The Gatsby Era - Pretty Polly's 1920s style
From gorgeous embellished flapper dresses to elegant finger-curled hair styles. The roaring 20's was an era ooozing with style and has influenced fashion for almost 100 years.
Back in the 1920's, Pretty Polly was in it's early years (having been established in 1919) and sheer leg coverage was quickly becoming the fashionable look. The length of womens skirt and dress hemlines becoming increasingly higher and more leg was on show. During the period, silk and rayon seamless stockings were in vogue, with fully fashioned stockings first appearing in 1924.
With 2013 The Great Gatsby film making its debut in British cinemas today we have Gatsby fever! We're so excited to see the gorgeous jewellery, make up, hairstyles and fashion featured in the film. Take a look at our Pinterest Gatsby board for 1920s vintage style inspiration.
It wasn't until the 1940's that Nylon hosiery was available following the invention of Nylon by Du Pont in 1938, but stockings and tights made from this new innovative fabric with more elasticity took off in the 1940's and was even in short supply during the war - creating an even greater demand.
You can get the 1920's sheer leg look with Pretty Polly Nylons collection - using the brilliant invention of Nylon, we've created glossy vintage style hosiery with the glamour of yesterday and the fit of todays modern woman. With a slick gloss finish reminiscent of the 1920s - 1950's, the Nylons collection is Pretty Polly's best selling sheer tights collection.
- - - WORLD EXCLUSIVE - - -
We're also VERY excited to bring you a WORLD EXCLUSIVE on our brand NEW Nylons style coming to the range this coming Autumn...
The Gloss Mock Suspender Tights
COMING SOON!
Beautiful aren't they! Look out for them arriving in the Autumn 2013 at www.prettypolly.co.uk
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Outfit of the Week: River Island
Welcome to our brand new feature - Pretty Polly's Outfit of the Week! Every week, we'll feature an outfit from one of our fabulous Pretty Polly retailers. We'll give you inspiration on what to wear with your Pretty Polly tights.
Kicking things off rather sweetly, we have the gorgeous Pretty Polly Bow Backseam Tights,
available EXCLUSIVELY at River Island.
We couldn't resist pairing the Bow backseam tights with this gorgeous Red Sunflower Print Tea Dress. In bright red with a monochrome sunflower print, this dress is effortlessly cool for that super-easy throw-on look, and at only £22 it's an absolute must-have!
With the black contrast bow design running down the back of the leg, these on-trend tattoo-effect tights lend themselves nicely to going black with the accessories. We chose River Island's sweet Black Laser Cut Out Ballet Pumps, with delicate and dainty floral pattern, they're practical for warmer weather too, allowing your feet to breathe.
We LOVE this neat and funky Black stud base zip panel messenger bag, it's the ideal size and shape and the cross-body style is perfect for keeping your hands free for holding your ice cream :)
You can't beat a good hat, especially when you want to keep the sun off your forehead at a festival. We've chosen River Island's Cream straw sequin embellished trilby hat because of its' pretty and subtle sequin detail and contrast black ribbon - works so well with the Bow Backseam Tights.
Top off with a Black Waist Belt, pop on these funky matte round retro sunglasses and you're ready to head out for a lovely sunny day!
Look out for a new Outfit of the Week every Wednesday
Next week: Topshop
Follow Pretty Polly Outfit of the Week by following us on Pinterest
Pretty Polly tights to be made into chairs & huts!
Ever thought tights could be used to create seating or even build shelter? Architecture for Humanity (AFH) are doing just that for Clerkenwell Design Week, 21st -23rd May 2013, London.
Using hundred of pairs of Pretty Polly tights and an old Virgin hot air balloon, AFH are building one of four huts around the site of the Clerkenwell Design Week. Here at Pretty Polly, we don't like to see things go to waste - especially tights with their many repurposed uses!
