Review: Gatta Rosalia 100 DEN

Gatta’s hosiery line is mostly patterned, but they do have some nice opaques of various deniers (40, 60, 100, 300).  I selected Gatta’s Rosalia 100, size 5 (XL).  NOTE:  This review is from the male wearer’s perspective, and comments on fit should be considered accordingly (meaning, fit for a woman will likely be better!).

Packaging:  Traditional card stock envelope with large photo on front and basic details on back.  The tights are tucked  inside a clear cellophane sleeve, wrapped around a smooth card stock support.

First Impressions:  What’s that scent?  It’s kind of like a flowery perfumed soap.  I’ve never experienced scented hosiery before.  The cellophane sleeve isn’t sealed or taped shut, so it’s easy to get them out.  Letting them fall to full extension from my waist, the ends came down to the top of my feet–a good sign on length.

Specifications:

• Fabric – a microfiber blend of 86% polyamide and 14% elastane.
• Sizing – 2) small (up to 165cm, 70kg), 3) medium (up to 175cm, 80kg), 4) tall (up to 185cm, 85kg), and 5) extra tall (185cm, up to 95kg).
• Opacity (0 – sheer, 10 – total opaque) – 8.5 standing, 6.5 when bending.
• Durability (0 – frail, 10 – like steel) – 7
• Waistband – 2.5cm width, thin material, and very soft.
• Support – none; fabric has same thickness from toe to waist.
• Reinforcement – standard seams.
• Features – no obvious division between leg and panty.
• Colors – According to their website, this style is made in: black, beige, brown, medium gray, and dark gray. From what I’ve found so far, size 5 comes in only dark gray and black.

Observations: These are probably the softest tights I’ve worn yet.  They aren’t made of Lycra 3D, but they sure feel comfortable.  That’s the advantage of microfiber, whereby the core synthetic fibers measure less than 1 denier, and are used together to make a heavier denier yarn.  The 14% Lycra content provides a good stretchiness.  However, I’ve found that after sitting for a while or squatting down, that there is some bagging at the knees.  It’s easily remedied with a quick tug, as the fabric repositions fairly easily, but you have to do it every time after sitting.  This might not be a problem in the smaller sizes, though.  The fit is good for size 5, although you can tell that these are designed to accommodate hips that are wider than 110cm.  The waistband is very soft and light, but it would have been nicer if it fit a bit more snugly.  There’s practically no support in the panty area for the more slender wearer.  The overall appearance is mostly opaque when standing up, but bending the knee shows less opacity, more like 40 denier.  It’s less obvious when wearing the dark gray color.  At the ankles, they remain nicely opaque, so you could wear these under trousers without socks added.  As for warmth, these feel pretty much like 80 denier.  They may feel warmer if you fit somewhere closer to the middle of a given size.  It does feel like moisture is wicked away.  Note:  I am 183cm tall and weigh 95kg, with an athletic build.

After wearing them for a few hours, I then let them hang over a chair for the night.  In the morning I checked their condition and saw that they recovered 85% of their original shape.  That’s OK, for tights in this price bracket. I bought these for $5.25 USD.  For the price, these are a terrific deal.  Would I wear them under trousers?  Perhaps, but definitely with briefs.  The microfiber makes them terrifically comfortable, enough that they would make great sleepwear on chilly nights.

Waistband detail (sorry for the incorrect color, caused by the editor)

As you can see here, the demarcation line between leg and panty is a very subtle band

Showing how the knee can look with slight bagging and totally smooth

Conclusion:
These tights are a good value at going sale prices.  The material is soft and yet feels pretty durable. They are very comfortable to wear, but for me I found the brief too loose for wearing as-is.  If to be worn under trousers, I’d have to put a pair of briefs over them.  Otherwise, they’re a pretty good candidate for winter sleepwear.