Wolford Sheer 15

by Geraden

My recent visit to House of Fraser was rewarded by the discovery of a couple of pairs of Wolfords in the sale in size XL. I rarely buy Wolfords for myself, because many of the lines are not made in XL (Fatal 15s for example stop at Large). And even where the XL size exists, rarely is it stocked, and still rarer to be found reduced in the sale.

One of the pairs that I got last week was the Sheer 15, for which I paid £7.00 instead of £14.00. I was not too keen on the colour, coca (a dark brown), but there was no choice of colours. It was that or nothing.

When I opened the packet, my first impression was how long these tights were as they came out - not only in the leg but also in the body; then the fineness of the knit and softness of the fabric became apparent. They felt nice to put on and to wear. Wolford tights really are the most sensuous of hosiery.

Basic facts about the Sheer 15's: they are sheer to waist, with sandal toe, flat seams, cotton lined gusset, and a lycra content of 17%. They are fully boarded (shaped); they have a broad, soft waistband with the Wolford logo printed on it and a garment label at the back. In the right colour they would be low-visibility tights, and the fit is excellent. The XL size is advertised for up to 5'10"; and I am six inches above that, and they still fitted me well.

The only thing to spoil the enjoyment was my fear of snagging them and causing a pull or a ladder, though by all accounts Wolford quality means that the tights are less likely to suffer such damage.

These are certainly some of the best sheer to waist tights I have tried. I will have to think very carefully whether they have the edge over the Falke Seidenglatt and Gerbe Sunlight, both of which are 20 denier. Among 15 denier sheer to waist tights, they seem to be better in feel and fit than Max Mara Velato.

Update 15.10.2006: Having worn the Sheer 15s a few times, I would add that they have very little compression or support. Depending on your preference, this could  be a good thing or a bad thing. These are not a 'Nylons' type of hosiery, but they do have some similarities - the fabric is prone to wrinkle, for example at the ankles. I still think that the Wolford Sheer 15s are better than Max Mara Velato, but there again,  I still prefer either Falke Seidenglatt and Gerbe Sunlight to the Wolford 15s.

Update 21.10.2006: I have washed the Sheer 15 tights amd hung them on the line to dry. Here they are between Charnos Sheer Lustre, which are themselves long, and Silkies Ultra Control Top, which are stretchy. The Wolfords measure (without stretching) 63" from waist to toe! (That is 160cm for the continentals among us.) You can tell how fine the knit is, because you can see the garden hedge right through two layers of nylon!