Ose Sensation 30

I hear from a lot of different people about how they like to wear sheer tights, but they have trouble keeping from tearing them. For those people, I've come across the tights you've been looking for.

The Ose Sensation 30 has it all. At 30 denier, they're on the sheerer side and they also have a very nice shine to them. The best part about these tights, however is that they have a much higher lycra (or elastane) content. What that means is that you can give these tights a good bit of hell and they aren't going to run or tear. In fact, you'd probably have to be trying pretty hard to tear these things.

Aside from the run resistance, these are just a great pair of tights. They're very smooth and silky, and give of a very attractive shine. They can be the perfect tights for so many different occasions, and they best part is, they'll fit comfortably all day long, and they'll feel and look great on you. There really isn't any downside to these tights.

The tights are made from a blend on 80% nylon 18% elastane and 2% cotton (again, that elastane count just screams durability). They come in sizes Small, Medium, and Large, fitting sizes from 4'10" to 5'10". They're also available in 6 different colors. The best part, they were just marked down. So you can get your hands on these for $12.96 now.

**Photo courtesy of Hosiree.com

Samburu Acacia 20

Pictured here are the Acacia 20 tights from Samburu. This is another great find from Hosiree.com. Samburu is another product line from the amazing hosiery brand Cecilia de Rafael. These are a basic 20 denier sheer tight with a brilliant shine, that come at a pretty amazing price.

I've been trying a lot of different high shine tights lately, and one of the things I've noticed about some of them is that they can feel a little rougher than the regular sheer tights. I imagine it must be something about the shiner yarns that take some of the softness and smoothness away from these tights. The good news is that the Acacia 20 does not have this problem. I am truly amazed at how soft and comfortable these are and how smooth they are against my legs, while still giving off quite a shine. I am honestly considering never taking these things off. That's how great they feel.

They are fully boarded tights that will fit the shape of your foot and leg perfectly and continue to have that great fit all day long. In addition, the sheerness of these tights allow for them to continue to be a good wear, even as the weather starts to heat up (I'm hearing 70s around here this weekend, do you know how long its been since I could say that?). The shine isn't overpowering, so these tights can be worn for a variety of occasions, so you should get plenty of use out of them. All around, they're just a great buy from a good tights designer.

The tights are made from a blend of 82% nylon and 18% elastane. They are sheer throughout with a reinforced toe and cotton gusset. They come in 5 different colors all of which are various skin tones, so they're good tights at enhancing the natural look of your legs while also adding some shine. They also come in three different sizes and should comfortably fit heights between 5'1" and 6'1". For the $10.35 that they cost, they're definitely a very worthwhile buy.

**Photo courtesy of Hosiree.com

Sanpelligrino Seduction 20

Pictured here are the Seduction 20 Tights from Sanpelligrino. Silly me. I thought Sanpelligrino was just mineral water. Apparently they are tights too, and as I continue to realize with tights from Italy, they are yet another phenomenal value.

These are your perfect pair of every day tights. They are extremely soft and smooth, and also quite flawless. My experience with tights at this price point, that I've purchased in department stores, is that they tend to look and feel like cheep tights. A slight snag here, or a pull there, and the blemishes can become easy to spot. In addition, they're often so delicate, you feel like you can tear them using only the powers of your mind.

Not so with these tights. They fit great, feel great, but also are a very high quality. With just a little care these tights will last for multiple wears, all while continuing to feel soft and smooth, and feel great.

The tights are made from a blend of 82% nylon and 18% elastane. They are sheer throughout with flat seams and a reinforced toe. I bought them from hosiree.com for a mere, $9.20. But lucky you, they've now been reduced to $7.25. This is a great opportunity to stock up. These tights will make you think you paid 2 or 3 times as much as you did.

**photo courtesy of hosiree.com

Cecilia de Rafael Agata 20

When I first stumbled upon these tights on Shapings.com, I pretty much instantly knew I was going to love them. At the time of purchase, I hadn't tried anything by Cecilia de Rafael before, but this is now my second go round, having already reviewed the Gemma 20 tights here. The reason I knew I would like them was that I'm loving tights with a brilliant sheen to them right now, but I'm also loving tights that are sheer but not too delicate, which is why I always seem to gravitate towards the 20 denier tights. Finding tights that are both shiny and 20 denier can sometimes be a challenge, as often the shiny tights are very sheer with denier counts sometimes even in the single digits. These tights give a brilliant shine to the leg, but are also reasonably strong and durable. Perfect for people I often hear from who say they have trouble keeping from tearing their tights.

The Cecilia de Rafael Agata 20 tights are constructed from an extra shiny yarn, which helps provide its brilliant finish. They're also constructed with fit and comfort in mind, however. They are made with enough lycra that the tights will stretch to fit your body type perfectly and comfortably, leaving you to think of nothing but simply enjoying the bright finish on your legs.

The quality and comfort of these tights makes them a versatile wear. They're as good for the office as they are for more formal occasions. I can also think of dozens of casual looks where these tights could make the perfect accessory, when you're looking for just a little something extra. In my opinion, given the price, these are a must own...they bring so much to the table.

The Agata 20s are made from a blend of 87% nylon and 13% lycra. They are boarded for an even better fit and have flat seams and a transparent toe. They also have a wider waistband for better comfort and less adjusting during the course of the day...and who doesn't love that out of their tights?

These tights come in 5 different sizes. Whether you're 4'9" or 6'3" or anything in between, these tights are going to fit you perfectly. They also come in an amazing 10 different colors. I absolutely love how the high shine looks in some of the brighter colors. The best part though? These tights cost only $10.99. I usually see tights with this combination of quality and shine for up to three times as much as this. I might need to take advantage and buy 3 more colors!

