Tights Club

It's been so long

2011-09-15T15:10:00.000-07:00

Gosh has it really been over a year since I updated this blog? I may try and blow off the cobwebs after I visit BHS on Sunday. I was walking through there the other day. They have a side entrance which leads to my place of work and handily it now goes straight through the ladies hosiery department since they had a bit of a reshuffle. Their winter range is out and I noticed some nice thick cotton 100 denier cable-knit tights in a cream colour. Think I'll buy a pair then and let you know how I get on, if anyone is still out there... yell if you can hear me.

Old stock from Aristoc

2010-05-01T15:32:00.001-07:00

Me, a snob? I don't think so. Okay, so I admit to being a big fan of M&S but I'm also just as likely to be found wandering the aisles of those "everything for £1" shops. Anything to break the boredom of my lunch hour during the working week.

The reason for this? In the shopping centre close to the office is one such "pound shop" I visit fairly regularly. Actually, I think I've mentioned it in a previous post. If I remember rightly I bought some lace-bottomed footless tights and two pairs of Aristoc semi-opaque tights in red and bottle green!!! Anyway, on a recent visit I struck gold again (or "Vaguely Black" in this case) with this pair from Aristoc...

I believe that Aristoc still sell this line, albeit with a differently-designed packet, and at 99p they were, as David Dickinson would say, "cheap as chips".

I really like the old design of the packet, which brought back memories of me buying tights from newsagents and corner shops as a nervous, spotty adolescent! I also happen to LOVE shiny tights. And, as these are called ULTRA surely they are the shiniest tights of all? Well not quite but they certainly convey a decent sheen.

The trouble with "pound" shops is that they stock whatever they can get hold of. That means you don't get a choice of sizes, hence MEDIUM/LARGE was the only option, although I would have preferred a size up.

To say that sizing in women's hosiery is confusing is an understatement. I think its closer to a minefield. Whereas MEDIUM and LARGE in some brands just about fit me, I'm sorry to say these were just too small and I found it difficult to stretch the legs beyond mid-thigh comfortably (sigh!).

On a positive note, these tights have a really good reinforced box section either side of the gusset seam which you can just see in the picture below. I really love the toe detail and the colour is impeccably even and super sheer throughout.

As the saying goes, beggars can't be choosers! Every cloud has a silver lining and if this has taught me anything it's that I need to get the hoover out on that rug!

Going dotty for tights at M&S

2010-05-01T14:46:00.000-07:00

I'm a massive fan of M&S. For me the brand is so quintessentially English. Very traditional and sometimes a little old-fashioned but that is what makes it so endearing and an enduring success.

I just love shopping for tights there. The staff are always polite and never fazed by serving a guy who might possibly be buying hosiery for himself.

On a recent visit I was taken by the whole retro fashion fad which is so bang on trend. I was perusing the hosiery and came across some dot-patterned tights which took me right back to the 1980s and the era of Lady Di.

One of my first experiences of wearing tights was sneaking into my mum's bedroom and borrowing some dotty stockings, so when I saw these I just had to have them for old time's sake.

These tights are part of the M&S "Autograph" collection and in a lovely shade of sheer black (unlike those navy blue stockings I so excitedly slipped onto my legs back in the 1980s). But the dot pattern was a very faithful replica so I decided to part with the £8 asked for a pair, quite a lot of money I thought for a pair of 10 denier sheer tights. Okay, so they had flat seams, but £8 seems a lot for one pair of department store tights so they'd better be good, I thought.

However, on pulling the tights on, they seemed a little short in the leg for an XL size. I really had to struggle to stretch the tights all the way up to the correct position, which has never been a problem previously with XL in M&S tights. Maybe I had put on a bit of weight since my last foray? Perhaps I was just out of practice or a little sweaty and anxious, maybe? But these tights were definitely a little on the small side.

On the positive side I loved the retro dotty pattern and appreciated the sheer-to-waist aspect, And the flat seams were there (but to be honest, flat seams or otherwise never really seem to make much difference in comfort to me).

But was it just me or was the colour a little uneven? No matter how much I smoothed the legs up my thighs I really struggled to get an even sheer tone, with an almost semi-opaque look to the lower leg that looked more like 30 denier. I kept pulling them down and pulling them up but the end result was never perfect and if you look closely at the image below, the thighs do look quite over-stretched and banded.

So, could this be a pair of M&S tights I don't actually like? Well. I probably won't buy another pair, but the feeling of buying some dotty tights after all these years took me way back (even if they were not in navy blue) and was an enjoyable trip down memory lane. So, in terms of the experience I enjoyed them. But these have to go down as a fashion mistake...

Shocking... stockings back on the agenda

2010-03-12T15:58:00.000-08:00

Well it's been a while. I can't believe the whole winter has passed by without me using the bike to work as an excuse to wear thick tights! The whole promotion at work thing got me thinking that I should make more of an effort to be a "regular guy" and set the right example.

Well, it doesn't work, I tell you. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!

Since my last post I went for quite a while without wearing tights. Then, for some reason, I started thinking about stockings and what it would be like to wear them with suspenders under my trousers.

Now I know what you are thinking. This site is about tights, isn't it? Well, please read on...

I knew I would need to buy a suspender belt and had a look in my local Asda supermarket. It was coming up to Valentine's Day at the time so I knew they would have wheeled out a stock of "romantic" items. And they didn't disappoint.

They didn't have any suspender belts though, only "suspender briefs". These were a pair of cheap red and black lacy knickers (£4, size 16) with suspenders built into them. So I bought these, together with a cheap pair of George stockings.

It was quite thrilling pulling up the stockings. The thing I remember loving the most about stockings from my childhood is that deep welt that sits at the top of the thigh and the sheer loveliness below.

But it was a real faff, hitching them up. The two clips at the front were easy enough but the back two were really fiddly and took ages. But I persisted and eventually attached the stockings and managed to adjust them to make them reasonably comfortable.

Because the stockings pulled directly on the knickers I expected them to have the effect of pulling the knickers down, but I was surprised at how well they stayed in place under my jeans.

I walked into the shopping centre and couldn't help wondering how many women in the town were wearing stockings at that moment. I came to the conclusion that I was one of the only ones, if not the ONLY person wearing stockings.... and I'm not even a woman!

It filled me with real excitement and a sense of uniqueness. But there was also a tinge of sadness.

