Valentine’s Day is not only an opportunity to treat someone you love to a special gift but it can also be a chance to treat yourself to some gorgeous new underwear.  Whether you are buying for yourself or someone else though, don’t forget that hosiery is an essential part of the whole look.  Here at AlexBlake.com we have a great selection of stockings and thigh highs that will complete your seductive ensemble.

If you have chosen a lacy underwear set then you simply have to complete it with some lace top thigh highs.   Donna Karan’s Lace Thigh Highs are sheer thigh highs with a wide band of beautiful lace at the mid thigh and give a really flattering and feminine look.  The highly decorative lace tops have an irresistible and intricate floral pattern making them some of the prettiest thigh highs around.  Donna Karen hosiery always represents outstanding quality so not only will they make you look gorgeous but they feel divinely luxurious.  They are sure to put you in the mood for seduction.

If you find lots of lace a little too girly, try the sleeker, more minimalist look of Hanes Silk Reflections Silky Sheer Thigh Highs.  They have a slimmer and unfussy lace band at the mid thigh which gives a sleeker look.  They look especially great if you have chosen plainer underwear set in a luxury fabric like satin or silk – team with a pair of stilettos and you have a look that is alluring and in control.

Of course if you really want to ramp up the sex appeal you just have to go for classic stockings and suspender belts.  We are encouraging everyone to give stockings and suspenders a try this Valentine’s Day by offering a free Jonathan Aston Suspender belt when you buy two pairs of stockings, pantyhose or hold ups from Jonathan Aston’s Vintage Legs Collection, simply add both pairs & the suspender belt to your basket and the discount will be applied at the checkout.  The come in a range of rich colors that you can match to the rest of your lingerie set for a coordinated look.  Packaged in a cute heart shaped box these suspenders make a great gift if you are looking for a little extra for that special someone.

If you are giving lingerie as a gift this Valentine’s Day, choosing gorgeous stockings or thigh highs will make you look extra thoughtful.  If you are buying for yourself then try don’t be afraid to try out a matching suspender belt and some sexy stockings.    Whatever you have planned for Valentine’s Day, we are sure that our beautiful range of hosiery will help make the occasion one to remember.

Now winter is really beginning to bite, the AlexBlake.com office has been alive with discussions about our favourite winter warmers. Of course we all crave the luxury and warmth of cashmere or angora wool in the winter but there aren’t many of us who can afford to treat ourselves to this level of luxury all the time!  So we thought it would be fun to give you an insight into the products that we wear day to day to get through the winter.  Between us we’ve picked out something for every style and budget so here are the AlexBlake.com team’s choices for everyday warmth this winter.

1)      Falke Soft Merino Wool Tights

Merino wool could have been invented especially for tights.  It’s a high performance fiber which has amazing insulation properties while remaining ultra lightweight and gorgeously soft – perfect for winter tights.    We’ve got a few merino wool options but my absolute favourites are the Falke Soft Merino Wool Tights.  They are fantastic quality and exceptionally soft – this is wool you can wear all day with no hint of an itch.  The feet are also nicely shaped so they fit perfectly through the ankle without wrinkling.  This is especially useful if you want to wear them with shoes or pumps rather than boots.

At $69.00 they are something of an investment but one pair will last through the whole season and, if well cared for, they will see you through next winter and beyond.  Do check out Falke’s ribbed wool tights too for when you when you want to add a little wintery texture to your outfit – their slim ribbing is really flattering and is a nice way to give a short skirt a more dressed down look.

2)      Trasparenze Gennifer Merino Wool Tights

Ok we already have a pair of merino wool tights in our top five but we just had to mention the Trasparenze Gennifer Merino Wool Tights for their amazing warmth and great palette of colors that are right on trend for the jewel tones that are dominating this season.  As one member of the team said, “they look pretty thin but boy do they keep you warm!  I recommend these to all my friends when they complain about being cold!” At $19.25 they are way more affordable than the Falke so I’d make sure you stock up on every shade.