Photo courtesy of shapings.com

Cette Panama

Today's review is for an absolutely radiant pair of tights from Cette. Cette is a brand name I have been seeing everywhere, but I hadn't had much experience with. After giving these tights a try, I'm pretty certain I'll be going back for more very soon.

The Cette Panama tights are a very reasonably priced pair of tights that can give you the shiny look of some of the other 'satin' tights at a fraction of the cost. They are very sheer at 15 denier, so if you match up the color close enough with your skin tone, it can almost give the impression that your bare legs are shining. In addition, I usually lean towards denier counts of 20 or higher, because I tend to think they're more durable and longer lasting, but these are among the more durable 15 denier tights I've tried. So, with the proper care, you should be able to get several wears out of them.

They felt a little rough when I was first putting them on, but they are actually very smooth against the legs and extremely comfortable. They also have a reinforced panty, which is something I typically don't like, but it's not overly restrictive or uncomfortable either. In fact, I didn't really even notice it, once the tights were on.

The Cette Panama tights are made from a blend of 86% nylon, 13% elastane, and 1% cotton. They come in 4 different sizes, fitting heights between 4'9" and 5'11" comfortably. They're also available in 7 different colors. They are made in Belgium and are semi boarded and have a invisible reinforced toe. They also are made with a touch of Aloe Vera. They have an absolutely brilliant shine to them. They are among the more gorgeous, non-fashion, tights I own. In addition, at a cost of only $10.99, they are an exceptional value!

**photo courtesy of Shapings.com

Glamour Ginestra 40

The Glamour Ginestra 40 tights are a little bit of a break from the norm for me. At 40 denier they are semi-sheer and a bit more dense than the tights I typically wear on a day to day basis. They are probably just right for a raw, rainy, March day in Boston, which today just so happens to be.

Today is one of those days when you don't want to get out of bed...let alone get dressed. Luckily, the Ginestra 40 tights changed that to a large degree as they are an absolute pleasure to put on. They instantly feel incredibly soft and silky against the skin, and fit very comfortably. They have a matte finish. They give off the smallest bit of reflection from light, but they certainly wouldn't be considered particularly shiny. They have some transparency so the leg is visible beneath the tights, but they do look a bit more dense than the sheer tights. The extra denier also leads to a lot more durability. These tights can take a little extra abuse and not run or tear...these are perfect for people who can sometimes be a little harder on their leg wear.

The Ginestra 40s are made from a blend of 85% nylon and 15% elastane. They are available in 4 sizes fitting heights anywhere between 4'10" and 5'10". They also come in 4 different colors. These tights are a very good value at $11.49. Given their durability and how great they feel, you're likely to get a lot of wear out of a pretty decent price.

**photo courtesy of Shapings.com

Tutto Nudo 20

Today's review is for another great value, everyday pair of tights from Pompea. The Tutto Nudo 20 is a perfect basic for anyone's collection. This is my third try with Pompea, and the results have been pretty similar across the board. These tights are high quality, comfort, and price. There really doesn't seem to be any downside.

These tights are well tailored and soft, for a very comfortable fit. They have a double lycra design that allows a snug fit all over the legs and also allows these tights to be worn all day long with no loss in comfort. They also look and feel very smooth on the legs while giving off a subtle shine. These tights are versatile as they could be worn casually with or shoes yet their sheer toes allow them to look just as good with sandals.

These tights are a blend of 87% nylon and 13% lycra. They are sheer at 20 denier. They have a newly developed waistband that prevents any cutting or binding. They have flat seems, a sheer toe, and are fully boarded for an even better fit around the ankles and feet. These tights come in 5 different sizes and 13 different colors. It would be hard to find tights that come in a greater variety than these. Finally, they are an excellent value at $13.

**photo courtesy of Shapings.com

Filodoro

And the new brands keep on coming! Seriously, who knew there were this many brands of tights? I didn't and I spend most of my waking hours tights shopping. Sad but true.

But what do I know, I guess? Filodoro is actually a very large and very prominent brand out of Italy (where the hell were all these places when I was in Italy?) that has been around for almost 30 years. Check out their website. It's like crack for Tights Lovers. In addition, their product line is incredibly extensive.

At any rate, my initial impression of Filodoro is: exceptional value. The product I chose to review is the Aurora 15 tights. I instantly loved these because they are, you guessed it, quite shiny. Seriously, why am I so in awe by shine these days? Whatever the reason, I'm quite certain that these tights would look amazing on just about anybody's legs. In addition, they are probably one of the most comfortable pairs of tights I own, and they are incredibly soft. To be honest, they probably aren't the smoothest feeling tights I've ever tried, but for the price, they aren't bad at all. For 15 denier, they also feel pretty sturdy and durable, so they make for a good wear all day long and multiple wears if they're properly cared for.

The Aurora 15 tights are made from a blend of 92% polyamide and 8% elastane. They have a reinforced toe that is visible, so they may not be a great open toed shoe option. They also have a very slightly reinforced panty, but they definitely shouldn't be defined as control top. They come in 5 different sizes, and my impression is that they run a little large (or I'm shrinking ;) ) so it may be worth it to go a size down from normal. They come in 8 different colors, as well. So if you like shiny tights, you can probably find a color that looks great for you (or maybe a few colors).

Finally, these tights cost....wait for it...$7.95 CAD ($8.06 USD). You know what? Just buy one of each color. You can thank me later...

**photo courtesy of Shapings.com

Consay

Strange name. Great pair of tights.Pictured are the Silence Pantyhose by Consay. I have no idea what silence has to do with it, but whatever.