There were countless women wearing tights, but let's spare a thought for the poor, humble stocking. That is why I will always find time to wear a a pair every now and then...

Autumn has its advantages

2009-09-15T13:41:00.000-07:00

Looking out of my window, it's the end of summer (sob!) But so what? It's not like we had much of one (again) this year. And now it's that time of year when all the stores start to roll out the hosiery displays again (yeehaa!). Summer is the bare season when the hosiery takes a back stage. I was walking past the TKMaxx store in our local shopping centre only the other day when I noticed the return of the hosiery cart, which was already starting to bulge with a multitude of sheer and winter tights. I love the way some of the women open up the packaging and the legs just spill out everywhere, creating a multicolour display of nylon and lycra. So autumn and winter isn't quite so bad after all, just think of all those yummy opaques.
I just realised I posted a similar blog to this one about a year ago. Time flies doesn't it?

Like the new design, by George!

2009-09-09T13:14:00.001-07:00

You may remember a while ago how I enthused about Asda Supermarket's Naturals tights (Seek out the review). Well, I noticed recently the improved packet design which I must share with you. The model is now revealing a lot more of the tights, including that gorgeous patterned brief. Naturally I had to buy a pair, in barely black (XL). I can't wait to try them on. Hopefully the tights are as good as ever!

I'm back... and in knee-highs believe it or not!

2009-09-05T15:46:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone. I appreciate its been a while since my last post. Time has simply flown by and a couple of life-altering episodes have hit me since, not least the birth of my second daughter and the credit crunch, which sparked a round of redundancies with my employer.
To cut a long story short I survived to live another day, and got a new job which kind of distracted me for while on my favourite pastime. After all, what would my new colleagues think of me if they caught a glimpse of my legs adorned in 10 denier nylon and lycra?
I started getting a little self conscious all over again about getting caught wearing tights and started to think of ways to help build up the confidence again.
I came up with the idea of buying knee-highs, an item which, along with pop socks, I had previously completely discarded.
My reasoning was that I could slip them on simply, like stockings, and cover them up with a pair of man socks. I could then spend a whole day at work feeling the knee-highs rolled down around my ankles but covered with the man socks. At least then, no one, at work at least, would see the feminine nylon covering my lower leg, for the time being.
My first purchase was a pair of Asda knee-highs with a "comfort sole". I really liked the natural shade and the sole resembled that of a fully-fashioned stocking with a thick under-sole. I'm not sure it made much difference to the actual comfort of the garment but it certainly looked the part.
On the way home I would remove my socks before embarking on the bus, and any fellow passenger who cared to look in the direction of my feet may have caught a glimpse of the feminine nylon that ensconsed my calf. It felt quite naughty on my travels home, just reward, I thought, for a hard day's toil!
The knee-highs certainly served a purpose, and now the confidence has been restored, I am glad to report it is back to tights, full-time, for me!

Tights Awards 2008: The winners

2009-03-14T16:08:00.001-07:00

Having considered all the tights I've bought and reviewed over the past year I thought it was only right to single out what I consider to be the best, which I've split into four categories.

Please note that although I may have reviewed some of these tights in 2009, they may have been bought or on sale in 2008.

So here are the winners of the "Tights Oscars 2008"

Best sheer tights (less than 15 denier):

Pretty Polly Naturals Almost Naked

"Absolutely fantastic 5 denier tights which are virtually invisible on the leg and surprisingly strong. These are a must purchase for anyone who wants to wear tights in public without anyone noticing."

Best opaque tights (40 denier and above):

M&S Opaques

"Stunning 60 denier opaques. Generous fit, strong, super smooth and supremely comfortable. And in a great range of colours."

Best value tights

Asda Cotton Soft Ultimate Opaques

"Superb quality cotton-rich tights. Loved them in grey and unbeatable value at £3 a pair. Worth twice the price."

Best fashion tights

M&S Opaques

"Great opaques in a stunning range of trendy colours you won't find anywhere else. Top quality and great value too."

Do you agree? I'd love to hear you opinions. And don't forget, you can always send in your reviews, pictures and stories to tightsclub@gmail.com

Review: Boots Body Shaping tights

2009-03-14T15:10:00.000-07:00

Please note: The following review has been written from a male perspective. Therefore, any comments made regarding the fit and other key characteristics of the garment may not accurately reflect the true qualities of a product designed and manufactured specifically for women, whose physical attributes and requirements may differ to those of the reviewer.

Depending on why you like to buy tights, you might be asking the question "Why on earth would a guy want to buy body-shaping tights?" After all, tights designed to enhance a womanly shape are about as useful to men as, say, maternity tights, aren't they?
Well, yes and no.

To be honest, I asked myself the same question and bought them on the strength that they were on offer at my local Boots the Chemist store. I perhaps wouldn't go out of my way to buy them but at this price, why not?

My curiosity got the better of me and as a lover of tights I naturally want to try on everything.

Out of the packet they look like any other 15 denier sheer tights. The first thing I noticed was the nice deep opaque toe, which was plenty wide enough to cover my wide male feet. I pulled up the leg and was very impressed with the colour, lovely and sheer and totally matte.
They were also impressively strong and seemed impervious to my attempts to snag them as I ran my hand up and down the leg. It's not often that a pair of tights is blemish-free after this kind of treatment, but there was no evidence of any damage to the knit whatsover.

Halfway up the thigh the sheer black gave way to a opaque boxer panty which provides the body shaping element. I loved the contrast between sheer and opaque, with a slight pattern shift.

As these are body-shaping tights, they did take a little more effort to pull them all the way up as they are tighter around the bottom, but they did feel very comfortable once they were in place. I wore them in the office all day and quite enjoyed the feeling of support they gave me.

While I can't really say if the tights had the described "body-shaping" effect I was left impressed by the overall quality of the tights and will certainly be returning to Boots to try out some more of their own range - and not just the ones on special offer.

My size: Leg 32 inches; Shoe size 12 UK (male)
The tights: Boots Body Shaping Tights
15 denier, black, extra large. £5 for two pairs.
Available fron branches of Boot's The Chemist

Review: M&S Opaques

2009-03-13T16:23:00.000-07:00

But if you only shop online I can honestly say you are missing out on a great shopping experience because M&S simply has the best staff, which makes it really easy for guys to buy tights in person without needing to feel apprehensive. Certainly the young lady that served me was very polite and professional and it was a joy to deal with her.

