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Monday, August 31, 2020

Monday Morning Inspiration

 Whenever I travel, I love finding unique stores, be it boutiques, or fabric stores. My curiosity has given me the chance to meet some of the most interesting people. A number of years ago, I met a very unique woman who had the most fabulous boutique in Galveston, Texas. She had such a great eye for designers who were cutting edge. Many of the designers that she carried in her store were from Austin, Texas, of all places! Something that no one would think to go to Galveston to purchase would be tights. After all, it can be ungodly hot there. But, this owner who became a friend told me how she loved tights and that they had given her the opportunity to once again wear a mini skirt. I bought a number of pairs of tights from her, as I love them too!!!

I literally have a drawer full of tights. Yes, a bit of an addiction I guess. But, I so love fabulous and unique tights. They can elevate a simple garment, give interest to a solid color garment, and change the feel from funky to sexy with just the change of the tights. And then, there's just the utilitarian aspect of keeping my legs warm in winter. Regardless of the weather, I still love wearing skirts. 

Now, with all of that said, finding tights can be a bit difficult. I was walking down Michigan Ave. here in Chicago. Walked past Neiman's, and saw a fabulous pair of tights on a mannequin. I went in, asked where the hosiery department was. For the life of me, I think it must exist in an alternate universe as I could not find it. I then went to Bloomingdale's. They had tights, but just simple, run of the mill tights. I asked a friend who works for Neiman's about the tights that were featured in the window. She told me that one would think that if they are displaying it in the window that it would be sold in the store. But no!!! Crazy!

Thankfully, there are online shops that carry fabulous, fun tights.

I love the idea of adding a pop of color with a basic outfit. Mustard is BIG this fall. 


Flowers are always fun. The pair above and the pair below were originally sold at Mod Cloth. Sadly, neither pair is currently available, but you can find some interesting tights HERE

 


This pair screams fall to me. I think they would be great with a corduroy skirt. This pair was sold on the Anthropology website. Nothing there at the moment, but maybe when fall is in full swing, they'll have something.

Tights that tell a fairy tale. These are actually leggings, but still fun. How cute would these be with a solid black skirt or dress?!! You can find them on Etsy HERE

 

In the same vein as the leggings above, I love the trailing flowers, birds, and butterflies.

 


Velvet tights. I actually made a pair last winter and I lived in them!


Lace tights won't keep your legs warm, but here's a situation where a pair of tights can take an outfit from ho hum, to drop dead sexy!  


I added this pair of antique Edwardian tights just for the ooo and ahh factor. They were actually silk, and hand embroidered!!! Absolutely lovely!   


So, a question for you.
Do you know of a great, footed tight pattern? I have 2, but sadly, neither are available. I have looked, but didn't find any patterns. A thought just occurred to me, maybe Jalie. I'll check that out. But, in the meantime, if you know of a great footed tight pattern, please let me know. 

Sadly, my Galveston friend has died. She had breast cancer. Fought a very courageous fight, and she finally succumbed to the disease. But, every time I pull on a pair of tights, I think of her, and I think that makes her smile :)

If you've given up on wearing skirts, and or dresses, go get a pair of tights. Give 'em a try ;)

Have a wonderful week!

Rhonda




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14 comments:

  1. If you go to Handmade by Carolyn, she has a self drafted pattern which I believe she shares.

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    1. Thanks Barbara. After I saw your comment, I looked it up, and she does have a tutorial. I'll give it a try.

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  2. I think that Carolyn Smith of Handmadebycarolyn in Australia makes tights quite often. Maybe she could make a recommendation. These all look lovely!

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    1. After I saw the link, I popped over to her site and saw that she has a tutorial on making the tights. I am going to have to give it a try! Thank you :)

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  3. My nieces would love those tights! I'll be on the lookout for different styles. Thanks Rhonda, you are awesome! Nancy B.

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    1. Thanks Nancy. Let me know if you come across something that I would be interested in :)

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  4. The tights you have pictured are so fun. I would like to find some warm tights. I freeze in winter.

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    1. I got a fabulous stretch velvet last winter that I made tights out of. LOVED them!!! And they keep my legs warm! Just be sure that it has stretch in the crosswise and lengthwise grain.

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  5. What gorgeous tights you show today! They would be fun to wear but I can't stand anything tight on my legs.

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    1. I'm so sorry Carol. But, at least they're fun to look at ;)

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  6. http://thedreamstress.com/2015/01/tutorial-pattern-making-your-own-seamed-stockings/ (if stockings work for you)

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  7. I would try the Made to Measure Tights and Leggings from Mallory and Zede Donohue. You custom make them to your own exact size and they get rave reviews, even from beginners.

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    1. Thanks so much Bunny! I had not heard of them, but will give it a try.

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