These are a very sheer pair of tights with a subtle glisten, that gives them the appearance of a much more expensive pair of tights. This sheen make these the perfect budget tights for a more special occasion, but its also not so overwhelming that you couldn't incorporate them in a more casual look.

They fit very well and are very comfortable and reasonably smooth for tights at this price point. They are definitely a much better alternative than drugstore tights.

The have a nearly invisible reinforced toe, and a reinforced panty, but not really a control top. You can see the reinforced panty, but these tights feel more like sheer to waist when being worn.

These tights are made in Poland (a first for me, I'm pretty sure). They have seams at the toe, are fully boarded, and have a cotton gusset. They are 85% nylon, 12% lycra, and 2% cotton. They are 13 denier, so they're a tiny bit more sheer than some of the tights I've been reviewing lately, but they definitely don't feel overly delicate, given the denier count. They come in 4 different sizes and 2 different colors. They're supposed to fit comfortably for heights anywhere between 5 and 6 feet, but I'm 5'10" and the third size fits me quite comfortably with room to spare. These tights are an absolute steal at $4.49CAD (about $4.50USD....seriously? Their dollar is worth MORE now?). At that price, they're definitely worth a try.

Silence. The name might not make a lot of sense to me...but there's no question the price does.

ps. The Panty Drawer is going on vacation. See you all in a week!

**photo courtesy of Shapings.com

Cecilia de Rafael

Let's keep the new brands rolling, shall we?

Cecilia de Rafael is a hosiery brand out of Spain. It was founded in 1976 and still today is considered one of the more prestigious brands coming from this country. Their focus in on using the highest quality eco-friendly materials, yet they manage to do this and still deliver product at a decent price.

Today I'm reviewing the Gemma 20 tights. These tights are one of the basic (or continual) tights in their vast collection. According to Cecilia de Rafael, the attention to detail that went into the production of these tights should make it a pleasure to put these on every day. In other words, the purpose of these tights is for the individual who incorporates tights into their everyday wear (hello, me!). I couldn't agree more.

These tights are incredibly soft, smooth, and comfortable...I mean incredibly. They are a matt finish. While they do give off some sheen, it is definitely subtly. If you're looking for something shinier, Cecilia De Rafael definitely makes those too...in fact, a review of those should be forthcoming at some point :). These are among the most versatile tights I've worn. As stated above, they were constructed with office wear in mind, but they can be seamlessly incorporated into more formal or casual looks with ease.

These tights are sheer to waist and 20 denier. They are made from a blend of 85% nylon and 15% lycra. These tights are fully boarded with a slightly visible reinforced toe. They have flat seams on the toes and a cotton gusset.

The Gemma 20s come in five different sizes and 7 different colors. They can comfortably fit anyone from 4'9" to 6'3". I've been doing this for a while, and I don't remember ever seeing regular tights that claim to fit someone that tall. Finally, these tights will cost you less than $11 USD. The value of these really are amazing. I've worn tights that cost twice as much that didn't come near standing up to these. Once again, I really have to recommend these to anyone who enjoys wearing a great pair of tights.

**photo courtesy of Shapings.com

More From Pompea

Last week I spoke about my newest tights crush Pompea, taking a quick look at their business, and a more specific look at their Sheer 20 Tights. Pompea was, and of course still is, a new name to me, but I'm certainly in the process of familiarizing myself with their product. The more I try from Pompea, the more I am growing to like them.

This week, I'm taking a look at the Sheer 30 Tights. As you can probably tell from the name, they are a similar pair of tights from a week ago, only a bit more to the opaque side (while still technically being considered sheer).

As Mother Nature continues to pound this area with snow and cold, opaque tights can certainly be very, very useful. That said, I can't help but be more drawn to the sheerer tights. I like some density to the tights, but I'm more of a fan when you can see the leg (at least to some degree) through the tights. Don't ask me why...my love for tights, while unconditional, can sometimes still be complicated. These tights strike that balance, however. They definitely feel thicker and warmer, but they still have a sheer look to them. What's more, the added 10 denier, can go a long way in terms of durability to these tights. I was hard on them while putting them on, trying to see if they could withstand some less-than-delicate treatment. They stood up perfectly. If you're someone who feels like you can wear tights without causing tears, runs, or holes, these are definitely the tights for you.

These tights are made from a blend of 88% nylon and 12% lycra (4% more lycra than the 20s which also contributes to its added durability). They are available in 4 different sizes and 6 different colors. Just like the 20s, they are incredibly soft and smooth and feel incredibly comfortable on the legs. They have a bit of a satiny look on the legs without being overpoweringly shiny. Once again, they feel like much more expensive tights than they are.

The Sheer 30s are fully boarded, with flat seams, cotton gusset, comfort waistband, and reinforced toes. They are made in Italy and are perfect for a variety of looks from business or formal to casual. These tights cost $11.99. Once again, I can't get over what an amazing value they are.

**photo courtesy of Shapings.com

Welcome to Pompea

Nothing feels more rewarding than making a new find. I've been at this long enough that sometimes I think I know all there is to know. When it comes to certain brands of tights, I can spout intricacies of the top of my head as if I had designed them myself. For many of these brands, I know how much they cost, how long they'll last, how they'll look, how they'll feel, all before even removing them from the package. Trust me...I know I sound like a complete and utter loser talking about tights like this. But this blog is a few short months away from its third birthday. And I've spent a lot of posts talking about tights...what can I say?