My tip is to browse online first and then go into the store knowing exactly what you want. Unlike many other stores their hosiery racks are very well laid out and it is easy to find what you want, at my local shop at least.
On this particular trip I wanted a pair of their standard opaque tights, which come in a variety of seven bright colours. I opted for Dark Pink in extra large.
These 60 denier tights cost just £4 a pair. The next step up is the "Autograph" range of 60 deniers which are £2 more per pair.
M&S is known for quality hosiery and slipping these tights on certainly didn't disappoint, despite the price tag.
The legs were reassuringly long and thick and were totally opaque around my toes even when they were at full stretch.

The legs were easy to pull up and very elastic - they seemed to snap to my skin when I let go.
The deep pink was gorgeous and perfectly smooth and even throughout, with a very slight sheen, and they felt supremely comfortable. The extra large was an excellent fit.
All in all the M&S reputation for quality is still very much apparent. To be honest, given the choice I wouldn't wear anything else. And at just £4 a pair, even the supermarket alternatives don't offer anything at better value at even comparable value. I can't wait to try on some of the other colours.

My size: Leg: 32 inches; Shoe size: 12 (male)

The tights: Colour: Dark Pink.

Size: X-Large

Availability: Marks & Spencer department stores or online

Think before you drive... while wearing tights!

2009-03-06T15:04:00.000-08:00

I've just been reading an internet forum discussion about embarrassing situations experienced by men while going out wearing tights and it led me to recall one of my own, which seems quite funny now. So I'll share it with you...
I was in my early 20s and driving around in my first car. It was a bit of a banger for the record but I loved it all the same. Despite its age and condition, the car - an old Vauxhall Astra which cost just £100 - was incredibly reliable.
So when the engine died, in the middle of a dual carriageway, I was quite surprised. Horrified in fact. I knew I would have to get out and try to push it to the side of the road. I stepped out of the car and, avoiding the traffic like I was in some kind of Frogger-style video game I got down to work.
Rather than hoping someone would stop to help I was actually praying that no one would. You see, I was at a stage of my life where I was experimenting with wearing other items of ladies' clothing - and rather unsuccessfully. On this occasion it happened to be a rather tight-fitting lace bra under my shirt that was definitely not designed for a guy with the physique of a rugby player. That's not all. I was also wearing a pair of sheer, black seamed tights and, less importantly, a lace thong which was cutting me in two like a cheesewire.
So, bent over the back of a car, straining to push it along, you can imagine why I might have some reservations about being offered some assistance. I could feel the bra strap ripping into my back and it felt like it was at bursting point. And let's not mention that lacy thong.
Anyway, the worst thing could happen DID happen. Suddenly I heard a shout from across the carriageway. One of my brother's friends had been driving along and recognised me during my "hour of need" and made his way over, with his girlfriend, to help.
Said girlfriend got into my car to steer it to safety. She wasn't impressed. She and the boyfriend was en route to the cinema. They were late and the film was about to start when they spotted me. Girlfriend had said "let's just drive on", but "he couldn't possibly leave me stranded!"
So we pushed the car to safety together and at first he was full of jovial banter. But was it just me or did he go a little quiet after a while?
Perhaps he was just out of breath. Or possibly it was down to the fact that, during my exertions, the legs of my jeans had ridden half-way up my legs to reveal an expanse of black nylon with a cuban heal and a seam running straight up them. And if he missed that there was always the deep scar across my back of a tight-to-breaking bra strap and the lacy impression of two empty bust cups at the front of my tee-shirt.
Well, at least he couldn't appreciate the pain of that thong!
Not surprisingly I never saw the good samaritan or his girlfriend again. Oh, how I cursed that old car for breaking down - until I got to the garage and found that it had simply run out of gas!

Well, it's been a while... I had some bad news

2009-03-06T14:51:00.000-08:00

Apologies for the delay since my last post. It's been a hectic time of late and the credit crunch has finally bitten, with myself and 30 others being given notice of possible redundancy at my place of work! So hopefully you can forgive me for letting Tights Club gather a few weeds.

It hasn't stopped me indulging my favourite hobby however. I recently bought a lovely pair of M&S "Perfect" opaque tights in "Dark Pink" which I'll review and post some pictures of when the dust settles.

And just today I got some nice-looking tights from Boot's the Chemists. It was one of those impulse purchases; I was waiting in line to buy my sandwiches at lunchtime and at my side was a clearance display with some tights on offer.

The top pack was a two-pair pack of body-shaping support tights, in black, and XL, reduced from £5 to £2.50. Well, how could I possibly resist - credit crunch and all!

The old lady who served me was lovely, even hiding the tights under my sandwich, bless her!
I'll let you know how they fit real soon.

Review: Asda Cotton Soft Ultimate Opaques

2009-01-24T14:09:00.001-08:00

I loved the colour. The dark grey was matte and opaque all the way to the waistband. The fit was excellent, hugging my thighs perfectly without ever feeling tight in the X-Large size and they were plenty long enough. They also stayed in place after a day's wear, without any sagging.
For £3 a pair these are extraordinary value cotton tights and highly recommended.

My size:
Leg: 32 inches; Shoe size: 12 (male)
The tights:
Colour: Grey
Size: X-Large
Availability: Asda Supermarkets

Review: Tesco F&F Signature Luxury Soft 100 denier opaques

2009-01-16T14:57:00.000-08:00

You could be forgiven for thinking these would be pretty much the same as the 40 denier version but more opaque, given the almost-identical packaging. However, the two are quite different products.

These 100 denier tights have a cotton content (18%) and boast the inclusion of "natural bamboo fibres". In fact, they are more like light cotton socks that happen to go all the way up to the waist. The foot is shaped and has a fashioned toe and heel, as you would get in a pair of cotton socks.

In fact, I was wearing these one day when I went to try on a pair of shoes in a department store. They were indistinguishable from black socks and I was quite happy to walk around the shoe department in my "stockinged" feet without drawing any unwelcome attention.

Further up the leg, as the tights were stretched, they took on a ribbed appearance. The tights seemed incredibly stretchy length-wise and I could have pulled them up to my chest. Strangely they were not so generous in the width and they pinched my large thighs a little at the top.

Unfortunately, after a short walk, the tights had slipped down to below my waist and every time I bent down they shot down even further. This meant I was constantly having to pull them up, making me feel incredibly awkward. As a result I have to say I won't be rushing to Tesco to buy another pair.

