I have a terrible time buying tights for my daughter, unless I go to the local pro shop and actually see them in the package. Is there any place to get swatches or color wheels of some sort for tights? She's biracial and it's very hard to match tights to her skin tone because she's far more pale than one would expect, but far too dark to wear the lighter colored tights. That is to say that she's far from fair, but your typical medium skin tones are too dark for her. I'd love to be able to buy tights online, where they're often less expensive and I can get more for my dollar.
You bring up a very valid issue. I have not seen figure skating tights darker than suntan, which to me looks a little orange like a sunburn. Suntan matches my skin tone because I am Italian and live in the sun.
Perhaps this? http://www.shadesofdance.org Dance tights are not as thick or durable as figure skating tights, but I have skated in my pink ballet tights without issue. I think for a competition or test, dance tights would do fine. I don't know how they will hold up to repeated falls, though.
Suntan seems to be the default color, which is a bummer, because it matches so very few people.
On Mondor's website they have figure skating tights in Light tan, Suntan, caramel and brown. I've not seen the caramel color in person, but maybe that might be an option? I think you can special order Mondor tights through a few retailers.
Dance tights are also a good option, they come in a lot more colors and fabric weights. I know quite a few skaters who wear dance tights for performances.
I feel your pain - I have very pale skin and find the suntan way too dark. You could try contacting the manufacturers directly and asking if they can provide samples. I think the biggest problem is that even if you do identify a color option most of the internet sites only offer suntan, so you may still need to get a local store to do special order - is it possible that they would do sale or return so you can at least see if the actual tights would work?
http://www.nitasports.com/
These are the ones Polina Edmonds uses and are supposedly VERY pale. I haven't tried them but a pale friend of mine ordered them to test out.
Quote from: davincisop on March 16, 2015, 01:46:38 PM
http://www.nitasports.com/
These are the ones Polina Edmonds uses and are supposedly VERY pale. I haven't tried them but a pale friend of mine ordered them to test out.
I wear these, and they are the closest to my pasty white skin color as I can find. I wouldn't say exact, but close enough to the illusion mesh on my dress and my actual skin color to work well. And they're a bit heavier than, say, Mondor, so they don't rip. Unfortunately, they only have the one color though.
That's actually great to hear. I used some old tights I had for testing, and two pairs had rips through them, so I used the one pair that didn't. I am going to order these.
I wear the Nitasports brand of tights as well. They're very soft. I ordered mine from www.redswanusa.com. They call the color 'Latte' on their web site and they're a couple of dollars less than the Nitasports web site. I didn't compare shipping costs, though.
If the ones on nitasports.com are pale, then they're going to be too light for my DD. :-\
However, I did look at http://www.redswanusa.com/ and I'm going to try a pair of the latte for my daughter. If those don't work, I'll go up to mocha (which I fear will be too dark! :D) I'm also going to pick up some dance tights for practice and see how she likes them.
Thanks for the help everyone!
The Latte are a bit warmer in tone than the Mondor Light Tan, but lighter (with no orange) than Mondor Suntan. Hope that helps! But the Redswan Latte tights are the same as the Nitasports tights; it's just that Redswan is calling the color a different name. I am pretty sure what Redswan calls Milk (the lightest shade of all) are the Mondor Light Tan, although they call it Mondor Sand (maybe that's a new Mondor shade?) And what Redswan calls Mocha are the Mondor Suntan. Redswan doesn't actually sell their own label of tights. If you click on their descriptions, you will see the brands called out.
Edited to add that the Milk footed tights on Redswan are Mondor; the Milk OTB on Redswan are Chloe Noel.
I just took a look at the Red Swan website and it says the Milk OTB tights are Chloe Noel. They're a good price ($15) so I was tempted until I read the following:
Footed tights can be expected to last many wearings, but Over the Boot Tights are generally a one time use.
