Reviewed: Janira Panty Cotton 120 Tights

This is the last review of Janira tights in the current sequence. I have so far reviewed the following styles:

Janira Panty Wonder 70 Tights
Janira Panty Wonder 40 Tights
Janira Panty Wonder 100 Tights

Janira tights were recommended to me by Mercería Gari, a hosiery store based in Zaragoza, Spain. All hosiery sold by Mercería Gari can be ordered online.

You can read the Hosiery For Men feature on Merceria Gari.



Materials and features 
The Panty Cotton 120 Tights are described as 'very opaque cotton tights that give the legs a casual, very modern look. Ideal for those looking for comfort, adaptability and strength without forsaking the advantages of a natural fibre like cotton. Recommended for the most sensitive skins types.'

They are made from 70% Cotton, 15% Polyamide and 15% Elastane.

The fabric is soft and quite stretchy. These are clearly warm, winter tights.

Overall appearance is matt with just a very slight shine when caught in light. Opacity is good but not total, as with most cotton tights the weave of the fabric is less dense.

The Panty Cotton 120 Tights are sheer to waist. Seams are flat and the GE (Extra Large) size that I tested has a rear comfort panel. The waistband is 3cm wide.



Fit and sizing
The Panty Cotton 120 Tights are available from Mercería Gari in three sizes: M , L and GE. I tested the GE size.

The GE size fits heights up to 183cm (6'0").

I have not reviewed a great many styles of cotton tights on Hosiery For Men. However, these are some of the best I have tried.

The fit was excellent. The high Elastane content in these tights means they fit really snugly. The fabric is very soft again the skin and provides a superb level of comfort.

The brief has plenty of room and can be stretched well above the waist if required.

Although these are warm tights, I found that breathability was very good.

Under jeans or trousers they look like black socks so can also be worn with confidence if you are worried that anyone will notice you are wearing tights.

Colour range
The Panty Cotton 120 Tights are available in seven shades according to the Janira website:



At Mercería Gari the following shades are currently available:

• Anthracite 
• Chocolat 
• Negro
• Petrol
• Begonia

I tested a pair in Black.

Price and availability
The Panty Cotton 120 Tights are priced at €12.60.

Conclusion
As I mentioned in my previous Janira review, all the styles I have tried so far have been excellent quality and very reasonably priced.

The Panty Cotton 120 Tights are ideal for all kinds of outdoor activities: walking and hiking, fishing, climbing, skiing and other winter sports. They would provide a warm base layer under clothing, but being cotton would also be breathable.

I haven't seen Janira hosiery on sale in the UK yet, but the online service provided by Mercería Gari is efficient, friendly and items arrive promptly.



Dear readers. Hosiery For Men is kept going by hosiery retailers and manufacturers who generously provide samples for review. Readers can also support this blog by clicking on any of the advertisements displayed and checking out the products on offer. Each time you do this you are making a valuable contribution and help to ensure that Hosiery For Men continues. Thanks for your continued support.

Reviewed: Janira Panty Wonder 100 Tights

Janira are a high quality Spanish hosiery brand. I have recently reviewed these styles:

Janira Panty Wonder 70 Tights
Janira Panty Wonder 40 Tights

Janira tights were recommended to me by Mercería Gari, a hosiery store based in Zaragoza, Spain. All hosiery sold by Mercería Gari can be ordered online and their service is first class.

You can read the Hosiery For Men feature on Merceria Gari.



Materials and features 
The Panty Wonder 100 Tights are described as 'extremely opaque tights with a satiny finish.'

They are made from 95% Polyamide and 5% Elastane. The fabric is very soft to the touch and has an impressive amount of stretch. The appearance is indeed satiny, but the tights are not overly shiny.

The Panty Wonder 100 Tights are quite dense and are almost completely opaque. They are sheer to waist. Seams are flat. The waistband is 3cm wide. The GE (Extra Large) size has a rear comfort panel.