My size:
Inside leg 32 inches. Feet: Size 12 male
The tights:
Size: X Large
Colour: Black
Availability: Tesco supermarkets £4.00 (1 pair)

Review: Sainsbury's Supersoft Opaques 60 denier

2009-01-16T14:23:00.000-08:00

At first glance, this offering from Sainsbury's could easily fit into the "everyday" tights category. It is after all a multi-pack, offering three pairs of opaque tights for a mere £4. But I was pleasantly suprised by the quality of the tights. They were indeed very soft and the fit, in extra large, was excellent. The colour was very even, no streaks, and they proved to be reasonably hard-wearing, although I did get a small split on the back seam on one of the pairs after a day's wear. You don't get a cotton gusset, which is one concession to keep the price down I guess. Nethertheless, overall these were excellent value and soft enough to make them a bit more special than the "average" multipack.

My size: Inside leg 32 inches. Feet: Size 12 male
The tights: Size: Extra Large
Colour: Black
Availability: Sainsbury's supermarkets £4.00 (3 pairs)

Footless and fancy free...

2009-01-16T13:53:00.000-08:00

If, like me, you like wearing tights to work but don't want the potential embarassment of exposing a portion of shiny, nylon-encased ankle to your colleagues when your trouser leg rides up an inch or two then you have a few options.

For me, I've always made sure my trousers aren't "ankle swingers" in the first place, or have worn boots rather than shoes. I've even worn tube socks over my tights, but they can get a little sweaty!!!

Then, recently I discovered footless tights, which have enjoyed a bit of a fashion revival in the UK of late. To be honest I've never been tempted to try them before. I love the feel of having my whole foot and tootsies tightly wrapped in nylon and that lovely feeling when I wiggle my toes.

But I recently came across some footless tights in a discount shop - see my last blog - and thought what the hell. I didn't go for the lace-trimmed variety by the way, opting instead for some plain footless tights in a pleasant light blue/grey colour (brand name "Leg Affair")

As you can see from the pictures, they fitted quite well, especially as they are "one size", but then again, because they are footless there is no problem if you happen to have big feet.

I wore them in the office all day and felt really confident knowing I wouldn't have an ankle-display mishap. Yes, I missed being able to wiggle my nylon-clad toes but my bottom still felt the benefit.

I'm not totally convinced, but it was a worthwhile experience and footless could well be the way to go if you are guy who likes to wear sheer but doesn't like to show it.

Credit Crunch tights... stockings ... and socks

2009-01-10T15:18:00.000-08:00

Until yesterday I wasn't a regular customer of those shops which sell everything for under a pound. In fact I'd never ventured into one of them before last week, but that's about to change, and not because of the Credit Crunch. You see, there's a shopping mall right next to where I work and a few of these bargain stores have popped up there in recent months.

Anyway, I was bored one lunch break and walked into one, where everything costs 99p. I was actually looking for something quite specific, a torch to light up my loft to be precise, but then I started thinking, "I wonder if they sell tights".

All of a sudden it became a quest for hosiery. A few aisles into the search I stumbled across some really dodgy male thongs obviously left over from last year's Valentines Day, with some appropriate novelty slogans. Further along was some female underwear and then, ladies tights!

Incredibly they were selling branded tights, Aristoc Ultra Semi-Opaque to be precise. They also had packs of Boots tights and stockings (the Boots logo erased with a felt-tip pen) and an unknown, mega-cheap brand of footless "one size" tights with lacy ankles in a variety of colours.

Anyway, I grabbed three pairs of the Aristoc semi-opaques in Dark red, Brown and Dark Green in medium-large and made off to the counter. The sales assistant couldn't care less as I offloaded my bounty onto the counter. Three pairs of premium tights for £2.97! (See the pictures) I couldn't believe it.

Spurred on by the experience I ventured further and found another shop, which was selling everything for £1. I soon discovered Boots stockings (name erased as before) at an incredible EIGHT PAIRS for one pound (size small, colour taupe), then M&S Matte stockings (black, medium) two pairs for a pound (God knows how old the stock was as I couldn't find them on the M&S website) and some silky black over-the-knee-socks from Accessorize by Monsoon. I bought two pairs of the M&S stockings and, what the hell, a pair of the Monsoon socks as they looked really silky.

A profitable lunch break, for sure! (I'm going back for those footless lace tights...)

A happy New Year to you all!

2009-01-03T14:57:00.000-08:00

Hello and Happy New year to everyone visiting the site. First, let me apologise for not updating the site recently. As a married guy with children, Christmas has been really hectic this year and has left me with little time to update the site. Hopefully normal service will now be resumed.
Interestingly, I had an email over the holiday period wishing me a Merry Christmas from Jasmine, who stumbled across the site. She was asking if the site was only for men as she really liked the reviews and has a boyfriend who is into wearing tights. It kind of opened my eyes a little and I can reassure her and any other females following the blog that Tights Club welcomes anyone who accepts that tights are not gender specific. I'd love contributions from any ladies out there, so don't be shy and email me at tightsclub@gmail.co.uk.

Review: Tesco F&F Signature 40 denier Luxury Soft opaques

2008-11-15T15:14:00.000-08:00

Please note: The following review has been written from a male perspective. Therefore, any comments made regarding the fit and other key characteristics of the garment may not accurately reflect the true qualities of a product designed and manufactured specifically for women, whose physical attributes and requirements may differ to those of the reviewer.

Tesco's range of "luxury" opaques starts with these at 40 denier, and go all the way up to 100 denier. These 40s are sold in a two-pack and Tesco only had a large size available when I visited. Normally I opt for an XL but nethertheless these were still a very comfortable fit, even for a guy with size 12 feet. In fact, I'd go as far as saying these were perfect.

I bought these in black and the colour was lovely and even as I pulled them up the leg. Sometimes, opaque tights are a bit streaky and you need to spend some time stretching and pulling in various directions to get an even tone. But these looked great straight away.
Like it says on the packet, these tights are definitely soft. They felt really comfortable after a whole day in the office. And when it was time to go home they were still in the right place.
Construction-wise the gusset is double lined with a white cotton-like insert and the seams are wide and strong. In fact, I wore these on my daily six-mile cycle ride from work over two days and there was no sign of stress around the seams in the crotch area where they take the most punishment. You can get cheaper multipacks from supermarkets, but these have a slightly-better quality feel than the average and at £2.50 a pair they are fairly good value. I'm not sure what makes them "luxury" but, if you haven't conveniently got an M&S on your doorstep these aren't a bad alternative.