3)      Falke Cotton Touch Tights

As I mentioned above, Falke tights are just wonderful quality and a real treat for your legs.  The super soft cotton mix is one of the reasons we’ve picked these Falke Cotton Touch Tights as one of our favourite pairs of winter tights.  Also, as one member of the AlexBlake.com team thoughtfully pointed out, not everyone can wear wool tights and cotton alternatives can be hard to get hold of.  The Cotton Touch Tights are also great for work as they give the look of opaque tights but in a breathable 43% cotton fabric which is warm but won’t make you boil when you go into heated buildings.

Hardwearing, great quality and all the wonderful fit and comfort features you would expect from Fallke, we all agreed you can’t go wrong with the Falke Cotton Touch range of tights, leggings and socks.

4)      Pretty Polly Soft Opaque Tights

I had no idea that Pretty Polly’s Soft Opaque Tights delighted the rest of the team so much.  We got some out and immediately everyone exclaimed that they “feel soooo soft”.   These have a woolly finish which is beautifully warm but at $8.72 they are perfect if you are working on a tight budget.

5)      Trasparenze Dora Wool Rib Over Knee Socks

Layering up is the best way to stay warm in winter and it doesn’t just have to be for your top half.  The girls in the office love to layer the Trasparenze Dora Wool Rib Over the

Knee Socks over colorful opaque tights in the winter – we’d recommend checking out the colors in Pamela Mann 80 and 120 denier opaque tights.    We wear them pulled up over the knee with skirts to give a flash of color at the thigh or slouched down over knee high boots for a more casual look.  Unlike some other over the knee socks they have a generous and stretchy band at the top so they will stay up without creating an unattractive bulge at the thigh.

We’ve got a huge range of winter woollies in merino wool, cashmere and angora as well as mega thick opaques that will insulate you against the cold winter winds but this is just a snapshot of the products we wear all the time.   We’ve love to hear about your failsafe winter favourites.

I do think that it is important that I and the rest of the AlexBlake.com team regularly wear all the products that we sell.  If we know the products inside out, so to speak, it really helps us to offer best service and advice to our customers.  Over the years, I think that I have worn just about every pair of opaque tights that we sell AlexBlake.com but we are always adding new products to the site so I thought it was about time I did a more structured trial and ‘compare and contrast’ exercise.

It has taken nearly 8 weeks but I have now personally tested 30 different products.  Testing every colour was also in the original plan but, after realising we have over 80 different shades I decided that perhaps this was a task for another day!  As much as I love opaques, I need to leave some room in my life for the funky fashion styles too.

When choosing my tights, there are a few key things that I consider:

Thickness – will they give enough warmth and give the look I am trying to achieve?

Colour – I try not to wear black if possible and instead try to match or blend shades with my outfit.

Control –  the level of control for tummies, hips and thighs you need will depend to an extent on what you are planning to wear but the control level does vary from one brand to another.

Shine – Tights with an attractive shine are always my first preference but we have plenty of opaques with a classic matte finish.

Sizing – Tights that dig in or slip down are annoying and can ruin an otherwise flawless look so fit and comfort are really important

Price – The highest quality opaque tights are obviously more expensive but there are lots of great options at lower price points.

Which Brand?

Putting on a pair of Falke opaques ($38 – $79) is always a great experience.  As soon as you take them out of the packaging you will understand why they are more expensive than your run of the mill opaque tights.  Whichever Falke product you choose, they are silky smooth and soft with a beautiful even colour. Like many of our European brands they tend to come without a control top.  They will last too – I wash them and wear them again and again.  When you consider cost per wear they are great value.

Getting the perfect fit is also easier with the more expensive products as they tend to come in a wider range of sizes.  Cheaper one size products may be fine if you happen to fit into the “average” size bracket but if you are very petite, tall or curvy I’d advise you to seek out the brands which have lots of size options.

For color Jonathan Aston and Pamela Mann are hard to beat.  With around 25 different shades in their 40 and 50 denier styles you can’t fail to find something that will pep up your outfit.  The slight downside is that they only come in one size and they are non-control top but then at $9.75 and $8.25 respectively they are one of the most affordable ways to inject some color and transform your closet!