Fit and sizing
The Panty Wonder 100 Tights are available from Mercería Gari in four sizes: M , L, G and GE. I tested the GE size.

The GE size fits heights up to 178cm (5'10").

As mentioned above, these tights have plenty of stretch and fitted me very well indeed. The waist band stretches over the navel with ease and would also stretch further if needed. Even when the legs are stretched, the opacity of the fabric isn't lessened significantly. The panty/brief has plenty of room.

I found that these tights fitted snugly but were not too tight at any point. I felt that a bit more Elastane in the fabric would have helped to enable them to cling a little bit more tightly, as when wearing for longer periods they did need a bit of pulling up from time to time.

The satiny texture provided a good glide under trousers.

Colour range
The Panty Wonder 100 Tights are available in seven shades according to the Janira website:



At Mercería Gari the following shades are currently available:

• Anthracite 
• Brun
• Chocolat 
• Negro

I tested a pair in the Brun shade. I would describe it as a lighter brown with hints of grey.

Price and availability
The Panty Wonder 100 Tights are priced at €11.00.

Conclusion
All the Janira tights I have tried so far have been excellent quality. At the price, the  Panty Wonder 100 Tights are really very good value indeed.

Once again, it is the quality of the fabric that is one of the key positive features. The fabric in the Panty Wonder 100 Tights is soft, stretchy but also very robust. I think these tights would wear really well for a long period.

I wore these tights on a very cold day and the the insulation was wonderful, without being too warm.

Mercería Gari are now also stocking the Janira Panty Wonder 200 Tights. These are an even thicker opaque style with a matt appearance. I hope I can test and review these also at some point. 

Dear readers. Hosiery For Men is kept going by hosiery retailers and manufacturers who generously provide samples for review. Readers can also support this blog by clicking on any of the advertisements displayed and checking out the products on offer. Each time you do this you are making a valuable contribution and help to ensure that Hosiery For Men continues. Thanks for your continued support.

Reviewed: Janira Panty Wonder 40 Tights

Janira are a Spanish hosiery brand that I have started to check out.

You can read my recent review of the Janira Panty Wonder 70 Tights. I also have some other styles to test and more Janira reviews will appear soon.

Janira tights were recommended to me by Mercería Gari, a hosiery store based in Zaragoza, Spain. All hosiery sold by Mercería Gari can be ordered online and their service is first class.

You can read the Hosiery For Men feature on Merceria Gari.



Materials and features 
The Panty Wonder 40 Tights are described by Janira as 'Opaque pantyhose with highly resistant matt finish, and a soft touch that will surprise you. Extremely opaque 40 denier pantyhose, very resistant and adaptable with a smooth satin finish.'

I am not sure about description that they are 'extremely opaque' given that they are 40 denier; however they certainly are more opaque than some other 40 denier styles.

These tights are made from 88% Polyamide, 11% Elastane and 1% Cotton. The fabric is very soft indeed, but also seems quite robust. They are mainly matt in appearance, although there is a touch of shine if caught in the light.

They are completely sheer to waist. Seams are flat and toes are not reinforced.

The waistband is 3cm wide and has a deeper 4cm reinforcement band below.

Sizes P (Small), M and L have a cotton gusset. The ME (Extra Medium) and GE (Extra Large) sizes both have a rear comfort panel.

Opacity is not total - I would say these are very much a semi-opaque style.



Fit and sizing
The Panty Wonder 40 Tights are available in five sizes: P (Small), M (Medium), ME (Extra Medium), G-L (Large) and GE (Extra Large). I tested the GE size.

The GE size fits heights up to 178cm 5' 9"). As with the Panty Wonder 70 opaque tights, the Panty Wonder 40 looked quite small when removed from the packet but they have an impressive amount of stretch. The fit for me was very good indeed, although I am not sure that they would stretch to a greater height than my 5'10". 

