Pantyhose Week: My Basics Top Ten

While I love fashion hosiery and I'm always excited to see any new styles from my favorite designers, the truth is, that I'm more of a basics guy.  On most days, I'm happy with just sheer pantyhose in a solid color. 

Of course, that doesn't mean than any old pair of pantyhose will do.  Through trial and error, I've been able to come up with several different pairs of pantyhose, that have become my go-to almost every day. 

They certainly run across a wide price range, but other than that, any of these pairs of pantyhose can be counted on for a high quality, long life, durability, and of course, a great look.

These are all of my favorites (in no particular order).  Hope you had a Happy Pantyhose Week.

 

Falke Pure Shine 15 

 

Gerbe Sunlight 20** 

 

Kunert Satin Look 20 

 

Wolford Neon 40 

 

Oroblu Magie 20** 

 

Pierre Mantoux Charente 20** 

 

Philippe Matignon Jade 20** 

Wolford Pure Energy 30

Wolford Satin Touch 20

 

Trasparenze Oleandro 20**

 

 

**Photos courtesy of the amazing Shapings.com

Pantyhose Week: Cazzola Gaetano Fashion

Cazzola Gaetano is a hosiery designer out of Italy.  They are well known for making some stunning fashion pantyhose in a moderate price range.  Here are just a few of their stunning looks:

 

Alyssa 

 

Emur 

 

 Oll

 

Sogni 

 

Wet

Pantyhose Week: Hudson

For value brands, there may be none better than Hudson.  I absolutely love their basics, for their long-life and ability to still look good after many, many wears.

They also always seem to have a great collection of fashion pantyhose.  I'm showing my favorites here.  All retail for less than $15 a pair.

 

 Crochet Net Pantyhose



Fashion Star Net Pantyhose

Flashy Braided Pantyhose

Light Waves Pantyhose

 

Modern Leopard Pantyhose

 

Trendy Check Pantyhose

Pantyhose Week: Oroblu Fall/Winter

Oroblu is a brand out of Italy that makes a wide variety of high quality basics, as well as a constantly updated line of fashion hosiery.  While their quality certainly approaches the level of Wolford, their prices do not come close.  If you're a lover of fashion pantyhose and stockings, Oroblu is a great brand to look into.  You'll be almost assured a long-lasting pair of pantyhose, without taxing your credit card the way brands like Wolford and Fogal can.

Here are some great looks from their current Fall/Winter line:

Adelle 

Adore 

Essence 

Miss 

Parisienne 

Rose

Pantyhose Week: Kicking Off With Wolford

In my old blog, this week was always Pantyhose Week, where every post was about nothing but pantyhose.  So why not bring that back?

So get ready for five days of my favorite pantyhose.  And, of course, I'll be getting started with some stunning designs, from my favorite brand, Wolford.

 

Abby Pantyhose 

 

Alicia Pantyhose 

 

Daphne Pantyhose 

 

Dégradé Pantyhose 

 

Marie Pantyhose

Review: Giovanna Bralet and Boythong from Eberjey

The Eberjey reviews keep on coming...

I started out the new year by stocking up on Eberjey, and I sure am glad that I did.  Not only has everything been so perfectly soft, lacy, and feminine, but the fit has also been better than I could've ever asked for.

As much as I loved the Arianna bralet and boythong, which I reviewed last week, I am just as much in love with the Giovanna bralet and boythong that I am reviewing today.  The set is just a thing of beauty to look at.  The amount of handmade detail that has gone into these two pieces is just absolutely exquisite.

The mesh bralet features two triangle cups that are lined for modesty.  Surrounding the triangles, is a generous amount of lace details, followed by a second row of scalloped lace that extends under the bust from one side of the bra to the other.  The two cups meet in the middle with a pretty bow detail.  The small spaghetti straps have a generous amount of adjustment available, allowing the bra to fit a huge variety of body types.  Finally the bra has double hook and eye closures in the center of the back.

The detail on the boythong pant is every bit as gorgeous.  The body of the panty, which gets its name because it is shaped like a boyshort in the front, but a thong in the back, is done in mesh with a subtle polka dot detail throughout.  There is a similar scalloped lace edge around the waist and leg openings of the panties, as well as a bow that matches the bra.  The boyshort look is completed in the front with two vertical seams down the front of the panty. 

As is the case with the bra, the fit and comfort of the boythong is off the charts.  If you're someone who likes to look and feel pretty, but does not want to sacrifice any comfort whatsoever to do so, this set is for you. 

The shell of the set is made from a blend of nylon and spandex, while the lining is 100% nylon.  It comes in s/m/l sizes and can be bought separately.  It is very important that this set is hand washed, with only the mildest of soaps.  It is made from delicate fabrics and, once you try it, you'll definitely want this to last as long as possible.

Christies

Christies has been making lingerie out of Italy for over 30 years.  Here is a look at some of their latest designs...

