Morning:
13°c
They are the most unlikely new style accessory for men — a pair of tights.
The “Mantyhose” has been designed to keep a chap's legs warm this winter, while still allowing him to be fashionable.
Normally — if you can call it normal — they would be hidden under even the tightest trousers. But along came another trend — the mini kilt. It seemed a marriage made in sartorial heaven, as the Standard's Alex Plough bravely displayed in an impromptu solo show for Fashion Week in Kensington Gardens today.
The tights, on sale from today at Selfridges, were introduced in response to demand from men not prepared to spend another winter shivering. The Mantyhose are made of a cotton/lycra blend that is super skin-tight. The breathable fabric also prevents overheating.
David Walker-Smith, Selfridges' director of menswear and beauty, said: “Mantyhose are extremely versatile, give legs an extra boost of warmth on the chilliest nights and are a true style statement. We had so many enquiries about tights from men wanting to wear them under suits or builders working outside that we decided to introduce a range.”
Hywel Davies, a lecturer in fashion communication at London's Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and author of Modern Menswear, said: “These seem like a version of long johns, which have been used for a long time.”
The 120-denier men's hosiery range is produced exclusively by London clothing label Unconditional. The tights, which cost £70, come footless or footed and in black, grey or beige. The brand is also selling the black “men's mini kilt” for £275.
Reader views (10)
Thanks so much for brightening my Friday afternoon. I thought it was Sept 24th not April 1st!
- Rachel Dyer, london
Er, are these not long johns?
- Nick Bacon, dc, usa
Why does it have to be that expensive. tights for women are at most 10 pound and a skirt that small, would be 20 ish. But when it's made for men it's 10 times as expensive. That way we have to keep shopping the women's department and will these trends never settle. No one can afford that.
- Wichor, gouda, netherlands
When I were but a lad on t'railway, in deepest mid-winter, the older chaps would wear their wives old panty hose or tights under their trousers to keep warm.
Well that's the reason they gave me.
- Threaded, Roskilde, Denmark
I'd wear mantyhose under me trousers perhaps but I wouldn't be seen out in that kilt even though I do have the legs for it (always have to cover them up when I go into churches in Europe as I might distract women from their prayers).
- Geek Freak, Paris, Texas
The tights cost 70 pounds? - there's one born every minute!
- Wa, Oxfordshire
It's only the finest sheer Italian hosiery for me!
- Anthony, Esher, Surrey
Call him old fashioned but I'd love to see anyone try and convince my husband or indeed any of his mates that wearing tights is OK, acceptable or even cool!!! Still, each to their own!
- Isabel, Woking
Suppose having Mandelson returning to the Cabinet had its uses.
- William, Hay~Heath UK
It seems that folks in the UK are just beginning to warm to the men's legwear trend that's been progressing quite well since 2002 here in the U.S., as well as on the Continent, from what I can gather. I've been working fulltime to publicize this emerging trend for some time on this side of The Pond (see my blog, The Nylon Gene) and it's gradually taking root. These days, I wear sheer legwear most places I go--until it gets a little colder, then I'll switch to opaque tights, and the people I encounter take it completely in stride. ActivSkin sells support hosiery that helps with leg health at a reasonable cost, and is comfortable. There is a distributor in the UK, too. Look for it at Legwear4Men.
I've talked to a number of men in the UK who can attest to the fact that men's legwear is here to stay, and there was certainly a lively response several weeks back when I was interviewed by Lynne Duffus on BFBS Radio there in London.
- Steve Newman, Columbus, Ohio - USA