The sizing information on the packaging does however indicate that G-L (Large size) reaches to 183cm (6'0"), so that might be a better choice for a taller man or woman. I might try a G-L size next time and compare it with the GE size.

The brief has is deep and very comfortable. The waistband stretched comfortably over my waist.

I found these tights to be very, very comfortable indeed. The high Elastane content ensure that they adapt perfectly to your shape, with no sagging or bunching. They stayed in place really well.

The satiny texture of the Panty Wonder 40 also made for excellent glide under trousers.

Colour range
The Panty Wonder 40 Tights are available in thirteen shades according to the Janira website:

At Mercería Gari the following shades are currently available:

• Anthracite 
• Burgundy
• Brun
• Cappuccino
• Chocolat 
• Cuir 
• Marino 
• Navale 
• Negro
• Petrol
• Prune 
• Slate 

I tested a pair in the Navale (Blue) shade.

Price and availability
The Panty Wonder 40 Tights are priced at €8.87. At current exchange rates that works out at:

$11.42
£7.07

Conclusion
This is second style of Janira tights that I have tried and my impressions again are positive.

The luxuriously smooth fabric is a plus point. The fabric is also clearly quite strong, meaning these tights will wear well.

The high Elastane content provides a very close and comfortable fit.

For a semi-opaque style for the autumn season these are an excellent choice. The price is also reasonable for the level of quality.

Reviewed: Janira Panty Wonder 70 Tights

Janira are a Spanish hosiery brand. I haven't seen their products on sale in the UK, but they were highly recommended to me by Mercería Gari, a hosiery store based in Zaragoza, Spain. All hosiery sold by Mercería Gari can be ordered online.

You can read the Hosiery For Men feature on Merceria Gari.



Materials and features
The Panty Wonder 70 opaque tights are described as 'highly opaque 70 denier tights with an even satiny appearance.'

The fabric they are made from is 93% Polyamide, 6% Elastane and 1% Cotton.

They are sheer to waist and have flat seams. Toes have a slight reinforcement. There is a reinforcement band either side of the central seam.

The waistband is 4cm wide and provides excellent support. Sizes P, M and L have a cotton gusset. The GE (Extra Large) size has a rear comfort panel.

These tights have excellent opaque coverage, although I found that in those areas where the fabric was slightly more stretched, such as knees and thighs, it became slightly less so.

The Panty Wonder 70 opaque tights have quite a shiny appearance. The fabric is wonderfully smooth to touch and they feel very soft and comfortable next to the skin.



Fit and sizing
The Panty Wonder 70 opaque tights are available in four sizes: P (Small), M (Medium), L (Large) and GE (Extra Large). I tested the GE size.

The GE size fits heights up to 183cm (6'0"). I found that although the tights looked quite small when removed from their packaging, they had an impressive amount of stretch.

The brief has plenty of room and the waistband came comfortably over my waist.

I found these tights to be very, very comfortable indeed. The smooth, satin texture also meant that under trousers there was also plenty of glide.

Colour range
The Panty Wonder 70 opaque tights are available in thirteen shades according to the Janira website:



At Mercería Gari the following shades are currently available:

• Anthracite
• Chocolat
• Cuir
• Marino
• Navale
• Negro
• Slate

I tested a pair in the Negro (Black) shade.

Price and availability

The Panty Wonder 70 opaque tights are priced at €9.07. At current exchange rates that works out at:

• $11.90
• £7.34

Conclusion
This is the first time I have tried Janira tights. They were highly recommended to me due to their sizing for taller people and overall quality.

I am really impressed with them. They are extremely comfortable and feel wonderful when worn. The generous amount of Elastane provided for a close fit and they stayed in place all day.

I tested them on a cool day and they provided a nice additional layer of warmth as well as some moderate leg support.

For the price the overall quality is excellent and comparable to more expensive brands.

I am looking forward to testing and reviewing more styles from Janira.