Julie Triangle Bra and Thong

 

Julie Demi Bra and String

 

Julie String Bodysuit

Latest From Patricia Fieldwalker

Patricia Fieldwalker's designs might be the very height of both luxury and transcendence.  Her lingerie has been all over the silver screen, having been worn by Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction, Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, Sharon Stone in Total Recall, as well as Kathleen Turner in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

One look at her designs, and you can see why they're so legendary.

Fans Lace Classic Panty

 

 

Orchid Simone Chemise

 

Romance Lace Garbo Chemise

Romance Lace French Tanga

 

Sonata Lace Chemise

Carine Gilson's Sonia

Carine Gilson launched her own line of lingerie at the age of 27, back in 1994.  Her trademark is using silk and laces to hand-make some of the most gorgeous creations you'll see in lingerie.

Here is a look at her Sonia line:

 

Camisole 

 

Demi Cup Bra and Mini Thong 

 

Satin V Silk Chemise 

 

Mini Bustier & Thong 

 

Full Cup Bra and Panty

Review: Arianna Bralet and Boythong from Eberjey

Another designer that I am in love with is Eberjey.  If you happened to see my top 10 list of 2014, you'll probably remember that the Goddess Picot Edge Thong from Eberjey made an appearance on the list.  The reason I liked that thong was because it was a very good basic.  Cotton, comfortable, and just a touch of femininity, that piece from Eberjey was a must-have basic.

I can definitely say I like the Arianna set just as much, though not for the same reasons.  While the thong above was all about keeping is simple, for the Arianna set, it's all in the details...and there's plenty of them. 

The bralette is made of mesh in a sort of nude color, and is adorned with floral stitching detail, done in turquoise.  The cups are done up with scalloped lace edges for even more detail, meeting in the middle of the bra with a ribbon bow.  The thin elastic bra straps are adjustable, and, unlike some bralettes, this top operates more like a bra, as it has a double hook and eye closure in the back.  The outer lace detail of the bra is made from a blend of 85% nylon and 15% spandex.  Finally, the middle of the cups are lined in rayon.  While this is almost certainly done for modesty, it serves well for comfort as well, as it creates a softer material than the mesh, to come in contact with the skin. 

The boythong is made of the same material and includes the same scalloped edges, both at the waist and the leg openings.  While it fits like a thong in the back, it is wide on the sides, like a boyshort, so it's a sort of combination of the two different kinds of panties.  The boythong has the same turquoise stitching detail throughout the nude mesh panty.  As you can probably see from the photo, the detail is quite impressive.  The ribbon bow on the front of the panty matches the one of the bra.  It is made from a blend of 85% nylon and 15% spandex. 

Soft, pretty, and feminine, yet comfortable as well, this set really has it all.  The more I explore from eberjey, the more I continue to be impressed.  You can be certain that I will continue to review their products, as we go forward. 

Profile: Fortnight

Fortnight Lingerie is the second in what I hope quickly becomes a trend in this blog:  designers venturing off on one’s own and breaking the mold of what we had grown to believe lingerie is and would always be.  While much of the end result is similar to the story of Else, which we have already focused on here, Fortnight couldn’t have begun in a more different place.  That is what very well might be the most exciting aspect of this Golden Age of lingerie that we find ourselves living in.  You don’t have to come from a certain place or background to make a huge impact on this industry.  You don’t have to let the past shape where you’re going, but rather you can dictate the terms of exactly how and when you will get there.

While Else comes from a family business in Istanbul, Fortnight is living in its relative infancy in Canada.  Fortnight was founded in Toronto in 2010 by Christina Remenyi, who was only in her late 20s at the time.  Her focus is on displaying what is sexy from a woman’s perspective.  At its core that means forgoing the heavy padding and “seedy” looks for the stretch satins and lace.  The inspiration is quite simply a modern take on a vintage look. 

But where “vintage” might invoke thoughts of discomfort, Fortnight is anything but.  Every piece is made with exceptional fit and comfort in mind.  Fashion and function combined are at the forefront of everything Fortnight designs and one would be very challenged to find something within their collection that misses that mark.  Their styles complement the body and, where other brands may try to hit you over the head with sexy, Fortnight does it with sophistication and style. 

I’m always hesitant to use the word ‘mature’ here, because I’m afraid it might scare people off.  Fortnight, however, is mature in the best way possible.  The best way I think I can describe it is, think of finally reaching the moment of truth in that big night, only to then remember you are wearing panties that say ‘PINK’ across your ass.  Fortnight lingerie is the exact opposite of the feelings that situation would invoke.  It says this person is a grown-up who has it together.  I think we’d all like to feel that way. 

Fortnight has a wide variety of lingerie that continues to expand with each season.  I have a feeling I’ll be talking a lot about them, going forward, including an upcoming review of their Vega Low Rise Panty, which you’re not going to want to miss.  Definitely keep an eye out in your local boutique for Fortnight products, and if you’re not lucky enough to find them there, check out their website, where they can direct you to many online shops that carry their brand. 

Finally, I want to share this amazing viral video below.  Fortnight actually started the website supersexycpr.com where they could share all their short marketing videos.  The one that started it all, however, was a PSA on how to administer CPR.  I thought it was amazingly well done...all the way down to the contrasting lingerie set that the two models are wearing.