DKNY tights are highly recommended and are a way to get a little bit of designer luxury at an affordable price.  Ranging from $13.50 to $17.00 DKNY’s opaque tights always feel soft, silky and durable and are built for comfort with a choice of control top and non-control top in most styles.

Hue tights are especially good value for money and they make great tights for every day.  You can pick up two pairs for $20 and they have control top and footless options a well as a range of fantastic colors.

British brand Aristoc have recently relaunched their range of opaque tights and really given them a luxury look and feel.  As a brand they tend to have more options without a control top than with.   When you feel like spoiling yourself indulge in the luxuriously soft microfiber opaque tights and or their cashmere blend winter woollies.

When you want really effective control and shaping of course you have to turn to Spanx who do bodyshaping tights with a control level that it is hard to find elsewhere.

Which Thickness?

It is not a term that we often use in the US but “denier” is a handy indicator of the thickness of hosiery.  Basically, it is a measure of the weight of the yarn used to weave the tights and it is a term that is commonly used in Europe to describe thickness in hosiery (if you want more information about deniers then do check out our advice pages) but all you need to know is the higher the number the thicker the tights are.

Semi-Opaque (40 denier)

At 40 denier you are will get a strong colour on the leg but you will still be able to see the skin through them.  This is an ideal weight when you want more intensity of colour and durability than you get from sheers without looking too wintery.

For color options, Jonathan Aston 40D Opaques ($9.75) are the best with their 25 exciting shades which you can match or blend with whatever you are wearing.   I’d recommend stocking up on every color so you will never been short of outfit inspiration.

DKNY is has lots of options in this weight and it is probably best for control.  Along with the smooth and luxurious feel you get will all DKNY tights, the DKNY Comfort Control Luxe Tights ($14.50) and DKNY Basic Control Top Tights ($14.50) give light control to your hips, tummy and rear for a sleeker silhouette.

If, like me, you love shiny tights the Falke Seidenglatt 40D Tights ($38) have a high shine that always adds a touch of glamour.  If you prefer a classic matte finish Aristoc’s new, super soft Microfiber Tights ($25) have a deluxe feel and great fit.

Hue tights might not offer the luxury feel of Falke and DKNY but they represent great value for money.  The secret control top on the Hue Shaper Opaque Tights($12.50) offers a medium level of control along with the matte finish and attractive semi-opaque appearance.  If you can do without the control top, the Hue’s Opaque Sheer to Waist Tights ($12.50) give the same finish but in a range of wearable colours.

Opaque (41-69 denier)

As you move to a higher denier, you will get a more solid color and the tights become less see through.  They are also warmer so move up the denier scale as the weather gets colder.

When you want a great look on a budget, I cannot recommend Pretty Polly opaque tights highly enough.

For $6.50 Pretty Polly 60D Opaque Tights are great quality and they come in a  range of colors that are perfect for the jewel tones that are dominating this season.

For even more color options however, the ever popular Pamela Mann 50D Opaque Tights ($8.25) come in a seemingly endless array of shades.  These are the tights that really surprised me in testing as the quality has improved so much since I last wore them.  They feel really soft and have a 3D lycra construction which means they have a very even appearance.

When you need a control top as well as good coverage, DKNY tights are an affordable bit of designer luxury.  The DKNY High Waist Control Top Tights ($15)offer amazing control from the bra-line to the top of the thigh combined with 50 denier leg with a very slight sheen.

Thick Opaque (70-99 denier)

Thick opaques (of 70 denier and above) give a very solid dense color and you will only see a hint of skin though them when you bend your leg.

An old favourite of mine is the Falke Seidenglatt 70 Tights ($44).  As you would expect from Falke, they are gorgeously soft – but it is the high shine that really sets them apart from others.  Every year Falke make these tights in a range of new fashion colours and I make sure I always get my hands on them!

I’ve almost found a rival for my affections though.  The new Mary Portas and Charnos 80 Denier Satin Tights are not only cheaper at $22.50 but they have a lovely satiny shine and a beautifully silky feel that was a joy to wear.