Footnote: This is the first in a series of reviews of supermarket opaque tights. I'll be giving out marks at the end of the round-up to see which is the best.

My size:
Inside leg 32 inches. Feet: Size 12 male
The tights:
Size: Large
Colour: Black
Availability: Tesco supermarkets £5.00 (2 pairs)

Battle of the supermarket opaques

2008-11-01T15:36:00.000-07:00

I love this time of the year. Summer may have gone and been replaced by the cold and rain, but the hosiery displays in our supermarkets and stores are blooming, with a huge array of tights and in particular, opaques.

A while back I talked about how we would be looking at not just the expensive brands of tights, but the type you are likely to buy every day as well. So, in keeping with this we are preparing a head to head of supermarket opaque tights and seeing which store comes out on top in terms of quality, style and value and, of course, how well they fit men.

I'll be comparing the opaque tights on offer at my three local super stores - ASDA, Tesco and Sainsbury's. I also need your help in sending reviews of opaque tights - 40 denier and above - from other supermarkets. So, if your local store is a Morrisons, a Co-Op or whatever, do us a favour and pop down to the hosiery aisle and slip a pair of opaques into your trolley. We'd also like to hear about your shopping experience.

Email tightsclub@gmail.com with your reviews and stay tuned for the first contenders.

Shopping experiences: Like a fish out of water

2008-10-31T14:47:00.000-07:00

It's so much easier and a less embarrassing experience for a man to buy tights these days, thanks largely to the internet. But when I was a fledgling tights-wearer the web had yet to be invented. In those days we had to go to REAL shops.
I was about 18 years old when I finally plucked up the courage to go into the hosiery section of a department store. On my first few visits, while thumbing through the vast array of nylon, I would be hit with blind panic and my mind would go completely blank as I tried to take in all the various styles, brands, colours and sizes.
Because I felt like I was being watched all the time, it seemed like I only had milliseconds to make my choice and it would often be the wrong choice.
Walking up to the sales counter I would be afflicted with a rush of blood to my head which lit my face up like a beacon.
I remember one such occasion at a large, well-known department store.
I had walked up to an elderly-looking sales assistant - I had picked her deliberately as I thought I would get more sympathy somehow. It was a bad mistake.
She picked up my purchases and said loud enough for at least two ladies in the queue behind me to hear her: "one pair of stockings in champagne, size extra small, one pair of chocolate opaque tights, size large... oh did you mean to pick up extra small in the stockings dear?"
Of course I hadn't. In fact I hadn't meant to pick up stockings either, I thought they were both tights. And "chocolate"... I thought I'd picked up a black pair. My haste had led to several errors, not least the inconsistent sizes. But that had been the coup de grace.
"Do you want me to see if we have these in large sir?" she asked, the model of politeness. I could barely speak. In fact I don't think I did speak, before I heard: "Cheryl, can you see if we've got the champagne stockings in large for this gentleman. Just wait here sir, we'll get them for you."
And so I was forced to stand at the side of the counter, while the other assistant went to check and, of course, there was a massive queue behind me, full of ladies wondering just what the heck this oddball teenager with a bright red face was doing there.

Bad or good, tell us your shopping experiences. Email us at tightsclub@gmail.com

Review: Wolford Velvet De Luxe 66

2008-10-21T00:59:00.000-07:00

Wolford used to make and market tights for men – black opaques tights –but they discontinued them some time ago. I went into the Wolford Boutique in London and asked about their tights for men and an assistant confirmed this. She then recommended the Velvet De Luxe 66 tights as an alternative. I reckon she must have known they were for me as I asked for Extra Large.

As with all Wolford tights they are rather expensive, but worth it. The tights are only available in black only and are available in sizes up to Extra Large – my size.

The tights are thick and completely opaque and have a very soft feel. They have a decent amount of Lycra (6%) so they stretch and fit well.

I would also say that they are quite hard wearing and can take plenty of use and washing.

As they are not very shiny in appearance I have also found that I can wear them under trousers instead of socks and it is pretty hard for anyone to guess that I have tights on.

Review by El Huron
My size:

Reviewer didn't supply measurements
The tights:

Denier: 66
Price: £18.00
From: Wolford Boutique London http://www.wolfordboutiquelondon.com

Review: Pretty Polly Naturals Almost Naked tights

2008-10-19T13:51:00.000-07:00

I'm not very clued up on what the Sideria yarns are which make up these tights, but what I do know is that these are some of the lightest tights I have worn. You don't need to pull them up your legs, they seem to float up. And they are so soft, it's almost like mist caressing your skin rather than the silky feel of other tights.

The largest size you can get in these is M/L which is a bit off-putting for a generally XL guy like myself. I did find them a bit tight around my bum on my first fitting, but after pulling the tights down and carefully stretching them up a couple of times, they loosened up quite a bit and they were a decent fit.

The tights are 5 denier - the lightest in the Naturals range - but they claim to have the strength of 20 denier tights.

They have a sandal toe and a generous cotton gusset which is very comfortable. This is surrounded by a narrow reinforced box section to add some strength around the crotch but otherwise the tights are sheer to waist.

The colour is excellent and gives a virtually invisible look to all skin tones, according to Pretty Polly. I couldn't disagree. Looking down it was hard to tell I had tights on and the absence of any noticeable sheen or patterning added to the illusion.

Are these the best "invisible" tights you can buy? They could well be, certainly for the price.

I've been wearing these tights for the last couple of days on my long cycle ride home from work and, despite all the punishment they've taken, there is no sign of any damage. Their invisibility is also reassuring. The only giveaway that you are wearing tights is a tiny bit of sheen in bright sunlight, but you have to expect that.

Overall, if you want some tights to wear confidently under shorts and Birkenstocks and remain inconspicuous then these are the tights for you. Roll on next summer!

My size:
Inside leg 32 inches. Feet: Size 12 male
The tights:

Denier: 5

Colour: Natural
Price: £4.49
From: http://www.tightsplease.co.uk/ also at department stores and branches of Sainsbury's.

