The MET Gala 2026 took place recently, and like every year, it was a delightful and exciting experience. This year, it was no less mad and just as wildly inventive than before. We saw plenty of huge billowing dresses. Long dress trains that had to be carried in by multiple attendants. And costumes that only a tempestuous and magical mind could summon. Normally we go through the costumes one by one. But this year we thought we would pick out certain trends and give you an overview of what stood out to us generally.

Crystals And Lurex

Take a look at the wonderful costumes of Beyonce and Jeremy Pope, who wore Olivier Rousteing and Vivienne Westwood respectively. Or perhaps the outfits of Chase Infiniti and Gigi Hadid. What stood out to us from these guests? They were decked in crystals and semi-precious gemstones that studded their outfits. So too were so many other attendees. Swarovski crystals, gemstones, and other sparkly accoutrements have always been a staple of high fashion. They have also often been a feature of more exotic leg wear brands too. Those that are willing to experiment with their looks and do something a little differently. Not all the attendees at the MET Gala 2026 we mentioned were using actual stones, of course. Some used a glitter effect or lurex, an artificial material that replicates the shimmer of a crystal.

If you want something similar in your own outfits, then lurex tights are definitely the way to go. They are a very inexpensive addition to an outfit, and the lurex itself doesn’t really add much to the price of the pair of tights you are wearing. So take a look at some lurex tights and you will be able to add this same glitter and shimmer to your outfit easily.

Feather Boas

The presence of feather boas should be something of a given at a formal ball of any kind. But here they were very much over the top. Like all things at the MET Gala 2026, we suppose. The number of feather boas present was something to behold. All manner of attendee had them, or their lower half counterpart, the feathered trim. A hem on your dress with feathered attachments is something that has such an old school cool about it. You feel like Cinderella at the ball, or the gala as it were. There were a few feathered attachments at this year’s event. Plenty that we loved and plenty we can draw inspiration from.

Feathers are not something you can easily attach to leg wear of course. They are something you can easily lose when you wash your tights. Extra adornments are often lost as your leg moves a lot more than your torso during the day. The material stretches, contracts, and expands, so things generally fly off. So instead, designers prefer printed motifs. But feathers are not necessarily the most popular of all the prints that tights have. If you want a nature print, then you will have so much more joy with floral tights. And of course, if you want to search out something like feathers, then more general fashion tights will be what you need.

A Train Of Trains

Trains are perhaps even more emblematic of ball gowns, and they were present in heaps at the MET Gala 2026. The long sweeping swathes of fabric was amazing. We were bowled over with how fascinating and beautiful these gorgeous gowns looked. This is not something that many will get the chance to pull off very often. It is a stunning look but most impractical. And what is more concerning for us is simple. How do you recommend an item of leg wear that replicates this? Well, there is only one answer of course. Recommend something that captures the same kind of spirit. We saw sparkles and recommended sparkles. We saw feathers and recommended feathers. Here, we see dress trains, but instead we will recommend something from the era that dress trains remind us of.

Of course, There is only one option. Backseam stockings. Stockings would have been the only thing to wear with items of clothing like this, at the time this was formal attire. If you are thinking of the first third or so of the 20th Century, then you are thinking the same period as us. Beautiful backseam stockings are the only option for a formal ball gown, before the flapper girl look took over. Then, revolutions in clothing took place and old formal attire waned slightly. If you want something that matches this era, then go for a pair of beautiful seamed stockings.

The post Our Favourite Look From The MET Gala 2026 appeared first on UK Tights Blog.

What Do Women Want In Their Tights? – An Overview

Selling legwear, we hear a great deal about what people like and don’t like about their tights. We’ve spent years collected these thoughts and talking with manufacturers about them. Most women generally look for a combination of a few things. Comfort, durability, style, and functionality. Other things people tell us they want might be hosiery that doesn’t itch or roll down. Tights that are longer-lasting. And has something extra to offer, like a warming or a smoothing effect. But can you have it all? Can you except every one of these from your tights? Well, let’s take a look at the most asked for things in a pair of tights and see what my be important to you.

Part 1) Comfort and Fit

No Rolling or Squeezing

It should go without saying, but comfort is a major part of clothing. And the most important part of your tights, when it comes to comfort, is the waistband. One that stays in place firmly, but not too firm. If your waistband is too constrictive, it can create what we commonly call a muffin top. That is when the area above the waistline sticks out as it is being squeezed too tight. It is pretty unflattering and of course not fun to wear either.

And of course, an even worse fate is that it doesn’t stay up at at all. Rolling down is a problem, even with the right size, if it has a less well made waistband. A “comfort waistband” is the term you want to look out for. It is engineered to be very comfy on the waist and very secure without just being constrictive. That is how a less well designed product stays up, by being constrictive. A comfort waistband means it is smooth and easier to wear.