"We are building four small scale hut structures that will be situated around the exhibition sites - each embodying the spirit and ethos of our charity. One of the Huts is devoted to textiles - and we plan to use Pretty Polly tights as an integral part of this. We want to stretch, stuff and weave the tights to form seating around the space. You'll find us on St John's Lane in a small enclosed garden called St John's Churchyard" explains Cameo Musgrove, leader of the AFH Brixton Remakery Centre project.
Pretty Polly saw the AFH appeal for donations of old socks and tights online and knew we could help out with a donation to the AFH project right away. Here's the huge box ready to go!
About Architecture for Humanity
Architecture for Humanity is a global charity which promotes a more sustainable future through the power of professional design. It was founded in 1999 by British architect Cameron Sinclair. To date, a network of over 50,000 design professionals around the world give freely of their time and expertise to support people who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford such services. Each year 100,000 people directly benefit from structures designed by Architecture for Humanity. Clients include community groups, aid organisations, housing developers, government agencies, corporate divisions, and foundations.
Last year Architecture for Humanity launched a "Love Architecture" campaign. This inspired Cameo Musgrave to build the "Love Hut" last May. "The Love Hut" offered people the chance to post their love messages to London on bright pink post-it notes. The "Love Hut" had its first major public outing during Clerkenwell Design Week 2012 in St John's Lane.
This year Architecture for Humanity is designing and building a village of huts for Clerkenwell Design Week - each with a different theme reflecting the spirit and ethos of Architecture for Humanity:
Green Hut (clad with edible plants)
Water Hut (pipes and bottles)
Textile Hut (exploration of soft materials)
Remakery Hut (using objects from the Brixton Remakery centre)
Some of the work carried out by Architecture for Humanity benefits people by:
• Providing access to water, sanitation, power and essential services
• Bringing safe shelter to communities prone to disaster and displaced populations
• Rebuilding community and creating neutral spaces for dialogue in post-conflict areas
• Mitigating the effects of rapid urbanisation in unplanned settlements
• Creating spaces to meet the needs of those with disabilities and other at-risk populations
• Reducing the footprint of the built environment and addressing climate change
Learn more about Architecture for Humanity >
Visit Clerkenwell Design Week >
Keep your eyes peeled for photos of the huts at Clerkenwell Design Week after the event here on the Pretty Polly blog.
PP x
www.prettypolly.co.uk
25 ways to repurpose old tights...
Get thrifty and never let a pair of old tights go to waste again!
Reuse, repurpose, recycle…
- Remove deodorant residue from clothing – use the old tight as a mitt to brush off residue
- Keep your hairbrush clean – starting with a clean brush, cut a strip from the tights to cover the brush. Push down onto the bristles – a hair grip will help you push the fabric right down. Next time your brush needs cleaning simply lift the nylon off and start again.
- Decorate pumpkins at Halloween – wrap lacy patterned tights over small gourds
- Cut off the tops of stockings/hold ups and reuse as hair bands and scrunchies
- Curling your hair – heat-free and natural looking curls created using strips of nylon from your old tights. Learn how
- Sweet smelling sachets: Fill with potpourri or lavender to keep drawers and wardrobes smelling lovely. They also work well when filled with moth balls to prevent damage to clothing in storage.
- Plant pets – stuff the toe end of a stocking leg with soil and plant grass seeds within the ball, approx the size of a tennis ball. Cut out some paper features like lips and eyes. Pop it on a dish in the sun light, water from time to time and watch the grass hair grow!
- Cleaning hard-to-reach places – Having trouble reaching dust bunnies living beneath your fridge? Ball up your old tights and use an elastic band to secure them to a coat hanger (or similar long item). The dust will cling to the nylon like magic!
- Do you have a cat or dog who likes to sleep on your bed and leave lots of fur behind? Try using an old pair of tights to rub the fur off your duvet cover - lifts off like a dream!
- Slip over the end of your vacuum cleaner nozzle to act as a filter when searching for small missing items – such as jewellery. Making sure the toe is in tact, slip the leg over the nozzle and secure with a rubber band.
- Jewellery - Get creative and turn your old tights into necklaces and bracelets. Check out this amazing yellow tights necklace from Fashion My Legs.
