Nude Hosiery For All Skin Tones with Bianca Miller London

"Nude" hosiery is notoriously awful, unless you are a very specific shade of white. Generally coming in at a "medium" hue so as to faintly reach as many legs as possible, for the most part they are too pale for dark skin and too dark for pale skin. Thank goodness for Bianca Miller and her genius idea to revolutionise hosiery as we know it. Offering a comprehensive range of skin tones to be as inclusive as possible and dubbed "the Mac of hosiery", her brand offers 8 nude shades which are available in tights and hold ups to fit up to a UK 22.

One of the things which struck me was the simplicity of the idea. How has no one thought of this sooner? I adore their clever way of helping customers to work out their perfect shade - simply use their chart to match your legs to your foundation. How brilliant is that?

The shades available are:

Powder: The perfect shade for porcelain skin tones, this talcum powder white shade is beautiful on Scottish, Irish and Icelandic legs. 

Rose: The perfect compliment for women of an English Rose complexion.

Sand: A warm tone to give paler skins the more tanned  look, perfect for Olive skin tones.

Latte: This nude tone is perfect for tanned skins or Mediterranean, lighter Afro-Caribbean or Asian complexions.

Caramel: A golden caramel or honey brown tone, perfect for Asian,  Afro-Caribbean and darker Mediterranean skin tones.

Chestnut: A warm and rich brown with a bronze undertone, suitable for darker Asian and Afro-Caribbean skin tones.

Chocolate: A warm, rich  coffee/chocolate skin tone. Perfect for Afro- Caribbean skin tones.

Being a similar shade to a milk bottle, I tried out their tights in the powder shade and it was pretty amazing to put on something which actually matched my skin tone. They felt silky against my skin, with the waistband fitting nicely into the curve of my waist. The L/XL size has been specifically created with a back panel to ensure comfort for sizes 18-22, or those ladies who are a little taller.

Being towards the end of the X/XL, they were a fraction too small with the gusset not coming up as high as it should on me but this shouldn't take away from how wonderful the tights are. If the legs had been slightly longer, they would have been perfect on me as the waistband was perfect but I suspect this is due to my slightly odd hourglass proportions than anything else. I'm really keen to try out the hold ups as I suspect this would counter the problem with ease.

The tights are £12 and hold ups £15, and you can buy them directly from the Bianca Miller London site here.

Until next time,

Diana xx

*The tights have been kindly sent for review. All opinions are my own.

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Stocking Fillers - Plus Size Tights Which Actually Fit From The Big Tights Company

We all know the struggle is real when it comes to tights. Whether you're a size 12 or a size 22, it feels like finding tights which won't shuffle downwards is the stuff of legend. Your options become further limited once above a size 16 and I've spent most of my adult life buying tights which are supposedly a good two sizes bigger than my dress size yet still refuse to fit! More often than not, the crotch finds itself hovering around my thighs, I ladder them instantly from pulling too hard to get them on and if by some miracle they do actually fit, they inevitably dig in at the widest part of my body giving me a figure to rival Lumpy Space Princess.

I had read a few reviews for The Big Tights Company, and when they offered to send out some samples for the blog, I was really excited to give them a go. I tried to not get my hopes too high as with wide hips and a smaller waist, tights never seem to really suit my body. However their tights must be woven with some sort of magic as they are utterly amazing! They fit like a dream, and didn't result in having to do the oh so subtle just-pulling-up-my-tights dance every few steps.

Being a smaller firm, The Big Tights Company manufacture their own "All Woman" brand in Italy, and as such, aren't just tights which have had inserted panels or increased waists. Designed to fit up to a UK 32 (and in some instances, a UK 42), the shape is different with more room in the thigh and tummy area. Further more, they won't cut into your body at akward points as at 5'6" tall, the top of the tights finished just underneath my bust.

All Woman Cotton Woolly Feel Tights.

The first pair of tights I tried were perfect for Winter, with the All Woman Cotton Woolly Feel Tights having a soft, fluffy finish. They were thick and warm and felt soft against my skin thanks to being 60% cotton. These tights have been designed specifically for a larger body, with more room to accommodate larger thighs and tummies. That means to bunching, no falling down and no ladders whilst trying to pull them up!

Paris Lady 50 Denier Microfibre Tights.