Proper Sizing

And it’s not just poor manufacturing that causing your tights to slip down. Sizing is a key part of it. We have all suffered our tights rolling down or slipping. That isn’t just something that happens when they are too big, it happens when they are much too tight. Finding the right size for your tights is vital. It’s probably the single most important factor in comfort. The key to getting this part right is simple, follow the manufacturer’s own guidelines.

A tour of a manufacturing plant will show you, sizing and dimensions of a pair of tights are very well controlled. There are specialised machines that stretch the material to their absolute maximum. They are stress tested in every different direction, and because of that, it is easy to see how it will fit someone in the width or the height. When it comes to finding your right size, and thus the comfort of the items.

Soft Material

And after the right size and the ability to stay up correctly, what else is there? The softness of the materials, of course. The only other factor is comfort is how good the materials used in the item are. This one is not so hard and fast, as there are so many different materials to account for. High quality cotton isn’t the same as high quality wool. And the same is true for nylon and other synthetics. Finding what makes one good over another is a huge task. But worry not, the answer is already before you.

The real answer to what material to pick is not the material at all. Go by brand. A good reliable brand will have already considered what needs to be considered. Quality of the fabric, the stretch, how thick it should be for a summer or winter wardrobe. Go for a name like Oroblu or Wolford, and you will never go wrong with high quality materials.

Part 2) Durability and Longevity

Run-Resistant

The worst thing about getting ready in the morning is when you pull on a pair of tights and see or feel that distinctive tear. A ladder has appeared. It’s so frustrating. When we ask “what do women want in their tights?” you have to ask what they want to avoid too. Laddering is one of those things. It is maybe the thing that you want to avoid the most, in fact. Get some ladder resist tights for dealing with that.

Reusable And Long-Lasting

This is the reason 40 denier is one of the most popular deniers. More robust than 20 but has some qualities that sheers have too. They have a much longer lasting profile than their finer counterparts. This is important in an economy where things are a little more expensive than they are ordinarily. A pair of tights that lasts a touch longer is economical and well worth investing in.

Part 3) Aesthetic and Styling

“Leg Foundation”

Tights are used often as a form of leg make-up. A good pair of tights can smooth your skin, cover up blemishes, and hide certain imperfections. Things like spider veins, or little blemishes or scars. There is nothing wrong with having any of these. But if you are self conscious, then covering up one or two can really boost your confidence. You might even describe a good pair of tights as an “instagram filter” for your legs.

Shape Control

Shaping, as we mentioned above, is a major thing. Whilst tight garments can ruin your outfit if you didn’t intend for them to be tight, compression tights can boost the effect. We adore the shaping and slimming effects of a good pair of compression tights. What do women want in their tights? How about what do women want is general? Would looking more toned and healthy and slender be on that list? We suspect for most women, yes it would.

Versatility

There is nothing like versatility in fashion. It might just be the hallmark of good design, if we had to choose just one. Beautiful clothing is great but if it only has one use it might be a little bit difficult to justify the purchase. Like the economical option we mentioned above, versatile tights are a great way to make the most of your outfit. Every woman wants to wear their favourite new thing often and with lots of different things to keep seeing its potential.

Leg Lengthening

Showing off the leg s the whole point of tights. So what is the use of a pair of tights that doesn’t make the most of the opportunities they are given? Longer legs are the holy grail of this showing off your assets. And if you want this, it is backseams you really need. They are the greatest thing in the world for lengthening your legs and giving them more shape.

Part 4) Functional Benefits

Warmth

Of course, there are a few practical benefits too. Warmth is the obvious one. You don’t often cover up your legs in the sweltering heat of an Indian summer. But outside of that, your might want too add a little shield against the chill of the wind. Sheer tights that should add something that stops breezy and blustery days. And anything thicker than sheer is perfect for wearing a feminine skirt or dress but not suffering for it.

Modesty/Coverage

The perfect choice if your outfit is a little too racy or the dress or skirt might be shorter than is ideal. A pair of tights is a great way to mould and influence your outfit into something more modest and tasteful. Of course sheers let your legs show off in such outfits too, so leg wear is versatile in that regard too.

Better Shoe Fit

Believe it or not, but tights can make your shoes fit better. You can prevent your feet from sweating, reduce friction, and make shoes feel more comfortable. They are just like socks, in that regard, except far more feminine and we think quite a bit sexier and more stylish too.

Part 5) Some Suggestions

Everyday

So after we asked the question “what do women want in their tights?” we have to come up with some suggestions. What about everyday wear? If you must go for one then make it this. A 40 denier or slightly higher. Something that is comfortable, and puts fit and comfort first above novelty style. A pair that is durable, and long lasting. Matte, as it is more versatile than glossy. And black, of course. Everything goes with black.

