Comfort vs Contours and American Apparel Tights.

I watched a great film last night. By the end of the opening credits to The Rum Diaries, I had decided that I would run away to Porto Rico (or, more accurately, time travel back to Porto Rico circa 1960, when the film was set). It’s been too long since I had beach time, and the setting of The Rum Diaries whetted my appetite for sand, salt, sunshine, shenanigans on yachts with rope ladders, Aaron Eckhart in a linen suit, red Chevys and tanning the good old fashioned way.

As I was stirred from my slumber this morning by Aaron Eckhart bringing me a cup of tea in bed the chill breeze of a Canberra Autumn, I remembered one reason why I was glad that I lived in cold old Canberra and not Porto Rico circa 1960.

American.

Apparel.

Tights.

I have a tendency, which I blame on clumsiness and longer than average legs, to go through pairs of tights quicker than Johnny Depp’s character in the film goes through bottles from the mini bar. Tights normally last about two wears before there is a hole in either the toe or the crotch. Having been a student for years, I’ve devised ingenious ways of getting more wear our of holey tights (a post for another day), but I’ve long suspected that hosiery, as much as I love it, is a capitalist plot to part young women from their hard earned.

This was until Zsusannah Verona bought me back two pairs of American Apparel tights from the states. It’s not too far a stretch to say that these tights LITERALLY

Blew.

My.

Mind.

Here’s why.

You know, ladies, how you face the dilemma every morning of Comfort vs Contours? It’s the battle between wearing what is comfortable, and wearing what gives you the contours you desire. American Apparel Tights are the only item of clothing I know of that not only passes, but excels, on both counts. They are the most comfortable tights I’ve ever worn, and, at the same time, make everything below the belly button look toned, luscious, completely free of cellulite, and totally pinch-able.

Could one want anything else? Well, actually, yes, you can, because American Apparel hosiery come in the most incredible array of colours, patterns, and textures. Soon after Zsusannah had gifted me two pairs (Dark Teal and Boudreaux), I placed an online order and branched out into their lacework, sheers, metalics, stockings and garter belts. All amazing. American Apparel hosiery also lasts at least three times longer than any other pair of tights or stockings I’ve owned, my long legs and clumsy habits notwithstanding. And, to cap it all off, America Apparel hosiery is made in America, by workers who are paid fairly. Everyone is a winner here.

Sadly, though, nothing is perfect, not even Aaron Eckhart (his character in The Rum Diaries is a bit of a jerkface). The big drawback with American Apparel tights is that they don’t come cheap. A pair of basic opaques will set you back $20, and when you get into sheers, lace, and garter belt/stocking combos you are looking at least $35. I know that this is a stretch for most people’s budgets, especially as hosiery is fragile and can’t be considered a rock solid wardrobe investment, like good quality wool cardigans and Veronica Maine pencil skirts.

However, it is without doubt worth the budgetary squeeze to invest in American Apparel hosiery. I don’t think any woman should have to face a Canberra winter without at least three pairs of beautiful, flattering, comfortable American Apparel tights and a garter belt plus sheer black stockings for those days when she needs a little help imagining she’s Joan Holloway or some other irresistibly sexy siren.

And while it’s not the sand, salt, sunshine, and other summertime shenanagins that I’m craving, American Apparel tights are a happy consolation prize for those of us living in Canberra circa 2012, rather than Porto Rico circa 1960.

Ps: as ever, this is an unsponsored post – just one woman sharing her hosiery tips with the blogosphere.