Then we saw it on celebrities…
And now retailers are picking up on the trend…
Earlier this year, I took a look at Falke’s Spring/Summer 2009 Collection, and I’d be amiss not to not give the same treatment for their Fall/Winter Collection. Here are my three favorite tights from the new collection.
Most designers are working the lace trend this winter, and Falke is no exception. The Alizee tights are a modern spin on ever popular trend. They retail for $29.71.
If floral tights are more your style, why not take a glance at the Eve tights? I am in love with the vine and bud design that seems to wrap around the legs. Available in amethyst and grey, these tights sell for $25.26.
Last month, I dedicated an entire article to the faux-fishnet trend, and the Maxime tights were one of the brands I highlighted. MyTights calls these a twist on “argyle,” but whatever the inspiration, they are hella sexy. Get them for $29.71.
Are you voluptuous? Thick? Full-figured? Plus-sized? Then today’s post is all about you. For too long, I’ve neglected my ladies with vintage, hourglass figures. This time, we’re talking stockings (and other kinds of hosiery) for “real” women.
In this article, I’ll discuss the best places to buy the big three: stockings, thigh highs, and tights. As always, if I leave out your favorite brand, don’t think twice about adding it in the comments!
Stockings
It’s no secret that stockings have the power to make any woman, no matter her size, feel like a sex goddess. A peek of a garter strap, a slight breeze under your skirt, and suddenly you’re part of a tradition of seduction stretching back for generations.
Secrets in Lace has a dedicated Curvy Leg Salon where they stock both lace topped and plain topped stockings. Both are made of a nylon/spandex blend, but the plain welts are a deal at only $19.99/pair.
Stockings Direct, a UK company, also carries Cervin and Levee stockings in sizes for curvy gals. The most inexpensive pair, the Cervin Paris Capri 15, is an incredible $10.94/pair…a great price for any budget.
Last, but not least, Stockingirl carries two varieties of queen sized stockings for big and/or tall girls–the Patricias, which come in packs of 3 for $21.99 and the Divine Divas which go all the way up to a shoe size 13 and a weight of 220 lbs.
Thigh Highs
Don’t feel like dealing with garter straps everyday, but having trouble finding a thigh high stocking that won’t dig, bind, or cut off your circulation? Fortunately, manufacturers and retailers alike are recognizing that women exist in more than “one size fits all.”
Once again, Secrets in Lace offers a selection of two stay-up stockings, both with lace tops. The British retailer MyTights also sells hold-ups from the European brand for voluptuous ladies, Levee. UK Tights also stocks plus-sized hold-ups from Cervin. You can purchase either look shown here for less than $20/pair.
Frederick’s of Hollywood also carries thigh high stockings for plus-sized figures as well.
Tights
Last, but certainly not least, we’ll talk about tights. If you’re a curvy girl who loves tights, then you’re in luck because there’s lots to choose from here.
My very first stop for tights would be We Love Colors. Not only do they stock opaque, striped, and fishnet tights in plus sizes, all of their products are available in over 51 colors and nothing costs more than $20 (some tights are even less than $10!).
MyTights and StockingsHQ would be my next stop for tights as they carry the quality budget labels Pretty Polly and Levante. StockingsHQ also carries the Gipsy line, which I haven’t tried, and MyTights stocks shapewear tights from British fashion gurus Trinny and Susannah if you need a little extra holding power. Finally, UKTights and Frederick’s of Hollywood also stock fashionable tights for the fuller figured ladies.
Now that the weather’s getting cooler, and tights are becoming a necessity in some regions of the globe, I hope this article helps with your search. If you’re a curvy gal, where do you shop for hosiery? Why don’t you tell me in the comments?
Well it’s my last night in Georgia, and I won’t be returning for another 6-7 months, so I’m going to forgo the in-depth corset reviews tonight in favor of spending an extra few hours with my parents.
That said, I have to mention two pairs of stockings I wore during DragonCon: 
my Jonathan Aston Sweet Roses lace thigh highs, and my Tabio fishnet tights. Not only did they look great, and feel amazing, they stood up to hours of walking, running, crouching, posing, and standing in line. Plus, they’re affordable. The Jonathan Aston lace tights (unfortunately, I can no longer find the thigh highs) retail for $19.75 on MyTights and the Tabio fishnet tights sell for $9.00 on their website.
Finally, check out what just sold for $265.00 on e-bay. I’ve never seen anything quite like this, and I hope it makes the auction winner very, very happy.
Disclaimer: We Love Colors sponsored this article by sending me the tights to review. However, they in no requested or mandated any of the content you will read in the following review. All opinions presented here are the author’s own.
Previously mentioned in my Runway to Realway series, We Love Colors is a newcomer on the nylon scene, but they are rapidly cornering the market on colored pantyhose.
Offering opaque tights in over 50 colors (and that’s not including their fishnets, knee highs, checkered, or striped tights), We Love Colors currently has the best selection in their niche on the internet. For this article, I sampled the Nylon/Lycra Microfiber Tights in Rust (size M/L), the Wide Mesh Fishnets in Maroon, and the Sheer Knee Highs in Teal.
Let’s start with the fishnets. I knew I’d made a good decision when my date complimented me on my tights within the first five minutes. I like the widenets in particular because they’re perfect for wearing on their own or layering over other tights. I found these tights to be both comfortable and durable; they didn’t stretch out of shape or become baggy even after several hours of wear. A denser weave over the toes keeps them from poking through. At only $9.00/pair, I really don’t think you can go wrong here.
One important note…since the tights are one size fits all, pay attention to the sizing chart on the web page. I’m on the high end of their height/weight maximum and I’m pretty sure these tights would not work as well for someone who was much taller or weighed much more than me.
I have nothing but rave reviews for the knee highs and the opaque tights. I wore these both to work, and, like the fishnets, earned several compliments in the first five minutes. What I like about both the opaque tights and the sheer knee highs is that they’re fun enough to satisfy my yen for nylon, but conservative enough to wear under nice business slacks or even a dress.
The colors are rich, vibrant, and true even through a washing machine cycle (I know, I know…naughty Treacle). Most importantly, they’re comfortable. I wore the knee highs and the tights for a full nine hour work day, and they felt just as good at 6:00 p.m as they did at 9:00 a.m. No sagging, no bagging, no stretching, no falling, no runs…just great hosiery.
Like the fishnets, these tights and socks aren’t anything fancy, but they are fun and functional. Plus, at only $12.50/pair for the microfiber tights and $3.50/pair for the knee high socks, they’re cheap enough to build a good tights and stockings wardrobe with.
If you want to learn more about We Love Colors, why not check out their Facebook or Twitter?
Vicky’s is having a pretty spectacular clearance sale right now. I fell out of love with VS’s panties and bras a long time ago, but I still believe they stock some of the best budget hosiery short of buying from Europe.
While my favorites, the satin topped thigh highs are not included, pretty much all of their fishnet hosiery is. Only $9.00 for quality stockings? I’ll bite.
Plus, if you order before July 8, you can get an extra 30% off with the code 30CLR.