It's tights season

2008-10-18T14:39:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year. The winter is upon us and the hosiery shelves in our high street shops and supermarkets have suddenly blossomed with a glut of of tights. Take my local supermarket. During the summer, the hosiery range seems limited to a dark corner, and a few pairs of ultra-sheer natural tights and hold-ups.

Don't get me wrong, I love the warmer months and all that fragile, invisible hose. It gives me the confidence to step out of the house wearing a pair under my shorts and Birkenstocks, knowing I can walk among people (in the dusky twilight at least) in a way that feels socially acceptable, purely because the other pedestrians haven't actually noticed.

But now the hosiery racks are swelling with all manner of legwear to combat the colder weather. Sheers, semi-opaques and opaques of all colours; cotton mix, wool mix, microfibre, the variety is overwhelming. For men who love to wear tights, tis the season to be jolly

Figleaves.com special offer

2008-10-12T14:17:00.000-07:00

Figleaves.com has a special offer for Guardian readers. 20% off everything - you just need to enter the promo code 'Guardian' at checkout.
http://www.figleaves.com/uk/department.asp?dept=hosiery&cm_re=menu-_-menu_bottom-_-hosiery
They have great selection of tights including: Levante, Wolford, Falke and more.
Charnos 60 denier opaque tights (one of my favourites) that are normally £4.50 are only £3.60 with the discount.

Many thanks to El Huron for letting us know about this discount.

If you have news for Tights Club, get in touch at tightsclub@gmail.com

How to: Putting on tights - a beginner's guide

2008-10-11T12:58:00.000-07:00

To many the following notes might seem like a case of teaching grandma how to suck eggs, but if you are new to wearing tights and want some basic advice, you might find it useful.

1 The lower the denier the thinner and more fragile the tights are. Stick to 15 denier and above if you are just starting out and buy a cheap supermarket multipack so if you rip a pair you will have some more to practice with. Avoid "one size" tights as they are invariably too small. Buy the largest size you can until you become proficient at stretching and smoothing your tights.

2 If you've just come out of the shower, make sure your legs are dry. Tights will stick to damp skin and you won't be able to pull them up properly.

3 Check your nails, fingers and toes, for sharp edges. This is crucial as rough nails will catch on your tights and cause snags and ladders.
It's always worth spending 20 minutes or so filing your nails before putting on a pair of tights, so make sure you have a packet of emery boards handy. Alternatively, buy a pair of cotton gloves. You can get these from any high street chemists, usually next to the latex gloves. They cost about £3 for a pair.
Rough skin on your feet can also cause damage to your tights, so use a pummice stone to get rid of any callouses. Also, make sure you remember to take off your watch, if you are wearing one.

4 Sit on the edge of a chair and take one leg of the tights. Place your thumbs inside and use your other fingers to gather up the material until you reach the end. You should be able to slip your foot straight in so that your toes touch the reinforced toe section of the tights.

5 Make sure the toe seam and darker reinforced toe area of the tights fits snugly across your toes horizontally. If not, adjust the tights so all your toes are covered.

6 Slowly pull the gathered leg up your shin, stretching until it is almost taut. Take your time and don't pull too hard as sheer tights will easily rip. Remember, you can always take the leg down and try again.

7 When the first leg is just below your knee it's time to put on the other leg. This is the tricky part and on the first few attempts you'll feel like you need to be a contortionist to get it right.
Just repeat what you did with the first leg until both of the legs are just below your knees.

8 Now stand up and gently pull the legs up simultaneously, being careful to keep them straight. If the tights fit you correctly the centre seam and gusset will be central and should fit snugly against your crotch.
If something has gone wrong - perhaps the tights are new, you have damp legs, or you simply haven't stretched them far enough - the tights will end up stranded below your crotch, forming a taut void somewhere between your thighs and where you want them to be. This is what I call a "gusset drum".
If this happens try crouching down with your legs apart. This should help to stretch the fabric and provide some slack. Assuming the tights were not too small in the first place you should now be able to pull them all the way up into the desired position. If this fails, pull your tights all the way down and start again, pulling them taut at frequent stages as you work them up your legs.

Review: Falke Seidenglatt 70 tights

2008-10-10T14:06:00.000-07:00

Review submitted by El Huron

I bought a pair of these tights last winter and after trying them out immediately bought another three pairs. If you like opaque tights, then these are the ones tyou have been waiting for, They are a bit more expensive then the pretty run of the mill opaques you can get from Marks and Spencers for example, but the quality is impressive,
They come in four colours: Anthracite, Black, Brenda and Marine.. Sizing is generous. I am 5' 10" and the extra large fits perfectly.
The tights are thick and completely opaque but what I love about them is they have a very soft feel. They are slightly shiny and sheer to waist. They are extremely warm under trousers but not uncomfortably so. The fabric used seems to let the legs breathe, so you don't feel sweaty or uncomfortable.
I can honestly say that if you try these you won't be disappointed. Along with Wolford, these are probably the best opaque tights on the market. Falke don't market tights specifically aimed at men, but these are of such good quality, they don't need to as they will, I am sure, fit most men really well.

My size:
Reviewer didn't supply measurements

Denier: 70

Price: £12.00

From: http://www.mytights.com/

Harry's story part 2 - Miss Castle's tights and Lady Di - first the pleasure, then the guilt