While I know so much about the brands I'm familiar with, there is a lot left out there to explore. Much like shopping in stores, shopping online, while still having a lot more variety, often brings you to the same brands as you go from website to website. As such, I had never heard of Pompea until recently. In this case, you could most definitely say better late than never.

Pompea has been around since 1996, when started in Italy by Adriano Rodella (hmmm...ever notice how many hosiery designers are men?). Their story reads like hundreds of case studies I did in grad school, they grew (and continue to grow) through a slow and steady stream of mergers and acquisitions (I'll leave it at that and not bore you with the details). Still, they are a relatively small brand outside of Italy. Their mission is to create hosiery with attention to technology, fashion, and price.

Their collection is worth checking out, as they certainly have a ton of different styles. Today I am looking at Pompea Sheer 20. As you can probably tell from the name, its your basic sheer to waist tight. As you probably guessed from the name, these tights are 20 denier. 20 is quickly becoming my favorite denier count. At 20, it's still sheer enough that, if you match it closely enough to your skin tone, it can look like your natural skin, whereas it isn't so sheer that you feel like you're going to tear a hole in it the second you move.

These tights have a slight but not overpowering shine to them. They are very very soft and comfortable as well as smooth on the legs. They're equally as good at formal wear as they are with casual. They can definitely work with a variety of different looks. It has a soft but wide waistband and a sheer, but slightly visible reinforced toe with a flat seam. These tights are fully boarded, which I explained here, if you are unfamiliar with that term.

They are made from a blend of 92% nylon and 8% elastane. In terms of cost...think: drugstore brand...only with a level of quality that doesn't compare at all. I bought these from a Canadian website for $8.99 CAD which is about the same in USD these days. For that price, its looks like I've found yet another go-to value brand. And what's more rewarding than that?

**photo courtesy of Shapings.com

How Much For a Touch of Satin?

I say a lot of things.

A long time ago, I made the decision in life that, when making a claim (especially in an argument) go all out and defend it to the death. It doesn't matter at all if I'm right or wrong, as long as I believe what I'm saying. I try to steer away from the middle ground and keep things black or white. I love giving my opinion and I love hearing others' opinions and I prefer when that of others' flies in the face of mine. I have one friend, in particular, that I routinely drive insane with this. When we argue, which is usually whenever we talk, he'll try to present me with as much information as possible to sway my opinion. Typically, and sometimes on purpose, I refuse to change my opinion...and it drives him nuts. For some reason this amuses me. I guess you could call me stubborn, although I never look at myself that way.

Why am I saying all of this? I guess because I'm not sure it translates into my writing ("I guess"..."not sure"...see what I'm saying?). I've begun to wonder, for whatever reason, if my writing is too...gray.

I long ago tabbed Wolford as the gold standard for leg wear (black and white enough, I'm sure). As such, Wolford is always in the back of my mind when it comes to any other leg wear, even if its other premium brands like Falke or Fogal, but especially if it is less expensive brands. It comes out in my reviews, I've noticed. Many times I'll look at or try a inexpensive pair of tights and thoughts such as 'Wolford-like' or 'less expensive version of Wolford's x,y, or z' enter my head. Yet, at the same time, I'll swear to anyone who asks that Wolford is worth every penny due to things like quality, durability, length of life, etc. So which is it? Maybe its time to take a stand.

This happened sort of by accident. This morning, just because they were recently washed, dried and, therefore, readily available on the drying rack, I grabbed the Wolford Satin Touch 20 tights. Upon putting them on, it instantly reminded me of the Kunert Satin Look 20 Denier tights (practically the same name even). Before you think that a) I think waaaay too much about tights (which is true) or b) I have some sort of really strange tights-only photographic memory (which isn't true), remember that I just reviewed these on Tuesday and was particularly happy with them, so they were fresh in my mind. At any rate, I checked the tag just to make sure the ones I grabbed were the Wolford's (they were).

So let's go to the Tale of the Tape:

As stated in their names, they're both 20 denier and have a satin (somewhat shiny) finish. The Wolford Tights, which I reviewed as well, a little over a year back, are made from 85% nylon and 14% elastane. The Kunert Tights are 84% nylon and 16% elastane. In other words, slight more stretch to the Kunert with a heavy, heavy stress on the 'slight'.

So they do indeed look identical and they should feel pretty damn close to identical, unless you have one leg in each, maybe...

The Wolford's have a flat-knit waistband, and almost invisible reinforced toe, and a cotton gusset. The Kunert's do as well. The Kunert's come in 6 different sizes...the Wolford's 5. The Wolford's come in 14 different colors (chutney, anyone?) the Kunert's 5. The Wolford's are sheer throughout, the Kunert's have a high leg panty (no extra control, however). The only other difference, is that the Kunert's have a touch of Aloe Vera, which could be a good or a bad thing (hello, Cafe Fashionista).

So...what's the difference in price? The Wolford's retail for £16.00 while the Kunert's are only £9.13. In USD, that's a difference of $10.84...not bad savings when you're talking about tights in the $15-25 range. You might even buy and extra pair or Kunert's for not much more than the one pair of Wolford (or at least that's what I'd do).

So, yeah, I guess it's fair to say that the Kunert's could be compared to the...(wait, wait...black and white...remember?). Save yourself some money...buy the Kunert Satin Look 20. You wont be sorry.

Feel free (I mean, please) disagree with me (I'm begging you).

One in Ten (Five? Two? Twenty? A Hundred?)

Editors Note: I don't make New Year's resolutions. Ever. In fact, I feel very strongly about this. There shouldn't be a day or calendar time set aside for such things. Life should be a continuous combination or setting, adjusting, striving for and achieving goals, not always in that order, with plenty of time set aside for self-satisfaction...even if you don't always feel like you deserve it.