Special Occasion

For your special occasions, the list is perhaps even simpler. Sheer tights. Not really negotiable. The only exception is in the depths of winter if your event is outside. Fashion tights that are patterned are a personal choice but should be used liberally. And if you like, also a personal affair, shiny tights.

Winter

High denier is the obvious choice. It is the best way to stay warm around your lower legs and lower third. But fleece lined is also a good option. Especially if you want to avoid the chunky knit look, you can get the smooth and slightly less fluffy tights but with all the warmth.

The post What Do Women Want In Their Tights? appeared first on UK Tights Blog.

It seems that Paris Fashion Week 2026 has come around in record time. Each one comes sooner and sooner each year, it feels like. There is almost too much to look over and admire. But that is because there is so much creativity as this amazing event. Paris easily leads the world in fashion, and although there are four fashion weeks, Paris is the most iconic. We adore the fact that we get to see so much in one place and at one time. So let’s dive into the outfits and looks present on the runway and on the celebrities attending.

Faux Fur

There is nothing more exuberant and recherché than faux fur. That’s why we were so happy to see plenty of it this about at Paris Fashion Week 2026. Fur itself has always been associated with the wealthy socialites of the world, and the upper crust. Unless you are an Inuit or live in the Siberian taiga of course. But among urban populations, it is a by word for feminine and rich and high society. Of course, these days, the ethics around the question of fur is the most prominent part of this wing of the fashion industry. Faux fur is everywhere, and a great thing it is too.

For something like this, if you want to pair it with leg wear, there is only one way to go. Recreate the beauty of the period that it is most strongly associated with. The 1920s through the the 1940s? That sounds about right to us. You can go back further to the Gilded Age, but that is a particularly American phenomenon. The 1880s where top hats and white waistcoats were a gentleman’s evening attire. And a lady wore long white gloves and a ball gown. We think the flapper girl look is best though. Simple, sexy, and sizzling. To compliment this, go with backseam tights. Or more traditionally backseam stockings. Either are beautiful, but the latter is the ideal choice for stunning leg wear.

Flight Jackets

The airmen of the two world wars seem to have been channelled by a few of the designers. Big jackets of leather, denim, or synthetic fabrics. Often trimmed with wool collars or even more faux fur. These are more varied and less easy to pin down to one trend or time period than what we mentioned above. Paris Fashion Week 2026 was full of great flight jackets of all kinds.

So what do you wear with these? Simple. Natural fibre tights. We were tempted to mention backseams again, but we can’t give you two recommendations like that back to back. And it wouldn’t suit as well as wool or cotton. Why? Because it these jackets are made for the cooler weather, and are trimmed with wool for the warmth. It is a classic case of complimenting what you have on one part of your body with what is on the other. Go for wool tights over cotton too. They are far more versatile and easy to wear, thanks to their anti-bacterial and breathable qualities.

Plaid

Plaid is a pattern that will never die. It is one of the most ancient patterns we regularly see on tights. On the clothing at Paris Fashion Week 2026, we saw plenty of it too. Strange that such a rich and decorative pattern makes for such a versatile look, as usually the golden rule is simplicity makes for versatility. Tartan and plaid are small exceptions, but they are beautiful ones, and are extra versatile.

So how to pair them? Well the most simple recommendation is plaid tights if you want to wear plaid. But if we are talking about pairings, then definitely not. In that case, we need to not clash or have too much of one thing. If you want a good base for a tartan or plaid coat, for example, you have two choices. Either black tights, which are the most versatile and will undoubtedly go with anything. Or you can go with coloured tights, just be sure to match something in the plaid’s colour-scheme with the tights. If you can pick up yellow in the traditional Jackson plaid that uses red and yellow, then that is good. If you have a blackwatch tartan, which is a mossy green and navy blue. Then the darker blue would suit.

Red

Simple but effective. Red is a bold colour. It is rarely subdued but often subtle. You can have blazing hot red, or a more earthy purple-red of a berry. It can be very bold and very sexy and very intriguing. But one thing it cannot seem to do is be boring. We saw a lot of it at Paris Fashion Week 2026. It was seemingly everywhere. We adored that part more than most.

But with such a variety of shades, what does one do about pairing red dresses and red coats with a pair of tights? The answer is deceptively simply. Do not clash with anything, and red is too wild and uncontrolled for most things to accompany. Go for sheer or opaque black tights, at all costs. The denier will be your choice, for the purposes of location and climate. But plain and unadorned black tights are your saviour. They provide a solid base for this fiery and uncompromising colour.

Bow Ties

Bows were seemingly absolutely everywhere at Paris Fashion Week 2026. Not just the bow ties themselves, but bows more generally. Most designers wanted to revive the ascot and replace the scarf in some way. But those who did not, still managed to have plenty of gift wrap style adornments.