2008-10-10T13:54:00.000-07:00

The 1980s seemed to be all about Lady Di, big hair-dos, shoulder pads and garish patterned tights. I was at school at the time and like most of the other lads had a crush on our history teacher, Miss Castle. She was the youngest teacher at the school and tantalised us all with her short dresses, long legs and high heels.
But the attraction for me was the bewildering away of patterned tights she wore, in all manner of colours and styles - pink with giant zig-zags, blue with big polka dots, black ones punctuated with lines of morse code, glossy ones in a golden tan.
I didn't really notice when Miss Castle broke all the boys' hearts by becoming Mrs Hughes. I was too concerned with getting a pair of nylons and trying some on myself for the first time.
It eventually happened one Saturday...
I was loafing around watching Star Fleet X Bomber that morning when I happened to tune into a conversation my mum was having in the kitchen with my cousin, Helen.
It turned out that mum had somehow managed to put a hole through a brand-new pair of stockings. How inconvenient; she would now have to go out in the rain and buy another pair before she and dad went out for a meal that evening.
A plan sort of began to hatch. When my mum left the house that night, what if I found those damaged stockings? My brother was going out too and I'd be alone.... could I do it? Could this be the night?
8pm came and mum and dad duly went out. My brother was next to leave. I'd had a couple of calls from friends too. Did I want to go out? No, I felt like staying in tonight, I said.
Gathering my nerves I locked the doors and tip-toed to my parents' bedroom. It didn't take long to find them. In the waste-paper bin in the corner, a blue-black nylon stocking leg peered over the rim. Carefully I pulled one out and then the other, memorising the exact position they were in so I could replace them in the exact same position afterwards.
My heart was pounding and I felt slightly sick, but excited, as I locked myself in the bathroom. I was sweating and my hands were shaking as I put the first stocking leg to my foot and dipped my toe in.
I pulled the stocking leg up and it felt heavenly, the way the nylon glided up my leg and the misty sheen that encased my toes, foot and leg. I only managed to get the stocking just past my knee, the combination of sweaty leg and poor handling getting the better of me.
Onto the next leg, it felt fantastic. I managed to pull this one further up, to mid-thigh. Now I saw the hole and ladder that had caused mum grief that morning.
I loved the dark band at the top of the stocking, the smaller, slightly less dark band immediately beneath it, the little dark strip around my toes and the sheer, nylon sheen hugging my skin between all of it.
So there I was, sat on the toilet, half wearing a pair of navy blue sheer stockings. They felt so good on my legs and to touch, but it also felt so damn wrong.
The guilt that washed over me was overwhelming. All my friends were out there, hanging around in the park, smoking Benson & Hedges, drinking cheap lager and following girls around, doing the things normal teenage lads do. And I'm locked in the bathroom wearing a pair of my mum's stockings I'd fished out of the bin.
What was wrong with me, I asked myself. Am I gay? Am I a transvestite?
I pulled the stockings off in disgust and carefully returned them to where I'd found them.
That was enough. I would try and block the experience from my mind. Get on with being a normal kid. Smoke cigarettes, drink cheap beer, follow girls around.
But it wouldn't be the last time.
Back in the history class the following week, Mrs Hughes was wearing a particularly shiny pair of tights. And I started thinking how nice it would feel if the nylon went all the way up my legs, not just halfway up my thighs, and what it would feel like around my thighs and bum...
Stockings just weren't good enough, I just had to try tights...

Review: Levante Perfect 20 tights

2008-09-24T13:28:00.000-07:00

With a firm control brief, comfort waistband and reinforced toe, these tights are classic, no-nonsense everyday tights but with the quality you'd expect from the Italian hosiery giant. The 20 denier knit gives them a sheer satin effect. Unfortunately, I laddered them on the first outing, as you can see on the following picture. It's a shame as they had a really silky, quality feel and the fit was superb. I really liked the toe, which was heavily reinforced, giving a guy with large feet confidence.

My size:
Inside leg 32 inches. Feet: Size 12 male
The tights:
Denier: 20
Price: £4.00

From: http://www.figleaves.co.uk/

A few words about our reviews - How to avoid buying a 'gusset drum'

2008-09-22T13:31:00.000-07:00

At Tights Club we want our reviews to cover the everyday hosiery found at supermarkets and high street stores just as much as the expensive top brand names found at department stores, boutiques and online shops.
It would be nice to think that I could fill my sock drawer with £20-a-time pairs of Wolford or Gerbe. But the reality is a little different. Like our female counterparts we're just as likely to stock up at our local superstore, wedging a few pairs between our weekly groceries.
And let's face it. If you are trying tights for the first time, you are much better off laddering your way through a cheap multi-pack rather than an expensive single pair of 7 denier.
It's a fact that the majority of tights featured in our reviews are manufactured specifically for women. Men are of course a different shape and usually have bigger feet.
Any man who has ever bought and worn tights has at some stage had the dilemma of which size to buy, randomly picked a packet off a shelf or opted for the dreaded "one size" and ended up with a gusset half way up the leg and more ladders than the local fire station.
Tights Club aims to give men a clearer idea of how a particular brand and style might fit them before they part with their hard-earned cash, regardless of how much the tights cost, what brand they are or where they bought them.
So if you've bought a great pair of tights that fit like a dream, don't be shy in sharing your find. Likewise, do tell us if you've shelled out good money on a gusset drum.
In future, our reviews will endeavour to include some details on the vital stats of the reviewer, i.e shoe size, inside leg length and waist. We will also include shots of the packaging. If you could add these details to any reviews you submit, and even add an attached picture of the packet they came in, it would really help.
Of course, all this doesn't mean we will be ignoring the big brands and designer names. I've got some Wolford tights on order. I'll let you know how I get on...

Review: Levee WoMan Dimension Tights

2008-09-21T21:53:00.000-07:00

I have bought tights made for women until quite recently when some brands started to specifically market tights at men. On the whole, if you check the sizing correctly, women’s tights have served me well – and I have been wearing them since I was a teenager.
I have bought pairs of all the Levee WoMan tights and I have to say I am really impressed with them all. My favourite are the Dimension Tights. When you get them out of the packet they seem quite small but they have an amazing stretch quality. I bought the Size 5 (XXL) and they fitted very well. The ‘haut’ colour is a kind of medium brown tan and is semi-opaque in appearance, with a slight sheen. They are sheer to waist with a cotton gusset.
They fit particularly well under jeans and trousers giving a clingy, smooth and sensual feeling all day.
I love these tights and have also bought pairs in the black and kashmir colours.

Reviewer: El Huron
Reviewer didn't supply measurements
The tights:
Denier: 20
Price: £8.45
From: MyTights.com but on special offer from tightsandmore.com (only £5.95)

Does wearing tights make you a tranny?

