Why Collegien

Years of trade fairs, and always the same reaction. I have met the Collegien team at more shows than I can count, and I have loved what they do every single time. They make one thing — tights and socks for babies and children — and they make it exceptionally well. When it came to filling the gap in the family store, there was never really a question.

The colours are the first thing you notice. Bordeaux, terracotta, navy — rich, juicy shades rather than the usual nursery pastels, and they sit beautifully under a knitted romper or a pinafore. The navy in particular is a quiet favourite for baby boys, which is not something you can say of most tights.

Egyptian cotton, and you can feel it. 84% Egyptian cotton with a little polyester and Lycra for stretch and recovery. Egyptian cotton is long-staple, which is what makes it both softer against the skin and considerably stronger — the reason these survive crawling, knees, and a great many washes.

They stay up, and they last. The ribbed knit moves with a child rather than sagging at the crotch by lunchtime, which is the usual complaint with baby tights. Made in France, machine washable, and the pair that gets handed down still looks like a good pair.

Sizing runs by height. 0-3m to 60cm, 3-6m to 67cm, 6-12m to 75cm, 12-18m to 83cm, 18-24m to 92cm, 3-4 years to 104cm and 5-6 years to 116cm. If your baby is long rather than round, size up — tights are almost always outgrown in length first.

Baby tights, kids tights, ribbed cotton tights, navy baby tights and French children's tights and socks — Egyptian cotton, stocked at the bonnie mob.