This is the one exception in this list in one particular regard. How we are going to recommend you pair with it. For bows it is simple, wear more bows. Why is this exactly? Because most outfits go for a handful of small bows or one huge one. Tights, usually litter the fabric with them. That means it is a fine choice for complimenting your main bow tie or adornment of a coat or blouse. Check out our patterned tights section and find the ones with the right number of little bow ties for you.

The post Trends From Paris Fashion Week 2026 And Tights To Go With Them appeared first on UK Tights Blog.

Recently we paid tribute to Giorgio Armani, who died late last year. And now, just a few short months later, another titan of fashion has left us. Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani was one of the most amazingly talented and well known Italian designers. His fashion house produced beautiful haute couture clothing. In fact, it was some of the finest and best regarded in the world of fashion. And that was an opinion held even by other designers. The passing of the Maestro Valentino is a loss for fashion and one that cannot be understated.

Who Was Valentino?

Valentino Garavani was born in 1932 in Voghera, Italy. He was named for a theatre actor called Rudolph Valentino, who his mother was a fan of. This was a moment that you might think would imbue him with creative energy and an animated spirit. It seemed to work. He knew that fashion was his future from a young age. Unlike several of his contemporaries, he went straight into apprenticing in design. He trained briefly in Northern Italy, but most of his education was spent at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Garavani apprenticed under numerous fashion houses in France, and in Italy upon his return. Those include Jean Dessès, Guy Laroche, Emilio Schuberth, and Vincenzo Ferdinandi. But it was not long until he opened his own house of design. The eponymous Valentino.

The Birth Of The House Of Valentino

In 1960, at just 28 years old, Garavani set out on his own. And thus, the fashion house Valentino was born. We suppose that at this point, we should refer to his as his mononym. After all, the fashion house has become synonymous with his own name. It was not just Valentino himself, but his romantic partner Giancarlo Giammetti, that started the company together. Valentino was an openly gay man and he and Giammetti ran the company together as partners for nearly 40 years. He was pioneering in his fashion, and pioneering in social issues too, it seems. He bravely and unflinchingly moved forward with his ambitions, never ceasing to be publically open about who he was.

Valentino And Jacqueline Kennedy

His big breakthrough came when he designed a dress for an American socialite, Gloria Schiff. She was twin sister to the editor of American Vogue, and was connected to many famous people. Schiff wore the dress at a party that was attended by the First Lady of the United States, Jackie Kennedy. Kennedy was so taken by the majesty and beauty of the piece she asked for the young designer’s name. It was, of course, Valentino himself.

When Valentino was in New York for a charity ball, the First Lady wanted to attend. Unfortunately she was held up by official duties. When Valentino heard of this, he sent employees of his fashion house to meet with Mrs Kennedy. They gave her a private showing at the White House. They brought a number of pieces from the as yet unreleased collection, and Kennedy bought six of them. One was a white gown that Kennedy would repurpose as her wedding dress when she became Jackie Onassis.

His Love Of Retro

Valentino had a notable love for retro styles. He made a clear shift to concentrating on retro design in the 70s. In this period, he favoured mid-century styles from the 40s and 50s. He was often unconventional in his approach at this time. Valentino would move from an all trouser collection one season, to a skirt-only one the next. Whole categories of the fashion world were removed or reintroduced when the designer wanted it to happen. He was a man in full control of his house, and created things that moved him at that time. But one thing remained constant, his love of opulence.

The Hatred Of Messiness

In the 80s and 90s, Valentino rose to high prominence. It would be the most productive and famous time for the house and its designer. But what marked its pieces in this time, was a rejection of the times. Rock music and particularly grunge was in its ascendency. It was a time of unrivalled rebelliousness. A time where you could wear and do and be whoever or whatever you wanted to be. It was messy and aggressive and down and dirty, and Valentino hated it. He always campaigned against messiness in fashion. Opulent cocktail dresses and classic gowns were his signature. He despised seeing young women in their boyfriend’s oversized plaid shirts. Or with hats turned backwards and scuffed boots on. Torn tights and chipped nail polish were a tragedy for Valentino.

Accademia Valentino

In 1990, Valentino founded Accademia Valentino. It was an art exhibition space with a concentration on displaying interesting and promising new collections from numerous designers. The living museum was more than just something to go and see beautiful things in, however. It was a charity, and Valentino donated its proceeds to HIV/AIDS research. It was a cause close to his heart, as an openly gay man who was living during the HIV crisis. This effort raised large amounts of funding for the disease, and showed the world what his associates always knew. That Valentino Garavani was a man of enormous heart and generosity.

The Sale Of The Company And Retirement

In 1998, Valentino and Giammetti sold Valentino S.p.A for $300 million USD to the Italian conglomerate HdP. Since then, the house has gone from strength to strength under his close watch. He didn’t retire straight away, but worked with them as it was sold several more times. In 2007, Valentino announced he would retire personally from the house. That October, he delivered his last ready-to-wear collection in Paris. It was met with a standing ovation from the crowd. A small haute couture collection of his was shown the following January in Paris. It too received a 5-minute standing ovation.

