The rain in Spain may stay mainly on the plain but in the UK when it falls, it falls everywhere. Just as we’d wheeled out the whites, brought out the brights and put on our pastels, so the weather changes again and we need to rethink how we pull our look together. None of us wants to revert to darker colours, yet that inevitable combination of chilled skin again pale colours is not attractive. The solution? Sheers.
As you will know from my columns, I am a huge fan of sheers and skin coloured tights and rely on them all year round. I love my legs but they’re not perfect by any means. With sheers, depending on the colour tone you choose, you can reveal as much or as little as you wish. The sheerest of sheers will show off everything so you need good skin tone to carry them off. If you have bumps and bruises then go for a slightly denser knit or a shade darker than your normal skin tone if you favour neutrals or a sheer colour that will give you a decent level of coverage. Are you following me so far? Different companies produce sheers in different ways and so it’s ideal to match your own personal skintone with the right product. Confused, well here’s my lesson in the in the best sheers for every need…
Bare Leg Look
This is the most daring and yet the most versatile. The products that fall into this category offer the sheerest of knit yet the most unnoticeable product so people comment on what they think is just great skin. In my view the Queen Bee of ultra sheer tights in this section is Falke Shelina. We call them ‘make up for legs’ and for good reason. The 12 denier weave (with a sheerer 8 denier appearance), flat matte colour and great range of shades (7 in total) means that people really wont believe you are wearing tights at all.
Glossy Leg Look
Wear these shiny tights when you want people to notice that you’ve gone to the effort of dressing your legs. One of the best around is good old Aristoc Ultra Shine 10D Tights which come in five different colours, and have a sandal toe which allows you to be flexible with your choice of footwear. The luxurious glossy finish and 10 denier weave are really light and airy so this is another product that you won’t know you’re wearing.
Sheer Hold Ups
Not everyone likes tights – I don’t know why, but each to their own. Hold Ups are a great alternative and something that the Italians do really well. Oroblu, a leading Italian hosiery brand has one of the best sheer hold ups around. The Oroblu Soiree 15 Hold Ups are available in six different shades which relate to natural skin tones, with a deep lace top. The Oroblu Suntime Hold Ups are a new sister product that has been designed to give you naturally sunkissed looking legs, made using ultra light sideria yarns. Both have a subtle matte finish over a 15 denier weave and a very pretty yet practical lace garter.
Control Top Tights
We all need a bit of support sometimes and a control top sheer will give you both great skintone and a flatter tummy. Aristoc Bodytoners Low Leg Toner Tights is a great product that was designed to really hold everything in. Available in a light and dark natural tones and in black, the longer length trunk combines shaping control that gives medium coverage and a smooth finish, even under the lightest of fabrics. The sandal toe also allows for flexible shoe choices!
Long Legs
While we’re on the subject of longer length trunks, if you are longer and leaner you should be sure to choose a product that’s been designed with a more generous length. You would think that a product like this might come out of Scandinavia or the Benelux countries but no, it’s been left to the Italians to once again solve our problems. Levante Class Tights span the spectrum with ten different sheer colours ranging from skin tones to dark navy, grey and black, which you might want to stock up on for Autumn. The 12 denier boxer brief style has a reinforced toe for durability and comfort and a subtle sheen to its finish and the extra tall size is available in sizes up to 6’1”. Definitely a great day into night choice.
Fuller Figure
Just as the long legged amongst us need to tailor their purchases to their length, so plus size ladies should do the same. Pretty Polly, one of our great fashion stalwarts has created a whole range for the more generously sized amongst us. Designed with everything in the right place, you can kiss goodbye to biting waistbands or skimping fabrics. Pretty Polly Curves Ladder Resistant Tights are available in sizes up to dress size 26 and three easy to wear colours, neutral, black and barely black. The three pack option is an affordable buy at just £6.25.
Ladder Resist
I know, I know, I say sheers and you think ladders. It is unfortunately a ‘no pain, no gain’ factor with sheers, although the technology that is being put into today’s tights is mind blowing and is working hard to counter our most common tights problem. Aristoc 5D and 10D Ultimate Ladder Resist Tights are some of the most advanced yet sheerest products on the market. LYCRA ® Fusion technology has revolutionised the sheers market and these matt 10 denier tights and light, light weight 5 denier weave tights show just how far the hosiery industry has come. This is a serious bestseller, available in three neutral colours and black, I defy you not to love these tights.
Luxurious
I think we all need a bit of pampering from time to time and where would we be without life’s affordable luxuries. When I need some retail therapy, I look to Wolford who continue to make beautiful, luxurious tights and stockings. My little treat to myself is Wolford Fatal 15 Tights which have an amazing texture that feels like silk, and absolutely no seams. Seamless tights are the ultimate in style & comfort, making the ideal occasion tights for a lovely evening out, a special party, a wedding – whatever summer brings to your door. The three neutral colours cover most skin tones and black is a great option for after dark. At £23 they won’t break the bank but they will make you feel that little bit extra special.
Having said that, all of our tights and stockings, hold ups and socks are great. I love the time that I spend researching products because I know that while we all like to look good, functionality rates highly on our list of expectations too. I hope the above information will guide you on your way with sheers but remember if you need more advice, we are on the end of the phone or email, so call us!
Until next week
