to give up wearing tights in favour of stockings?

[Hedgehog88]

I don’t know why I have such a hang up about this. My tights always fall down, I get this horrible uncomfortable bit around my crotch where they have slipped down. It’s a proper faff going to the loo pulling them down and up under a skirt or dress. I had a sudden revelation (after watching an old episode of Call the Midwife!) that an old fashioned suspender belt, or even modern crotchless tights would solve all these problems. I invested in some “mock garter tights” and wore them for a day out and they were brilliant. So much more comfortable and practical. But I can’t shake the feeling that they are “too sexy” for everyday wear. Is there an obvious reason people prefer tights? Plus I have a drawer full of tights that it seems a shame to never wear again. AIBU to make the switch?

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If you've found this page in search of tights that have been tried and tested by fellow Mumsnet users, you might find our guide to the best tights useful. Hope this helps! MNHQ

@667TheNeighbourOfTheBeast Thankyou so much!! That was incredibly helpful 😊

Stockings used to be kept up by garters. I can remember my uncle keeping his socks up with suspenders(for men).

No no no OP, definitely not this
"But I can’t shake the feeling that they are “too sexy” for everyday wear"
There's nothing wrong with feeling a little bit sexy every day.
And there's nothing like a droopy crotch to make you feel old and frumpy.

I agree and as other people have said stockings were everyday wear for most women and not thought of as “bedroom wear” sadly the whole stocking wearing thing now has been a bit hijacked by the pervs 😂 lol.
@eddiemairswife yes Stockings did used to be held up with elastic garters I can’t imagine how unreliable and uncomfortable that would be. They were worn a bit lower on the leg I believe just above the knee as skirts were long. Except in the 20s where I think that shockingly for the time, it was the fashion to show garters and rolled stockings.

I have long legs and tights were always a nightmare. I always wore stockings in the days I wore skirts to work. Someone once commented she could see the little bobble from my garter through my skirt but I didn’t care - why should I? It was cheaper too - if you get a ladder you only throw one leg away?

If your tights fall down you are wearing the wrong fit....

Jesus wept. Why do you need to ask this question OP?

So like if everyone said "YABU, put up with the baggy crotch love", you'd say "Ok thanks, will do"?

Sounds like you just need bigger, more fitting tights. Stockings will not keep you warm in the winter and you still have to unclip those thingies that attach to the stockings when you need to go to the toilet and they can be fiddly. Whereas you just pull the tights down and Bob’s your uncle.

You don't have to unclip suspenders to go to the lavatory. You wear knickers over the suspender belt.

Depending on what you’re wearing on your feet, you can deal with this from the other end! Footless tights don’t cause the same problem, so long as they’re the right size of course, and then you just wear socks under your boots…job done!

Wow, i had to read that again. I thought for a minute you meant footless tights would be easier for when you had to go to the toilet!!

You just need some superman pants (underwear on over your tights). Problem solved.

I’d love to wear stockings with a garter as the crotch riding down on tights and having to pull them up constantly is so annoying. However, as I have no thigh gap, tights prevent me chafing. If I wore stockings, my thighs would rub together and be so sore 😭

I’m pretty sure I don’t have a thigh gap but to be fair my fat is round my tummy these days not legs. Lots of ladies who don’t have skinny legs wear them. There are lots of “plus” size stockings. You can wear them as high or low as you like on the thigh by adjusting the straps.

I wear leggings and boots most of the winter as they are more comfortable but I also found that sainsburys 60 denier tights were much better than most at staying up, also if they are falling down it's likely you really need the size up.

Before rubber and thus elastic was widely available, stockings were held up by tieing them, and I've always wondered if they were ever secure, though I don't remember having read about it.

Tights came in in the 1960s, I think. You can now get different sizes, which makes a big difference. You can also get suspender belts that are far more functional than sexy. But unless you're wearing short skirts where stocking tops show when you're seated, no one's going to know what style of hosiery you are wearing, so go for what you're most comfortable in. It won't be too expensive to experiment unless you go for pure silk stockings.

If you feel comfortable, then fine. If you chose to wear trousers instead, fine.

I swear I'm not pervy, but where do you buy your stockings and belts. I use hold ups but they can be hit and miss. Either too loose on the thigh or too tight.

I cannot and will not wear tights. Bad veins in my legs and ankle area mean some kind of covering is needed when wearing a dress, and believe me I have tried every camouflage/cover stick/false tan available. Good silky pop socks for longish dresses work fine. Hold ups or stockings needed for knee length (ish) dresses.

I used to in the 80s

I always seemed to have thrush so it worked well itms

Better with loose long and dresses skirts for obvious reasons😀

Snag Tights are a wonder - ordinary and pretend stocking-type tights - both brilliant!

I'm a fairly regular stocking wearer, as is my sister, I don't wear short skirts or do cartwheels in the office. What's underneath stays underneath. That said, the tights come out in the cold weather. I don't understand why we are being asked to vote though, it's personal choice. Go for what suits you.

I don't normally tell people what I'm wearing though. They don't deserve the sleaze reputation that they have gained, my grandmother wore them after all. Sadly a lot of sussy belts are just designed for the bedroom, I'm not one for games like that, as far as I'm concerned they are for wearing out, not wearing in. If you are serious about them, try a Fantasie belt or similar. They are practical and comfy.

Snag tights are fantastic, I never get any rubbing with these and do not have to wear knickers over them. X

I get mine from What Katie did I wear the Liz style suspender as it’s very stretchy and plain. StockingsHQ do a wide range of belts too that are functional rather than “bedroom” wear. i have also worn Rago which is an American shape wear company and they do a light control belt that smoothes everything out.

I think I've still got my and M&S suspenders belt's somewhere 😀

@StarlightLady I get what you mean about sleaze relating to stockings I’m not sure when that came about as you say nearly every woman wore them.
@greenhousegal i would recommend metal clasps too as the plastic ones in my experience are not reliable. I usually use a 6 strap belt as I’m just used to it but if you’re not wearing seams then a 4 strap is fine like this one
nylon-dreams.co.uk/4-strap-suspender-belt/