November 23, 2012

Style Essentials- The Merino Tight

My Personal Photo

Autumn, the year’s last, loveliest smile.” – William Cullen Bryant

Each year, as summer winds to a close, I anticipate reaching for one of my favorite autumn essentials- merino tights. Over the years, I’ve built a wardrobe of luxurious and elegant hosiery. Not unlike my lingerie wardrobe, my hosiery has to suit a variety of needs. My collection consists of Gerbe Spotty Tights for a bit of fun, superbly soft Matte Opaque 80 Denier tights, finely ribbed cotton, merino and cashmere tights. 

Wool and silk dresses are my autumn essentials. I find myself reaching for impeccably tailored dresses. Chanel, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Yves Saint Laurent are reliable favorites that seamlessly transition from day to evening. By now, you all know that I have a penchant for one-of-a-kind skirts and while I dream of the sun’s rays warming my legs, the reality is that autumn’s chill calls for warmth.

My merino tights strike the perfect balance between form and function. As someone with extremely sensitive skin and an allergy to wool, these tights are incredibly soft. There’s nothing more luxurious than layering my merino tights under an elegant dress. I adore that Wolford does warm (due to the high wool content and use of very fine wool) and cozy without bulk. They’re polished enough to wear under suits and even cocktail dresses! 

Wolford Merino Tights in Anthracite, Mocca and Black (Available here) 


I consider my merino tights one of my best fall investments. The quality is impeccable. They last forever and never fade, pill or run. I always look forward to visiting the Wolford store because the sales staff has been wonderful. Scouring stores nationwide to find that pair of tights that have been discontinued or sending over an order when I don’t have time to make it into the store.

Yes, my merino tights are love. A small luxury that’s been keeping me warm on brisk morning walks to work and romantic wanderings around town. 

Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate it! Hope you are surrounded with friends and family. You can read my notes on gratitude here.

33 comments:

  1. mmm bet the merino tights are awesome. damn they must feel good. can't wait to see it in future outfit posts! and happy thanksgiving.

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    1. Joy- Yes indeed! They are all I've been wearing for at least the past six years and its a noticeable improvement when it comes to warmth. So happy that they don't offset my allergies to wool too.

      Happy Thanksgiving to you too! So glad you were able to spend it with good friends.

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  2. That's very good to know! I have always shunned those bulky tights that I find inelegant, I didn't know there were that kind of fine and warm fabrics available. I'll look into it.
    Useful advice as always, thank you Lindsay. And happy thanksgiving!

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    1. Kali- Thank you! I can only hope that I add something more than noise to the blog world.

      Yes, totally agree about bulky tights. Love when tights in merino are done in a very fine knit that looks nice and smooth on the leg. Have seen them used in couture and RTW shows in all types of weaves and couldn't believe how fine the finish was.

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  3. Wolford tights are the best! Always on my Christmas list!
    Happy Thanksgiving!

    http://herribbonsandherbows.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Alexandra- Thanks!

      Yes, so true. Such a wonderful item for a Christmas list.

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  4. Wool dresses, merino tights, and impeccably woven cashmere and vicuna scarves are my favourite wardrobe obsessions during the winter. I swear by Fogal merino tights - durable, comfortable and warm.
    I do enjoy the change in season - switching from my exfoliating mask to a vitamin E leave-on mask, making a brisk jasmine-infused oil massage an integral part of my morning routine, and spending more time indoors, reading and reflecting. Love this time of year.

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    1. Ammu- All of those items sound lovely and are among my favorite things about cooler weather.

      There's something really nice about having changes in seasons. I've never used a mask, but your vitamin E mask sounds very soothing. I love pampering my skin with luxurious moisturizers during the winter. Jasmine-infused oil sounds heavenly. This time of year really is wonderful and so great for reading, reflecting and quiet time.

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  5. Very timely post, as I've been wanting to switch to proper quality tights for a while now. Wool tights are quite a necessity for me after all, as I can only go bare-legged (or even wear nylon tights) with skirts and dresses for a couple of months each year in this climate :)

    I wonder how their sizes would work for a leggy girl? If they do extra long legs I'd be a customer for life!

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    1. Maja H- Yes, wool tights would have to be a necessity for you. I can't imagine getting through winter without them. The wind just seems to go right through opaques:(

      Girl, you have model long legs:) I've seen girls who are five-ten to six feet who seem to be comfortable wearing them, but everyone's proportions are so different. I find that they are fairly generous when it comes to length.

