How to wear Leopard Tights in Gray!

I went from having nothing in Leopard print, to having two pairs of Leopard print tights; one in the traditional oranges and black color combination and the other in shades of gray.

This pair of gray leopard print tights are the brand Miss Helen from the Monoprix in Paris.

As the weather begins to warm up, I am always asked if I wear tights in the summer. I wear tight up until June 1. Then after that date-only if its rainy and under 60degrees. I do have "spring" and "summer" tights in light spring colors and weaves. I like most women like tan legs, and having your legs covered makes it hard for them to get tan.

This pair of gray leopard print tights are the brand Miss Helen from the Monoprix in Paris.

My first pair of Calzedonia Hold Ups

These are my first pair of Calzedonia Hold-Ups; I bought them when I went to visit my sister when she was doing a study abroad in Italy. Prior to this discovery, I only really wore tights...since "hold-ups" in rich patterns were a little hard to come by.


When I walked in to the Calzedonia, around the corner from the Duomo in Milan- I fell in love... Patterned hosiery lined the walls; interesting trouser socks, hold ups like I had never scene and tights in every color-even if they were in color combinations that I would never dare wear!

That day I purchased around 80euros in hosiery, and still have the entire contents of that purchase. I left wanting more, and begged my sister to take to the other store I had rode past on the trolley- for those of you who know my sister-you can guess how willing she was to do this, Goldenpoint! Where I purchased another 50euros worth of tights, socks and hold-ups which instantly became my new favorite leg wear choice.

After this visit to Italy, I became obsessed with Calzedonia. Searching every European city I would visit from that point on for a Calzedonia boutique. At first it was difficult, then as the years went on, it became increasingly easier.

Each time I enter a Calzedonia Store, I am like a kid in a candy store. Snatching up what ever I can.

My Hold-ups are black with hot pink and green vertical stripes. At the time, they felt like an odd color combination; I was working for Sugar Cosmetics at the time as the Northeast regional Trainer and Manager and the hot pink matched logo, thus my debut into the color ways of Italian Hosiery was born.

Could I pull these Black Milk Stockings Off?

Whenever I stumble upon interesting hosiery, I obsess over whether or not I will be able to pull them off as a look...This pair from Black Milk are no exception. 

These Nylon and Lycra blend "stockings" come with an attached garter belt. They are bubble gum pink and will run you around $120. I personally LOVE them...and would totally wear them to work-since I rarely go clubbing these days...or ever.

I could see them paired with my fifties style shirt dress, and a string of Aura Borealis Swarovski crystal beads...

Black Milk has an interesting collection of hosiery, bodysuits and bathing suits. Something to bring out everyone's individuality. 

The British Invasion

Perfect for this Friday's Upcoming Nuptials

 

I'm not a Model and I'm Okay with that! Thanks to Tina Fey and Agent Provocateur Stockings

Early on when I was writing this Blog, I wasn't scared or nervous about posing for the shot. I was confident in my hosiery collection and crazy thoughts that it would translate. Now every time I pose I worry that my nose will look to big, or that my ass will look fat. I have completely crossed over. Its very troubling because I really shouldn't care about these sorts of things. I do because I work the in the advertising and marketing department at Eileen Fisher and I see beautiful models being retouched to look even more beautiful everyday. So yes, I am more self conscious because of it...did I mention the Ford Modeling Agency office's are on the floor below my office? insert height anxiety here.

Then while listing to Tina Fay's audiobook Bossy Pants, I had an epiphany. Tina doesn't mind being photoshopped so either should I! So from now on I am just going to shoot in natural light, make sure I wear purple eyeliner, and have Ethan Stuber photoshop all my shots! Just kidding. I am going to stop worrying so much about how I look, and focus more on being happy in my own skin.

Tina's book is both hysterical and real. Just a story about a girl named Tina from Pennsylvania...

My hold-ups today are from Agent Provocateur, they are a royal purple with seams up the back...Agent Provocateur is a unique shopping experience. The women that work in this store, have the sexiest uniforms and stockings are required. Every time I go in I am temped to fill out an application for a job-just for the uniform.

Talk about being self conscience, you basically have to walk around and work selling Lingerie in Lingerie.

Agent Provocateur sells both Stockings that require a garter belt set; which of course they sell and hold-ups. They sell their own brand and some French brands.