All of this said...if I made a resolution it would be to make (yet another) attempt to return this blog (somewhat) to its roots. I attempted to do this a few months back by setting a day aside (hello, Friday) to get more on the topic of myself and not post (quite so) anonymously. It worked for a bit, but then I found countless ways to cop out...all the way down to just not posting at all for a few Fridays. I'm going to try to stop doing that, but I must warn you in advance I'm not particularly resolute. But, as always, if this stuff ain't your cup of tea, by all means, skip this post. But please come back Monday :).

By the way, I'm the editor...but you knew that, right?

Anyway. We're going to do a quick exercise. I want all the ladies in the room to get into groups of ten. No problem...I'll wait. All set? Okay, now look around at each other. At least one of you in your group...maybe two...is in a relationship with someone who can at least loosely be labeled (despite my distaste for such labels) as a 'cross dresser'. Okay. That was it...you can all return to your seats now.


Of course, I joke.


None of us have any idea what the real number is nor how to go about finding out what it is. And like me, I'm sure you've spent plenty of time researching exactly what that number is.

...wait, you haven't? Oh...never mind then.

The problem, of course, is how to find these people, and how to ensure an honest response. For every tall broad-shouldered man who is brave enough to strap on the skirt, heels, and makeup and strut down Main Street at midday, how many of us discretely hide the satin panties under the otherwise drab, male business attire and head out to work every day? How many guys in the lunchroom today who were incessantly droning on about the playoff game Sunday had Wolford Aston Tights under their business caz? How many of the guys in Victoria's Secret really are shopping for that wife/girlfriend they keep telling the sales clerk about? How many more are home relying upon the (somewhat) safe anonymity of the internet? Why is this utter nonsense even important to me?

I'll try to answer the last question. I guess I've been in a particularly reflective mood today (or yesterday by the time this post runs). In the exercise I opened with there would be several girls who were once among those one or two in ten who will never know they were. How do I know? Because they were in a relationship with me...and not a word on this topic ever passed through my lips. How do I feel about this? A little curious, I suppose. How would they have felt if I told them? How would I have felt if I told them? What kind of impact would it have ultimately had? While I don't typically spend a lot of time thinking about these questions, when I do, I feel a subtle twinge of regret. Ultimately these relationships came to an end for reasons that had nothing to do with anything in this post. But if things were going to end anyway...what could I have taken away from that experience? What would they have taken away from that experience?

On this particularly reflective day, as I take my seat and stare at the 9 faces around me, that are all staring back at me I wonder: how many of me are there?

Tights Lover's Lament

Look. I realize that I spend more time in a day thinking about tights than many people do in a lifetime. That's okay. I don't even worry about that anymore. I made peace with it.

What I do worry about, is the lack of immediate gratification in my life (at least when it comes to my tights purchases). Now I realize that drinking 3 bottles of wine a day does not necessarily make you a connoisseur...but, I do feel like I'm experienced enough to know my way around a pair of tights. Yet, sometimes I look at all the tights I own and realize how many of them I truly dislike. Now I know what you're thinking: Maybe it's cause they weren't made for you, dumbass. But no, that isn't the problem...or at least you'll never get me to admit that's the problem.

Nope. The 100%, numero uno problem is immediate gratification, or in other words, availability...or lack thereof. Stay with me.

Now if you've read this blog regularly (and if you live in the United States, I guess), or even if you just look at the pictures, you may know what I'm talking about. I highlight a pair of tights (or ten) you go to look for them at the store...and......not there. I've noticed this, at least. This, of course, drives the compulsive shopper in me a bit nuts. I've said, on a number of occasions, that UK Tights is my favorite place to shop (or should I say 'favourite'?). So here's what I do. I stuff a shopping cart full (figuratively) of tights, I submit my credit card info, I take a bath on the exchange rate, I submit, then I wait. Next, I get impatient. I hit the streets. I stuff a shopping cart full (still figuratively...that'd be a lot of tights...even for me) of tights, and I take them home....yay new tights!

Except I hate just about all of them. For whatever reason (outside of Wolford) there isn't much out there that I like. What do I like? To me, it seems pretty simple. Completely sheer, no reinforced panty of any kind. A low denier count, but not so low that you tear a hole in them by looking at them. A high quality look and feel...doesn't have to be Wolford, but how many times have I said something reminds me of Wolford? That's about it. A little shine can be good. A texture or pattern could be fun...maybe a few different shades or colors to choose from...and really, I'm in.

You wouldn't believe how hard to find that can be. I love the quality and look of Nordstrom, but try finding a sheer-throughout. You can't. They don't have it. I can't find it in higher-end department store brands like CK or DKNY either. Same for Ann Taylor. VS? Don't even get me started. I don't know who designs their leg wear.

Brands that I have found a sheer tend to be very low-end department store or even drugstore/supermarket..why bother? Some specialty stores can carry Leg Avenue or Music Legs, but those are pretty horrendous quality. I used to be able to find what I'm looking for with Hue...but last week I went to three different stores and all they had were control-top. Again, I realize the usefulness of control-top, but can't somebody throw me a bone?

After all this long-windedness...I do have a point: Why is there so much high quality/low cost leg wear that is unavailable in stores? I'm not alone in this thinking. If you look at the 'About Us' page on UK Tights one of the first things their founder, Dawn, says is her company started because "people supplying hosiery were not doing a very good job of it". It seems as though there is a disconnect between the quality manufacturers and the brick and mortar stores. Why is this? Maybe quality comes from small-batch production and distribution to store chains requires mass-production? Maybe manufacturers aren't convinced that they could move enough product to justify bulk shipping it to stores?

