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Buying Tights

(56 Posts)
jusnoneed Sun 25-Feb-18 08:48:10

I don't usually wear tights, find them uncomfortable and too warm but having seen the forecast for the next week or two I bought some from Boots last week. Put a pair on this morning, so tight I could barely get the things up my legs!
I am a larger lady, and they say on pack 22/24 but it felt as if I couldn't move without them ripping into holes. They came straight off again.
So my question is where do you buy your tights? Especially anyone who needs larger sizes.

Kupari45 Mon 26-Feb-18 16:35:29

I buy tights from Evans. I get the largest size, and they are really comfortable for my size 22-Height 5"-7" shape.
They dont cut me in two -as Boots / M&S do.

jusnoneed Mon 26-Feb-18 08:21:12

Thanks for all your replies, seems a very hit and miss business lol.
I have squeezed into a pair of these Boots ones, feel as if my legs are in a straight jacket but will see if they are any warmer by the time I've walked to work. They may not last long once I'm there though! I have always had chunky legs, eg I cannot buy boots that go around my calf - have tried many over the years.

SeaWatcher Mon 26-Feb-18 07:42:15

I always get mine in Marks and Spencer. They're fairly expensive but last for ages and keep their shape. They go up to an XL size which is probably 18-20, possibly 18-22.

Helski Mon 26-Feb-18 06:19:47

Heist are the tights to go for, although they are really expensive they are fabulous. So comfortable, in fact, I've thrown all of my other tights away and just have three pairs of these that I look after carefully.
If you look around you can probably find a discount voucher too.

MesMopTop Sun 25-Feb-18 23:36:06

I also used to buy my tights from Silkies Grandmater, they were brilliant. I liked the support tights for work. Most tights don’t appreciate that people’s legs also come in all shapes and sizes.,If you’re lucky enough to get s fit around the hips then the legs are either too short or too long. They forget that bigger bums usually have fatter legs attached to them but the legs usually only come up mid thigh and smaller bums have legs that could fit a friend in. The Silkies range seemed to understand this and they were a perfect fit.,I always bought 2 pairs exactly the same and if one leg laddered I’d cut if off and do the same with the next pair. I’d then wear the two legs when on the night shift, the double pantee bit keeping my rear nice and cosy in the cold. Putting them in the freezer for a while before you start wearing them is said to help prevent them snagging or ripping as easily ?

pen50 Sun 25-Feb-18 21:55:21

There are specialist retailers on the web who stock tights sized for fuller figures. Worth checking out and then looking for the cheapest price. I've bought from uk tights and stockings direct but I usually check prices on Amazon and eBay as well.

M0nica Sun 25-Feb-18 21:37:22

I wear nothing but tights, plus socks, then wear trousers and leggings over them. I am size 12 and usually buy tights described as 'medium'. I buy my tights mainly from John Lewis/Waitrose.

I find tight sizes are very variable. I have just given DGD (aged 10) a pair of tights I had worn once only because the crutch barely made it above my knees. Unfortunately, I could not remember where I bought them. I also bought tights described as 'medium' from H & M. The waist was a comfortable fit into my armpits. Excess length in the legs gathered in folds around my ankles. I gave them to DDiL who is 6ft to my 5ft 3. They fitted her perfectly!

Tight sizing is very variable. If it is clear from a pack the tights should fit someone of your height and size, and they do not. Take them back and complain.

Willow500 Sun 25-Feb-18 21:15:38

I bought 2 pairs of tights and 2 pairs of leggings from Primark the other day - they're warm lined and very comfy. I think you have to be prepared to experiment with sizes on all tights though - I'm small/medium - some fit fine, others I can't get the crotch past my knees and others are far too long. They also don't like being tumble dried - nothing with elastin does as it damages them. I'm far too cold not to wear anything on my legs in the winter so have a lot of different makes to call on!

endre123 Sun 25-Feb-18 20:55:19

Thank you for the giggles and the reassurances that I'm not alone in wondering what happened to tights. For four decades I bought M&Ss, they were a trusty part of my daily dressing then they became instruments of torture. I can only think my body shape changed and no size will fit now. I'm also a convert to leggings and it's possible to buy smart ones now. Yes, socks with the leggings too!

annodomini Sun 25-Feb-18 20:51:50

Hold-ups were disastrous for me. If one held up, the other slid down. I remember walking round Waverley Station, sort of bent over, holding on to a sliding stocking to prevent it disappearing down my boot. Never again. I still have a drawer full of the things.

TillyWhiz Sun 25-Feb-18 20:48:42

I don't wear tights now but when I was working, I used Silkies. I have long legs and they were the only make to give me a comfortable fit. 5 years on and I still have a couple of pairs of their Cool Summer style.

hapgran Sun 25-Feb-18 19:09:57

Gaggi3- You wear socks with leggings, and that adds to the cosiness!

sluttygran Sun 25-Feb-18 18:43:03

I’m another Primark fan. Their tights are amazingly good quality for the price, and they seem very stretchy in all directions, so nice and comfy.
Their leggings I’m not keen on, fabric very thin and a skimpy cut. They’re ok under dresses with boots, though.
Sainsbury’s and M&S do the best leggings.

Cabbie21 Sun 25-Feb-18 18:30:26

I wear tights under trousers when it is cold, and they have the added advantage, for a larger lady, of good tummy control.
Recently I have bought some from Boyes, in a larger size , but am finding they soon shrink. I have just unearthed some I bought a while back from Silkies, mail order, and they fit well, though are a bit tight round the waist. I would only wear those when I need the extra warmth of a close fit. So I am still looking.

Sennelier1 Sun 25-Feb-18 17:58:34

I buy mine at Hema. They have all sizes, and those are realistic. In my country (Belgium) there's at least one Hema in every town but if there isn't one near you : there's also the webshop. www.hemashop.com/gb/

storynanny Sun 25-Feb-18 17:44:31

I like the thick/ thin ( depending on season) hold ups from asda as I hate the crutch problem and the tightness around the waist

vintanner Sun 25-Feb-18 17:43:53

I too prefer leggings but if you need larger sizes Evans is a good shop.

Yellowmellow Sun 25-Feb-18 17:40:34

I'm 5'7'' tall, and in the winter wear Opaque tights. I find Autograph tights from M & S fantastic. They cost about £8 pee pair but don't bag or fall down.

teifi Sun 25-Feb-18 17:40:04

Primark do 100% cotton leggings which are v easy to put on, warm under jeans/trousers, and don't itch n creep. Wear a pair of thick socks with them Gaggi3, plus boots if venturing outside!

Gaggi3 Sun 25-Feb-18 17:12:13

Stupid question alert! What do leggings wearers put on their feet?

Elrel Sun 25-Feb-18 16:46:32

Jocork - I'm overweight with short legs, I don't think anyone does tights to fit us!

Jeanniejoo Sun 25-Feb-18 16:14:21

Couldn’t help a giggle.. I bought some thicker tights from M &S. When I was trying to pull them on they were so tight around the waist that taking a breather while they gripped my thighs made them hurt. Too tight around the hips. I then bought the same size from Wilkins. Much better and half the price. Besides, the waist fits where the waist should be - not around the lower belly. So I later got another pack wink

Pearlsaminger Sun 25-Feb-18 15:17:07

Also a larger lady and the best tights I’ve found gone from YOURS. Pretty patterns too ?

annodomini Sun 25-Feb-18 14:58:32

No matter how well they seem to fit when I put them on, the crotch usually ends up between my knees. But I don't wear them very often. I wear thermal leggings under trousers when it's cold.

Shazmo24 Sun 25-Feb-18 14:52:49

Black leggings are a good substitute for tights