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The Care and Feeding of Tights

12/16/2010 By 69 Comments

Reader S wonders about tights…

I seem to be having a spell of terrible luck with tights this year – I wear a pair two or three times and then find a hole or a run. I’m willing to pay more for tights that last longer, but I’m afraid I’ll just continue to have the same bad luck with a higher pricetag unless I get some guidance. Suggestions?

I think proper tight care could be part of your problem, but it may also be which tights you’re buying.  As those of you who follow my Twitter feed know, I attended a press event earlier this week where Jenny Altman, the style adviser to Bare Necessities, sang the praises of Commando tights as being the only truly opaque, non-digging tights, as well as the praises of Wolford tights.  Personally, I’ve always been a fan of Spanx tights, as I mentioned earlier — they’re pricey but worth it! (Pictured: Commando 70 Denier Matte Tights Panty Hose, available at Bare Necessities for $34.)

That said — I’ve still had $8 tights that have lasted me years, so let’s investigate further… [Read more...]

Tagged With: , , , , , , Filed Under: Fashion, Laundry, Lingerie, Pantyhose, Tights

Tights or Pantyhose? Sponsored Post from FreshPair

11/18/2010 By 82 Comments

Two-Timin Tights with Tummy ControlThis post is sponsored by FreshPair, but written by your friendly resident blogger, Kat Griffin.

I’ve noticed that “pantyhose” seems to be a popular search term here on the site, so I thought it’d be a great time to talk pantyhose, tights, and more. For older commentary, check out some of our previous posts on point here…

High-Waisted Body-Shaping Tight-End TightsTo be honest, I’m normally a tights girl for work — they’re more durable than pantyhose, and here in NYC they’re completely acceptable. I’ve recently started splurging on Spanx tights — they stay up, don’t get saggy, and are truly comfortable. I’m drooling over this pair of high-waisted body shaping tights, which would help a multitude of, er, sins. They’re available in black and “bittersweet” brown for $38:
High-Waisted Body-Shaping Tight-End Tights. Another great option: reversible tights (pictured at top), which give you two colors for $34. Two-Timin Tights with Tummy Control
Sueded Opaque Tight with Control TopIf Spanx are too expensive, FreshPair has a great sale on Hue tights — they’re 25% off until 11/21. (And FWIW, I definitely prefer control-top tights over non-control top tights — even when I was a size 2 and didn’t need the “control.” They just stay up better!) This pair was $12.50, now $9.38 (with free shipping). Sueded Opaque Tight with Control Top
Herringbone Mesh Control Top Love these herringbone mesh tights from Hue as well — they’re less opaque than proper tights, but just as durable and as comfortable. If you’ve always thought you needed to wear pantyhose instead of tights, this pair (or any “patterned” tight) can be a great “in between” compromise. This pair was $8, now $6 with the sale. Herringbone Mesh Control Top
Perfect Pantyhose High WaistWhen actual pantyhose are required, I look for them to have a control top and a reinforced toe — maybe it’s just me, but if my pedicure is less than perfect (which, um, it often is) then regular, non-reinforced pantyhose just tear in seconds. Yes, the choice of shoe is a bit more limited by having a reinforced toe (unless it’s an invisible reinforcement, like these Hue pantyhose: So Silky Control Top with Invisible Reinforced Toe), but hey — I’m wearing *pantyhose,* so my shoe and outfit options were already pretty limited. The pictured pair is $15. Perfect Pantyhose High Waist

Readers, do you wear tights or pantyhose? Which are your favorite brands, styles, etc?

Filed Under: Advertising, Fashion, Lingerie, Pantyhose, Sponsored Post, Tights, Wear to Work

Coffee Break: My Skins Lingerie

11/01/2010 By 32 Comments

Skin Tone ChartAlthough summer is normally the time you think about the importance of having underwear to match your skin color (white pants, anyone?) the winter can also be problematic — light-colored blouses, sweaters, and layering pieces like t-shirts can all leave you a bit “exposed.”  While a camisole can sometimes be an answer, a surer bet is having a bra that matches your skin tone.  Enter MySkins, which offers lingerie in 20 skin-matching colors, in sizes 32A-38D for bras and sizes S-XL in panties. (You can request a free “Skin Tone Color Card” (pictured at left) to figure out what color to order.)  The bra pictured is $60, but for the month of November you can take 25% off all orders with code CORP25.  T-Shirt Bra (At the readers’ request, I’ve moved the picture of the T-shirt bra to after the jump…)

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Accessories, Coffee Break, Fashion, Lingerie

Lingerie Wednesday (brought to you by Freshpair)

10/20/2010 By 61 Comments

Solutions V-Neck Slip(Today Corporette and our sponsor, Freshpair, are starting a new series on something near and dear to every woman’s heart: lingerie. After all, every good outfit for the office starts with a great foundation. So, each month, we’ll talk about one aspect of lingerie important to every working woman… let us know if you have any particular requests! All opinions expressed herein are those of Kat Griffin.)

