Spotlight on Compression à la Mode

Compression à la Mode was launched in 2013 with the aim of offering stylish and comfortable alternatives to the compression hosiery currently available on the European market.

Hosiery For Men recently interviewed Compression à la Mode owner Emma Cahill, and we are pleased to now publish this feature.



Can you provide Hosiery For Men readers with some background to Compression à la Mode? When did you start the business and how has it developed? 
CalM was founded earlier this year (2013) after I realised that I couldn’t be the only person in Europe struggling to find attractive compression options. It started with one brand, (RejuvaHealth from the US) and nine products and now stocks several more brands from all over the world and has over a hundred products online and counting.

When you started Compression à la Mode did you plan at the outset to stock products for men as well as women? 
The idea for CalM came from my (I’m female) struggle to find attractive and comfortable compression options but as soon as I started to talk about it I realized that there were definitely more of us out there. My grandfather for example had been prescribed flight socks to wear to combat his edema. After noticing him struggling with it and constantly elevating his legs, I suggested he actually wear the socks he turned into a sulky child. He pulled the out and they were nude and lacy and very difficult to put on and he said he’d been getting teased about them by his friends. Straight away I broadened my search for compression options to incorporate every style I could think of.

You are selling the Solidea Men's Dynamic Tights. These are a new product from Solidea. Can you tell us a bit more about this style? 
As I’m sure you know, most tights are designed with women in mind. The Dynamic tights incorporate all of Solidea’s amazing patented technologies with some adapted features aimed at making them more comfortable and practical for men to wear. The Dynamic offers 18-21mmHg compression which is perfect for men who need to care for venous problems above the knee. They are also a better fit for the male shape than the models designed for women. The Dynamic comes with an option for an open-toe which is great for men who don’t like any tightness around the toes (often a problem for taller men in women’s tights)






Are there any particular styles of tights or other compression hosiery that are popular with your male customers? 
The Catherine model (also from Solidea) is popular with men who need full-leg compression but don’t want to shave. A lot of men struggle with the silicone band of hold-ups as it is not designed to accommodate coarse male hair. The silicone often catches and can be uncomfortable. We tested some of the glues available to help with this problem but haven’t found any products we’re happy with yet.

The Catherine model can be worn comfortably with a suspender belt and comes in a range of compression classes and colours.



For men who have lower leg venous problems or who travel a lot, our range of cotton socks have been very popular. A lot stick to “plain black socks” whereas others go for cheeky colours and patterns and leave them peeking out of their work wear.

You also carry a much larger range of support and compression tights. Would any of these also be suitable for men, who might wish to try other styles other than opaque tights? 
As mentioned, the Catherine thigh-highs have proven very suitable. Our RejuvaHealth compression leggings would also be a good option in my opinion. All our knee highs and ankle highs are suitable once they are sized correctly.



Are you planning to further develop your range of men's tights? 
I have some new styles for men’s knee highs and sports compression leggings in mind. As the Dynamic are a new style, I don’t yet have a full picture of what men are looking for in a pair of tights. I know the higher denier options are great for when hair is an issue and I looked into dance skins as well on the recommendation of some of our male clients, but that’s about it. I’d appreciate any feedback your readers would have to offer.



What kind of service will male customers receive at Compression à la Mode? Do you welcome enquiries and requests for advice? 
As CalM is a small and new operation, when you make an enquiry you are talking to me directly. I welcome questions, concerns, feedback and am always happy to do some research to try and source something for a client. I’m happy to chat away to anyone with an enquiry. I must add that I am not a medical professional so when it comes to medical advice, I will always suggest you consult with your GP.

There has been a huge amount of media coverage of 'mantyhose' (tights for men) in recent months. What are your thoughts about the greater visibility of men buying and wearing tights these days? 
I welcome it! Men shouldn’t have to be labelled because they wear tights. Many are putting their health at risk by avoiding wearing compression simply because they view it as feminine! Athletes run around in sports tights all the time because of the comfort and benefits. Why can’t everyone else do the same and wear what they want. I was scrutinised for wearing medical tights, “at my age”, I don’t know if that compares but it had an awful effect on my morale and pushed me to start CalM.

Thanks for speaking to Hosiery For Men, Emma. I am sure readers will find this feature very informative and useful.

Hosiery For Men is sustained by hosiery retailers and manufacturers who generously provide us with samples for us to 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 ensure that Hosiery For Men continues. Thanks for your continued support.

Vintage men's tights adverts: Helanca

Here is another image from our occasional ongoing series of vintage men's tights adverts.

The image is from 1972, and name  brand is Helanca.

Hosiery For Men is sustained by hosiery retailers and manufacturers who generously provide us with samples for us to 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 ensure that Hosiery For Men continues. Thanks for your continued support.

Reviewed: Nylonica Linea Lusso Silk 40 opaque microfibre tights

Stockings HQ is an online hosiery retailer with a large range of tights, including many top brands.

They sent Hosiery For Men several pairs of tights to test and review from the Italian Nylonica brand, which is available only at Stockings HQ and Pantyhose HQ.

