Wear your hosiery well, so they always have a good run!




Showing posts with label collant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label collant. Show all posts

05 October, 2011

The difference between Stockings, Hold Ups, Tights and Leggings!

After posting the poll earlier this week, I have been flooded with questions about what the difference is between Stockings, Hold-Ups, Tights and Leggings. In fact my co-workers and I were just discussing the confusion and differences. So an in depth description is definitely necessary.



Lets start with Tights-The definition of tights: a piece of clothing made of a thin stretchy material which covers the leg and lower part of the body below the waist, and which is worn by women and girls. (Sometimes-wink- the brand Gerbe make a fantastic collection for Men as do most Italian manufactures)
Tights come in all different colors, sizes and patterns. They can be funky or conservative and can either make you look polished or ready to go out on the town. Unlike Pantyhose which are usually more neutral in color as if having a bare leg with out texture or style as far as I am concerned and incredibly uncomfortable if they have control top.





Next Leggings-are tight, form-fitting trousers that extend from the waist to the ankles; Leggings are typically made from a blend of Lycra, and either nylon, cotton, or a cotton-polyester blend. However, leggings can also be made from wool, silk, and various synthetic fabrics and can be completely opaque or patterned. In recent years have been come more fashionable and can be worn alone or with a tunic type top. I like Leggings, not my favorite trend as far as Hosiery, but they are great worn with boots so that you don’t wear out the heels of your tights. They are come in denim and are called “Jeggings”.

Sparkle and Fade Leggings from Urban Outfitters


On to my favorite form of leg wear - Hold Ups. I prefer these to tights and come in the same or more variety as far awesome patterns you can get. Hold Ups are stockings that can be worn with or without suspenders. They glamour of stockings with the convenience of tights! Hold Ups, unlike stockings come in a wide variety of textures, materials and patterns. They are usually made from nylon or a Lycra blend. They are both sexy and functional for daily wear. They are harder to find in the States and are far more comfortable then tights.




Finally Stockings, the common misconception is that all of the above are in face “stockings” which is not true. The history of the word Stocking -The use of stocking to mean a leg covering may have arisen from the blackly humorous comparison of the stocks in which people's legs were restrained as punishment with "leggings, hose." Until comparatively recently stocking was a unisex term (as it still is in the expression "in your stockinged feet"); the restriction to women's hose is a 20th-century development since prior stockings were worn mostly by men. Modern usage of the word stockings generally refers to thigh high nylon stockings, two matching pieces, and depending on the design, can be quite sensual. Stockings usually come in nylon or in Silk and have to be worn with Garters or a Garter belt. These can even go a few steps further and become fully fashioned. Which are by far the most beautiful and classic.


Cervin Champs Elysees
100% Silk Stockings

If you have a second please take the poll at the bottom of the page
Thanks



30 September, 2011

New York Burlesque Festival in Love Me Hold-Ups...coming soon to PeekBrooklyn.com

Greetings from the New York Burlesque Festival!

For the ninth year the finest Pasties and Tassles take the stage for the New York Burlesque Festival, a weekend jam-packed with the glittering stars of New York's Burlesque scene. This year PeekBrooklyn.com is proud to be one of the sponsors....

So in the grand tradition of flaunting my unique hosiery collection, I stepped out in a pair of Burlesque inspired Love Me hold-ups!





This pair of hold-ups are a 60 denier in front and on the back they have faux key holes up the back adorned with a faux belt clasp. Perfect for a Burlesque Festival. My brand new Leopard Print shoes, pinched the way new shoes should but added the flair my all black outfit needed.



The Love Me Brand are one of my favorite brands! I am hoping to carry them at PeekBrooklyn.com  very soon. 

In honor of the New York Burlesque Festival PeekBrooklyn.com is offering Peek is offering a teaser special enter coupon code BURLESQUE at check out! 

25 September, 2011

Phillip Matignon Jade "Kiss Me Kate Tights" Fall's Highbrow Hosiery Trend


One of falls hottest hosiery trends are nude pantyhose! Yes, the nude leg is back! Thanks to The Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton. The hottest trend in hosiery to cross the pond since the invention of NYLON...


I have always leaned toward the patterned tights of the world, but there has always been room for the perfect pair of nude pantyhose. Something that accentuates the leg just enough to make your pins appear longer, especially if your on the shorter side like me. Then I always look for something so nude, that you can't tell that I am even wearing pantyhose, and if its for evening something with a little bit of a shine.



A pair of pantyhose or tights that incapsulates all of these qualitites are the Kiss me Kate or Jade Tights from the PHILLIPE MATIGNON brand. They add shine, and hide the fact that our legs are loosing the tan from the summer.