Later Life

Valentino spent his remaining days living a life of comfort and well-earned luxury. He loved yachting, and spent much time on his boats. Valentino loved family, and thought it was among the most important things in the world. He spent much time with his family and close friends and enjoyed his retirement in fairly quiet fashion. The only peep into his life came in the form of a documentary around the time of his retirement. Filmmakers spent weeks with him and filmed 250 hours of private footage. They were looking for a glimpse into the world of such a fascinating man. They got it, and it sparked a surge of fashion documentaries in the 2010s. How could it not? A wonderful man with an intriguing life, showing us all how he lives.

Legacy

Valentino will go down in history as one of the greatest. He was a generous and enormously compassionate man who designed some of the world’s most beautiful clothes. His love for and championing of opulent beauty was very brave. Especially at a time when punk and grunge and rock star fashion was in its prime. To stand up for what one believes in and make beauty wherever one can is admirable and laudable. He will be remembered by fashion-lovers fondly, and he certainly deserved to be.

The post Italian Designer Valentino Has Died appeared first on UK Tights Blog.

Christmas is a busy time. We all know that. It is easy to get mixed up in the season’s rush and forget what you need to do. It’s even easier when it isn’t the key items, like a turkey, the Christmas tree, or the presents. Often, it is the things you should be getting for yourself, not others, that you neglect. Your tights are probably one of these things. Well here is a little reminder from us to you. Today is the last day to get your Christmas tights for the big day.

Today Is The Last Posting Day

The last shopping day before Christmas is today. We will ship your items today, so long as you order early enough. Try to get your orders in early, because we shall be very busy. That means we may not get to all parcels shipped before we close for the day. So act now, place your order good and early. We will do our best.

Is It Guaranteed To Arrive?

We’re afraid that nothing is guaranteed at this time of year. Least of all the post. But that is why we are making this day our very last posting day. We could announce it for Monday, but that would be tempting fate. Although our experience shows that most couriers are still on time. Since the rise of internet shopping, companies have become very responsive. The early days of slow post and high demand is a thing of the past.

What Christmas Tights Should You Get For Yourself?

Well, that is really up to you but we recommend something seasonal. There are Christmas tights, for the truly festive. We have a gift ideas section, if that is the primary reason you need to order. If it is a more practical reason then opaque tights are your best bet. And if it is for dressing up on the day, something stylish for a Christmas party would be ideal.

The post Today Is The Last Day For Shipping Before Christmas appeared first on UK Tights Blog.

There is little in the world more feminine than a pair of RHT stockings. Or at least, little more feminine in the world of leg wear. Actually, let’s not second guess ourselves. There’s nothing more feminine anywhere, full stop. They are a joy to wear, a joy to look at, and a part of our heritage and history. But what makes an RHT stocking different from a regular stocking? So, what is an RHT stocking?

What Is An RHT Stocking?

What exactly is an RHT stocking? It’s a trickier question than you might first think. Or at least it has a tricky answer. It usually stands for “reinforced heel and toe”. But some have started to use the acronym to mean “reciprocal heel and toe”. Essentially it is a stocking with a reinforced area at the sole of the foot. Specifically in the heel and toe areas. Often that is from the folding of material back over the foot, creating a double layer of fabric. This means the stockings have double protection in the area that gets used the most. Namely, the sole. That is why the newer meaning “reciprocal” came about. The fabric is folded back over, reciprocating itself.

So Do All RHT Stockings Have Reciprocating Fabric?

No, they don’t. That is the tricky part. Technically, any kind of reinforcement to the heel and the toe areas makes it an RHT stocking. So it can be a different fabric or reinforced version of the same fabric. But it is often the case that excess material is used to create this effect anyway. So how do you tell and what difference does it make to you? Well, you can tell the difference by checking our product page. It has all the features listed, and if it doesn’t say, it likely means the fabric is doubled over. But really, the difference is minimal. You get that distinctive darker look. The kind of look that many find sexy and stylish with all versions of an RHT. How it is reinforced is really academic. Just wear it with joy and worry not.

Does An RHT Stocking Always Have A Backseam?

Thanks to the folding and restitching process, traditionally an RHT stocking always has a backseam. Traditionally, that is. That is because the finishing process requires it to be restitched. With modern stitching technology, that is not always the case. You can easily get a pair of stockings without the seam down the back of the leg if you want. And yet the reinforcement is basically exactly the same. They are just as well made and just as sturdy around the feet as any traditionally made pair of stockings.

Are RHT Stockings Fashionable?

Yes, absolutely. They are some of the most stylish items you can wear. If you want a seriously stylish way to dress then you might want to try an RHT stocking. But be aware, they are a really vintage item too. This is the way you get an old school look. That is often one of the most popular approaches to fashion and the leg wear you wear with it. However, it isn’t for everyone.