Due to the stress placed on the tights when they're stretched tight over your boots, they're not meant to hold up to abrasions or blade catches. The first lunge you take may start a hole. This is to be expected and is not a manufacturing defect.
That doesn't seem like good value ???
You can buy chloe noel footed tights. I just bought a pair actually for the upcoming skating shows. They are lighter than mondor light tan, and quite bit lighter than mondor suntan which look ridiculous on my blond daughter. I got the chloe noel ones through Amazon for about $12 US.
OTB tights definitely get stressed more than regular tights, but I haven't found them one-time use with my kids. And even once they get a slight hole or run, they're still wearable for a bit if it's not in a noticeable spot.
I read that one time use comment too. I think they were addressing prior complaints (because they talked about lunges and the inevitable toepick in the tights). I have re-used OTB tights many times. If I get a small hole or run, I just stitch it up with matching thread. You can also get beige boot covers to go over your boots which will hide all the small runs/holes. Definitely not as long lasting as footed or footless tights, but not single use either.
What actually bugged me more, was that their picture shows the tight pulled all the way down over the heel. I'm not really a fan of OTB tights anyway, but I think they look much better when the heel is showing.
I just had to go look at photos because I couldn't picture what you meant. It does look weird pulled all the way over like that. I checked my own photos and confirmed that I leave the heel sticking out when I do my kids' tights. I don't love the OTB to start with, but they sure do.
I wonder how the milk tights would look with my red head skin. I might have to try a pair. I need some new tights anyway. I just wish they come in footless.
Every time I go to buy more tights I end up looking at them and wondering if they match ANYONE'S skin tone. Too dark for some, too light for others, and just oh dear.
Much as I loved the Rainbo tights, they were practice tights only for me because they made me legs look like I'd got an especially horrid spray tan. Even the light Mondor tights are too dark for me.
I've ordered some of the nita sports tights to check out. Mondor's light tan has always been too dark and "off color" for me, but it was better than the other options. I'm thinking the wider knit waistband on the nita sport tights will be a good thing too.
Quote from: sarahspins on March 18, 2015, 02:32:58 PM
I've ordered some of the nita sports tights to check out. Mondor's light tan has always been too dark and "off color" for me, but it was better than the other options. I'm thinking the wider knit waistband on the nita sport tights will be a good thing too.
Can you let us know what you think when you get them?
I'm liking the idea that they might actually be closer to the right skin tone, but would like a second opinion before I order any (as I need to ship international).
Quote from: fsk8r on March 18, 2015, 03:48:42 PM
Can you let us know what you think when you get them?
I'm liking the idea that they might actually be closer to the right skin tone, but would like a second opinion before I order any (as I need to ship international).
https://instagram.com/tracyr34/ (https://instagram.com/tracyr34/) <--- Here's a link to my instagram for anyone who wants to see what the Nita tights look like on. In the picture with the three of us (most recent picture posted), I'm the one in the middle, and have Nita OTB tights on. It was taken with an iphone and no filter was added. They're the closest I can find to my skin tone, better than the Mondor. And I have big feet, so the OTB tights not ripping or getting holes the first time I wore them was a plus! And the knit waistband is nice because it doesn't dig in.
You don't happen to know what brand / color the lady to your right (on the left of the photo) is wearing do you? Her tights look slightly lighter than yours.
From left to right:
Nita sports
Mondor Microfiber Light Tan
Mondor Evolution Light Tan
Mondor Evolution Suntan
For my skintone, the Nita sports is slightly too warm, but looked pretty good on the ice. The light tan Mondors are a bit too ashy but also go well with the mesh on my dress. Suntan is waaaay to dark, but I have a dress with mesh that color, so...
FYI, I get a ton of wear with OTB tights - one of those pairs has been worn for at least a dozen performances. It has a few runs in the boot area, but they're not too bad and barely noticeable on the ice. I'm just careful putting them on!
Hopefully this is helpful!
Thank you for the picture. Interesting to see the different waistband on the Nita tights too. It definitely looks like it would be more comfortable.
