Tights

[wintermute]

Although I have mentioned this in another thread, I thought it best to give it its own. Tights: Has anyone out there actually bought any of the male marketed tights, and if so, what kind of feedback do you have to offer on the products? Are there any particular brands (male or female) that produce really good opaque / thick tights that would be ideal for wearing with a kilt for the autumn / winter months ahead?
Thanks for your time!:)

[Topsy]

If you're average size then Tesco own brand are cheap but durable. If you're taller than 5'10'' then M&S or Boots have specific ranges for tall wearers - the Boots 60 denier range is particularly warm if worn outside at night or in the winter. My experience comes from winter night shifts in the open air!

Topsy

[Since1982]

My Avatar has me this past February at the beginning of my diet that I've so far lost 80 pounds with, wearing a dark blue stretch denim straight skirt and black opaque tights. The tights cost me $9.95 + S&H for 5 pairs in one package. They amaze me as to how small they seem before putting them on and how comfortable they are afterwards. They are black opaque and very comfortable. I bought them online at the LaneBryant.com site where I also buy very neat straight skirts in khaki, navy blue, black and white twill for only $19.99 each + S&H..They also have denim in my size, but I don't care for the roughness of their denim compared to the smoothness of the twill against my skin. When I started my diet I was wearing womens size 42 skirts, and have bought a continuing stream of new skirts in smaller sizes. I'm now down to size 30 and expect to be ordering size 26 by the time I return from my trip to Las Vegas in a month. I hadn't bought this style of twill skirt when this avatar picture was taken so no one can see how nice they fit. I have about 14 of them now and expect to have plenty more as I keep growing out of them. The brand the skirts are is "Mainstreet Blues".

[Bob]

My wife likes dance tights --- which are more expensive, better constructed, better fitting and somewhat heavier than your average pair of fashion tights. As for myself, I only use dance tights for dancing, but they really are higher quality.

[binx]

The Comfilon a849s fit well, albeit warm for this time of year. Wish the a869 had more color choices.

binx

[Stuart]

I have varicose veins, and I'm under orders to wear medical-grade "tight socks" for the rest of my life. I get mine at http://www.ameswalker.com ; they sell an opaque black set designed for men (with a fly). However, I usually wear the sheers.

These are REAL support hose, rated in mmHg (like a blood pressure cuff). If you try a pair (about $40 plus shipping), try the lower-pressure ones first (model 2030). They're almost indestructible.

stuart

[wintermute]

Thanks for the info, guys! Some interesting feedback.
Bob: I did think about the dance tights as they did appear to be really opaque & probably indestructable compared to their off the shelf counterparts!:)

Stuart: The ameswalker range sounds interesting, but probably a little excess unless you actually have a problem that needs compression legware....I will look at the low-end of the range though!

Topsy: I know the ranges you have mentioned; What is interesting is the quality difference between some of the "own brands" - Boots, M&S etc seem to produce some very good quality products. About 11 years ago, even Woolworths had a superb range of opaques (though sadly, they no longer stock the particular product I am refering to:shake: ).

Binx: How do you rate the male tights range you mentioned? Is there *REALLY* that much in it? (Comfort, fit wise, quality....Assuming that you have tried "female" products).

Since1982: Thanks for the Lanebryant lead, I shall check that out too. The very best of luckwith the diet too, sounds like you have some serious willpower!!:cheer:

More feedback welcome!

[skirttron]

Frankly, I find tights tend to crush the pawnbroker's sign a bit too much. Hold-ups are better, but I prefer to brave the elements and wore my kilt at freezing point earlier this year with no problem.

[wintermute]

Much respect to you, Skirtron! I am looking forward to the autumn months (my favourite time of year!) I just hope that the lower temperatures will be tolerable enough to sport the kilt!:)

[trainman]

Hav to agree with skirttron, I usually find tights annoying (having said that, I have had a pair of tights that were extremely comfortable, but there no longer made). So I usually look for opaque stay ups if I'm going to wear anything under a skirt. They add some great warmth, with out being too restrictive.

[Since1982]

Doesn't a pawnbrokers sign have 3 balls??? If you have that Skirttron, that "would" be different than usual. LOL

I pasted this from a Googled site>>The three balls or globes later became part of their family crest, and ultimately, the sign of pawnbroking.

[hiker]

I only wear tights when it gets very cold. Wear them with pants and skirts. So I like warm cotton tights - Maggie's Socks has a great collection of tights that works well with my thoughts on being a man and presenting a very manly image.

[iain]

thought the tights afficionados among you might enjoy this--from:

http://movies.yahoo.com/mv/news/ap/2006 ... 36000.html

"X-Men wore tights in the comics but they're not the Man of Steel. (Director) Bryan (Singer, who also directed "Superman Returns") felt their costume should be in protective gear. They needed to be protected, Superman doesn't. That's why Superman can wear tights."

But Routh isn't the only guy in tights this year. NBA stars, such as Bryant and Vince Carter, are wearing them on the court and even far-less athletic-looking Jack Black is wearing them on screen in "Nacho Libre."

OK, so it'd be a stretch to call tights a fashion trend in menswear, but style watchers already know that leggings and opaque tights will be an important look this fall in ladies' fashion. Maybe it's a sign of things to come?

Graciela Mazon, the "Nacho Libre" costume designer who put Black in a wrestling outfit of sky-blue tights, a crimson cape and boots, thinks men look regal in tights.

"Tights really frame men. I think you can capture the virility. Men have worn tights forever, think of the 16th century. They were strong men and no one questioned that," Mazon says.

The tights helped Black's "Nacho" character, even without a perfect body, show both strength and emotion. "You could see his muscles, but he didn't look aggressive," Mazon describes.

She says a man's legs in tights is "a sculpture of movement."

Also, she adds, at least in the case of a wrestler, tights are practical since they offer much freer movement than traditional athletic wear.

NBA players seem to like the tights for other reasons as well. Superstar LeBron James told the AP last winter that he wore tights under his Cleveland Cavaliers shorts to help prevent injuries. Milwaukee Bucks forward Joe Smith said he was just trying to keep his knees warm after having knee surgery.

James, however, did indicate he thought some of her peers just liked the look and were trying to make a fashion statement. (The NBA is rumored to be banning tights on the court next season.)

Don't look for Black to take his "Nacho" look to the Hollywood streets, though he did find it to have more appeal than he thought. "I wouldn't wear it to the laundromat or to the grocery store," he said. "But it does have a certain amount of power when you dress up like that. It really grabs the attention of all the people around you."

[binx]

Thanks for the info, guys! Some interesting feedback.
Bob: I did think about the dance tights as they did appear to be really opaque & probably indestructable compared to their off the shelf counterparts!:)


Binx: How do you rate the male tights range you mentioned? Is there *REALLY* that much in it?

More feedback welcome!

They seem to be holding up as well as the others, fit my male frame better, and really like the fly feature too. Don't know about wearing them for an entire day, though. You can try a pair and send them back if you're not happy for a refund, less shipping. Mainly these are men's tights, accomodating my male parts, and I don't have to shave. Together with my CitySkirt, I can legitimately say that I am dressed in male attire. Might come in handy if asked while worn at work.

binx

binx

[Mike]

http://www.comfilon.com has great products. While you may find them pricey, they are worth it from what I have found. They last much longer, and I think that's because they actually fit and are not stretched as tight. Very comfortable, and VERY soft. I highly recommend you try a pair. Plus they have great customer service with a money back guarantee.