Should I Get A Pair Myself?

If you like vintage style, then yes. If you want a pair of stockings that last, then here you go. Or if you want something that is supremely feminine, look no further than RHT stockings. So try them for yourself now, and get a gorgeous vintage stockings items now. You can find them here, in our RHT section. All our dozens of RHT items can be found there, and it is the best place on the internet to find this extraordinary and beautiful type of leg wear.

The post What Are RHT Stockings? appeared first on UK Tights Blog.

It’s the biggest sale day of the year. It’s the one that you have all been waiting for. This sale is the day that retailers love and fear in equal measure. And once again it is here, the day after Thanksgiving in the USA, the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. It’s Black Friday 2025. We love this holiday like few others. And our customers seem to as well. It is the biggest single day of the year for online retail. So UK Tights is doing our own sale, of course.

Get 20% Off Everything AT UK Tights

This year, UK Tights celebrated its 20th anniversary. For our birthday, we gave a thematic 20% off. Now, it’s time for 20% off for Black Friday too. For just this one weekend, we are giving you this discount on everything. All you have to do is use the code “BLACK“.

It’s One Weekend Only

The sale runs from now, on the morning of Black Friday, until the end of Monday. This gives you a long weekend to find all the items you want. And get them for a whole lot less. So be quick, because that isn’t as long as you think. The Black Friday weekend will be over soon.

You Can Reuse The Code

You can reuse the code as often as you like. This is for the convenience of anyone that finds more items later on. With only a few days, after all, it’s easy to get lost in our range. So if you spent ages selecting items and then see one more thing you want, worry not. You still get the discount.

The Code Is Simply “BLACK”

Why complicate things? We have made the code the easiest thing to remember. “BLACK” is the code you need and that is all. Just pop it into the offer code box in the shopping cart. That’ll add the discount to your order until you checkout. That means you can also exit the cart and look for more stuff if you forgot.

Get Started Now

Just click here and get taken to our homepage. You can find nearly 3000 items on our site right now. There is something for everyone that loves leg wear and lingerie. So get started now and save 20% of Black Friday 2025 at UK Tights.

The post Get 20% Off For Black Friday 2025 At UK Tights appeared first on UK Tights Blog.

Italian tights have a very special place in the world of fashion. What we do here at UK Tights falls under that term. Fashion is a phenomenon that covers far more than just catwalk clothing. Whether it is an everyday item or a seasonal one. Whether its high end or more affordable. If you wear it, and it helps you express yourself, it is fashion. But who makes the best fashion tights out there? Many people would instinctively say Italy. But is that true? Do Italians make the best leg wear in the world? Let’s take a look.

Firstly, Where Is The World’s Fashion Capital?

There are few places that are more respected for fashion than Italy. But there are two other contenders, France and Britain. These three have been the greatest producers of apparel in history, with richer traditions than any other. There is also New York as the newest contender, but London, Paris, and Milan are the traditional centres of style. That’s for many reasons, but in short, here is an explanation for each. London invented the modern suit and tuxedo at Saville Row. Paris was a cultural pilgrimage for everything refined and made seasonal wealth displays something the rich did. And Italy is a boutique culture of manufacturing, with thousands of small designers, maximising creativity. And they are a natural place for seaports in the Mediterranean. But see our full post on this fascinating history for more.

So, Why Is Italian Fashion So Beloved?

If you want to talk about Italian tights specifically, then the reasons for Italy’s prestige are fascinating. They are also varied and multiplicitous. The number of great fashion houses in general in Italy is impressive. But the reasons for that are the same reasons for the number of tights designers. So what are they exactly? Well we have narrowed them down to three main influences. The location of Italy in the Mediterranean, the climate of the country, and the culture of design.

The Location Makes Italy, And Italian Tights, Special

Italy is right in the middle of the Mediterranean. It also sticks out into the seas, providing a long coastline for seaports. It is a natural location to land your trade ships. You can see this in the legacy of Italy’s trade networks. Most obvious is Venice. At the very top of the Adriatic sea, it is the perfect place to land a vessel. From there, you can off-load your cargo in order to bring it to all of Europe. There are passages through or around the Alps. The Danube is not a million miles away if to take cargo down a river barge. And go westward and you have France and Spain. And of course, perhaps more importantly, everything made in Europe can come out of Italy. From there it makes its way to North Africa, the Middle East, and down the Silk Road to China.

What Makes Italy’s Location So Perfect For Legwear?

Like we mentioned before, being a trading hub has real advantages. It means you have all kinds of influences on your designs. But for tights specifically, it is even more interesting. So many Italian fashion tights have influences from North Africa and the Middle East. You can find some wonderful arabesque patterns in Italian fashion tights. Yes, most of them are baroque inspired from the Italian architectural tradition. But occasionally they are filled with Arabesque influences, which are more geometric and regimented. Plenty of diamonds and squares and octagons, all interlocking and interacting.