I'm interested in the sizing too. I couldn't find a sizing chart on the Nita site so went to the Red Swan site. The sizing they show there is identical to Mondor, but when I looked at the footless tights there is only one review which is from someone who purchased Large (which seems to be the biggest option) and despite being 5'2" / 135lbs found the waistband tight. I'm way larger than that!!!
Another question do the over boot bit on them go over large feet? I've had Mondor Performance which barely fit over my US size 9 skates and to get them to they end up laddering (hence I understand the RedSwan comment).
I wear women's size 12 skates, and Nita are literally the first otb that didn't rip or get overstretched the first time I wore them. Mondor always would get holes or rips the first time because they didn't stretch enough.
And I got the large/x-large and they fit well. They stretch a lot, and didn't dig in at the waist. I'm 5'9 and overweight. So take it how you will.
Quote from: TreSk8sAZ on March 19, 2015, 01:07:57 AM
I wear women's size 12 skates, and Nita are literally the first otb that didn't rip or get overstretched the first time I wore them. Mondor always would get holes or rips the first time because they didn't stretch enough.
And I got the large/x-large and they fit well. They stretch a lot, and didn't dig in at the waist. I'm 5'9 and overweight. So take it how you will.
Thanks. I think I'm going to have to work out how to ship to the UK now. If I can hang on, I can pick them up from the US next time I'm over on business. Someone remind me in a couple of months! Shame I won't be able to get any before the next competition.
FWIW I wear a size 9 skate. Mondor Evolution (I sport the L) are stretchy enough to cover the boot, no prob. I've gotten 4 wears out of them, they have one sewn up run, and I plan to use them through this season (so at least 2 more performances).
Praying my synchro team switches to footed (or better...footless!) tights for next year.......
In terms of the waistband, I swear when I first joined the forum and was reading through various threads, I saw somewhere someone talking about cutting off the waistband and replacing it with one that is lycra. I don't have time to look now, but I'd start in the DIY threads.
Having said that, it'd sure be a heckuva lot easier if Nita made the tights in more than just one color.
Something to consider is that lighter tights can be dyed darker fairly easily, while those of us with fairer skin often have very limited options unless we want to look like our legs are 20 shades darker than the rest of our body.
Also, in regards to fit - some people are just super picky and routinely size up when they shouldnt "need" to - I see skaters at my rink all the time wearing dresses that are literally 2 or 3 sizes too big because they feel like what should fit is "too tight" even when it's clearly not. Someone at 5'2" and 135lbs saying the large is "too small" is probably one of those types.
I ordered 2 pairs of tights from RedSwan in Milk (Mondor brand sand color) and Latte (Nita brand). In makeup foundation, I've always used the fair shades with pink undertones, as yellow undertones make me look washed out and ill. I was hoping that the warm undertones of the Nita brand would be more suited to my skin tone.
The footed tights is the Mondor brand and the footless is the Nita brand. Now all I need to do if find footless tights in Sand, as I always wear 2 pairs of tights to skate in.
In the picture I prefer the Mondor. But if you are skating in a yellow, cerise, or gold costume, the Nita brand would be better.
Undertones are important. For example, there's blue based reds vice yellow based reds.
The picture quality on my laptop is shockingly bad so I know I'm not seeing the true colors, however the Nita tights look very similar to my Mondor suntans and I agree with Agnes that the Mondor looks better. Interestingly I have never seen the Sand option in the stores I've visited.
Christy, I thought the same thing when I put on the Nita tights. The Mondors that RedSwan sells are shimmer tights, which makes me worry that will accentuate what I don't like about my legs. I'm curious what the Chloe Noel tights look like, since they were also in the milk category as the OTB option. I wish Mondor would sell directly from their website. It seems like shops only carry Suntan and a few sell Light Tan, even though Mondor makes other shades beyond that.
