To think tights just don't stay up?

[ditziness]

They are a con! Regardless of what style or brand I'm hoiking at my gusset all bloody day! Need two pairs of knickers to keep them up, or tuck them in my bra strap. Advice please! What makes and styles are good for which heights and sizes? If you have a pair of tights that fit and are comfy, enlighten us. We need a definitive list.

[Scholes34]

Go large - it's all down to height.

I have two pairs of Woolford tights (40 denier) that I've had for 15 years, and they're still going strong. Quite expensive, but well worth it.

[ScatterGotStuckUpTheChimney]

Isandri you've brought back a bad memory there...

I once never ever ever again wore stockings to a dance class (I'd laddered my last pair of tights that morning). My dress was below the knee, so I thought I'd get away with it. Unfortunately it was also almost circular and we did a lot of spins

To answer OPs question, 5'6", size 10/12 and I usually wear M+S large.

[Chandon]

Listen ditzy, just get the m ans velvet touch ones.

They last for years, so money well spent.

M and s opaque (3pack) are a good cheapo option.

[Pythonesque]

Thanks for making me feel better. I've always worn XL tights as I'm a little over the top of the height range on the sizing guide; and it's hit and miss whether they will fit or not. Having put on a little weight I'm now firmly into outsizes for tights, which has been demoralising (and still hit and miss).

I bought my just 10 yr old daughter, who is tall but typically slender for her age, some tights in a ladies medium the other day! And they fit her nicely.

[FreeButtonChristmasTree]

M&S 100 denier bodyshaper all the way here - I don't size up - just go for medium (am normally a 12 and 5'3) but the key point is having a good long gusset/waist to them. Short waist and they just fall down. I always have a good nose int he packet before buying.

[ditziness]

so the message i'm getting from this admittedly small sample group is that tights are generally made too small? or there should be more size choices?

[ditziness]

chandon, they only come in black though! i demand red, teal and purple!

[FryOneFatChristmasTurkey]

I haven't worn tights since I was 18 (am 44 now).

I wear stockings instead. A good suspender belt and decent stockings works much better than tights, never had a problem with stockings sliding down like Norah Batty! I have some 100% wool ones that are very warm and comfortable, and generally buy most of mine online (better choice).

[ButternutSquish]

M&S opaque tights with a proper gusset & a pair of knickers over the tights (yes, only wearing 1 pair of knickers!)

[2rebecca]

My tights stay up but I have to buy large ones due to my height and buy expensive tights. One size cheap tights are rubbish.

[2rebecca]

Wolford velvet de luxe tights are brilliant. Cost a fortune but last for years and xmas is coming.

[lynniep]

stockings though - is there not a thigh rub issue? Mine rub together which is uncomfortable unless wearing tights/leggings wotnot (or unless I lose three stones)

[Crinkle77]

M&S do the best tights by far

[ArbitraryUsername]

If I size up, they go all wrinkly round my ankles (Nora batty style). If I buy the 'right' size I'm forever hoiking them back up. Actually, many larger sized ones give me the worst of both options. Even expensive tights.

I must be doing something wrong. I'm not tall and what little height I do have all comes from my legs. But I find larger tights often don't mean longer legs, just wider ones that want to contract back to their original length (and nice baggy width) after I pull them up. :/

[ArbitraryUsername]

Those John Lewis tights are the exception OP. they have absurdly long legs and still require pulling up. Wrinkly knees are not a good look.

[ArbitraryUsername]

Don't you get a cold bum with stockings?

[FryOneFatChristmasTurkey]

I've never had a cold bum or thigh rub with stockings (don't get confused with hold ups, they may give thigh rub), and I am as fat as my name might suggest!

I second amicissimma about stockings direct, I use them also.

[Kittykatmoll]

I'm 5'8'' and a size 18 pear shape. My legs are very long in relation to the rest of my body, in fact, my legs are quite a bit longer than my husband's and he's over 6'. I too can recommend Woolford tights and even their lower denier pairs last for ages. John Lewis usually stock them.

[GhoulWithADragonTattoo]

I think it depends. I have a fairly narrow waist but large hips / bottom and my tights always stay up, even very cheap brands. It seems to me that it's people with relatively small bottoms whose tights fall down, so think of it as penance for having a small bum

[ditziness]

I definitely don't have a small bum. But I do have a waist in relation to it. Although after the last baby I also have an attractive little aprony belly. Gah. But mainly I'm in proportion, just a bit too heavy everywhere. Don't think I have particularly long legs.

The problem with reccomendations if they are an expensive risk unless you know the person is the same size as you

[Chandon]

Just say no to teal and red tights

Black is best

[HouseOfTinsel]

Have you looked at cotton tights? I can't stand wearing tights - they ride around all over the place and itch, but cotton ones are just about bearable and stay put better.

I got my latest ones from John Lewis but it was a while ago - don't know if these are the exact ones, but there are some good reviews from taller XLs here:

John Lewis

[SecretSantaSquirrels]

This is why I haven't worn tights in 20 years. Bare legs in summer but only trousers in winter.( Leggings should not be worn by the over 50s imo).

[somedayma]

Anyone see dragons den last week where some woman tried to get backing for her 'tights suspenders brace' thing. You clip it onto your bra and the top of your tights to keep them up. They all thought she was mad . they missed a trick there!