Spotlight on Mercería Gari (Tights from Spain)

Hosiery For Men has a really wide international readership, judging from the blog stats that I check regularly. I have already written about several hosiery manufacturers and retailers that are not based in the UK.

Mercería Gari is hosiery store based in Zaragoza, Spain. I was please to be able to interview their sales and marketing director Nora Garizábal. The interview has been translated from the Spanish in which it was conducted.



Can you like to provide Hosiery For men readers with some information about Mercería Gari? Mercería Gari are a family business that was established in 1986. Based in Zaragoza, Spain, we are dedicated to selling socks, tights and stockings, underwear and lingerie. We have a reputation for the quality of our products and personal service we provide to our customers.

Do you have many male customers? Most of our clients are women who buy for their husbands and sons, but little by little society is changing and there are more men, especially young people as well as those who are middle-aged, who dare to buy their own underwear and also try new things.

It seems that in the UK and well as the USA and many other countries, tights are becoming more and more acceptable for men. What do you think about this fashion trend? Are there men buying tights for themselves in Spain also?
It's possible that here in Spain tights for men may become a more in demand product. However, at the moment, there are few manufacturers who are daring enough to launch styles directly to the male public.

This is a personal observation based on experience in our local area, Zaragoza. It is true that possibly in Barcelona or Madrid, someone else might say that this trend may already be more advanced there. They are the two most important cities in Spain and therefore, new fashion trends usually arrive their first.

What in your opinion are the advantages of tights for men? Are there any particular benefits for expample in relation to health, comfort or warmth in autumn and winter?
It is hard to answer this question completely as we haven't, as yet, made available any style of tights specifically made for men. The one thing I could say is that each person needs to wear products that suit their body. If it is possible to have a style of tights made spefically for men, then of course the fabric would be more comfortable as the tights would have been made carefully to meet men's needs.

Are there any particular styles or brands of tights that are popular with your male customers? The best seller is the Janira brand. But is will alweays depend on the needs of each person in terms of styles and sizing. However many men, before looking for comfort, are often guided by their fantasies.

If there are men that would like to buy tights from Mercería Gari what kind of service will they receive?
We differ from many other retailers in the variety of items and barnds that we stock. But above all we provide a professional, discrete and personalised service. We have more than 25 years of experience on this area.

Mercería Gari stocks the Spanish tights brand Janira. This brand is not available in the UK. Can you say something about this brand? Are their styles available in Large and Extra Large sizes.
Janira is a brand that guarantees quality with competitive prices. They have a wide variety of styles, in different fabrics and thicknesses, especially for the winter season. Janira hosiery is also available in wide range of sizes.

The ME and GE sizes, that we have available, provide more room in the brief with a rear panel, giving more space and comfort in the waist area for men who are both taller and less tall, or who simply wish to have more a more comfortable fit.

Alternatively, the Panty Maxilastic style is available in two deniers, Maxilastic 17 and Maxilastic 40. What makes this style special is the rear comfort panel, and a greater brief depth that reaches to the abdominal area. It is suitable for sizes up to 130kg and 190cm - thus catering for sizes that are not normally available with most brands of tights.



Are there any brands or styles of tights that you would recommend for men?
I would particularly highlight Cecialia de Rafael and Janira. 


From the Cecilia de Rafael range I would recommend:

Panty Coral: There are a range of colours in this style and these tights are opaque, shiny and soft to the touch. The Extra Large (GE) size has a rear comfort panel.



From the Janira range I would suggest:

The Panty Wonder 100: These tights are extra opaque, sheer to waist, with a uniform satin appearance and silky touch. The Extra Large (GE) size has a rear comfort panel.

The Panty Wonder 70: These are opaque satin tights, sheer to waist, hardwearing and with an elastic waistband. The Extra Large (GE) size has a rear comfort panel.



Legging Wonder 100: These are extra opaque leggings, sheer to waist with a satin appearance and silky touch. They differ from tights and for tall men may be more comfortable because they provide a greater length in the leg. It's recommended also that men might like to wear them with socks thicker or thinner than the thickness of the leggings.