I find the suntan tights that everyone seems to stock hilarious. I have yet to see someone who looks like they belong in them. On me, because I'm so pale, they look absolutely ridiculous. I ordered in through a catalogue at my pro shop and had to buy three at a time, but she got me a lighter colour. I believe they're mondor. So they exist, but you've pretty much got to ask specifically for a different colour and have them brought in. I haven't seen them online either. Lots of people I know wear dance tights to compete in because they look less terrible.
Quote from: Loops on March 19, 2015, 11:23:12 AM
In terms of the waistband, I swear when I first joined the forum and was reading through various threads, I saw somewhere someone talking about cutting off the waistband and replacing it with one that is lycra.
Loops, that was probably me - here's a link to the old post (I hope this works):
http://skatingforums.com/index.php?topic=1077.msg9487#msg9487 (http://skatingforums.com/index.php?topic=1077.msg9487#msg9487)
Would love it if the Nita ones don't roll and actually stretch comfortably without digging in, as that would save me the work of switching out the waistbands of my tights!
For comparison sake, here's the Sand Mondors, the Nitas and the Suntan Mondors, since the Nitas still looked dark on my ghost skin tone.
The Nitas do have about an inch smaller waistband, but I've always cut my tights along the back seam 1-2 inches and folded the down over my hip bones after one of our coaches mentioned that that's what she did. The waist band is under the skirt then, so anything you might see is hidden.
Does anyone have a size chart for the Nita footed tights? My ancient Danskin microfiber (size D) aren't going to last much longer but I've been unable to find replacements that fit my stocky, peasant body. :)
Has anyone ever used capezio skating tights? I was in the dance store for something else yearerday and they had footed and OTB. The OTB were so different from the Mondor. No hooks, just an opening with elastic around it. Curious if anyone has a review.
Quote from: twinskaters on March 25, 2015, 10:50:20 AM
Has anyone ever used capezio skating tights? I was in the dance store for something else yearerday and they had footed and OTB. The OTB were so different from the Mondor. No hooks, just an opening with elastic around it. Curious if anyone has a review.
One of my skating buddies has tights this type of closure. I would say avoid like the plague. It stays over her toe, rides up the heel, and then makes a straightline across the boot joining those two places- showing the foot of the skate at weird angles. I continually want to pull them down for her. If you look at Adelina Sotikova's free skate for sochi and Europeans her tights did the same thing and got notably worse after she held the skate. It made me cringe. If you really have to wear OTB tights, then hooks or velcro are a good thing.
On the other hand, I've worn lots of Capezio tights in my day (just not the OTB kind), and they're good quality. You can always stitch on some little hooks and eyes to avoid the weird ride-up.
Ugh, ride-up was what I was thinking about. They're just for my kids, not me. If I were ever to need skating tights I would wear regular footed ones. Of course what I was hoping to find were footless, because they need those for a show. But then I was curious about the OTB since the lack of closure seemed odd. The suntan color also looked darker than Mondor, which isn't a good thing for their skin tone.
I've Capezio footed which are actually really nice tights. A really really weird shade of orange for me, but great tights. Nice fit and feel comfy and warm (I skate in a really cold rink).
I haven't worn Capezio OTB recently, but I did as a teenager when I competed and I LOVED them. The "normal" shade is really orange, but you used to be able to order a lighter shade that was much more flattering. I especially liked them because the part that goes over the boot was actually two layers. This was great if you nicked the tights with your blade because you could fuss around with the tights so the hole wouldn't show. (Not sure if that makes sense). And mine had hooks on the bottom - heavy duty ones at that. I always found them preferable to Mondor.
Edited to add: I checked out the Capezio website. The description of the OTB tights says: "elasticized opening fits securely over the skate boot" - so sounds like they no longer include hooks. Boo!
Edited again: Found an old pair that I still had from 8-ish years ago. Pics below of the heavy-duty hooks. I also tried to pull apart the two layers that go over the boot. Sad that they stopped making them this way - they were a great style of tights!