The Paris Lady 50 Denier Microfibre Tights were up next, and were the perfect every day tights. They offered warmth with a touch of gloss, and proved to be incredibly ladder resistant too. Whilst the sizes offered are 30/32 and 34/36, this is the size they will stretch to. As such, they fit smaller (and taller) sizes really well, and I found that mine stayed where they needed to with no bother at all.

All Women 60 Denier Opaques.

The All Women 60 Denier Opaques are designed with Lycra for the ultimate in stretch and comfort. Offering a great fit and finish for everyday wear, these opaque lovelies are completely ladder resistant with no panels added to the body. A tiny bit sheer and a touch of gloss makes these a great option for work or play. They also come in a second colour option called "make-up" which is lovely caramel colour.

All Women 180 Denier Opaques.

These tights are quite simply incredible. Just looking at them unworn, you can see the additional fabric on the thighs and tummy and as such, they have options fitting up to a UK 42.There is an insane amount of stretch to the All Women 180 Denier Opaques, yet somehow they stay exactly when you want them to. Mine fitted just underneath my bust which is great for Winter as it was like wearing a vest underneath my dress! They are probably the comfiest tights I have ever worn too, and would buy these in an array of colours if only they sold them!

Now that I've found The Big Tights Company, I finally feel I can step away from my leggings! Now we just need some more colours (mustard yellow and burgundy first please!) and my legs will never feel unloved in Winter ever again!

Until next time,

Diana xx

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(All photos (c) Diana Thompson / Fashion Loves Photos unless otherwise stated. Please do not reproduce without written permission.) 

Honey In Your Hips - Plus Size Tights from Pamela Mann

Oh my goodness, what a busy few weeks! I always find things get a little crazy this time of year and it's been a never ending stream of photoshoots, writing and DJ sets for a good month now. I've finally found some time to set aside to blog again, and it feels nice to be able to share a few things which I've really wanted to talk about.

Wild Rose Printed Tights (£.99) from Pamela Mann.

First of all, how stunning these Wild Rose printed tights from Pamela Mann? Available up to a UK size 32, these garden party inspired pins are the perfect product for those not quite ready to wave good-bye to Summer. They're also a fantastic way to break up a black dress and boots, they sit on the hip in a roomy fashion with no bunching or pinching at all.

Solid Bow Suspender Effect Tights (£7.99) from Pamela Mann.

The other tights I adored were these super cute Solid Bow Suspender Effect tights. Whilst I love a good pair of stockings, these will offer a little more protection against an Autumnal chill and are easy for everyday wear with no pinging belt straps in sight! Whilst the bow is designed to go at the front, I liked the subtlety of it to the back of the calf instead as it put me in mind of a stockinged seam. Once again, this design is available in Pamela Mann's plus size range and is available up to a UK size 32. I wear mine with a 50s style circle dress and petticoat and it's nice to have that flash of a seam when spinning round.

Until next time,

Diana xx

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(All photos (c) Diana Thompson / Fashion Loves Photos unless otherwise stated. Please do not reproduce without written permission.)

Shake A Leg - Plus Size Tights From UK Tights.

Finding the perfect pair of tights which don't slowly shuffle downwards is a never ending quest, but UK Tights have made the task a whole lot easier!

With more than 26,000 designs in their hosiery arsenal, they have waged war on ill fitting sag with a plus size section filled to the brim with fun, patterned and classic designs.

Pamela Mann 28 Heart Seam Tights in white.

Pamela Mann 28 Heart Seam Tights in black.

One of my favourite designs came from Pamela Mann. These heart seam tights are a wonderfully fun take on a traditional style and are available in size bands ranging from a UK 8 to a UK 32. The white option in particular is perfect for a bridal look but both colour ways have so much usage potential and are super cute!

Le Bourget Trio Fin Everyday Tights 3PP in gazelle.

Le Bourget Trio Fin Everyday Tights 3PP in gazelle.

It's not just patterned tights on UK Tights though - they also have a great range of everyday offerings such as the Le Bourget Trio Fin Everyday Tights which come in a pack of three.

Golden Lady Curvy 20 Denier Tights in black.

Another example of the perfect everyday selection is the Golden Lady Curvy 20 Denier Tights. Durable, stretchy and designed for a fuller figure, these tights have been specifically made to be the perfect everyday option.

Cervin Seduction Couture Bicolore Seamed Tights.

Cervin Seduction Couture Bicolore Seamed Tights.

Cervin Seduction Couture Bicolore Seamed Tights.

