No Fight Tights get legs to run

BALLARAT-born clothing brand No Fight Tights will launch online sales later this month, offering a more practical, comfy alternative to traditional children’s school tights.

Inspired by her own daughter who dreaded heading off to learn and play in uncomfortable tights each day, NFT director and early childhood educator Corinna Preston has designed a pair in four colours that are uniform compliant, aren’t itchy or saggy, or at risk of running.

The NFTs have a Lycra-elastane stretch top, like bike shorts, a traditional cotton elastane leg, and include a thicker 40-millimetre “non-dig” waistband.

“We’re so excited to announce that this revolutionary new product will be available to females in the coming weeks, and it all started here in Ballarat,” Ms Preston said.

“Tights haven’t changed for generations… we were setting girls up for failure. It’s time for change. My goal is for them to feel at ease going to school, with confidence, comfort, and their self-esteem intact.

“I’m nervous, because I’ve always worked in early childhood, so this is a new venture, but mostly I’m excited and relieved to get to this point after all our hard work.”

Ms Preston has already received feedback from other educators who “can’t wait” to see their students wearing the product.

“A prep teacher from my daughter’s school said children have so many accidents because the uniform layering is an issue for them, or they’ve constantly got their tights dragging down.

“I knew the teenagers would love them, but now I know schoolteachers think it will be huge for the little kids as well, making life easier for them,” she said.

“Tights are compulsory for students and they don’t have a choice about wearing them or not, so I feel really happy that I can help them with a better option.”

There will be a No Fight Tights launch party at Aunty Jacks brewpub on Friday, 14 May at 6.30pm for Ms Preston’s family, friends, supporters, and design development partners to celebrate the realised product.

The tights will then be available via the nofighttights.com.au online store on Wednesday, 19 May.

Ms Preston is perfecting the teen and women’s products so more women and girls can feel comfortable at school, work, or in their casual attire year-round.

The NFT team hopes to have those products available online later in 2021.