Are you able to send orders by post to other countries? 
We can send items to any European country. To make an order to another country just get in contact with us via: info@merceriagari.com.

Thank you very much indeed Nora for your help with this feature. I am sure Hosiery For Men readers will find all the information above informative. It's great to hear about new brands and I hope to test and review some of the Janira tights very soon.

I have already reviewed the Cecilia de Rafael Coral 60 Denier Opaque Tights and they are a superb product and highly recommended.

If any readers would like the Spanish version of this interview to be published let me know.

Reviewed: Cecilia de Rafael Ave 70 denier opaque tights

I recently published reviews of two styles of opaque tights from the Spanish hosiery manufacturer Cecilia de Rafael.

You can still read the reviews of the Zafiro 60 Opac Plus Tights and the Coral 60 Denier Opaque Tights.

In the final review of this Cecilia de Rafael series, I will review the Ave 70 Denier Opaque Tights.

Material and features
The Ave 70 Denier Opaque Tights are described, in Spanish, as

'Panty totalmente opaco y mate, estética absolutamente uniforme. Alta elasticidad y ajuste perfecto.'

Translated this reads as:

'Totally opaque and matt tights, with a completely uniform appearance. High elasticity and a perfect fit.'

The Ave 70 Denier Opaque Tights are part of the Cecilia de Rafael Clásicos range and are made for Cecilia de Rafael in Italy.



As with both of the Cecilia de Rafael styles reviewed previously, my first impressions of these tights were very positive. The fabric, as in all Cecilia de Rafael tights, is of the finest quality and compares with some of the very best hosiery brands I have reviewed here.

The Ave 70 Denier Opaque Tights are made with Elastane 3D. The fabric used is 90% Polyamide (nylon) and 10% Elastane. The fabric has a very close weave and this accounts for the excellent level of opacity when worn. Even when the fabric is slightly more stretched at the knee and thigh, the tights provide a consistent and uniform coverage.

They are sheer to waist, with superb flat seams. The waistband is a wide and comfortable 3.5cm. There is a 3.5cm reinforced strip on each side of the central seam in the brief.

The toes have a narrow reinforcement band.

In the size 5 that I tested, there is a rear comfort panel. Sizes 1 to 4 have a cotton gusset.

These tights have a very slight sheen, but only when catching the light. The overall appearance is matt.

Fit and sizing
The Ave 70 Denier Opaque Tights are available in five sizes: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.



I tested a size 5 and the fit was perfect. The size 5 in the Coral 60 Denier Tights was perhaps a little too large for my 5'10" height, but the same size in the Ave 70 Denier Tights was spot on. The sizing information on then packet indicates that these would fit up to 190cm (more than 6') and they certainly have an excellent amount of stretch provided by the 10% Elastane content.

Like the other Cecilia de Rafael styles I have tested, the brief in the size 5 is very generous and comfortable stretched over my hips.

The tights stayed up well all day and needed very little pulling up or adjusting. The fabric clings to the curve of your legs and stays there.

I would have liked a little more glide when worn under trousers. I tested these tights under jeans and cotton chinos - they moved well but not as smoothly as the Coral 60 Denier Tights.

Colour range
The Ave 70 Denier Opaque Tights are available in an impressively wide range of shades:

• Negro 
• Marron
• Granate
• Cobalto
• Marino
• Amatista
• Botella
• Lapizlazuli
• Antracita
• Malva
• Rosso
• Natural
• Plomo
• Chocolate
• Militar
• Castoro
• Indigo
• Beaver
• Alaska

I tested a pair in Marron, a dark brown shade.

Price and availability
The Cecilia de Rafael website doesn't provide pricing information at the time of writing.

I have also not been able to identify, at this stage, where this particular style can be purchased. I will check with my contacts at Cecilia de Rafael and share any further information once it become available.