A trend so High Brow it made the New York Magazine Matrix



Phillip Matignon Jade Kiss me Kate Pantyhose Tights are available here @ PeekBrooklyn.com










14 September, 2011

Play Me Burlesque Launch Party in my favorite Cervin Tights and Kate in Fab Fishnets!

On the rare occasion that I get to go out on a school night, I want to do it in style. So Kate and I stepped out and attended the launch party of Play Me Burlesque a deck of cards dedicated to the alluring women of the NYC Burlesque Scene. This buxom deck was created by Malgorzata (Maggie) Saniewska a talented photographer. Her vision - bewitchingly executed on 54 beautiful cards. They include the alluring Medianoche, the charasmatic Nasty Canasta, the graceful Peekaboo Pointe and vivacious Gigi La Femme not to mention 50 women equally as talented and endowed- Deal em!




 Cards by Malgorzata (Maggie) Saniewska
Featuring Nastie Canasta, Gal Friday, Medianoche & Gigi La Femme

Calamity Chang

 MsTickle



Gal Friday




For the event I wore my favorite Cervin tights, adorned with feathers. They made me feel as if I was going to take the stage and perform...just with all my clothes on- this time!







Kate is wearing a saucy pair of Calzedonia Fishnets with a lace peek panel. Her long legs really show off the top detailing of this pair.


I hope we keep your interested PEEKED! We have lots to share, and will take it all off on September 23! 





02 May, 2011

Spring has Sprung...

Finally, it feels like Spring is here!

I have the next month to wear the remaining portion of my NEW spring hosiery. I want to emphasized NEW, as in the tights, over the knee socks and hold ups that I purchased this year or at the end of season last year that I have not worn.

I have boxes devoted to unopened hosiery that I haven't worn, sorted by color, type and brand. There are roughly about 50 pairs that I haven't worn that are for Spring and about 30 pairs for Fall. There are pairs that I have not  yet had the opportunity to wear, and I look at them everyday and hope that it will stay cold a little longer just to wear them...This is in addition to my 300 plus colleciton.







These are from the Spring 11Collection from Calzedonia. In a baby pink floral pattern.

29 April, 2011

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.

27 April, 2011

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.

21 April, 2011

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




19 April, 2011

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.


















17 April, 2011

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. 

















14 April, 2011

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











09 April, 2011

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

06 April, 2011

Colleen Atwood inspired Outfit and Hold-Ups


Colleen Atwood is by far my favorite Hollywood costume designer. Yes, there are some pretty amazing costume designers out there, but by far Colleen Atwood has a  unique style and it runs through every film she is involved in from Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow & Sweeny Todd to Tom Hank's That thing you do! She even did the costumes for NINE which were the only good thing about that terrible movie.
 
Whenever I think of Colleen Atwood I think of vertical stripes in black and white. A style I like to call Gothic, Steampunk meets German Expressionism with a lacy Victorian twist. However it’s hard to define her in only one category. Colleen’s costumes range from Silence of the Lambs to Public Enemy and even Memoirs of a Geisha and my personal favorite Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events.



Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland
Colleen's verison of the Red Queen
worn by Helena Bonham Carter*

Tim Burton's muse Helena Bonham Carter in her costume for Sweeny Todd*


A image from Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events. *



My favorite Scene from Sweeny Todd*


Did I mention Colleen did the costumes for Chicago too*


I would love the chance to chat with Colleen Atwood and talk about her inspirations and discuss my ideas for my designs for hosiery. I had a similar dream when I met Tim Burton at the Press Day for his show at the MoMa, I only got a chance for a brief discussion about what his films have meant to me. 

Needless to say my script that I have been holding on to for 13 years remained in my purse! But I did leave with an autograph in Max’s Nightmare before Christmas book. If I did get a chance to talk with Colleen Atwood, it would be different. I swear!

My tights today are the brand Bas Love Me. My favorite little indie brand from Paris! They always have a cute pin-up girl on the package and are scented! This particular pair is hold-ups with my favorite little touch, the name “love me” stitched into the top portion of the hold up are a sheer denier of 20 with vertical strips -very Colleen Atwood. I would say this pair are a mustfor any Steampunker out there! My top has the feel of a corset, especially since I must of shrunk it the last time I washed it, my button popped!

These hold ups are particualary special, my friend Laura Angela brought them when she came to visit from Paris last month-THANK YOU AGAIN!! Laura Angela!




*Note the legwear in the Colleen Atwood Film Stills