a master post about tights: for dancers and anyone who just wants a pair of tights that wont rip (im looking at anyone who wears fishnets)
so tights. for girls at least. or anyone who wants to wear tights for females. (before any of you say that male and female tights are the same they are not, males tights are thicker and more like leggings because they are meant to be worn with a shirt or shirt like costume, females tights are almost always worn with leotards or under/over something)
as a dancer, I have owned my fair share of them. currently I have 21 pairs of various kinds and use all of them pretty regularly. in my mind, my 15 years of tights experience and my general rough use of them has made me something of an expert so I have decided to make a master post about tights.
I have tried so many brands of tights (keep in mind I live in the us) and have discovered that there are essentially 2 good brands: mondor and capezio. (I have heard good things about Bloch tights but never actually tried any) there are also several bad brands: body wrappers, balera, and others I cant think of.
the best way I can think to do this is by tights style
UNSEAMED DANCE TIGHTS
capezio: their tights are a little thicker than other brands. sheer (not knit). the waistband is a little thick (about an inch) but not terrible uncomfortable and also not elastic. I have worn them both under and over leotards without a problem. also they are extremely durable !! I wore the same pair to 8 college auditions (most included ballet, modern (rolling on the floor), and jazz) and they did not rip AND pretty much all of the dirt stains from the floor washed out. they are still pink enough that I could wear them for a show. additionally, capezio tights come in several different shades and styles including footed, convertible, footless, and stirrup (there are many others, but these are the most commonly used)
colors for ultra soft transition tights (convertible)/ ultra soft footed tights:
colors for self knit waist stirrup tights:
colors for footless tight w self knit waist band:
costs (as far as tights go these aren't bad prices)
convertible - $15.20 footed - $15 stirrup - $17 footless - $15
sizes:
small/medium, large/x large, xx large (footed/convertible only) small/medium, large/x large (stirrup/footless) (I am 5′3, 120lbs and wear small/medium)
overall:
worth your money! these tights last a very long time and do not rip easily. I’m pretty rough with my tights (esp during quick changes) and they only rip if ive had them for years and are getting stretched out/if I catch them on a wooden splinter from the stage or something sharp. Ive also tried all of the above styles in several colors and have never had a problem with any of them.
mondor: these tights are generally thin, but not panty hose thin, just average dance tights thin. the waistband is not elastic and about a half inch thick and generally very comfortable. I have been wearing this brand of tights for most of my life and love them. again, they are highly durable (I have several pairs that are over 5 years old that I continue to wear, the only thing wrong with them is that the color has faded a little form washing). I have worn these tights at pretty much every show I have ever been in and they have survived every quick change and only rip when in contact with something sharp. they are available in footed, convertible, and footless, although they do not have as many colors available as capezio.
colors for footed performance tight:
colors for footless performance tight:
colors for convertible foot performance tight:
costs:
you cannot buy them directly from the page you have to buy them from a retailer, but I believe the cost is around $12
sizes:
petite/small, medium, large, x large, xx large (I wear petite/small)
overall:
definitely worth your money! they are highly durable, professional looking, and consistent. I have never had a problem with them and they are not overly hot when you have them on, especially in heat! I never notice when I have them on (but that could be because ive been wearing tights for 15 years of my life). plus these things last !!
SEAMED DANCE TIGHTS
quick definition: seamed tights are essentially regular footed/convertible tights that just have a seam going down the back of the leg. some schools want them and others dont. make sure you check with your school before you buy them if theyre strict about that stuff and ESPECIALLY if its for a show.
capezio: capezio’s seamed tights are different from their other tights because they are knit and not sheer. this means that they are thicker and more opaque. also they do not fit as tight to your body as sheer tights (mine tend to gap around my knees a very small bit) and they are also longer. the waistband is elastic and is not very comfortable/digs into your skin/leotard.
colors for professional mesh transition tight with back seams:
cost:
$22.50
sizes:
small/medium, large/ x large
overall:
I wouldn't buy them only because I find them to be slightly uncomfortable and mine tend to get caught on things. there are other seamed tights that are not knit that are much nicer.
mondor: THESE TIGHTS ARE AMAZING AND I THINK I OWN LIKE 7 PAIRS. theyre exactly the same as their other convertible and footed tights (sheer, non elastic waistband, colors, sizes, etc) but they have seams and they are perfect for shows and class and any other thing you might need tights for
FISHNETS
capezio: THESE ARE THE ONLY PAIR OF FISHNETS YOU SHOULD EVER BUY I DONT CARE IF YOURE A DANCER OR SOMEONE WHO JUST LIKES A GOOD PAIR OF FISHNETS, THEY ARE THE ONLY FISHNETS IVE COME ACROSS THAT DONT RIP EVER AND IVE HAD MINE FOR 5 YEARS. these tights feel like they could be made out of wire or something but they are not (which is why they dont rip) and they have an elastic waistband and solid sole areas for your feet and come in seamed and unseamed. ALSO THERE ARE SO MANY COLORS
colors for the professional seamless fishnet tight:
colors for the professional fishnet tight w/seams:
costs (THEYRE EXPENSIVE BUT THEY LAST LITERALLY FOREVER):
unseamed: $27.50 seamed: $27.50
sizes:
small, medium, x large
overall:
HIGHLY WORTH IT!! all of my friends have these and everyone loves them. these things Do Not Rip and im telling you ive put them trough it: under a minute quick changes (on and off), pulled sequined costumes over them, gotten them caught on my character shoe’s heels, gotten them stuck to costumes, rolled around on stage, the works. these are the best fishnets in the entire world and I recommend them to anyone. BE SURE YOU BUY THE PROFESSIONAL GRADE ONES THO !!!
questions? send me an ask or a message