Why ModCloth.com is one of the Best on-line stores!

I am not going to deny that I SHOP a lot. I have more clothes then I could possibly wear, unless you layer layer layer, which I do for that very reason.

I also e-window shop on a daily basis, and when I do my first stop is always modcloth.com. I first discovered ModCloth about a year ago, when the advertisement popped up on my Facebook advertising bar. I have been hooked ever since. Their selection of affordable cute dresses, underpinnings, skirts and TIGHTS is unique and fashion forward.

The price point means you can buy without guilt, unlike its “older” sister Anthropologie where you feel the hit as soon as you purchase, unless its on sale of course. Anthroplogie and Modcloth are not connected . Modcloth.com only do a limited run of things, so you have to buy quick not to miss out. If you do miss out they have one of the best features of any e-commerce store. The notification of restock! Just one click and you are instantly added to a list or eager customers waiting for the product to either be returned or restocked...I have on many occasions used this feature, and missed out.

The quality is hit and miss, that depends on the piece. Some things just look better on-line, it’s the lighting and the Photoshop. But, I have never really been disappointed with a purchase, since there are always reviews and they are usually spot on.

Another feature that is totally awesome is "Be the Buyer" In this tab you can be the buyer of ModCloth, voting on sample pieces. Sadly sometimes they don’t make it online, and I am left feeling disappointed that I will never get to wear such an interesting piece. Other times, there are pieces so hideous that I wonder who on earth would one wear something in such an odd combination of floral and stripes and in that color way. By the time it makes it past the sample stage it is “sometimes” cuter and more interesting....sometimes.

I had the chance to meet them at a job fair, and they truly reflect the brand.
Their inspirationally story of a start-up has inspired me time and time again. I have been toying with the idea of starting an on-line business since I got laid off from Knoll. I think I am finally ready to take the plunge! I will be starting a KICKSTART in the next few weeks. So watch this space.

This particular ModCloth dress is called cutely “English Seaside Dress”, when I purchased it I pictured Nathan, Max and I strolling the boardwalk in Brighton eating cotton candy/ Candy Floss and watching the Channel...The closest that dream came to was running around the boardwalk of Rehobeth Beach, riding the tea cups and hoping that Max wouldn’t throw up all over my new dress...

With the transition of weather we are currently in ( Finally! ) I paired my “English Seaside” dress with a pair of microfiber calzedonia tights in gray. The slip is from Urban

Max is pushing me out to the way in this shot. He wanted to be in the picture

Les Puces de Paris

In Paris there is no shortage of great shopping. I do not limit myself to only buying hosiery but unique items that one can’t find even in NYC.

Les Puces de Paris, a fantastic Market on the outskirts of the city, has some of the most interesting shopping in Paris. You can find everything from Art Deco Lamps, Vintage Ricard water jugs, vintage hosiery and estate Jewelry. My favorite purchase is by far my leather trench coat. It makes me feel like an undercover super-hero Indiana Jones meets Wonder Woman. However  I think my super hero name would be Stocking Girl, but that might just be too cliché.

I am always on the quest to add to my vintage hosiery collection. As you could imagine, vintage hosiery is hard to come by. Since the nylon used in  hosiery is delicate and disintegrate over time.

The Nylon that is used in modern hosiery was developed during WW 2 when there were storage of silk. The silk was being used for other more important things, like parachutes for the soldiers, which they also replaced with NYLON. The word Nylon is said to come from the combining the names of the founding cities NY for New York and LON for London. Debatable- Some say it came from the scientist combining the words for Rayon and Cotton...

Silk was very limited in the way that it could be used for hosiery. Basics that are still made today are seamed and unseamed fully fashioned stockings. The use of NYLON in weaving techniques have allowed for more intricate designs and lower prices.

My hold-ups today are from Calzedonia a beautiful diamond pattern.

New Brand Obession- Les Queues du Sardines

For my Hoseiry collection I am always on the look out for the most interesting visual take on the season's trends.  Normally it's different combinations of dots, lace, faux suspender and floral motifs, In either neutral, black, with the occasional odd Italian color combination. 


