Silk Stockings

We all love to indulge in a little luxury now and again.  A few years ago here in the UK's economic recession, it was often mentioned about the 'lipstick effect' - people having less money for big expensive treats like holidays were turning to small indulgences, such as a new lipstick.  My favourite luxury treats would be dark chocolate, fresh flowers, or perhaps some new makeup.  I imagine stockings were also at the top of every girl's list back in the early part of the 20th century.  These days there's not quite the same thrill, picking up a pair of bodyshaper tights, is there? 

"These days there's not quite

the same thrill, picking up a pair

of bodyshaper tights"

 

By Erik Liljeroth, Nordiska museet, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=39208341

 

Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1382628

When UK Tights asked if I'd like to try an item from their impressive range of hosiery I immediately thought I would like to try a luxury treat of the old-fashioned variety, and opted for a pair of the most luxurious stockings in pure silk, by French brand Cervin.  At £30.99 a pair, these stockings are at the higher end of what the brand makes.

I have already worn other Cervin stockings, and after checking the size chart for their Champs Elysees silk stockings I felt confident ordering my usual size 4.  Dispatch was super speedy and the next day I gingerly released the stockings from their (rather dull) packaging - at £15 a leg these are to be handled with care!  If you're a tactile person then you'll understand me raving about the feel of silk; the stockings feel just heavenly on.  The sizing was spot on too (remember there's no stretch with silk stockings).

 

The dilemma then was how to showcase these gorgeous stockings.  I felt something arty would be appropriate and headed to the (empty) bath with a lamp and a tripod.  It was hands-down the worst idea I've ever had for the blog.  The thing with photographing stockings is that it's very easy to slide into things looking a bit naughty.  It wasn't even in a good way; more sleaze than tease!  I had to delete every photo.

  

I sat down dejectedly on the stairs to try and come up with plan B, and to my horror, a knee burst through a stocking, sending a ladder shooting both up and down the leg simultaneously - it was like an Incredible Hulk moment.  I couldn't believe it.

"To my horror, a knee burst through a stocking,
sending a ladder shooting both up and down the leg simultaneously
 - it was like an Incredible Hulk moment."

 

I can't tell you how the stockings performed through a day's wear; they didn't even last an hour.  If you're more dainty than me, you may well get on better with silk stockings than me.  It was really wonderful to have the opportunity to try out such a luxurious item, but in retrospect I think I should have anticipated my own clumsiness.  Silk stockings aren't ladder resistant, so when a ladder starts, it's like your leg is being unzipped.

All I have to show you therefore is a forlorn picture of the laddered stocking, rather than the series of arty photos that I'd envisaged. 

I'll think I'll leave the silk stockings to Dita Von Teese and buy myself a lipstick instead.

 

 

I was sent a pair of stockings by UK Tights for review.  You can check out the rest of the UK Tights range of stockings here.  All words and opinions my own.