As the weather turns colder, I find that slips are an absolutely essential element to a number of outfits.  Not only does it help prevent that fun “my tights are stuck to my skirt” moment, but the right slip can smooth out some bumps, or make a wrap dress “decent” no matter how you’re sitting.  Below, I pick out some of my favorite types of slips…

Solutions V-Neck SlipSometimes, just a simple slip is all you want, and this nice one from Calvin Klein fits the bill.  I like that it doesn’t have lace anywhere on it; the smooth fabric is great beneath jersey dresses (whereas lace can sometimes “show” beneath them), and the slight “mesh” at the top seems like it would be fine if your slip is doubling as a camisole. The lack of side slits in the skirt is also a plus from my perspective.  This slip (also pictured in black above) is $48 at Freshpair.  Solutions V-Neck Slip
Firm Control Strapless SlipI like this Flexees convertible slip dress for when you want your slip to have a firming action — it can be worn strapless (as pictured) or with straps, and it gently compresses. While in the summertime I tend to prefer things like the Higher Power with Tummy Control shorts, I like these kinds of slips for the fall and winter because it’s much easier to wear regular tights or pantyhose. This slip is $55 (available in both black and nude). Firm Control Strapless Slip
Body Fresh Full 18 Inch SlipAnother great thing about slips is that they can sometimes double as sleepwear — I actually have this slip in black, and it’s one of my favorite things to sleep in.  (Something about the clingy top is both comfortable and flattering.)  The double neckline is helpful, also — it’s a V-neck if worn one way, or a square neck if turned around.  It’s $30 at Freshpair.  Body Fresh Full 18 Inch Slip

(Incidentally — Freshpair is having some great clearance sales right now through 10/24, and code: FALL gets you an extra 20% off clearance items.   Get up to 65% Off Women’s Selected Brands + Free Shipping!)

Filed Under: Advertising, Lingerie, Sponsored Post

Unmentionables: What are you wearing beneath your suit?

04/08/2010 By 222 Comments

Smoothing Molded T-Shirt BraToday, reader J has an interesting question that kind of reminds us of David Lat’s first blog, Underneath Their Robes…

I’d love to hear what the gals are wearing under all these fabulous dresses and suits. I love my Spanx hide & sleek full slip for wearing under dresses to keep them from clinging, and have noticed my clothes fit better after I recently went in for a bra fitting and bought some new ones. I’d love to hear about new brands or other tips for pulling the outfit together from underneath it all.

Spanx came up on our Twitter chat this morning, and it strikes us as a great question, and one we’ll throw to the readers.  So, readers:  What bra do you have in multiples, it’s so comfortable? What brands of shapewear do you like?  Thong, boyshort, or other?  Let’s talk brands, type, and more! (Tip:  if you’re talking bra, please post your bra size — there can be a big difference in comfort to someone who’s 30G and someone who’s 36A.)

* As I’m no longer anonymous, I think we have come to the border of TMI — but I’ll chime in in comments.  Also, <cough>, here are some links for you, for no particular reason:  Smoothing Molded T-Shirt Bra, pictured above, available at Freshpair for $60; Hide and Sleek Hi-Rise Smoother, $68 at Freshpair, On Gossamer’s Mesh Hip-G, available for $16 (2 for $30) at Freshpair, and Hip Fit™ Cotton Boyshort, available at Maidenform for $8.

Tagged With: , , , , , Filed Under: Fashion, Lingerie, Wear to Work

The Warmth of Silk

02/02/2010 By 28 Comments

Reader N writes in with a question about warm pants…

I am based in Northern California, and have recently started having to travel for business. I am finding that the wool pants I buy around me are no match for winter in Philadelphia, Cincinnati and New York. I’m told that I should find lined wool pants for warmth, but can’t seem to find any. Are there other fabrics that would be warm enough? To add an additional wrinkle I am a size 18 , so I need to find someplace that carries extended sizes as well.

Welcome to the land of seasons! Out here, if the low temperatures don’t get you, the windchill factor will. We’re weirdly excited to share with you one of the best secrets we picked up from our undergrad years, which we spent in a city known for sub-zero temperatures: silk long johns. Wear these babies under regular pants or jeans and you’ll be comfortable (with a proper jacket) below 35 degrees or so — if it’s very cold (and windchill takes it subzero), we’d suggest wearing them with wool pants.

The amazing thing about silk long johns is a) they’re super thin, so they don’t add bulk to your pants; b) they’re silk, so they block the wind like nobody’s business, and c) when you’re inside, in a normal temperature, you don’t really notice they’re there — it isn’t like a cashmere or wool sweater that can feel suffocating. As a bonus, d), if you’re wearing unlined wool pants, they stop the pants from being itchy. Ok, and fine, e) the other great thing is that you can usually find the long johns, on sale for around $15, at your local Filene’s. (The one pictured above is available at Amazon for $25-$45.) They also come in fun patterns, but we recommend your basic black for a working wardrobe.)

We’re fans of the Winter Silks line (and we notice that they do carry a full range of sizes, including women’s, talls, and petites); silk long johns are also available through Land’s End.

Off topic note: Alas, because they’re silk, they can be a bit see-through — so they won’t be appropriate for your next Jammy Party.
(L-0)

Tagged With: , , , , , , Filed Under: Comfort, Commuting, Layering Pieces, Lingerie, Weather