Wow, those are totally different from what I saw in the store. The person working there took the foot out of the package for me and it was definitely one layer with no hooks. Funny, because we talked about how easily they get holes and she even said they should make them with a double layer!
Quote from: blue111moon on March 25, 2015, 10:09:48 AM
Does anyone have a size chart for the Nita footed tights? My ancient Danskin microfiber (size D) aren't going to last much longer but I've been unable to find replacements that fit my stocky, peasant body. :)
The sizing chart is on their website - it's a tiny tab next to where it says "description" underneath each of their tights on the product pages.
Not sure if linking the image will work, but I'll try it:
(http://www.nitasports.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/adultsize.jpg)
Not sure if it helps, but the OTB only seem to come in large, no x-large option, and while I am about 5lbs above the "weight" range for the large, they fit me fine - if anything the waistband comes up way too high on me (well above my natural waist - NOWHERE near what it looks like on the models in their pictures), which leads me to suspect they're actually too big - and they definitely fit looser (well, less snugly) than my mondor xl's do (though this may be in part due to the differences between the waistbands - the narrow elastic on the mondors makes them seem so much tighter all over, and the nita's don't have that, but the wider knit waistband stays in place just fine). When I need tights again I might try the medium.
Super happy with the color - they are SIGNIFICANTLY better looking on me than the light tan mondors - those always looked weirdly grey/pink on me, but I have warm undertones to my very fair skin so the nita's are a much better match for me :) They ARE darker than my skin is though, but I am not sure I'd really want tights that are an exact match - they'd be much too pale out on the ice.
Quote from: twinskaters on March 25, 2015, 08:29:16 PM
Wow, those are totally different from what I saw in the store. The person working there took the foot out of the package for me and it was definitely one layer with no hooks. Funny, because we talked about how easily they get holes and she even said they should make them with a double layer!
Thanks for verifying they are no longer the same! I've been contemplating purchasing a new pair when (if) I test. I definitely won't be doing that now since Capezio is no longer producing tights with hooks and two layers.
So, another interesting quandary to add regarding mondor tights. If you scour the internet, you'll notice that some of their OTB tights describe themselves as having a knitted waistband, while others state sewn on... I commonly see the 3350's described with a knitted wasitband, while all 6 of the pairs I currently have are sewn in. The 3338's are described with a sewn-in waistband, while the two pairs I have... are knitted!
So frustrating :) Also, has anyone tried Mondors new Caramel color? I'm almost ready to order some of those just to check them out.. except for the issue of the waistband, since I'd prefer knitted. I might just see if my pro shop will order some in so I can take a look at them :)
BTW, an update for my Nita Sports tights, since I wore them for a performance a couple of weeks ago - they looked great, EXCEPT... I had a hard time getting the bottom edge to stay in place where I wanted it on my skates, they are a lot "looser" around the bottom than the mondors are, so they kept slipping up over my boot almost to my ankle, which is a problem since I wear colored boots - and I didn't really feel like my tights were too short and pulling on them, it's more that the elastic on the bottoms is just not snug enough to keep them in place. For someone with big feet that might not be an issue - and you'd certainly not have the problem where they don't stretch far enough. I think I'll be adding some extra elastic around the "heel" portion to hopefully help with that.
Another update... since I had to buy some new tights for my daughter because hers mysteriously developed a rather large hole on her thigh (I suspect she was picking at them in the car or something the last time she wore them), I went ahead and ordered some Mondors in their new "caramel" color, and guess what, Mondor's "Caramel" color is almost identical to the Nita Sports color. I ordered another pair in caramel for myself, and still, even though 3338's are described with a sewn elastic waist, that pair came with a knitted waistband too (which is what I prefer, so not a problem at all).
I really like the color - it's definitely warmer (but a bit darker) than the light tan, but still significantly lighter than suntan.
Thank you for the report on the new Mondor 'Caramel' color, Sarahspins!