Do I really need maternity tights, if so which are good?

[Bubbinsmakesthree]

I managed without maternity tights last time but I had a summer baby so wasn't heavily pregnant in tight-wearing weather.

Is it worth investing or can I make do wearing my normal tights under my bump?

And what brands are good?

Hate tights with a passion! Hold ups, the thick 70+ denier ones from Amazon. They're the way forward.

I wore normal tights and sized up. Tights are lovely towards the end when mat jeans feel uncomfortable. I just used to pull them right up over my belly

I've just started showing with my second baby and bought some maternity tights from debenhams (last time I was pregnant it was over the summer like you so didn't have this issue before!). I'm normally a size 10 and got the sized medium tights - they stay up but I can tell there's plenty of room to grow more and brute comfy for the time being. I think normal tights would dig in too much. Have also got a couple of pairs of leggings from H&M to wear with some outfits instead of tights.

I literally can't find any that fit.
I'm a few days off induction (eek) and have been wearing either XXL leggings with a top tucked in (With a jacket over so I don't look like simon cowell) or trousers even though I normally wear skirts.
I wish I'd found or started this thread a few months ago.
sigh

I have really bad veiny and scarred legs so couldn't consider going without tights either.
Bleurgh

Spanx "mid thigh shaper"... Ensures tights don't fall down and also seems to "carry" your bump...

Awesome tips here, plenty to investigate!

Those who got by with larger sizes in normal tights, did you not have problems with them being saggy and wrinkling? I often have this problem with normal tights being tall as larger sizes are just large all over and they get all baggy round my ankles.

I Agree with PP and recommend George at Asda. As a bonus they are only £3 so if you find you don't get on with them it isn't a big loss.

I wear stockings I think tights are revolting and unsexy especially when you see woman wearing them over their pants, yuck, neat little suspender belt, fully elastic over your bump job done! Or hold ups!

I liked the ones from Mamas & Papas (are they even open anymore?) and ASOS. I couldn't get on with normal tights after about 4-5 months as I found them too uncomfortable. ASOS high waist maternity leggings were also brilliant.

nanny seriously? Why do you need to be sexy when heavily pregnant! How many women do you see with tights over pants?!

And you must tell me where you buy these "maternity suspender belts and stockings"...

I hate wearing hold ups or stockings as I get thigh rub at the top of my legs and it's horribly uncomfortable!

I wore hold ups, worked really well. No digging into the bump and no faffing around having to buy multiple pairs in different sizes. Have a couple of pairs still going strong now and DS is nearly 2

I had maternity support tights, they had a fab extra piece of support under and around my bump. I had big bumps

I'm also tall. Asda maternity tights have been good although not as thick as I'd expect for 70 denier. I picked up a couple of pairs of 100 denier in Primark last week that were reduced to £2. Also good but they have 2 thick seams over the bump area that show through if you're wearing anything clingy. I also made an emergency purchase of non maternity 70 denier in Boots over the weekend. I bought the extra large size (I'm an 8/10 and 32 weeks) and they were perfectly comfy.
I also have the Seraphine leggings and can confirm they are tight like, though I've not worn them as tights as yet.

John Lewis are the best I've found by far, they're excellent quality and stay up. I have 60 and 100 dernier ones and they're both great. Not cheap at £9 a pair, mind you, but they'll get all lot of wear.

M&S maternity tights are awful. Boots are ok but do tend to fall down a bit and the quality isn't great. Jojo Maman Bebe stay up, but are huge on the feet and ankles (will probably be ok later in pregnancy if my feet swell like last time!).

I am also pregnant and have not found any decent maternity wear, I can't get anything that fits even sort-of OK. For tights I've found that I can continue wearing some good-quality tights I already own, bought online (MyTights), particularly my cashmere ones. The waistbands are soft so they don't dig in and the material is super soft and stretchy so it goes straight over my bump, without sagging. As I get even bigger I'll just buy the next size up in these.

Another hold ups wearer here.

I definitely agree with Seraphine. I wear mine everyday and I love them. They are very comfortable (I like the 60 denier). I also wear smart dresses/jackets to work and leggings would not be smart enough. Although I do also have some seraphine leggings for the weekend which are very comfy.

I tried some New Look ones and the first time I tried them the elastic went and started to fall down while in a meeting, I had to try and subtly keep them up while shaking 6 peoples hands and leaving the building. I will not try them again!

New look ones are dreadful. I couldn't walk 5 steps without them falling down. Was hoping they'd be better when I got bigger but presumably not. So pissed off I bought a twin pack.