings in terms of fit and lift. The opacity level on this was very high. Rating: 8 out of 10.

From Falke

Pure Matte 100 den women tight

Until the internet happened and online retailers got really ‘with it’ in terms of the needs of the customers, Falke products were difficult to find. The stores only seem to be in retail areas with high luxury brand stores (read: the Madison Avenues and Rodeo Drives of the world). There is a boutique in Landmark, for anyone interested in the brick and mortar experience. For everyone else: Net-a-Porter. These have a really nice hand feel  but didn’t deliver the total opacity that I was looking for: fashion opacity. Rating: 7 out of 10.

From Calzedonia

20 extremely matte ultra matt tights

The Italians do it better. Or do they? Points to Calzedonia for making a topic like tights and underthings fun. The immediate impression was the dry hand of the tights and tight weave of the Lycra. Ultra matte is important because the tiny flecks of shiny Lycra don’t reveal themselves with a bend or a stretch – which is good. At this print point, these tights definitely had great support, but low opacity. Rating: 6 out of 10.

From Marks and Spencer

Bodysensor Tights: 60 denier. Comes in a three pack.

It’s quite a known fact that Marks And Spencer is a good source for socks and underwear. Tights seems like a logical conclusion. The Bodysensor series promises to keep the body temperature cool in a hot situation and vice versa. Added bonus: there is no disputing the value play in a three pack of tights. They are comfortable and forgiving in fit, but only so-so in opacity. Rating: 6.5 out of 10.

From Balenciaga

SAPY tights

There is a hard divide in opinion at the thought of Balenciaga tights. The first is to credit the brand for giving visual context to the look of super opaque tights, with not a glimmer or a hint of flesh beneath the tights. In fact, they have spandex boots that are connected to a pant-waist for those who truly want to commit. The second is the wonder at how a luxury read-to-wear brand would be able to execute a product like tights, and do it well.

In terms of pricing, the Balenciaga ones rank the highest, but with the price tag comes the Balenciaga logo on the waistband (in case you want to Marky Mark Calvin Klein it). These tights rank high in comfort and weight. They’re completely synthetic in material (though most tights are, to be fair) but have the highest ratio of elasthane (read: stretch). I think this is actually the reason why these tights had the highest amount of opacity. Rating: 9 out of 10, because there is not such thing as perfection. Available at Net-a-Porter.