Italy’s Climate Is Superb For Fabrics

Italy is a very longitudinal country, which is a fancy way of saying it is long. It runs north to south, and as such, it has a pretty variable climate. In its northern climes, it is very mountainous and colder. In its southern regions, it is warmer and more arid. This makes the type of fabrics and dyes you can get there quite diverse. For example, wool from Northern Italy is some of the best in the world. It is some of the softest and most healthy. That is because of the superior grazing in the Alps at a higher climate. The sheep there are bred for larger yields of wool and for warmer and higher quality wool too. If you have an Italian wool coat, the softness and the heat retention is noticeably higher.

How Does Italy’s Climate Make For Great Italian Tights?

If you want wool tights, you will get the most beautiful Italian Lana. Or maybe even plush and soft merino from the Alps. Cotton is also grown in Italy, thanks to its hot climate. In fact, it is a net exporter of cotton, producing a little more than it consumes. It is not by much, admittedly, but the organic cotton industry is growing steadily in Italy. And there is also a silk industry in Italy, as silk can be made in a relatively small space. It requires more skill and investment than the other fabrics here. But as Italy’s sense of craftsmanship is unrivalled, this is no problem for them. And that leads us to our next point.

Italian Tights And The Boutique Approach

Everything in Italy is boutique and discreet. What do we mean by that exactly? They specialise in small craft industry, and small companies that just do a handful of things. A boutique manufacturer might be workshop of a dozen people. A discreet brand might just make scarves, or woollen products for example. Yes, Italy has the giants too. Armani, Versace, Valentino, Prada, etc. But they also have perhaps the largest number of tiny brands too. Italy is an ocean of smaller beautiful brands that each do something special. This means you get lots of experimentation. And plenty of new and interesting trends come out of these fashion houses.

How Does The Boutique Approach Make Italian Tights So Amazing?

Tights are one of the easiest things to imprint upon. A blank canvas to knit and weave and adorn anything you want upon the fabric. It is perfect for the creation of something beautiful and stunningly sexy, or something elegant, or something outrageously experimental. Thanks to the boutique manufacturing approach of Italy, a thousand talented designers are producing a dozen items apiece. Elsewhere in the world, it might be those same thousand designers working for a dozen big named brands. And then, the majority of their work would be rejected. The small business model has always been the best way towards fostering variety. And variety is at the heart of any good fashion range.

Conclusion

All of the above elements are as present in leg wear as they are in regular clothing. The historic influence, location, climate, and boutique approach to fashion. All of these are tributaries that lead into a great river, the perfect fashion tights, Italian fashion tights. When you combine all the elements above, there is nothing you cannot design beautifully. These are the ingredients that form a great recipe. A recipe for beautiful and elegant and sumptuous fashion tights. Tights that are rarely rivalled by any other nation or culture for their quality and variety and excellence. If you want the very best tights, choose Italian tights.

The post Do Italian Tights Brands Make The Best Leg Wear In The World? appeared first on UK Tights Blog.

You may have once asked yourself the question, why are there four fashion weeks around the world. These four are London, Paris, Milan, and New York. But why these? Why are there four fashion weeks? Well, it’s simple in one way, they are just the epicentre of creativity. They produce the most good stuff. But how did we get to this point? Why did all the other centres of fashion fall into obscurity.

The (Traditional) Big Three Fashion Week Capitals

Why are there four fashion weeks? Well, traditionally, there are only three. This makes sense of course. The European continent has been active at all sorts for a long time. Modern and industrial technology was a much more recent addition to the Americas. And it came with the settling of the land by Europeans. Of course, traditional people’s in America also have a diverse array of different clothing types and ways of expressing themselves. But you really need industry to get yourself going in a big way with fashion. In the following examples, you’ll see why each of these places used industry and cultural inventiveness to achieve their position.

London, The Home Of Modern Formal Wear

Britain invented the modern suit, coming out of the military dress coat. The admirals and generals always wore smart formal jackets, and people loved them. Those gentlemen that weren’t in the military wanted to look that way, but couldn’t wear a ranked uniform. They asked tailors on Saville Row to produce something similar, with a flattering cut. That is why you have the classic lapel. It is the part of the all-weather jacket that you unfold and button up in the rain. Then it was tamed for the civilian market, and the modern and so the suit jacket was born.

Coming out of Saville Row, this meant massive adoption among London’s upper crust. Everyone went to Saville Row if they worked in London and had wealth. So when a few started adopting this tradition, soon the entire city did. This being the 19th Century, the British Empire was on top of the world. Many of these men were diplomats and important businessmen. They soon travelled far and wide in the newest sartorial trend, and people saw and admired their new look. And the rest is history. If anywhere deserves to have a fashion week, it’s London.

