Above are the Leg Avenue fishnet thigh highs with woven satin ribbon, one size fits all, nylon/spandex blend, $9.00/pair (USD).
I really wanted to like these. After the last couple of posts, I feel the need to reassure myself that I’m no stocking snob; cheap hosiery really is just as good as the more expensive kind. Plus, Leg Avenue holds a special place in my heart. My very first pairs of fishnets, back seams, and “novelty” stockings all came from them. We go way back.
In theory, these are nice. I like the idea behind the design–a little bit burlesque, a little bit Victorian, a little bit striptease–not to mention the prospect of switching out the ribbon to match my outfits. It ought to work. Except it doesn’t.
One, the two silicon band welt at the top is much too tight. Unless you have very small thighs, these stockings are simply impossible. Muffin tops just beneath the buttocks are not cute. Also, circulation! Cutting it off in the name of fashion is not cool, Leg Avenue. Not cool at all. And just in case you’re wondering, I weigh less than 160 lbs., the supposed cut off weight for their one size fits all.
Two, the ribbon is more trouble than it’s worth. Though it looks nice in the picture, it’s disproportionately large for the stocking, especially so close to the wide, black welt. In addition, the threading holes for the ribbon are too big; you’d achieve much the same effect by tearing random holes in the fishnets you already have and putting a ribbon through those. Finally, it’s slippery; getting the ribbon to line up just right like in the picture is a frustrating endeavor. I tend not to like it when my stockings outsmart me.
The fishnet itself is off average quality. The nets are hexagonally shaped instead of diamond shaped, and the color for my pair was slightly off-black instead of the true, rich, deep black I prefer. However, these are fairly minor issues compared to the ones detailed above.
You can purchase them here.