We have already published reviews of the Nylonica Linea Lusso microfibre 20 tights and Nylonica Linea Lusso Silk 70 opaque microfibre tights.

We now focus on the Nylonica Linea Lusso Silk 40 opaque microfibre tights.



Materials and features
The Nylonica Linea Lusso Silk 40 opaque microfibre tights are described at Stockings HQ
as 'beautifully made and sensuously soft and silky Italian opaque tights made with double covered Lycra for a perfect fit and extra strength.'

These 40 denier tights are made in Italy, like the rest of the superb Nylonica range.

The fabric is 77% Polyamide (nylon), 19% Elastane (double covered Lycra) and 4% Cotton.

As with other styles in the Nylonica Linea Lusso range, they are nicely packaged. The rear of the packaging provides useful sizing information.



These tights don't look very long when taken out of their packaging, but they stretch impressively.

The fabric is extremely soft to the touch. Opacity is not total and these are very much a semi-opqaue style. Coverage is even throughout and the tights have a smooth sheen.

They are completely sheer to waist. Legs are shaped at the heel and toes are reinforced.

Seams are strong and flat throughout and with the same quality engineering we saw in the other two Nylonica styles that we have previously reviewed.

The 4-X Large size I tested has a rear comfort panel made from a slightly denser, and stroger fabric.

The waistband is 3cm wide and and comfortable. It has a 3cm reinforcement band running below. The central front seam also has reinforcement on either side.

Fit and sizing
The Nylonica Linea Lusso Silk 40 opaque microfibre tights are available in three sizes: 2-Medium, 3-Large and 4-X Large.



I tested the 4-X Large size, which according to the packaging fits up to 5'10". Unlike the Nylonica Silk 70 tights I don't feel that this style would fit well if taller than this height.

Like the other Nylonica styles already reviewed, these tights are really top quality. The high Lycra content ensure that there is a snug fit on every part of the leg. The fabric is beautifully silky and smooth and seems to caress the legs. I also found that when worn all day they provided some nice leg support.

The brief has good depth and pulls comfortably over the waist.

Worn under trousers, the slight sheen provides excellent glide.

Colour range
The Nylonica Linea Lusso Silk 40 opaque microfibre tights are available in Black only, the shade that I tested.

Price and availability
The Nylonica Linea Lusso Silk 40 opaque microfibre tights are available from Stockings HQ for £10.95.

There remains an offer on Stockings HQ and Pantyhose HQ of 15% discount if any two pairs of Nylonica tights, stockings or knee highs/ankle highs are purchased.

The Nylonica Linea Lusso Silk 40 opaque microfibre tights are also available from Pantyhose HQ for $14.77. Pantyhose HQ delivers outside the EU.

Delivery from Stockings HQ is free in the UK if you spend more than £50.00.

Conclusion
This review completes our current survey of the Nylonica Lusso range. There is also a Skin 5 Ultrasheer style stocked by Stockings HQ. Nylonica also make a range of 'Classica' tights.

All the Linea Lusso styles reviewed so far have been wonderful quality and the Nylonica Linea Lusso Silk 40 opaque microfibre tights are no exception.

For a 40 denier style they certainly complete well with the Janira Panty Wonder 40 Tights, although are slightly more expensive. In appearance and feel they are also quite similar to the Marks and Spencer Autograph 40 Denier Silky Soft Tights, but are much better quality and more durable.

The silky sheen on this tights make them a good choice to wear under trousers on cooler days, when you don't want to overheat with a heavier denier style.

Another winning style from Nylonica. Slightly more costly than some other semi-opaque styles but as we have said before: you get what you pay for.

Recommended.

Just arrived: HYD Millenium 70 Denier Matt Opaque Tights

Hosiery retailer Luxury Legs have very kindly sent us a sample of the HYD Millenium 70 Denier Matt Opaque Tights.



HYD is a brand that is new to Hosiery For Men and we are looking forward to testing and reviewing this style.




Hosiery For Men is sustained by hosiery retailers and manufacturers who generously provide us with samples for us to 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 ensure that Hosiery For Men continues. Thanks for your continued support.

Vintage men's tights adverts: Huber

Here is an image from 1970 of the men's tights made by the German brand Huber.




Hosiery For Men is sustained by hosiery retailers and manufacturers who generously provide us with samples for us to 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 ensure that Hosiery For Men continues. Thanks for your continued support.

Vintage men's tights adverts: Trumpf

Here is another image of the men's tights made by the German brand Trumpf.

This one also dates from 1972.




Hosiery For Men is sustained by hosiery retailers and manufacturers who generously provide us with samples for us to 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 ensure that Hosiery For Men continues. Thanks for your continued support.

Vintage men's tights adverts: Trumpf

Here is another image in our occasional series of vintage adverts for men's tights.

Here is a 1972 advert for the German brand Trumpf.

Herren Strumpfhose is German for men's tights.




Hosiery For Men is sustained by hosiery retailers and manufacturers who generously provide us with samples for us to 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 ensure that Hosiery For Men continues. Thanks for your continued support.