Product Review: Berkshire Tights

I wear a lot of tights.  I mean, a lot.  They are basically my go-to for winter, stemming in part from when I used to ride my bike to work.  Tights just dry so much faster when rained on than jeans do.  And although I'm not close enough to my current job to ride to work (also, why no bike lanes, people?) I still love wearing tights.

But, I have to say that while I love wearing tights, I don't always love how it feels to wear tights.  A lot can go wrong with wearing tights.  If they're too short in the leg, they will inch down into Hammer pants by the end of the day.  If they're too tight in the waist, they will give you what Sal over Already Pretty calls "segmented worm syndrome" which is both uncomfortable and unsightly.  And, if they're too tight in the thighs, your thighs bitch and moan and call you names all day.  (No?  Is that just me?  Damn thighs).

If any, or heaven forbid, all of those things happen to you when wearing tights, then I have one word for you: Berkshire.  As in Berskshire Hosiery, as in makers of the most comfortable tights I've ever worn:

These are the Easy On! Tights and not only were they easy to get on, they were comfortable.  All day long.  I mean: All. Day. Long.  I couldn't believe it.  No pinching, no binding, no rolling, and no mutinous mutterings from my thighs.


I paired the tights with a pleated skirt and geometric print cardigan, because if you can't be paired with a pleated skirt and/or a cardigan, you probably don't belong in my wardrobe:

Cardigan: Target (similar)  Skirt: thrifted vintage (similar)
Tights: c/o Berkshire Hosiery  Shoes: Shoes of Prey (similar)

I'm happy to say these tights worked very well with my pleats and cardigan.  Basically, Berkshire tights are amazing and I can't say enough good about them.

Well, I guess I can say a few more things.  One, they're made in the USA, which is fantastic.  Two, they have an amazing selection of styles and a great size range; petite, regular, plus and even maternity.  And definitely long enough for us tall gals; again, I'm wearing the Easy On! Tights in size 1X/2X and they are more than long enough. And it's not just the basic black tights that are long enough; this particular tights is available in six different colors.  Even fun tights are available for giants; I also tried out the Berkshire Trend tights in Fishnet, and those also fit fabulously.

If you want to know more about Berkshire, or want to try them for yourself (you should, they're great!) visit their site at eberkshire.com and, you can get 15% off of your order with the code blogger15, now through December 16th, 2016.


Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Literary Stylings # 23: Obsidian

After much deliberation, I decided to base today's LitSty look on the two books of the Red Rising Trilogy, Red Rising and Golden Son:

As I said before, I wasn't actually familiar with these books prior to reading them.  I was just looking for something for my nephew and he's only 15 so I still like to pre-read any books I get for him.

And, as I also said before, I was very pleasantly surprised at how good these books are.  I won't say that Brown is the best writer, but the story is very, very good and he writes well enough to keep the reader engaged.

One thing I appreciate is how much though Brown put into the world he created.  In his version of the future, people are split into color-coded groups.  Each group has been genetically modified to do the work their group does.  Golds lead, Pinks were created for pleasure, Whites are the law, Grays are the military, Reds are the miners and Obsidians are the fighters.


Here is a hierarchy I found on Pinterest:

As you can see, Gold is at the very top and Red is at the very bottom.

The main character of the trilogy, Darrow, is a Red who finds out that although he and his people have been living underground in the mines, killing themselves to mine material so Mars can be terra-formed, it was already terra-formed hundreds of years ago and they're just slaves.

In his fight against the ruling Golds, Darrow is assisted by an Obsidian and for me, the story of the Obsidian group is one of the most fascinating of the book.  They also fought against the Golds once and as a result, the Golds took their technology, sending them back to the Middle Ages at best, and then set themselves up as Gods to the Obsidians.  They also did a bunch of other horrible stuff to them, effectually making them into killing machines to be used by the Golds to maintain their power.

Most of the groups have hair and eyes the color of their group; Reds have red hair and eyes.  Golds have golden hair and eyes and golden skin.  Obsidians, have paper-white skin and obsidian-black hair and eyes (and tattoos).


My outfit represents my fascination with the Obsidian story:

The black and white represents the Obsidians.  The bit of red represents the alliance with Darrow and his Obsidian.  And the leopard booties represent my belief that leopard is a neutral.

Poncho: Zara (save, splurge)  Tunic: Gap (similar)
Leggings: c/o Long Tall Sally (similar)  Shoes: Isola "Banner" Bootie

Sorry for the long post, but I really do appreciate the thought that Brown put into his books and wanted to share some of that with you.


But, enough about me; it's your turn!

An InLinkz Link-up

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey