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

Buy another brand of tights that don't all down. I find Snag tights are amazing.

Agreed, I don't wear anything else these days' Other makes of better fitted tights also exist, but I like being able to buy tights in all kinds of colours and patterns. As a tall, larger person the mainstream tights market restricts me to black, grey and occasionally brown or navy - no thanks.

Pants under and over tights

Obviously everyone is different and it’s whatever is comfortable for you personally but isn’t this a bit sweaty ? I would have err “womens problems” if I wore two pairs of pants plus tights lol.

@greenhousegal - I used to get my stockings from John Lewis, M&S or Debenhams but it is a minority market both seem to have discontinued them and Debenhams are no more. Fortunately I am quite well stocked (pun intended!) up. There are also a lot to be found on Ebay, including the original Aristoc Harmony with Cuban Heel (older MNetters may remember them), they are quite tough yet so sheer they are like glass.

For belts I tend to buy directly from Fantasie these days.

For stockings, avoid one size, just like tights one size fits nobody. For sussy belts, look for at least 2 (preferably 3 or 4) hook and eye fastenings at the back. A single fastening cuts in and is not comfy.

@667TheNeighbourOfTheBeast - I agree. I would not feel comfy with 2 pairs of knickers on.

Thanks so much for all your recommendations. Will go on a hunt at the weekend.

@Hedgehog88 Wear them!! I have long legs and couldn't for the life of me find a make of tights that fitted but didn't cost a small fortune. Moved to stockings over thirty years ago and now my biggest concern is where to buy them! I too use the 6 strap suspender belt which fastens not just elasticated (as that falls down over my fat belly!) and feel secure all day - put knickers over the top so it secures them and is much easier to go to the loo. Never understood the pictures which show knickers under the suspender belt🤔 Never get thrush any more either

Not all hold ups are made equal, same as tights I guess. Took me a couple of sets to get the right ones but opaque hold ups are all I wear now. Hate the feel of tights.

Agree with others about skirt length though, knee length and below else everyone will know!

I have found them in lots of colours too and have the added bonus that if you ladder one you haven't ruined the whole set.

Another vote for Snag tights. They solved all my tights problems. I no longer worried about them falling down or wrinkling, I no longer dreaded going to the toilet. They're so stretchy and hardy. Even the low denier ones.

Another vote for What Katie did suspender belts!
Very rare to have a "ping!" In those

A good pair of tights with the control bit at the top are amazing! Tight enough to not fall down or go baggy but not so tight they are uncomfortable.
Super cheap tights are terrible.

I’m heavily pregnant and couldn’t bring myself to spend £9 on maternity tights for the sake of a few weeks. Have been wearing hold up stockings instead, figuring I can use them after pg as well. They’re so much better than tights! Put them on in the morning and no adjustment needed all day. I’m constantly pulling my tights up usually.

Love stockings and suspenders. Nicer to wear, you get a bit of fresh air in the summer and you can mix and match when you've laddered them!

Have been wearing hold up stockings instead

In my experience - which is limited, because I struggled with them - hold-ups end up rolling up at the top and then digging in uncomfortable or migrating down the leg. I'm prepared to believe there are makes which don't do this, but not prepared to spend time on finding out.

OP you need snag tights. There are no tights comfier!!!!!

These Snag tights that people are talking about, as well as staying up and not riding down, are the tights also good for less laddering and ripping? I feel like I go through so many M&S tights a year just due to splits or ladders!

@blackbird77 I can't speak for the thinner low denier ones as I only wear opaques of 80 denier or more, but for those ones I have to say they are pretty much indestructible. I've managed a hole in one pair but that was due to an overenthusiastic cat. The others are immaculate and I have pairs going into their third season being worn and washed.

Thank you! I might give them a go!

Hello,
My wife buys from Suzanne Charles. Nice trad undies and a great service.

DysmalRadius
When I was at school, I used to wear anther pair of knickers over my tights to keep them up! I don't think I've worn tights since...

Me too

Same here and still do on the occasions I wear tights

Can't do with tights and I find hold ups fall down when it gets cold (does anyone else have that problem, or is it just me?)

Agree that you need a deep suspender belt and six straps. The lacy, sexy stuff is uncomfortable and keeps falling down; useless for an entire day.

I used to do this when I was young, found them more comfortable.

Also, when I was pregnant I liked hold up, because I didn’t like anything around my middle , and these stayed up fine

What am I doing wrong with snag tights, as they didn’t seem to work for me. Do I need to size up?

Im size 14 and bought the size that corresponds to 14-16.

Me too.