School tights start-up has got legs

WHEN Corinna Preston reflects on her secondary school days, she remembers her uniform and how uncomfortable girls’ tights were.

They were itchy, saggy and uncomfortable then. She’s loathed the feeling of wearing tights ever since, and now sending her own eight-year-old daughter off to school, she hears the same criticisms.

“From the day she started school, she was complaining about tights. Some mornings I felt like I was being harsh making her wear them, but in my head, I got it. I know they’re awful,” she said.

“At school, a couple of the other mums were saying they still hated them, and their daughters hated them. How are we expecting kids to concentrate and sit still all day in tights that are uncomfortable?

“Afterwards I ran the lake with my husband. My mind was ticking over. I couldn’t understand why we were still having this battle decades later. It doesn’t seem fair.”

An early childhood educator, Ms Preston is used to encouraging problem-solving in young minds. She decided she’d practice what she preaches and solve the dilemma herself.

She explored options for an alternative prototype. Heading to a department store, Ms Preston bought a pair of navy leggings to match an old pair of navy school tights.

“I went to my friend’s mum who cut them, and with her tabletop sewing machine, she whipped up a pair for me. Instantly, my daughter thought they felt better,” she said.

“They weren’t perfect, but they were a fit that wouldn’t itch or fall down, and they would still meet school uniform policy.

“I ran the idea past a friend who’s a fashion designer and the owner of The Laboratory stores around Australia. She said, ‘this could be massive, go for it.’”

Accessing a mentor program at Melbourne’s The Sample Room, Ms Preston worked to learn about design, patternmaking, product development and clothing manufacturing, aiming to launch her own brand, No Fight Tights.

A small sample run of NFTs has since been produced and tested by girls locally and interstate.

Feedback has been positive about the samples; a sporty, Lycra elastane top with a traditional, cotton elastane leg, also including a thicker 40-millimetre, “non-dig” waistband.

“A young girl with a sensory condition and texture sensitivities tested my tights. She’s never been able to wear tights at school. They weren’t perfect, but they were a massive breakthrough.

“She wore the tights all day. That had never happened before. That was really rewarding for me to hear. We know the tights are so much more comfortable than what’s on the market,” Ms Preston said.

Currently experimenting with multiple manufacturers and textile options to further improve the design, Ms Preston’s goal is to be on sale by winter, 2021.

She plans to launch with in-demand colours, navy, black, maroon, and green. Potentially, the range will expand with time.

“There’s a big market out there. I want to make them cost effective, equitable, durable, and I want to launch with every kids and women’s size, so anyone can access them.

“Let’s reward the girls. Let’s make this happen,” she said.

Visit nofighttights.com.au to sign up for updates and express interest. You can also contact [email protected] with any queries.