New tights, Old tights
Our newest tights are from Foot Traffic. Although I was reluctant to give them a try at first, I decided to reconsider them when the long-beloved E.G. Smith tights starting having quality issues. So, before I go into more reasons we love the new tights so much, it’s time I tell you what I know about the E.G.s: For years they were the gold standard for cotton tights, nice fit, totally comfy, great quality and tons of colors. We sold oodles of them over the past several years with few complaints. We loved them so much before the problems started cropping up that they were included in part of our private label deal. Then, sometime during the holiday rush, we started seeing an unusual amount of returns on them for split seams or odd fit. At first it seemed like it was a small percentage with far more good than bad and when we couldn’t restock a few colors we offered our private labeled version in place of them, and as replacement pairs for the returned defects. Only to realize that they were, apparently, from the same faulty batch made by a mill that was over worked and under improved. When it came to my attention that more were coming back than not I took them off the site and informed the supplier that we could not send any more out to our customers in good conscience. Since people have come to expect a nice selection of quality cotton tights at Sock Dreams I reconsidered the Foot Traffic version. It isn’t made in the US, but they reassured me they’ve worked with the same mill in Taiwan for over 20 years and are confident that they are being produced in a conscientious and safe environment by healthy, happy adults earning decent wages. We all set about testing these new tights before ordering in enough for everybody and were indeed pleased! they are soft and comfy, all this talk about high needle count and combed cotton proved to be true. The waistband doesn’t fold over or twist…
The single seam is both flattering & durable and they are fairly opaque (notice how you cannot see the tattoo on my lower back through the ivory tights). And that single seam is a flat seam that won’t show through if you’re wearing a sleek skirt. They are adding more colors, but whether they will add a larger size remains to be seen. They tell me these will fit up to 6 feet and 200 lbs though they did not commit to it on their labels. I also love their new leggings, same great fit, just not feet. While we were pulling orders this morning I came across this note on an order for five pairs:
“These are as great as you said!!!”
…I hope everybody agrees ~=)
February 27th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Yeah, that was my note :). But I had a lot of problems with the EG Smiths, and really need cotton tights for the long, damp, Portland winters. I am a bigger gal, and the EG Smiths did not fit; the “Bigger and Better” did fit, but weren’t comfy and developed holes in the seams and heels very quickly. I am happy to say that these Foot Traffic tights do fit, even at the “one size” size, are super comfy, and look great! I even slept in them the first night I tried them. I’ve since ordered almost all of the colors. No sagging crotch, no holes, just great quality tights! I’m happy.
February 27th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
What a nice post! I love hearing about all the ins and outs with products. I love the purple pair and want it badly. I have concerns with sizing though, as in my experience tights almost always turn out shorter than the label range for their size (although I haven’t bought tights from sock-dreams yet). I wish they’d label them by inseam and weight rather than height. Do you know, among your testers, what is the longest inseam that they fit comfortably?
February 27th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
I love love love mine. So thick and opaque and pretty!
February 27th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
I have to find out what Dara’s inseam is, I went to find her right away when you asked, but as things go at work, by the time I did find her 10 things had happened & I forgot til I got home, I think she’s 35″ but I need to confirm that…
February 28th, 2008 at 1:03 am
i have had horrible tights issues – fit wise. to where i dont ever buy them. but i did try the MP brand bamboo tights which are very simply perfect. i thought perhaps the largest difference in their fit came from the double butt seam.
so i was still reluctant to try these. but i fell deeply in love with the purple so i spoke/emailed to Mz Niq and with reassurance i gave it a go and got the purple. and i will say they are amazing. what has been said is true. they fit. period. …. period. no NO sagging crotch AT ALL! no adjusting. no icky pinchy waistband (which worried me some when i first pulled them on cuz it felt maybe a bit too tight) but after maybe as long as 1/2 hr but i think less the tights had formed perfectly to me including the waistband and really felt like i was naked just better. and the color is just beautiful. so there you go. i have been won over for sure.
and i never tried the eg smith tights so i cannot comment on those. i did however try a pair of the eg smith space dyed otk stockings in deep space blue and am over the moon for them.
my inseam from crotch to bottom of heel is 33 inches as best i could measure myself.
i wonder are the leggings long? do they fir the long leg girls longish or shortish? because i would love to try the leggings.
February 28th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Okay, so Dara is about 34 inches, I was an inch shy, and she is wearing the brown pair in the legging images and the thumbnail, seems they are long enough, though they do not go over my feet like the MPs did (which I really liked, ’specially at bedtime, but can live without).
February 28th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Three new colors arrived today and I only need to get pictures of the burgundy, which i will do Friday afternoon.
February 28th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
BURGUNDY!!!!!!!!!
OMG OMG!!!
I was just about to order them in purple because it’s so close to burgundy – a color I have been dreaming to get tights in for AGES and you mention that one has in fact arrived! You guys not only make sock (and tights) dreams come true but indeed read minds as well!
*besides herself with joy*
February 29th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Okay, no pictures of the burgundy today afterall…
we had an itsy bitsy misunderstanding at work over which dogs were where and why and having not had a proper Friday at home in weeks (it is one of my two “days off”) I happily used it as an excuse not to go in.
So, burgundy pictures by the end of the weekend for sure, but I assure you it is a gorgeous deep burgundy, not too brown, not too orange…
March 12th, 2008 at 5:46 am
I just received the Foot Traffic leggings. They’re soft, light (though opaque) and elastic. I will probably try the tights at some stage too. The way the stretchiness in them has been incorporated, it’s been done just right. The leggings stretch to fit your shape, don’t feel strained doing so, and they actually stay in place . The one seam in them looks really durable too. I also found the waistband very comfortable.
For reference, I’m 5′4″, about 135-140 pounds. I think (though I don’t know for sure because sizing in my country is different to the US) that I’m about a size 6. I have no problems with these leggins at all. I own the Hot Sox leggings in size BC, and while they’re warm and all, even at my size both pairs have holes at the seams, and the dreaded crotch sag. The foot Traffic leggings are more accommodating.
March 16th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Hmm.. I had been wondering what was up with the EG’s lately. They had always been touted as being such high quality, but I was getting holes in them way too often. I haven’t tried the FT’s yet, but I am thinking about it. I love the comfort of the EG’s, but I think that I will wait to buy new ones until the quality issue has been resolved. Thanks for the updates!
November 16th, 2008 at 12:10 am
Love these tights. Even though they are long for me, since I’m somewhat short, the crotch doesn’t sag! Super comfy. The only funny things I noticed is they sometimes pick up lint and that they’re warm in the sun, but cool in the shade, which is when you need them to be warm. Sturdy and a great fit.
They even are still going strong after a dog bit me on the bum and it got a hole in it.