Conclusion
As with the other Cecilia de Rafael styles I have tested and reviewed, the Ave 70 Denier Opaque Tights are of the highest quality. Beautifully designed, and made with quality fabric, these tights are a real pleasure to wear. The fit was superb and I can see these as a great choice for men, particularly with the wide range of dark and neutral shades available. The matt appearance makes them a good option for wear instead of socks.

I only wish I was able to purchase this style, along with the Coral 60 Denier Tights, easily in the UK, as they would become one of my first choices for opaque hosiery.

Reviewed: Cecilia de Rafael Coral 60 Denier Tights

I recently wrote my first review of opaque tights made by the Spanish hosiery manufacturer Cecilia de Rafael. You can still read the review of the Zafiro 60 Opac Plus Tights.

We now turn our attention to the Coral 60 Denier Opaque Tights.

Material and features
The Coral 60 Denier Opaque Tights are part of the Cecilia de Rafael Clásicos range.

As with the previous Cecilia de Rafael style I reviewed, my first impressions of these were extremely positive. The fabric is absolutely top quality, with a very smooth feel.

The Coral 60 Denier Opaque Tights are 60 denier opaque tights made with Lycra 3D. The fabric used is 92% polyamide (nylon) and 8% Lycra.

Lycra 3D hosiery contains Lycra fibre in every stitch of every row. This high Lycra fibre content gives fabric exceptional elasticity and clings to the legs like a second skin, with no sagging or wrinkling.



These tights are also made with a very high 70% Tactel® content and it is this that provides the very soft feel to the fabric. I have just been reading more about Tactel®: it is a type of nylon that dries eight times faster than cotton, and is at least twice as soft as most other fibers. Tactel® is lightweight and breathable, but also extremely resilient compared to natural fibres. Oh, and the name Tactel® is derived from “tacto”, the Latin word for “touch.”

The Coral 60 Denier Opaque Tights are sheer to waist and have superbly constructed flat seams throughout. The waistband is about 4cm wide and is very comfortable.

In the size 5 that I tested, there is a rear comfort panel. Sizes 1 to 4 have a cotton gusset.

These tights have a satin sheen but are not overly shiny.

Opacity is good, and the tights look more like 70 to 80 denier hosiery when worn.

Fit and sizing
The Coral 60 Denier Opaque Tights are available in five sizes: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.



As I mentioned in my recent Cecilia de Rafael profile, the size 5 is welcome for men who may need a size that can accommodate a taller height.

I tested the size 5 and the fit was excellent. The tights have plenty of stretch and the brief also has plenty of depth. In fact, the size 5 may probably have suited someone slightly taller than me. Looking at the sizing information, I feel the size 4 would have provided a more snug fit overall.

The sheen of these tights provides very good glide under trousers.

Colour range
The Coral 60 Denier Opaque Tights are available in seven shades:

• Black 
• Brown 
• Plomo 
• Anthracite 
• Indigo 
• Marino
• Amethyst

I tested a pair in Black.



Price and availability
The Cecilia de Rafael website doesn't provide any pricing information but on the Canadian retailer Shapings website they are available for CA $22.99. The US retailer Hoisieree sells them for US $25.49.

Conclusion
My initial thoughts after testing the Coral 60 Denier Opaque Tights was that their quality backs up an opinion I have expressed frequently on this blog - that tights designed and made for women can also be an excellent product for men. Of course, this isn't always the case; you have to check the sizing information carefully. The Coral style is a superb product in every respect and they have been manufactured to a very high standard. The soft Tactel® fabric makes these tights really comfortable to wear, and they are highly recommended.

Reviewed: Cecilia de Rafael Zafiro 60 Opac Plus Tights

I recently wrote a profile of the Spanish hosiery manufacturer Cecilia de Rafael.



Cecilia de Rafael have sent me a number of samples of their opaque tights for review. The first style I have tested is the Zafiro 60 Opac Plus tights.



