Good Maternity Tights

[RedHairedGirlie]

Hi There,

Can anyone recommend decent maternity support tights. I already have varicose vains, only a couple and had them for years, but want to try and minimise the risk of getting worse or more! Want something that you really feel supported in and thick. I have had a browse on the net and there are so many ranging from £4 - £30. I know you pay for what you get... but just not sure I want to pay £30 for a pair of tights unless they are totally ladder proof !!

Thanks in advance

[PuzzleRocks]

Bumping for you.

[LoveActually]

I bought some Mama Spanx and they lasted a good couple of months, although they cost £20. Top Shop do them online now. You can also get Top Shop own brand but haven't tried these. Ended up wearing lots of leggings under skirts, too, Seraphine do a seamless tight which you can wear as leggings. Got some from Mothercare too x

[mrsbaldwin]

Hi RHG

I also have red hair and have been moved to wonder why no-one has invented better maternity tights. So here is my reply.

Like you I've been a bit reluctant to spend £30 on a pair of tights, despite being prepared to spend quite a lot on outer layers clothes.

But being part-way into the third trimester and not finding much apart from stretchy trousers and lycra dresses comfortable anymore I had another look about for tights a couple of weeks ago.

I wasn't looking for support tights - but black opaques that don't sag around the crotch. That said, these can be a bit similar can't they?

I couldn't seem to source anything suitable even at the £30 end.

In real, non-pregnant life I've always found Wolford opaque tights very good - although with a price tag to match. But they don't do maternity.

M&S, Mothercare and all the £6 a pair type tights sag - and in order to prevent this I've ended up wearing a second pair of pants over top of them to keep 'em up, Superman-style. This works, but makes you feel like John Major

Spanx and Isabella Oliver have maternity styles, but these are in the £30 league and are not opaque - they're 10 or 15 denier - except for the Spanx leggings which may work for you (they're footless, obviously, being leggings, so you'd have to wear boots with them). Seraphine Kensington Church Street was out of these when I went in two weeks ago.

Other solutions: hold-up stockings (maybe with garters). You could try a Wolford style brand for these. But I'm not sure whether they'd help or hinder VVs and if you have an active job or lots of running about to do they're not so great either.

So the picture is not quite bleak but not great either as far as I've discovered so far. If any tights manufacturers read this board they've got 8 weeks to come up with something good before I'm not pregnant anymore and can start to go back to real world dressing (hooray!)

Hope this is helpful, if not useful!

Mrs Baldwin

[SniffyHock]

I've found M&S to be quite good. They do sag after a while but I wear therefore wash mine a lot so they are well used. I laddered a £25 pair and H&M are rubbish!

I also normally use Wolford and wish they made maternity

[LoveActually]

Must admit I was surprised by lack of decent maternity tights. Was looking for a coloured pair to brighten up an outfit for an evening 'do and there were none around. Only the leggings offered support really. Maybe you should write to Walford MrsB.

[LoveActually]

Sorry Wolford . Did find hold ups okay but they don't offer any support.

[Diege]

The opaque Isabella Oliver ones are pretty good - black opaques that look very Wolford-y when on, and come up over the bump. They are pricey (£25 ish from memory, though use mumsnet 10% off)but they are the only pair of opaques I have that haven't laddered and are really good quality.

[xxhunnyxx]

Wow £25-£30 for tights?!
I'm soooo clumsy it's untrue, I just know I'd end up yanking them and put a massive ladder in them!
Looks like I'll be just wearing leggings when bump gets too big for tights

[logrrl]

Good old H&M Mama maternity tights-two pack costs about £6. I am usually small but bought large because it was all they had left, and they've been fantastic and more opaque because a bit big.... I fear lots of people may also think so, because I have tried to buy more and can't get any....but you may have more luck!

[logrrl]

ooops I missed your specific "support" question. Sorry-the H&M ones are of course, just regular tights...

[Tee2072]

I have found H&M tights to be rubbish. Laddered every pair the first time I wore them.

I've ordered Mamas & Papas tights from their website, am waiting to see if they are worth it!

[1stMrsF]

I can't find any, except M&S (and they have been out of stock for weeks) that have a proper crotch in them - therefore, the two front seams dig into your groin, or if they don't, the tights are half way down your legs.

Of the ones that people have reccommended, have any got a crotch?!

Oh please let M&S get more in stock, I am washing out the same pair every night to wear to work!!!

[1stMrsF]

RedHairedGirlie try Pebble for proper support tights. I haven't got personal experience but they seem to be the real deal.

[1stMrsF]

Marks and Spencer back in stock online today!

[1stMrsF]

Oops forgot to link M&S Maternity tights

[RedHairedGirlie]

Hi, its been a while since I have been on the site.. thanks for all the replies!!! I ended up getting a couple of pairs of Emma Jame maternity support tights, I think they were about £5 eadh - and to be honest I didn't feel like there was much support in the leg ankle area. As a result, I had a look in Boots and just ended up getting the Firm support tights in large - and they are actually really good and I feel like there is good support around my ankles.. Not sure how long I will be able to fit in them though, I am 32 weeks, not that big around the tummy so think I have been lucky that they don't feel that tight right now. I also got some of the 120 Denier footless tights from New Look - again in large. Although not support tights, I do feel quite supported in them - I had to cut little slits in the waistband line though as it was quite uncomfortable, but other than that they are great.

Thanks again to everyone for the suggestions..