2008-09-20T13:26:00.000-07:00

The answer depends how you intepret what a transvestite, or a crossdresser, is. In the most basic sense, the term transvestite refers to someone who dresses in the clothing of the opposite sex. That would suggest a man who wears women's tights is indeed a transvestite.
If tights are accepted by society as being a garment worn by women and men alike, then transvestitism, or crossdressing, is no longer an issue.
Trousers, for example, are wholly accepted today as the uniform of both men and women. There are no gender issues attached to the garment. But there was a time when women who wore trousers were regarded as subversive.
If you delve back into history, tights were in fact worn by men for centuries and it is not until very recently that they became almost exclusively a female garment.
So context and current trends are the key decider.
A male dancer would never be hounded off stage for wearing them and a male cyclist would not be hounded for making his way to work on a cold winter morning wearing cycling tights to keep his legs warm. (Well, maybe not. I've had a few school kids take the p*** when I'm pedalling on my daily commute come to mention it.)
But so what. At the end of the day we ask the question because of conformity. It's about conforming to society's rules and expectations. To be honest I don't really care. If you think I am a crossdresser, or a transvestite - whatever you want to call it - that's your opinion. Maybe I am maybe, I am not.
You might suggest I am merely in denial. In the past I have tried wearing women's clothes to try and evaluate my own gender preferences. I have been through some anxious, searching times in my younger years in pursuit of an answer. But over time I have realised it is not really that important.
For me I like to wear tights (and occasionally stockings) because they make my legs feel good. I also happen to think they make my legs look good (well, that's my opinion anyway, I wouldn't expect anyone to agree with me.) I even wax my legs to make my legs look better when I wear sheer tights. I appreciate the sensual quality that tights provide, from the tips of my toes to the top of my waist.
It is my firm belief that most men have no perception of sensuality. It is a trait that seems to be pretty much exclusive to women. Perhaps that is what is meant by "being in touch with your feminine side". Those that are in touch with it can probably appreciate why we like to wear tights. Those who are not are missing out.
To conclude, I don't care whether you wear tights out of fetish, practicality, medical condition or indeed because you are a man who likes to dress as a woman. We make no judgements here. Everyone is welcome at Tights Club.

Harry's story part 1 - Walking like a penguin

2008-09-18T13:57:00.000-07:00

As a boy I hated to wear some clothes because they made my skin itch and felt so uncomfortable. My school uniform of starchy cotton/polyester shirts and Farah trousers made me, in my mother's words, walk like a penguin.
On one morning at breakfast I just plain refused to wear my new pair of school trousers and with the time ticking away before the start of the school day, my mother came up with an idea that was to change my life forever.
She dashed off upstairs and returned with a pair of girl's green tights (yes, green!) and suggested I put them on under my trousers to make them more bearable.
Horrified, I turned down the offer immediately, resigned myself to wearing the new trousers - without the tights thanks - and waddled off, like a penguin, to school.
I never did actually wear those tights as a seven-year-old but I suppose a psychiatrist might say a seed had been planted that day.
Many years down the line I still have that same sensitive skin that hates the feeling of some clothes but loves the silky feeling of a pair of tights underneath my trousers. I particularly like the way they make my legs swoosh together when I walk, no longer like a penguin, to work.

Welcome to the revolution

2008-09-18T13:35:00.000-07:00

I've set this site up as a resource for men who like to wear tights (or pantyhose if you are visiting from the US). If you've stumbled upon this site and it's not really your thing then fair enough, you might not want to bookmark it.
However, one thing you can't ignore is that the practice of men choosing to wear women's tights has become a rapidly growing trend in the past few years. So much so that there are hosiery companies now producing tights specifically for men.
There are a number of reasons men have taken to what was traditionally regarded as exclusively feminine hosiery - for comfort, for warmth, practicality, health benefits, maybe fashion or, if you are like me, it just feels good.
The point is that more and more "normal" men like myself like to wear tights.
Perhaps it is down to the blurring between the two sexes over recent times and a breakdown of old traditions and clearly defined gender roles, the rise of the "metrosexual". Who knows, but who really cares? If you love to wear tights, whatever the reason, and would like to see tights accepted as clothing for men as well as women, you're welcome to stick around.
My mission is to help make the wearing of tights by men socially acceptable. I hope to create something of a community for like-minded people, offering a forum for discussion, advice, shopping tips, product reviews and a sharing of experiences, or at the very least, just a fun place to hang out with likeminded people.

Feel free to drop me an email at tightsclub@gmail.com whether you have a review of a pair of tights you've bought recently, stories about your own experiences, shopping tips, whatever. Just remember...

Men no longer need to be spectators!

Review: ASDA Naturals Bare Look Tights

2008-08-23T05:06:00.000-07:00

These bare-look tights come in big packets to make them look more like the premium tights sold by the major brands. The only difference seems to be the price. These cost only £2 a pair but the quality and fit is remarkable.
The first thing you notice is how long they are. I always go for the largest size and opted for a pair in XL. They stretched up to the top of my waist first time and were very roomy in the leg, particularly at the top of the thigh, and the cotton gusset fitted snugly.
The tights, impregnated by the way with aloe vera for a moisturising effect, are described as "7 denier appearance with the strength of 15 denier." They are certainly very sheer but at the same time felt very strong, giving me the confidence to fully stretch them up my leg without fear of ripping them, not something I would normally do with a pair of 7 denier tights. The colour - these were in nude - looked very natural and were matte in appearance with just a hint of sheen under bright light. The tights have a sandal toe and are almost undetectable if you wish to go out wearing sandals or indeed shorts.
A neat feature is the patterned brief, giving the illusion that the wearer has underwear on even if they don't.
Overall, superb value and quality tights and very generously sized for those with big feet or muscular legs. ASDA are a serious rival for the big brands on this showing at least and I can't wait to try out some more of their styles.

A close-up of the patterned brief

My size:

Inside leg 32 inches. Feet: Size 12 male

The tights:

Colour: Nude
Size: XL
Denier: 7
Price: £2 (one pair)
From: George at ASDA

Rugby boys try man tights - will they convert?

2008-08-15T14:56:00.000-07:00

My local rag has finally joined the nationwide media "scrum" (excuse the pun) with its own story about tights for men.

For the feature, a journalist visited the local professional rugby club and got some of the players to try on some hose for a day and asked the players what they thought of them.
It was quite funny to read the reactions of some of these macho rugby-playing guys, standing around pictured in their flip-flops and tan tights. And believe it or not, some of the responses were quite positive.

One said "They're pretty comfortable...I like the tanned look". Another said "If they were black, I'd wear them". Another reiterated that with: "Why couldn't they give us black... I could handle black."

So, it's any colour, as long as they are black...

The article is worth a read. You can find it here at the newspaper's website.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/Tights-men-sported-Nottingham-Rugby-Club/article-262774-detail/article.html

Review: ASDA Ultimate Opaques 60d

2008-08-12T06:37:00.000-07:00

My size:

Inside leg 32inches

Feet: Size 12 Male
The stockings:

Colour: Black
Size: M/L
Denier: 60

Review: Sainsburys Light Support Tights

2008-08-07T13:03:00.000-07:00