Paris, A History Of Trailblazing

As for the French, it is a little more complex. The centre of European culture throughout the late Middle Ages until the Napoleonic period was Paris. That is a bold claim, and very complex, but there is a lot of truth to it. It was a huge centre of learning and culture. Every noble in Tsarist Russia was fluent in French. It was the accepted language for diplomacy too, replacing Latin as the common tongue of the Europeans. It became the lingua franca of Europe and possibly the world. The term itself means the “language of the Franks”. Thanks to this, if the French pioneered something, the world followed.

One tradition was portraiture. Many French nobles and royalty had portraits made. And they would display their wealth by being extremely lavish in their set design. The frills and jackets and frocked coats and, indeed, stockings were all on display too. One particular person known for this is Marie Antoinette. She was so adored and emulated among high society, that anything she wore became the fashion. This set the tone all over Europe for what the season should look like. See the BBC’s article on this for a fascinating history.

Milan, A Legion Of Passionate Designers

Milan is an interesting one. Italy itself has many reasons to be the number one name in fashion. Being a landmass that sticks out into the sea meant that it has many landing areas for ships. This meant it has always been a fantastic hub of trade and exchange. Venice is the obvious example of this. It was possibly history’s most valuable port. The gateway to all of Europe, as you could easily move through the Alps and up numerous rivers from there. Places of trade always attract variety and talent. So it’s no wonder that Venice was also a big textile producer. But today, let’s talk about Milan. That is where the Italian fashion week is, after all.

Milan is possibly the largest industrial area in Italy, with the exception of Turin. But whilst Turin made great cars and chocolate, Milan made clothing. This is due to their mills which produced bolts of cloth faster and cheaper than anywhere else in the nation. Milan, and really all of Italy, has another advantage. The boutique brand. Ironic it should be a French word, but the Italians do it better than others. There are many smaller producers of clothing in Italy, with big names like Armani or Visace being an exception. Really, most brands make things in smaller batches and concentrate on a narrower range of items. They have a design culture that means lots of small success stories, and lots of creativity.

New York, New Fashion Week, New Frontier

This is the fourth of the four capitals, and the newest. New York’s history is a fascinating one. It is a relatively young city, but nevertheless it is one of the best for fashion in the world. Why is this exactly? Well, for one, it was one of the earliest cities in the Americas. Originally it was a Dutch colony, and they were the masters of trading. That alone meant they were connected to all the great textile producing capitals of the world. You could get cotton and wool and linen from any continent on the globe. This continued after the English took over the colony, and well past 1776 when the USA got its independence.

It is also interesting how New York is laid out. The grid system meant that you would be able to cordon off city blocks easily. This lead to the phenomenon known as the Garment District. A portion of Manhattan would be blocked off and the streets would be occupied by tailors and clothing salesmen. This made it easy to go and get clothes off the rail, still a burgeoning industry at the time. This gave access to affordable fashion for everyone. This meant styles could be turned over quicker, so you have something new each season.

Conclusion

To get a fashion capital that produces beautiful clothing year after year is a rarity. It really is like catching lightning in a bottle. But it seems fashion lovers worldwide have caught lightning in a bottle more than once. At least four times throughout history, in fact. Each of these locations are still powerhouses of production and creativity. We adore them all for the work they do. And every fashion week is a time of great excitement for the UK Tights team.

The post Why Are There Four Fashion Capitals In The World? appeared first on UK Tights Blog.

Every year, we celebrate the birthday of UK Tights. But it’s not every year we get to celebrate a big birthday. This year is our 20th birthday, and you definitely don’t get many of those. So, we thought we would celebrate thematically. Get 20% off for our 20th birthday in the UK Tights birthday sale.

Get 20% off Everything

The sale is for 20% off all our items, and we mean everything. That includes existing sale items. So you can easily get 20% off something that is already 50% off. This will make it one of the biggest sales we have ever done. And if you don’t use the code on a sale item, it is still one of the bigger birthday sales we have had.

It Runs Until Tuesday 9th September

We have decided to not do a one day sale this year. The best thing for a birthday that is on or near to a weekend is a weekend long sale. Our birthday is on Monday 8th. The UK Tights birthday sale runs through Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. This makes it one of the longest discounts we have ever run too.

Use The Code “BIRTHDAY” To Get Your Discount

The process of getting a discount is simply. Add your items to the basket, visit your shopping cart, and enter the code “BIRTHDAY“. The discount is automatically applied. You can then go and add other items if you forgot to add something to your basket. The discount will still apply.

UK Tights Birthday Sale Begins Now, So Get Started

You shouldn’t wait any longer for a sale on our range. You may think 4 days is a long time, but the stock we have will also sell out. So, simply click right here and go to our homepage. Get everything you need, and maybe a few things you want too, before it all goes.

The post It’s The 20th UK Tights Birthday Sale! appeared first on UK Tights Blog.