Tightsplease has just introduced what they say are the most expensive tights out there, now available for pre-order. The tights are Wolford Fringe Tights, 100 denier, with five rows of fringing down the calf and to the ankle. They cost £199 (about $320 and €215) and only a few hundred have been made. Personally, I would find the fear of snagging £199 hosiery to be too crippling to ever wear them! But if you love these (and have the money!) you can claim yours at Tightsplease.com.
Wolford
The Best of Hosiery for Fall at Bare Necessities!
We’ve posted in the past about the leading role that hosiery is taking in the intimate apparel world. No longer is hosiery just pantyhose! Today, hosiery can cover the gamut from colorful to muted or from textured to smooth. Regardless, hosiery is one of the new ways to add flair to a fashionable wardrobe both outside and inside the bedroom.
Bare Necessities has done a great job compiling their Top 10 Hosiery picks featuring the best of the best from sheer and smoothing to opaque and shaping styles. Featuring brands like Hue, Wolford, SPANX, DKNY, and more, there is something for everyone this fall. Reflecting the trends on the runway, many tights and leggings this season have an 80s feel with prints, patterns, and colors reminiscent of that era. In a more classic vein, textures and patterns take center stage featuring chevrons, herringbones, plaids, and argyles (one of my favorites!). See below for a sampling of styles available this fall and know that there are plenty more where those came from!
Fortunately for all of us (and all of our budgets), Bare Necessities is an equal opportunity provider of trends at all price points. And, of course, you can’t be the free shipping with orders over $100! With over 250 styles to choose from, you are bound to find something perfect for you. New styles are added frequently and others are frequently on sale, so check back often.
Speaking of new styles, those of you who love Ed Hardy & Christian Audigier will be happy to know that an assortment of hosiery from both brands will be hitting the site very soon along with my personal favorite. I’m overjoyed that none other than Commando has launched into the hosiery world with laser cut waistband, opaque tights! The same innovative elements of Commando underwear is now featured in a variety of tights! Currently, Bare Necessities is selling the Matte Opaque Tights. Not only can you choose from black or brown tights, but also choose from a solid or paisley print waistband.
Happy shopping!
Elongate Your Leg with Wolford’s Spring 2009 Collection
In 2001-2002, Wolford went through a common exercise for a company that licenses the brand to franchisers. During that year, Wolford took control of some of the franchises and started a joint venture called Wolford Boutiques LLC to take ownership of some of the other boutiques. It isn’t clear which boutiques are company owned, but it looks like most of the US outlets are owned by the LLC. (Info). Some of the outlets have closed. This isn’t surprising considering the miserable year in retail in the US. Due to the restructuring, the parent company is relatively strong.
While I was watching Trinny and Susannah try to take over the US like they did in the UK, I picked up an interesting tip in their first show. Elongating the leg is a key element of dress. (See the show)
Here the girls cut away the straps from the shoe to show how these horizontal lines cause the eye to shorten the leg. Wolford’s spring line focuses on the vertical line causing the leg to look long. Nearly every piece has an embellishment that runs the length of the leg.
Wolford is available at many online retailers. Pictures courtesy of TLC and Wolford.
Consumers Turning to Hosiery in Tough Economic Times
With the markets down and no sign of a rebounding economy on the horizon, people all around the world are tightening their belts and scrutinizing their budgets. Smaller amounts of disposable income means that most industries are seeing drops in profits. However, hosiery is one of the few seeing increases and experiencing the lipstick effect, or the “Lipstick Index.” This term developed out of an economic trend, during down economic times, that showed as profits for other products decreased, lipstick sales increased. Why? The idea is that when there is less money to spend on yourself, you tend to splurge on those small, relatively inexpensive luxuries, like lipstick, rather than more extravagant wardrobe purchases.
In this past year, hosiery has exhibited this trend. According to sources cited in the Wall Street Journal, U.S. women’s hosiery sales have risen 2.3% over the past year. Dan Sackrowitz, vice president of business development for one of TLP’s favorite online retailers, Bare Necessities, says that customers have been purchasing opaque or patterned tights as a way to update their current wardrobes. He further remarks to the WSJ that sales of hosiery increased 60% in September and 70% in October. Wow! (See here for the full article.)
Want to know more? Check out Rene’s series of informative posts on popular hosiery brands.
Want to know what I have my eye on? See below for my favorite hosiery picks (available at Bare Necessities). And with $5 shipping every day, you can afford to stay in and avoid venturing out into the cold to buy them! 🙂
Wolford: 2008-2009 Hosiery
In this abbreviated series, TLP will look at new hosiery for the 2008-2009 seasons. With fall and winter rapidly approaching in the northern hemisphere, it is time to start thinking about hosiery and leggings.
Wolford has a fifty plus year history. Wolford was one of the first to market the hold-up. This fall, Wolford is offering several hosiery illusions.
The Mignon Stay-Up includes a diamond pattern with a reprieve in the back of the leg forming the outline of a larger diamond. They are £37.00. These Cuff Leggings are made of merino wool with a chunky-knit. The extra length makes them perfect for wearing with high-heels. The side opens with Swarovski buttons. These are £149.00.
On the left , the Aspen Stirrup Tights look a little like ski pants including a front seam. For £59.00. On the right, a Merino wool stay-up. They do not contain lycra since wool has an innate elasticity. For £29.00.
On the left, Opera Tights with a nice graphical stripe – horizontal around the thigh and a thin line traveling up the rear for £25.00. On the right, Sascha Tights includes a mix of lines and patterns. Below the thigh, polka dots dominate this pair for £26.00.
The Alcazar Tights are a clever illusion. The seam is on the side, the stay-up effect is an optical illusion and the fishnet on the leg is not real, but they look smashing for £34.00. On the right, the Bracelet Tights have a chain look along the leg and around the waist for £25.00.