Tights Tips
Care -
If you take care of your tights they will last a long time. Sharp toenails and rough skin on your feet will damage them. So will any roughness on the hemline of your skirt or the top of your shoes or boots.
When putting on very sheer or lacy hosiery be very careful not to catch it with your finger or toe nails and do not pull them up by the waistband; take your time and smooth them gently up your body until they fit properly.
Dyes - some colours will occasionally run when wet possibly leaving stains on other clothing. I have found that some red and black colours have run. White tights tend to go grey after repeated washing.
Washing - It is always recommended that you hand wash fine hosiery. If you machine wash do not include rough items of clothing in the same load. It is better to put delicate hosiery into a lingerie bag when washing them.
Choosing -
If you buy good quality brands they should fit better, fell nicer to wear and last longer.
It is better to choose the right size rather than "One Size" - I have found that one size does not fit all. Look on the back of the packaging for a size chart. If you are not sure which size to get - choose the larger one. Wearing tights that are too small can be painful on the feet and you will have a descending gusset!
You will probably find that sizes vary according to brand - one brands medium being similar to another brand's large. For instance I find Pretty Polly sizes are usually generous but Aristoc seem to be smaller.
Don't worry when you unpack them if they look the wrong size. Some sheer glossy tights look huge and some sheer tights look tiny but both fit OK. For example one pair of large sheer patterned tights from Sock Shop were 17 inches long (from toe to waistband) when I took them out of their box and some large glossy Pretty Polly NY Legs tights were 43 inches long - but both fitted me perfectly. It is all due to the elasticity and finishing.
Lycra in the fabric will make the tights fit better and last longer. Nylon eventually starts to loose its elasticity and the tights lose their fit and will not stay up so well.
I find that tights which have flat seams of are seamfree are more comfortable to wear. Lurex tights can feel quite rough on the skin, particularly if they do not have a plain panty!
Where to shop -
If you are a man you might find buying tights embarrassing. If so you could try - putting a pair in your trolley at the supermarket or large drug store. If you want to buy fashion tights you will probably have to visit Department Stores or discount shops (such as "pound shops").
Packaging sizes:
Packaging comes in fairly standard sizes. Sheer tights are usually in thin sealed packs sized 3.5 x 8.5" or 6.5 x 8.5". Opaque tights may be in 4.25 x 6.25" open packaging with the tights exposed so you can feel them (but this means they may get dirty or damaged in the shop. You may find other packaging sizes and shapes - Goldenlady are in small boxes and Dim often are in variously sized boxes. Aristoc have recently had a range of fashion tights in self-seal plastic and metalised bags (which have been known to set off those electronic tag detectors at shop doors!). I remember one brand had a range in triangular boxes called "Tight Corners"!
Link to Shopping for tights in the UK.
Remember that the fabric of your tights is delicate, so be gentle with them. Do not tug them on by pulling on the waistband or pull at the fabric with your thumbs and fingers. It is better to take your time and ease the tights up using both palms of your hands.
Sit down to put on the tights. Gather leg of the tights up and then put it on to your foot, leaving enough room for your toes and aligning the toe seam neatly. Pull the stocking over your heel carefully and smooth it up your calf. Do the same with the other leg of the tights.
Sitting up, gently pull each leg of the tights up to your knees. Smooth out any wrinkles..
.
Then stand up and ease each leg of the tights over your thighs. Make sure that the fit properly at the crotch.
And pull the panty of the tights onto your body. Ensure that the gusset fits properly and is not sagging. Check that the waist band is correctly positioned.
Bend
over and pull on the toe of each stocking to ensure correct fitting for your
feet. Then stand up and check the appearance of each leg. Check that the pattern
is straight and that both legs have an even appearance. Gently smooth the tights
up or down, or around if necessary. Do not tug at them with your thumb and finger.
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Other tips -
You can stop a ladder getting worse by putting on a spot of clear nail varnish.
You can wear old tights under trousers - no one will notice that they are not perfect.
If a pair of tights is too small you can convert them into footless tights by carefully cutting around the reinforced toe seam. Dancers can make a cheap pair of stirrup tights for dance practice by cutting out the toe seams and making a hole for their heels.
page created by Jacques Hughes