Materials and features
The Zafiro 60 Opac Plus tights are part of the Cecilia de Rafael Clásicos range.

First impressions are very positive. The material is beautifully soft and stretchy, and these are clearly a high quality product.

The Zafiro 60 Opac Plus are 60 denier opaque tights made with Lycra 3D. The fabric used is 80% polyamide and 20% elastane (Lycra).

Lycra 3D hosiery contains Lycra fibre in every stitch of every row. This high Lycra fibre content gives fabric exceptional elasticity and clings to the legs like a second skin, with no sagging or wrinkling.



The Zafiro 60 tights are completely sheer to waist and have well-constructed flat seams throughout. The waistband is about 1.5cm wide and is soft and comfortable.

In the size 5 that I tested, there is a rear comfort panel. Sizes 1-4 have a cotton gusset.

These tights are matt in appearance, with just a hint of a sheen.

Opacity is even, although not total. Where the fabric is more stretched, such as at the knees and thighs the appearance changes to that of a 40 or 50 denier opaque.

Fit and sizing

The Zafiro 60 Opac Plus tights are available in five sizes: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.



As I mentioned in the recent Cecilia de Rafael profile, the size 5 is welcome for men who may need a size that can accommodate a taller height.

I tested the size 5 and the fit was very good indeed. The tights have plenty of stretch and the brief also has plenty of depth.

The 3D Lycra ensured the tights fitted closely and there was no bunching or wrinkling. The high Lycra content also helped these tights to stay in place; they needed very little pulling up or adjusting during a whole day of wear.

The Zafiro 60 Opac Plus are not very thick opaque tights and they were a really comfortable wear under jeans on a cold February day. Despite being matt opaques the glide under trousers was very good.

Colour range

The Zafiro 60 Opac Plus are available in eight shades:

• Black 
• Brown 
• Chocolate 
• Anthracite 
• Amethyst 
• Lapislazuli 
• Bordeaux 
• Khaki 

I tested a pair in chocolate.



Price and availability
The Zafiro 60 Opac Plus tights are usually sold for around €12.50, although this may vary depending on retail outlet.

Cecilia de Rafael tights are available from several retailers including UK Tights, Shapings, Hosieree and Hosieria.

Conclusion
This is the first time I have tested and reviewed Cecilia de Rafael tights. The Zafiro 60 Opac Plus tights are a high quality product and the attention to detail in their manufacture is evident in every aspect. They would be a good choice for wear on cooler days; they provide a layer of insulation but are also very comfortable.

I am definitely a convert to tights made with Lycra 3D yarn - the fabric is exceptionally comfortable and the fit excellent.

Profile: Cecilia de Rafael

Cecilia de Rafael is a leading European hosiery manufacturer. Established in 1976, they focus on the production of tights and other hosiery in the medium-high quality range. 

Cecila de Rafael's central manufacturing hub is based near Barcelona, Spain. Here they aim to use the most advanced ecological materials in creating, dyeing and finishing their products.

They are currently a leading brand in the Spanish market and more than 15 countries worldwide.

The full range of Cecilia de Rafael tights can be viewed on their website. There are an impressive range of opaque styles. For male wearers, two positive features stand out: the availability of many styles in a size 5 (extra large) which caters for heights up to 190cm (6'2"), and the wide variety of dark and neutral shades.

In recent years, they have further expanded their product line by releasing a more youth-oriented brand, Samburu.

Cecilia de Rafael do not currently manufacturer tights made especially for men, however my conversations with them indicate that they are interested in increasing awareness of their range of opaque tights and exploring possibilities of developing this segment of the market.

Cecilia de Rafael have kindly sent me three styles to test and review. These are:
The Zafiro 60 Denier Opac Plus tights.



The Ave 70 Denier opaque tights.



The Coral 60 Denier opaque tights.



Cecilia de Rafael tights are available from several retailers including UK Tights, Shapings, Hosieree and Hosieria.