The rise of 'mantyhose'

For more fashion news follow us on Twitter

First there was manscara, and then there was guyliner. Now there is mantyhose - the male solution to women's hosiery.

Emilio Cavallini is the latest design house to step onboard the trend, designing a range of tights stapled as unisex.

The Italian brand says that the tights have been on demand from male customers, who make up 20 000 to 30 000 (2 to 3 percent) of the company's buyers.

Vice President of Emilio Cavallini, Francesco Cavallini, said that he discovered the unusual demand over the Internet.

"When we started our online shop we noticed that a lot of tights sized medium-large were being purchased by men… So I did a search on the Internet and discovered there is a cult following for mantyhose," he told WWD newspaper.

He also said that the tights, which are a blend of cotton and nylon, have been tested on male employees to develop a unique, breathable fabric more suitable for men's higher perspiration levels.

Although skull-printed tights suggest a fashion-driven aspect of the mantyhose, Francesco says that he believes his male clients are mostly seeking warmth, with the strongest sales evident in some of the world's coldest locations, such as Germany, France, Scandinavia, Canada and the US.

While Emilio Cavallini's prints and patterns may draw the most attention, this isn't exactly a brand new phenomenon. Plainer versions of male hosiery have been available from brands such as Missouri-based G Lieberman and Sons who make a range of tights in large sizes, even including front zippers. The Parisian brand Gerbe also stock men's sheer black and nude tights on their website.

With names already evolving such as 'brosiery', 'guylons', 'he-tards' and 'beau-hose', it's clear that the mantyhose - whether for fashion or function - won't be going anywhere soon.

What do you think about mantyhose?

Related links:
GALLERY: Males who wear makeup
ARTICLE: Andrej Pejic models a push-up bra
GALLERY: Men wearing nail polish