The final pair which I completely fell in love with was the Cervin Seduction Couture Bicolore Seamed Tights. They completely spoke to my vintage sensibilities with their red seam and cuban heel.It's impossible to wear these and not feel like an utter femme fatal and the simple contrast of black with a red seam ensures they go with every little black dress you own.

You can view the whole range of plus size tights and more by visiting the UK Tights website here.

Until next time,

Diana xx

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(All photos (c) Diana Thompson / Fashion Loves Photos unless otherwise stated. Please do not reproduce without written permission.)

Get A Leg Up - Plus Size Heart Panel Tights by Pamela Mann.

Heart Panel Tights by Pamela Mann (£7.99).

I feel like I am forever on a quest to find tights which fit well so was over the moon when I discovered that Pamela Mann tights went up to a UK size 32.

I have a tendency to buy tights in the biggest size I can with the aim of pulling them up to just underneath my chest where possible. If I don't, I find myself doing the "hosiery shuffle" to avoid the crotch sliding down towards my knees, but even then frequently throw some shapewear on top to keep them in place. For the first time in a very long time I trusted what the size guide said, and Pamela Mann didn't let me down. They were maybe a tiny bit tighter on the thigh than I'm used to, but once pulled up, stayed in place whilst I danced the night away.

I absolutely loved the peek-a-boo heart panel which peeked out from underneath my skirt. I was also really impressed that I managed to wear them for a whole evening without laddering them. If tights are a sandcastle, my nails, even when cut short are the ocean ready to destroy them! Even at my most gentle I seem to find a way to poke a finger through the fabric so was incredibly happy to get into them and pull them up whilst keeping them intact!

I'm really looking forward to trying out some other patterns in the range and just might have found the leg wear holy grail!

Until next time,

Diana xx

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(All photos (c) Diana Thompson / Fashion Loves Photos unless otherwise stated. Please do not reproduce without written permission.)

Little Wonder (aka Lida Tights).

Ever since I reached an age where puberty and it's subsequent curves kicked in, tights have been my mortal enemy. It didn't matter whether I was at my highest or lowest weight, I could not find a pair which would stay where they were meant to on my hourglass shape.

I brought tights too big in the hope that they'd be more resilient against gravity, but it was to no avail. I brought tights too small which would leave me walking around like a drunk marsupial. I brought tights within my "recommended size band" which would ladder before I'd got them over my knee, and I've brought tights which cost me as much as the rest of my outfit, only to find myself wearing them underneath additional knickers or spanx in the vain hope that they're stay north of the equator. Of course, they hardly ever did.

I hated tights and their anti-curve elitism and felt waves of leg envy as I was forced to resort to leggings, tights' less glamorous and frumpy cousin. I tried to convince myself that they were "more practical in the studio" but really I was just fed up with having to constantly do the "gusset almost around my knees" shuffle. On the plus side, it gave me an excuse to build up a cute collection of stockings for those occasions were leggings just wouldn't do, but stockings really aren't practical when doing the weekly shop or running to catch the last tube home. And heaven forbid you have a gust of wind attack your hem line - I've had moments in the middle of Camden and Brixton which would make Marilyn herself blush!

Enter Lida Tights, sartorial saviours of legs and curves. I was lucky enough to be given some black and nude tights to try out, and my legs have been strutting like they're stomping down a catwalk ever since!

The perfect nude tights for my Daria Halloween costume (post to follow).

Established in Poland over 20 years ago, Lida Tights design a wide range of tights and hosiery with lines specifically created for curves and plus sizes. They succeed where others have failed by adjusting to the needs of a fuller figure, with the larger sizes (2XL to 4XL) featuring double gussets in addition to a huge amount of stretch in key areas such as the thighs.

The perfect stay-put black tights for my outfit as a wedding guest (post to follow).

One other point to mention with  Lida Tights is their incredible durability. Between shooting a friend's wedding and DJing all night, neither pair laddered, bobbled or ripped. And having been washed and worn again since, they have maintained their shape and elasticity. Hurrah!

Although sadly you can't purchase their tights anywhere in stores, you can visit their website or Facebook and get in touch with them online. View their entire plus size range here and be prepared to ditch your leggings in favour of showing your legs off!

(I also want to stress that I haven't been paid to write this review, and indeed the tights were passed on via a third party and not from Lida Tights themselves. I genuinely was amazed by the incredible fit and wanted to share that in case other people have found similar issues with the fit of their hosiery.)

Until next time,
Diana xx

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