So when I came across Les Queues du Sardines  which means Sardine Tails in French I was blown away by their unconventional style. This indie French brand add humor to the normal every day opaque and sheer tights. The tights are screen printed. Each pair are  unique and will never go unnoticed. 

Gray and White lace tights

Lace is a popular look this spring, so why should your legs miss out on all the attention  

This pair of tights I bought at Anthropologie a year ago. I also have them in black. 

They are grey with a printed white lace design. They are very eye-catching, hard to miss especially in contrast to a darker skirt. I have been wearing this skirt a lot lately. Its from H&M. 

I have love to wear full circle skirts with cardigan, it makes me feel like I am a fifties housewife. 

The cardigan is from Eileen Fisher. 

I love adding lace whenever possible to an outfit. 

As far as white tights go, I don't particularly care for them although I do personally own opaque white tights, white fishnets and a few white tights that have a crochet type feel. I will try and integrate them into my summer/spring wardrobe. I also have a pair of Cervin white seamed stockings, I wore for my wedding in 2006. . 

I feel white tights are only appropriate for small girls preparing for their first Holy Communion or for ballet or to wear with a school uniform. 

If you do wear white tights, its important to choose the rest of your outfit wisely. To wear all white, could make you look like a nurse. Pairing it with other neutrals can look both modern and sophisticated. In this grim April month, winter white can be the natural transition to a zesty crisper summer white.

This pair of white lace tights have a light floral motif

This pair of Wolford White Tight, have a Cervon design. 

The Royal Wedding- Preparation for THE spring event-Part 1

As I am sure everyone knows, a Royal Wedding is near. Kate Middleton and Prince William are set to tie the knot on April 29th at Westminster Abbey. I personally tied the knot with another lesser known British Prince 5 years ago this September. The Brits have away of making something that seems so romantic both trivial and exciting at the same time. Simultaneously embracing the wedding with endless media hype and lot's of uncomfortable navel gazing

Apparently Kate Middleton will be wearing Aristoc hosiery on the day of her wedding, which is made in Derbyshire England. Good choice for the future Queen of England, keeping the manufacturing in the sceptered Isle. Aristoc is made by the same company that make Pretty Polly, House of Holland and the PP NYLON's collection.

Liberty's is by far the most exciting shop in London-comparable to Barney's and Bendel's. Liberty of London collection for Target was the British invasion of the year 2010. I, like a lot of New Yorkers, flocked to the Pop Up shop last Spring. There floral patterns are right on point for even this spring.

Lucky for me I didn't get bored of them last season. Every-time I go to London, I go to Liberty to check out both the amazing selection of wallpaper and fabrics and of course Hosiery!!

My top is from the Liberty of London collection for Target 2010, and my tights are from a small boutique in East London circa 2006.

Stocking Around Town with Majoire Helene Hache

Here is my friend Marjorie! I met Marjorie when she came to NYC with my friend Laura Angela! She brought me the tights I am wearing in this post. Marjorie lives and works in Paris-very lucky girl!

She definitely has the best dressed legs in Paris!

Similar Pair by Sneaky Fox

FUN FUN FUN

My New Black Lace Top and Top Shop Socks!

As the weather begins to change, there are many options for leg wear apart from the usual tights and leggings. 

A fifties inspired trend, now on the rise, makes great use of a under utilized piece of hosiery-the ankle sock.  Ankle socks are not just for the gym , you can find them in jazzy prints, lacy floral and simple fishnets.

  

This trend started emerging in fall 2010, and it has been fun accumulating pairs here and there. This particular pair of grey lace ankle socks are from Top Shop. 

Top Shop has a unique collection of hosiery, very London- Darling! Top Shop carries of the moment trends as well as the staples. They were even voted best place to buy hosiery in NYC by Time Out New York, that will all change once I open up my store....watch this space. 

My next hosiery purchase - Oroblu Annis Lurex Tights

While browsing on-line, I came across these Oroblu Annis Lurex tights. I will hopefully be adding them to my collection soon!

The Annis lurex tights like all Oroblu tights have an interesting color way; brown with a blue and yellow floral print. They feel as if might have been inspired by William Morris Wallpaper.

They will be the perfect pair for the changing season from winter to spring or even for fall.

Both of these William Morris Wallpaper patterns would be perfect designs for a pair of vibrant tights! 

William Morris Wallpaper

William Morris Wallpaper