It's funny because I see the opposite problem on the consumer side. I've received countless comments from people who dislike tights because the tear too easily, or because they don't look/fit right, or because high quality costs too much. I think the fact is, people are buying ill-fitting low-quality stuff because tights are often something you grab off the shelf the day you need it...not something you order and then wait a week or two for shipment. It's all just a theory, though.

I have no idea what the solution to any of this is...short of putting my Entrepreneurship MBA-concentration to work and opening a nationwide store chain (don't hold your breath). Just know that I mean what I say. Do you have $8 plus a couple of bucks for shipping? Go buy these and give them a try.

Then tell me if you've ever picked something off a store shelf that's as good as that.

Perry Steals the Show?

Is anyone going to watch this year's Victoria's Secret fashion show, set to air November 30th? Surprisingly enough, I almost never do. I don't really even have a good reason why. It's lingerie on display, so by rule I should like it. And there's a good chance I won't be doing much else at 10PM on a Tuesday night (although I may have to check the Celtics' schedule). But try as I might, I've always had a hard time finding this show interesting...you know, beyond the zealots who want to shut it down, and the fact that they have to air it at 10PM now, because, you know...the kids. We don't want them to find out about underwear...that could be catastrophic.

Maybe I should say, I have a hard time finding Victoria's Secret interesting. Since I've started blogging, I've almost surprised myself with the contempt I've developed for VS. I shop there, of course. It's hard not to given the convenience, price, and the every-day practicality of some of their product. On the other hand, in my opinion, their attempts at sexy typically miss the mark, their attempts at vintage are laughable, and PINK...what to say about PINK...other than I dream of going store to store world wide and burning each PINK section of every store to the ground.

Hmmm...maybe I should add an 'unhealthy' to the 'contempt' above.

I am convinced, however, that all of this is not lost on the suits at VS headquarters. On one hand they realize they're (undeservingly?) holding gold, when it comes to the fashion show. On the other hand, they have little clue what to do with it, other than 'whose turn is it to parade down the runway in the $2 million diamond bra this year?'.

So they put together side shows: performers of some sort. One year it was a spiffy little Spice Girls reunion. Another year was.......you got me...like I said, I don't typically watch it. When I do, I forget it as soon as I shut off the TV. Which is too bad because, you know, I got $2 million lying around that I can't figure out what to do with.

Which brings me (finally?) to Katy Perry. She is our performer Du Jour, performing with Akon (don't worry, he'll be fully clothed......at least I think). Her two outfits according to reports, are anywhere from "daring" or "provocative" to, uh, "raunchy", allowing her to fit right in, if not, outshine the models who typically wear the adjectives above. And it's not like I can deny my admiration of her tights-wearing ability, after all.

Perry, who needs no lessons on how to market herself, should feel right at home, on stage as the outfits (however you want to describe them) accompany her lovely (if not digitally enhanced) singing voice. If nothing else, VS should find her exactly (yes, he's going to say it) the Spice this year's fashion show needs.

Huh. Maybe I will tune in.

Now Let's Find Out Who the Culprit Really Is...

I suppose the proper reaction to this story is: "Zoinks!".

Across the pond, in the UK, there currently is a raging (is there any other kind?) debate over the costume choice of a certain 5 year old preschool boy, or more specifically, his mother's reaction to criticism surrounding the choice. Apparently, if I have the story straight, children in this particular preschool were encouraged to dress up for school just prior to Halloween. This particular boy's choice was to go as Daphne, from Scooby Doo. Upon arriving at school that day the boy's mother was subjected to a high level of criticism from the other mothers for allowing the boy to choose such a costume.

In angry response to this situation, the mother of said boy posted a photograph of her son, dressed as Daphne, on her blog in a post entitled "My Son Is Gay". Since then, this story has spiraled from one about (lack of) tolerance at one's preschool to one of (lack of) good judgment in terms of what is and isn't fair play when it comes to one's blog.

My head is filled with thoughts on this, and I (sort of) have the appropriate forum to spew them out. So, I figured, why not?

Disclaimer: These are solely my opinions. I don't have any kids, but I am aware of the constant challenges associated with raising children. I'm not casting judgment on anyone involved in this story. I'm merely stating what I would (not) have done if I were any of the parties involved.

And...yes, since you asked, I am jealous...all those years of dressing up as Batman, when deep down I really wanted to be Wonder Woman. I do want a do-over.

To the alleged "other parents" involved:

-Really? You're going to drop your pearls of parenting wisdom on another parent because her child wanted to dress up as a redheaded woman who drives around in a van solving mysteries that result in an ironic unmasking of the guilty party? Oh, you're child is so more well-adjusted because he dressed up as a sponge that lives in a pineapple under the sea. What a great point. It's Halloween, people, we're dressing up as someone we're not...remember?

-Don't project your cultural biases onto your children. Yeah, you may be uncomfortable with another parent dressing her son up as a woman because you know you'd never do it, but the other kids are going to harass him? At the age of 5, if your kid has that sort of reaction, you might want to question if you're the one who instilled that kind of bias in him or her.

-Maybe we want to believe times have changed a bit. Sure, when I was 5, I wasn't telling a whole lot of people about my love for tights (although the constant Batman costumes may have been a dead giveaway, in retrospect), in addition, I don't remember a whole lot of my friends or acquaintances professing their sexual orientation all that much. But on the other hand, that was over 20 years ago. When my parents were 5, restaurants, movie theaters, and other establishments could pick and choose who they catered to based upon skin color. When my grandparents were 5, establishments could pick and choose who they hired based upon nationality. People change and tolerance grows. You really want to get in the way of that?

