Tights Collection

If you really want to get a kick out of the Twist just put those high-heeled shoes away. Thats what the three girls pictured think

Mieczyslaw Pianowski, Polish ballet dancer
Mieczyslaw Pianowski (c1891-1967), Polish ballet dancer, ballet master and choreographer. circa 1920s

TED KID LEWIS
Ted Kid Lewis (Gershon Mendeloff), British-born World Welterweight Champion in 1915, 1916 and from 1917 - 1919. His nickname was the Aldgate Sphinx

Actress Helen Mirren wearing a fishnet tights portraying character of fairground stripper Juy 1975

Joan Collins actress starred in Dynasty arrives at Heathrow. November 1988

Kaufmann Lady Cycle Troupe refined trick cyclists. One bicycle in photograph with the lady cyclists wearing ruched shorts to the knee, long sleeved blouses, tights and flat shoes

Woman police officer in self-defence exercise
Woman police officer (Moya Wood-Heath) taking part in a self-defence demonstration exercise at an outdoor event, watched by spectators. Date: circa early 1970s

Plastics Nylon made as a substitute for silk Royal welcome home was given nylon as it made its post war reappearance in ladies hosiery

Caricature of Nellie Farren and Edward Ledger
Caricature of Nellie Farren (1848-1904), English actress and singer, and Edward Ledger (18??-1921), editor of The Era theatrical newspaper

Pucci outfit, 1965
Cotton velvet apres-ski jacket in a characteristic print of Florentine colour, partnered this season by second skin silk jersey tights, printed to match and ending in little trompe l oeil boots

Caricatured Hamlet on a music sheet
A caricatured Hamlet, probably based on Sir Henry Irving, on a music sheet entitled Hamlet Ye Dane, A Ghost Story, with music by J B Lawreen

Marius Goring / Romeo
MARIUS GORING British actor of stage and screen in the role of Romeo, with Peggy Ashcroft as Juliet

Edith Wynne in Red Riding Hood, Gaiety Theatre, Dublin Date: 1890s

Clara Webber in Red Riding Hood, Gaiety Theatre, Dublin Date: 1890s

Cartoon, Miss Harriett Vernon in The P)rince of Japs
Cartoon, Miss Harriett Vernon (1858-1923), English actress and singer, as Cammpi in The Japs, or The Doomed Daimio, a burlesque by Harry Paulton and Mostyn Teddea. 1885

Bob Fitzsimmons, heavyweight boxing champion
Bob (Robert James) Fitzsimmons (1863-1917), English-born World Heavyweight Boxing Champion. circa 1900s

Charnos Nylons advertisement
Advertisement for Charnos nylons, perfect for day and evening. Date: 1953

Poster advertising Quinquina Dubonnet tonic wine, as enjoyed by a lady in a flamboyant green and white striped dress

Elizabeth Hurley actress and model. August 1989 Liz

Ballet, 1944 (oil on canvas)
1767564 Ballet, 1944 (oil on canvas) by Shinn, Everett (1876-1953); 53.3x78.8 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Ballet. Everett Shinn (1876-1953). Oil on canvas. Painted in 1944

German bourgeois couple, around 1500 - Prosperous middle-class urban Germans, or burghers, 1500s
NWI4957016 German bourgeois couple, around 1500 - Prosperous middle-class urban Germans, or burghers, 1500s. Antique hand-colored print; (add.info.: German bourgeois couple)

English court dress of the mid-1500s
NWI4957092 English court dress of the mid-1500s.; (add.info.: English court dress of the mid-1500s.); Photo © North Wind Pictures.

Circus clown painting his face in his tent before a show, 1800s
NWI4759656 Circus clown painting his face in his tent before a show, 1800s.; (add.info.: Circus clown painting his face in his tent before a show, 1800s.); Photo © North Wind Pictures.

Couple of the nobility vetus in fashion of the high Middle Ages (5th-9th century)
NWI4957296 Couple of the nobility vetus in fashion of the high Middle Ages (5th-9th century) - Nobleman and noblewoman in fashions of the high Middle Ages

Couple of the German nobility, around 1500 - Man and woman of German nobility, mid-1500s
NWI4956653 Couple of the German nobility, around 1500 - Man and woman of German nobility, mid-1500s. Antique hand-colored print, English; (add.info.: Couple of the German nobility)

Couple de la nobility francaise, fin 1500 - French couple of the nobility, late 1500s. Antique hand-colored print
NWI4957027 Couple de la nobility francaise, fin 1500 - French couple of the nobility, late 1500s. Antique hand-colored print; (add.info.: Couple de la nobility francaise)

Men of the Lower Rhine region (Netherlands), circa 1400 - Men from the lower Rhine area, 1400s
NWI4956957 Men of the Lower Rhine region (Netherlands), circa 1400 - Men from the lower Rhine area, 1400s. Antique hand-colored print; (add.info.: Men of the Lower Rhine region (Netherlands)

Medieval costumes of a knight, an eveque, a noble lady and a gentleman - Medieval costume of knight, bishop, lady
NWI4956379 Medieval costumes of a knight, an eveque, a noble lady and a gentleman - Medieval costume of knight, bishop, lady, and gentleman

Woman and noble of Normandy, 12th century - Women and a noblewoman of Normandy, 12th century
NWI4957279 Woman and noble of Normandy, 12th century - Women and a noblewoman of Normandy, 12th century. Antique hand-colored print; (add.info.: Woman and noble of Normandy)