The Spanx Tight End Bodyshaping Tights ($26) are what you should slip into when you want strong control for your tummy as well as firming for your hips, rear and thighs.  These great quality, classic matte tights will give you a trimmer figure and look that works for every occasion.

For colour – yet again, all I need to say is Pamela Mann – we had 21 shades of their 80D tights ($9.89) last time I counted!

Mega Thick Opaques (100 + denier)

Your mega thick opaques are essential when the temperature really plummets.  At 100 denier plus there is no leg showing through and you will stay warm as toast.

Falke’s Pure Matt 100D Tights ($56) are unbeatable.  Perfect if you are dashing between meetings, they are what I will wear when it is really cold outside but I need to look professional and well turned out.   For more affordable option the Trasparenze 100D Cortina Tights ($17.95) are great.

There are also lots of ‘woolly’ options available but I think that I may need to save these for a separate post.

I have now tried and tested every pair of opaque tights on the AlexBlake.com website – that’s a lot of tights!  I’ve confirmed some old favorites but I’ve also discovered some new ones.  If you are still not sure about which opaque tights to pick, give us a call and we’ll be happy to share our experiences with you.

I know we haven’t had Thanksgiving yet but, after next week we will definitely be in the home straight to Christmas.  There is nothing like that smug feeling of knowing your holidays are all set when others are doing the last minute dash around busy malls.  We’ll be dishing out plenty of gift buying tips over the next few weeks but I’ve decided to start with some of our trickiest family members.  Daughters, moms, dads – they are the people that you know best in the world so how come you often come up with a blank when it comes to their presents?  To help you along, I’ve put together some failsafe ideas that will help you find the perfect gifts for your nearest and dearest this Christmas.

Gifts for your Mom

She’s the one that makes Christmas magic so make sure you spoil your Mom at Christmas.  Cashmere is the way to do it so check out our range of cashmere socks from B.ella and Pantherella.   For something luxurious but still fun, give the B.ella Polka Dot Cashmere Blend Socks. Their dotty pattern comes in a range of colors and they are so soft they are just what you want for putting your feet up in front of the fire.

For stylish moms we’d recommend the Mary Portas and Charnos range.  Aimed at women over 40, the range has been carefully edited to include all the season’s key trends in wearable styles.  Flattering vertical stripes, luxuriant metallic floral patterns and super fashionable spots are all included so give your mom something that will have her feeling glamorous and right on trend for this season.

Gifts for Teenage Girls

Teenagers are always hard to buy for but if you really want to impress your daughter, niece or sister give the Henry Holland Super Suspender Tights.   Do drop the fact that they were recently pictured on Rihanna into conversation.  Designed by hot Brit designer Henry Holland, any of the House of Holland for Pretty Polly Tights you buy are sure to be a hit.  Their quirky and original patterns feature bold stars, bones, ladders and bingo balls and they are also the subject of a major advertising campaign featuring edgy British popstar Jessie J – certain proof of their ultra cool status.

Gifts for your Dad

Buying your dad socks for Christmas seems like a boring option but it really doesn’t have to be.   We love Burlington’s colourful patterned Norfolk Men’s Socks which look great with loafers for weekends but also give a smart splash of color under those work suits.  The sporty look and argyle pattern of Burlington’s Dorset Men’s Socks is not just for the golf fanatic – it is also worth noting that they look great on younger guys who want to go for a classic preppy look. For something luxurious try B.Ella’s cashmere socks for men, or the Falke Silk Men’s Socks, which are a little touch of glamour and a must have evening sock for every man.   Just what a present should be, they are a little bit of luxury that he would never think to buy for himself.

Get ahead of the game and get your Christmas present orders in early this year.  Socks and hosiery can make wonderful gifts and AlexBlake.com has plenty of options – from the inexpensive and practical for stocking fillers to tights that are more fashionable and fun and work as a main present.  What’s more we can deliver Christmas to your door! There is nothing like the smug feeling of knowing that Christmas is taken care of before December even begins.