-Finally, no parent wants to hear from their peers about their 'bad parenting'. This mom had a son who wanted a certain costume for Halloween and she made the decision to go with it. It's her child and its her decision. Don't act like she just allowed the kid to drink Draino or go play in traffic.

To the Mom in question:

-Posting the picture, may have been a bit overboard. Let's not lose sight of the fact that your son is 5. Yes, maybe he's a "cross-dresser" or maybe he's gay, or maybe he just likes Daphne and wanted to dress like her one Halloween. We probably all have pictures taken of us as children that we now would probably rather have never been taken. The difference is, any one that my mom may have taken is in a photo album, probably in an attic somewhere. This kid's photo is plastered across the internet for eternity. When he's 15 in high school...when he's 20 and dating...when he someday maybe has children of his own...there's 5 year old him as Daphne. Maybe he won't care, but he should at least have had the decision over whether he cared or not. But now it doesn't matter, because it's out there.

-A blog is a personal thing. I've been blogging for over 3 years now, and I still have trouble deciding what to reveal and not reveal about my personal life. It must get a lot harder when you're making that decision, not for yourself, but for your kids. It seems the mom is trying to make a point about how "okay" she is, particularly compared to the "other parents" about her kids lifestyle (if a 5 year old has a lifestyle) but she's almost doing it at the expense of her child.

-Perhaps an extension of the point above, but "outing" your child, at any age, is hard to construe as anything but selfish. Even if you want to make the leap that, at age 5, the boy is sure that he is gay, it should still be his decision as to when he shares that and to whom he shares that. Many people spend a lifetime struggling with that particular decision, yet this mother just throws it out there, to the entire world, because she's apparently upset at some treatment she received from a few other parents. Again, I'm confident that, 20 years from now, when this boy is 25, "coming out" will be met with more acceptance that it is today. In fact, if he has a kid who wants to dress as Daphne, maybe the other parents won't think anything of it. But that still has to be up to him. He has to be ready to address it and he has to address it in the forum he feels most comfortable. Instead, he's 5 and we have his mom turning something that is personal to him into something about how tolerant she is.

I often joke with my friends about how Facebook and Twitter are going to be the downfall of society. I suppose it's only fair to group Blogger into that statement as well. I grew up in an environment where it was never okay to "air dirty laundry'. Now we live in a society where Reality TV and real-time status updates make dirty laundry part of our day to day lives. For the most part, hey, that's technology. On one hand, I maintain a blog, but on the other, I've never felt the need to update my status. TL is hungry and wants a sandwich. TL is excited for the football game this evening. TL is upset and can't understand why people can be so mean. Etc. I don't understand why even my closest friends would care about any of that. But to each, his own.

I certainly do understand why sharing certain things can be so weight-lifting. But I think a dose of common sense needs to be applied, particularly when speaking for someone other than yourself. Ultimately, I feel sorry for this kid. He didn't sign up for any of this. He just wanted a certain costume for Halloween. Maybe he should have gone with Wonder Woman. At least he would have had a invisible jet to help him escape.

What I Learned In Blogging This Week

Thanks to everyone who chimed in on my post from last Friday. I very much appreciated all of the nice things everyone had to say. I could tell from reading the responses that those who commented gave serious thought about what I had written and, it certainly seems, gave honest heartfelt answers. That was all I could ask for.

The support I got from readers was more than I could have asked for. I always knew this blog had great readers, but I think last Friday proved it. Having taken a week to consider all of the comments, I thought I'd use today as a bit of a follow-up. The responses I received came from two distinct sets of people: males who, to a varying degree, wear female clothing and females who were kind enough to share their opinion on the first set. From these two sets, I thought there was a common thread among comments.

From the males:

Interest in to what level of acceptance (if any) this particular lifestyle has gained from the female population. Hope that some of the common labels and/or stereotypes connected with those who "cross-dress" would show signs of dissipating.

From the females:

The common threads were difficulty in finding this lifestyle attractive in a husband/boyfriend coupled with overall acceptance of anyone in the male population (irrespective of said husband or boyfriend) who wants to engage in such a lifestyle. I received a lot of "you should do what makes you happy" type responses. Some went so far as to say they'd be supportive of a male (non-lover) friend who shared such information with them. All in all, I was very happy to read all of this.

I found this response to be pretty important. Taking a moment to speak for a group that is far too large, and I am far too unqualified to be a mouthpiece for, acceptance from (any) females is of monumental importance. This goes beyond the obvious reasons (hey, we may grab for the same bra at the same time some day at Bloomingdale's...we'd both like to avoid any subsequent awkwardness). Many of us are surrounded by "men's men" in our every day lives (or at least we think they're men's men). These are the guys we drink our beer and watch our football with. Dropping a "So the semi-annual sale starts next week" during the 2-minute warning commercial break hardly seems well-advised. Is there some way to strike a balance between football watching male-friend on Saturday and dress shopping female-friend on Friday? Maybe someday.

Which sort of segues me into my final thought, courtesy of a comment made (appropriately) by 'Anonymous'. There is plenty of anonymity to go around. I don't walk around the office proclaiming my love for lingerie...likewise, the woman down the hall, or across the building, or maybe at the coffee shop isn't in any hurry to proclaim her love for men in lingerie. It was an obvious point, but one, I must confess that I have hardly considered. For a harmless interest, there is certainly a lot at stake for anyone who takes an interest.