- Covering your fish tank filter – to stop any little critters getting sucked in! And if you’re lucky enough to have your own pool, use nylons to cover your filter to avoid hairs, leaves and dirt getting stuck in your filter.
- Efficient suitcase packing: Squeeze more in by rolling up your clothes and cover them in flexible nylon tubes to stop them unravelling. Simply cut the legs off, snip off the foot and stretch the stockings over your rolled-up garments.
- Straining lumps from old paint tins – cover the receptacle opening with nylon, you could even use the waistband to hold the sheet in place. Hey presto – a ready-made paint strainer!
- Works of art - get creative and create sculptures and artwork using your old tights. Take inspiration from Irene Anton's series of hosiery sculptures.
- Bedding storage – Keep your spare duvet, pillows and blankets neat and tidy whilst in storage by using the waistband from your old pair of tights. Simply slip it around the rolled up bedding like a large ‘elastic band’.
- Avoid rubbish bag slipping down – Secure your bin liner in place by cutting off the waistband of your old tights and slipping it around the bin.
- Keep draughts at bay; Stuff legs with newspaper and tie off to make draught excluders to sit at the base of a draughty door.
- Replacement stuffing - for soft toys, cushions, pillows, sofa cushions etc
- Keep wrapping paper rolled up – pop a leg over the roll, or several at a time to keep them neat until you need them next
- Store onions, potatoes, garlic and plant bulbs - hang them in a cool, dry and dark place, such as a pantry, to promote good air circulation and keep them from rotting.
- Gardeners tips: Put soap bar scraps into the toe end of a stocking leg. Tie up beside an outdoor tap so you can wash muddy hands before re-entering the house.
- Useful in the garden as ties for climbing vegetables or plants, or for supporting large vegetables as they grow, like marrows or melons.
- Re-potting plants; When moving a houseplant to a larger pot, use a piece of nylon at the bottom of the new pot. It will act as a liner that lets the excess water flow out without draining the soil along with it.
- Give them to the man in your life to wear under his trousers in the colder months – particularly if he has to work outdoors! If he’s willing, he’ll thank you for it! Especially if it’s your old Fleecy Opaques!
Follow the Pretty Polly board 'Tights Tips' on Pinterest for heaps more ideas on how to recycle your tights - get creative!
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Want instant Summer-ready legs, here's our secret...
Imagine a beautifully soft pair of 5 denier sheer tights that are as light as a feather but as strong as 15 denier tights? Imagine no more, the technology is here!
If you want Summer-ready legs instantly, the Pretty Polly Naturals range has the solution to help with all the buffing / exfoliating / moisturing / waxing / shaving...
Brand new and exclusive to Pretty Polly Naturals, are the 5 Denier Sideria tights - your second skin for Summer
So what's so special about the Sideria Tights?
- Unlike other sheer tights, they are knitted with a technological, super-strong yarn called Sideria
- The tights have a 5 denier appearance, 15 denier strength - so laddering is less of a worry!
- Give a beautiful lightweight bare-look to the legs
- Breathable pant-shaped body
Perspiration resisitant- Sandal Toe - perfect for wearing with summer shoes like pumps or court shoes.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
SIDERIA - the special yarn:
- Nylon/polyurethane composite fiber developed and manufactured in Japan
- The yarn self-crimps when treated with heat, and thereby possesses moderate stretchability.
- 5 denier appearance, 15 denier strength
- Creates an incredibly smooth knitted surface which is super-soft to touch due to the sprial crimped nature of the yarn.
- "Barely-there" soft fit
- Minimizes perspiration during hot and humid seasons
- Transparency Being a bicomponent yarn of nylon and polyurethane, SIDERIA guarantees an extra-thin and superbly transparent knit which is scarcely achieved by conventional covered yarns.
- Very distinctive hosiery leg-look that is different from other nylon garments
Here's the scientific diagram:
Try them for yourself - we guarantee you'll love them!
BUY NOW >
Only £6
Availale in sizes:
Small/Medium & Medium/Large
Colours available:
Barely There & Slightly Sunkissed
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