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  6. They look warm and luxurious, perfect for the season. And that note warms the heart even more.

    Happy holidays!

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    1. lin- Thanks Lin.

      Yes, so warm and luxurious. Perfect for autumns chill.

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  7. You had me at Wolford.
    Any hose by Wolford are investments, frankly.

    I also love their fishnets.

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  8. Hi Lindsay! Just have to say that I can't believe how years ago I was poring over the earlier Bobbi Brown books and not knowing I would be communicating with someone from those pages years later.

    My Wolford merino tights held up wear after wear for 2 years. They're still in perfect condition. I think I paid approximately £30 but it lasted for so long, they cost cheaper per wear compared to supposedly "affordable" options.

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    1. Chocolate Cookies & Candies- Hi Marlene! Yes, I swear by the Bobbi Brown books and the products too. She just gets it. It's been amazing to see it go from ten lip colors only sold at Bergdorfs to what it is today. Everyone is so young in those books- not even old enough to wear makeup.

      It's so funny the people you meet along the way. I feel that way at work several times a week.

      It's so true about cost per wear. I get so much use out of my merino tights!

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  9. I'm obsessed with tights too & love merino ones, so it's nice to see others who love them as much as I do! I used to think they were incredibly expensive for 'just a pair of tights' but after owning several pairs & seeing first hand how long they last I think they are actually quite a bargain! :)

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  10. Hello Lindsay, happy thanksgiving!:) Indeed there is a lot to be thankful for, both tangible and intangible. Even for small luxuries (like tights that fit well) are definitely one of them.

    Merino is too warm for the tropics, so I depend on cotton leggings from Cotton On. They make really good ones and the price point is even better.

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    1. Eileen- Thanks Eileen! Yes, that's exactly how I feel.

      So nice not to have to worry about being cold- you're lucky!

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  11. hope your thanksgiving was lovely and filled with family and delicious food!

    i was JUST thinking about how i have no quality hosiery whatsoever, your post is brilliant and just what i needed! :)

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    1. miss sophie- Thanks Miss Sophie! Yes, Thanksgiving was wonderful. Hope you had a nice long weekend with family as well.

      Good quality hose in a variety of weights is such a wardrobe essential and worth the splurge.

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  12. Alice Olive- It's so true. I haven't tried anything that I haven't loved. I especially like what a great black opaque they do- the color never fades.

    I've never fishnets. Am I missing out? I can imagine them with one of your Narciso dresses- stunning!

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  15. FAIINT- Glad to hear someone else loves Merino tights too. They're my best investment of the season for sure.

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  16. You always look terrific, so I can't imagine cold weather stopping you. The tights look so luxurious. Wolford always makes the heart skip a beat.

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    1. Anonymous- Thank you! Nope cold weather doesn't stop me from wanting to look polished. And yes, they are very luxurious.

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  17. Great tip! I must admit I lurked a lot around the Wolford and other luxury hosiery brands but never took the plunge and bought some for myself. Of course I had heard the raves about the Wolford Matte tights but this great post is giving me a real incentive to finally try upper quality, especially after getting rid of a handful of 10 € minimum cheap tights which didn't even last the past winter....

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    1. Aïssa- Thanks Aïssa! I love Wolford's matte tights as well. There are so many options! Taking the plunge into upper quality hose is definitely worth it.

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  18. I haven't tried these ones but I'll be looking into them. I was able to wear shorts throughout winter thanks for tights! how lovely that they included a little note for you xoxox

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  19. s- Thanks S! Thanksgiving was amazing! So excited that the holidays are here.

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  20. Vanisha @ Vanishas Life In...Australia- Hi Vanisha! I love how you style your tights with shorts. Tights in contrasting colors allow me to extend my favorite summer dresses into the fall.

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  21. Hmmm, warm wool tights that don't run or sag and look very polished......I think I've found the missing ingredient in my life!

    The cold, rainy weather here makes me shy away from dresses often due to being chilled. And my chihuahuas jumping on my tend to finish off any type of tights before too long....these could be the answer! (I'll probably still protect them from the dogs.)

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    1. petrichore- Warmth without runs or sagging seems to be the trifecta.

      Yes, would need to be protected from jumping chihuahuas I'm sure.

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