Thanks again for reading this. I feel like I have more to say on the subject, but I'm not sure what yet. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

'It's For My Boyfriend'

As any regular reader of this blog would know, no matter what, I always like to keep things light, here. But I'd like to warn you, up-front, that I am going to get a little bit deeper today. In other words, this post is probably going to be missing my usual sense of humor, and may be absent any pictures (I haven't quite decided that part yet). If that's not your thing (and who could blame you?) feel free to put my blog on the shelf this weekend, I'll be back to my more typical posts on Monday. No hard feelings.

Depending upon your own personal perspective of lingerie, it can range anywhere between something that is to be enjoyed to something that is, at the very least, neutral. In other words, it would be a stretch, in my opinion, to find anything bad or evil about it. But...we all do have opinions. Today, I search out the opinion of you, the reader, beyond 'oh these tights are sexy' or 'hmmm this thong isn't exactly my style' (again, it isn't too late to turn back and not come visit until Monday). If you're still here, though, my goal is to create some sort of discussion. I don't typically reply to comments, but my plan is to on this particular post. I know, on the average day most comments come from (genetic, as they are sometimes referred to) females, and it's certainly their opinion I'm most interested in, but commenting, as always, is open to all.

I spend a certain amount of time each day searching the web for material for my blog posts (I know, tough job). Typically, that means hitting my favorite shopping websites and pulling out something new and/or interesting that I want to spend a minute talking about. In noticing that I was becoming strictly a shopping blog, I set aside two days a week to talk about something else (celebs on Wednesday and myself on Fridays...though I copped out of that part by running guest posts for a bit). So in my searching for non-shopping topics, I came across a couple of interesting websites this week:

One is a Hub Page by a woman named 'Hope Alexander' which focuses generally on fashion but has many specific posts encouraging men to wear lingerie as well as female clothing and accessories.

The second is by a woman named 'Lucy' who has an entire website dedicated to cross dressing (a label that I hate, personally, but I digress). She claims that she dates a man who wears women's clothing, and that has gotten her 'hooked' on the idea...enough for her to start an entire website, complete with encouragement, tips, outfit suggestions, etc.

So, after great length, that's what brings me to my question of the day. Where do you stand on this subject? Most of you know that I'm a guy, and if you didn't, nobody on the 'outside' world knows about this blog and almost nobody knows about my lingerie...uh...interest. I'm loathe to speak for anyone other than myself, but, based on what I've read and seen, my experience is women range anywhere from dislike to disinterest in this subject. I'm often skeptical when I read about any woman encouraging her significant other to become more 'feminine'. It's a tough subject to collect any sort of scientific data, because it requires complete honesty out of people on a somewhat touchy topic. So I encourage anyone who comments to be completely open and honest and blunt as you like. Feel free to log on as anonymous, if you prefer.

Guest Blogger: Treacle of The Lingerie Addict

Treacle is a 20-something knickers junkie who started writing because her friends threatened to tape her mouth shut if she didn't stop talking about her underwear. She welcomes lingerie lovers of every nation and persuasion to her blog, The Lingerie Addict.

Even though Fashion Week for Spring/Summer 2011 ended just a few days ago, those of us not in the magazine publishing industry still have to make it through the next few months of winter. And if the almanacs are any indication, this one promises to be a doozy. Fortunately, hosiery is back in a big way this season so you can be warm and fashionable at the same time. Let's take a look at a few of the most popular trends, along with the stores where you can buy them.

Basic Black Tights

Basic black tights are a look that never goes out of style. Appearing on runways as diverse as Missoni, Oscar de la Renta, and Badgley Mischka (pictured left to right above), black tights are a go-to staple for every fall and winter season. They're also available at a range of price points for every budget. Try the Aristoc Shiny Opaque Tights for only $10.95 or treat yourself to the slightly more expensive Falke Matte Sheer Tights for $26.00. Both are available from MyTights.


Brightly Colored Tights

But maybe black tights aren't your thing. After all, with so many gray and dreary days ahead, couldn't we all use a "pop" of color? Studies show that brighter colors can help people feel cheerier, happier, and more balanced...and if just looking at them has so many positive side effects, think of all the benefits wearing bright colors must give you! 3.1 Phillip Lim, Zac Posen, and Jean Paul Gaultier (shown above, left to right) all agree--colors are where it's at. Find similar looks at We Love Colors and Stockingirl.

Patterned Tights

Fishnets may be the most popular pattern around (and they certainly make a comeback this season), but designers made a point to show that they weren't the only pattern around. Fabulous, fun, and funky...patterned tights are a great way to spark and personality to even the simplest outfits. Visit Bebaroque for embellished tights in the style of Anna Sui (far left), Figleaves for the House of Holland by Pretty Polly Collection (center), and Bare Necessities for classic, Wolford fishnets like those seen on Betsey Johnson's runway (far right).

Socks

Whether dainty and delicate or chunky and bold, socks were all over the runways this season. I love socks because they serve as a great transition between Fall and Winter, letting you wear your pretty summer dresses and shoes for just a little while longer. For this look, I recommend ASOS and Sock Dreams. Both are right on trend with socks in every color, length, fabric, and price point. (Shown above, left to right: DKNY, Marc Jacobs, and Prada.)

Bonus Round: Wet Look Thigh High Leggings

I only saw this look on one runway, Vera Wang, but I loved it so much I had to include it here. Even better, I know someone who can replicate this look. If you're digging the grungy, gothy, rockstar vibe of thigh high leggings, I highly recommend checking out these from Black Milk Clothing. At only $40, it's a small price to pay for being on the very cutting edge of fashion.

I hope you enjoyed this article about how to take runway trends and interpret them in real life. If you did, please feel free to give me a shout-out on Twitter or Facebook. I'd love to hear from you!