Couple of the German nobility, late 1500 - German couple of the nobility, late 1500s. Antique hand-colored print
NWI4957020 Couple of the German nobility, late 1500 - German couple of the nobility, late 1500s. Antique hand-colored print; (add.info.: Couple of the German nobility)

German Ecuyer et ses compagnons, armes de muskets - German country squire and his companions armed with muskets
NWI4956658 German Ecuyer et ses compagnons, armes de muskets - German country squire and his companions armed with muskets.; (add.info.: German Ecuyer et ses compagnons)

German squire with his armed servants, ca. 1500 - German country squire with his armed attendants, 1500s
NWI4956648 German squire with his armed servants, ca. 1500 - German country squire with his armed attendants, 1500s. Antique hand-colored print

Shoot for Kamella - children's clothes brand
Client: Stonehouse Advertising - shoot for Kamella children's clothes brand - padded short hooded jacket with silk neck bow Date: circa 1967

Shoot for Kamella - children's clothes brand
Client: Stonehouse Advertising - shoot for Kamella children's clothes brand - padded short hooded jacket with silk neck bow Date: circa 1967

Client: Monsanto Textiles - Young Girl's Knitwear dress with belt - Shoot date: July 24, 1969 Date: 1969

Client: Monsanto Textiles - Girl's Knitwear dress - Shoot date: July 24, 1969 Date: 1969

Client: Monsanto Textiles - Model: Diane Loach - Shoot date: April 14, 1970. Date: 1970

Shoot for John Lewis Partnership product packaging - tights - circa 1960s. Date: 1960s

Model in an outdoor botanical setting (Kew Gardens?) in tunic waistcoat with matching skirt and tights. Date: mid 1960s

Couple of the Spanish nobility of the Netherlands, around 1600 - Spanish nobility in the Netherlands, 1600s
NWI4956783 Couple of the Spanish nobility of the Netherlands, around 1600 - Spanish nobility in the Netherlands, 1600s. Antique hand-colored print; (add.info)

Kitty Cats Rainbow Workout
Vertigo Artography

Scene from Tennyson's "Queen Mary" at the Lyceum Theatre, 1876. Creator: Unknown
Scene from Tennyson's "Queen Mary" at the Lyceum Theatre, 1876. London stage production. The Laureate has been careful to depict the more human relations

AI IMAGE - Portrait of Vaslav Nijinsky, 1920s, (2023). Creator: Heritage Images
AI IMAGE - Portrait of Vaslav Nijinsky, 1920s, (2023). Russian ballet dancer and choreographer Nijinsky (1889-1950) is regarded as the greatest male dancer of the early 20th century

AI IMAGE - Portrait of Vaslav Nijinsky, 1920s, (2023). Creator: Heritage Images
AI IMAGE - Portrait of Vaslav Nijinsky, 1920s, (2023). Russian ballet dancer and choreographer Nijinsky (1889-1950) is regarded as the greatest male dancer of the early 20th century

Recueil des modes de la cour de France, Le Financier, between circa 1678 and circa 1693. Creator: Nicolas Bonnart
Recueil des modes de la cour de France, Le Financier, between circa 1678 and circa 1693

Recueil des modes de la cour de France, Habit Despeé en Biuer, c1682. Creator: Nicolas Bonnart
Recueil des modes de la cour de France, Habit Despee en Biuer, c1682

Man with horse, c1490. Creator: Unknown
Man with horse, c1490. From Proverbes en rimes, a collection of rhyming proverbs. This one possibly illustrates the saying: Don't look a gift horse in the mouth

Françoise Ravel as Lourdin, 1855-1859. Creator: Alfred Jacob Miller
Francoise Ravel as Lourdin, 1855-1859

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"Tights: A Twist of Style and History" If you really want to get a kick out of the Twist, just put those high-heeled shoes away. They have been an essential part of fashion for centuries, adorning the legs of dancers, athletes, and even actors. One notable figure who embraced tights was TED KID LEWIS, a legendary boxer known for his agility in the ring. But it wasn't just boxers who appreciated this garment; Mieczyslaw Pianowski, a Polish ballet dancer, relied on tights to showcase his graceful movements on stage. It also found their place in entertainment troupes like the Kaufmann Lady Cycle Troupe. These talented performers dazzled audiences with their acrobatic skills while wearing vibrant tights that added an extra touch of flair to their acts. Even Hollywood couldn't resist the allure of tights. Actress Helen Mirren once donned fishnet tights while portraying a character as a fairground stripper—a testament to how this versatile piece can transform any costume into something captivating. But it's not all about glamour and showbiz; practicality plays its part too. In self-defense exercises, female police officers rely on durable tights that allow them freedom of movement without compromising safety or professionalism. The history behind tights is equally fascinating. Plastics Nylon emerged as a substitute for silk during World War II when resources were scarce. Its introduction brought nylon-made stockings into everyday life and received such enthusiasm that even royalty welcomed it home with open arms. Throughout history, countless icons have rocked tights with style—Joan Collins being one prime example. The actress arrived at Heathrow Airport in 1988 sporting fashionable attire complete with trendy patterned tights—an embodiment of elegance and sophistication. Tight-wearing characters aren't limited to real-life figures either; they've made appearances in cartoons too.