Buying Tights

Leggings every time! Can't remember when I last wore tights. My (mother's) cousin who's 91 and still very much with it, fashionwise and in every other way, wants tips and intends to start wearing them. Good for her!

Dont often wear tights, the last time I did I felt as if I was in a wrench, could hardly move, and going to the toilet was a nighmare, both getting them down and dragging them up again, might try leggings, they sound better.

Buy my opaques from M&S, I’m medium really but their large size fit perfectly. Buy my ordinary tights from Primark, cheap as chips and the best quality around.

Not tried them myself but apparently the tights from here are good for bigger sizes- www.thebigtightscompany.co.uk

I rarely wear dresses or skirts unless they are floor length, mainly because I hate wearing tights but I also have large ugly marks on my shins from an old injury and medical issues. Last summer I wore a dress for the first time in years as my DS got married. I got some opaque tights from M&S and they were a reasonable fit despite my being a size 22 but only 5ft 1in tall. Unfortunately they only came in packs of 2 so the unworn pair may never see the light of day! (I'll save them in case my DD gets married anytime soon.) I also bought shoes to match the dress and wore them for the service but they were so uncomfortable I changed out of them to drive to the reception and decided not to put them back on! I don't suppose anyone noticed and I certainly felt more relaxed in my comfy old ones. I'm afraid at my age it's all about comfort over style every time.

Black leggings are a good substitute for tights

No matter how well they seem to fit when I put them on, the crotch usually ends up between my knees. But I don't wear them very often. I wear thermal leggings under trousers when it's cold.

Also a larger lady and the best tights I’ve found gone from YOURS. Pretty patterns too ?

Couldn’t help a giggle.. I bought some thicker tights from M &S. When I was trying to pull them on they were so tight around the waist that taking a breather while they gripped my thighs made them hurt. Too tight around the hips. I then bought the same size from Wilkins. Much better and half the price. Besides, the waist fits where the waist should be - not around the lower belly. So I later got another pack

Jocork - I'm overweight with short legs, I don't think anyone does tights to fit us!

Stupid question alert! What do leggings wearers put on their feet?

Primark do 100% cotton leggings which are v easy to put on, warm under jeans/trousers, and don't itch n creep. Wear a pair of thick socks with them Gaggi3, plus boots if venturing outside!

I'm 5'7'' tall, and in the winter wear Opaque tights. I find Autograph tights from M & S fantastic. They cost about £8 pee pair but don't bag or fall down.

I too prefer leggings but if you need larger sizes Evans is a good shop.

I like the thick/ thin ( depending on season) hold ups from asda as I hate the crutch problem and the tightness around the waist

I buy mine at Hema. They have all sizes, and those are realistic. In my country (Belgium) there's at least one Hema in every town but if there isn't one near you : there's also the webshop. www.hemashop.com/gb/

I wear tights under trousers when it is cold, and they have the added advantage, for a larger lady, of good tummy control.
Recently I have bought some from Boyes, in a larger size , but am finding they soon shrink. I have just unearthed some I bought a while back from Silkies, mail order, and they fit well, though are a bit tight round the waist. I would only wear those when I need the extra warmth of a close fit. So I am still looking.

I’m another Primark fan. Their tights are amazingly good quality for the price, and they seem very stretchy in all directions, so nice and comfy.
Their leggings I’m not keen on, fabric very thin and a skimpy cut. They’re ok under dresses with boots, though.
Sainsbury’s and M&S do the best leggings.

Gaggi3- You wear socks with leggings, and that adds to the cosiness!

I don't wear tights now but when I was working, I used Silkies. I have long legs and they were the only make to give me a comfortable fit. 5 years on and I still have a couple of pairs of their Cool Summer style.

Hold-ups were disastrous for me. If one held up, the other slid down. I remember walking round Waverley Station, sort of bent over, holding on to a sliding stocking to prevent it disappearing down my boot. Never again. I still have a drawer full of the things.

Thank you for the giggles and the reassurances that I'm not alone in wondering what happened to tights. For four decades I bought M&Ss, they were a trusty part of my daily dressing then they became instruments of torture. I can only think my body shape changed and no size will fit now. I'm also a convert to leggings and it's possible to buy smart ones now. Yes, socks with the leggings too!

I bought 2 pairs of tights and 2 pairs of leggings from Primark the other day - they're warm lined and very comfy. I think you have to be prepared to experiment with sizes on all tights though - I'm small/medium - some fit fine, others I can't get the crotch past my knees and others are far too long. They also don't like being tumble dried - nothing with elastin does as it damages them. I'm far too cold not to wear anything on my legs in the winter so have a lot of different makes to call on!

I wear nothing but tights, plus socks, then wear trousers and leggings over them. I am size 12 and usually buy tights described as 'medium'. I buy my tights mainly from John Lewis/Waitrose.

I find tight sizes are very variable. I have just given DGD (aged 10) a pair of tights I had worn once only because the crutch barely made it above my knees. Unfortunately, I could not remember where I bought them. I also bought tights described as 'medium' from H & M. The waist was a comfortable fit into my armpits. Excess length in the legs gathered in folds around my ankles. I gave them to DDiL who is 6ft to my 5ft 3. They fitted her perfectly!

Tight sizing is very variable. If it is clear from a pack the tights should fit someone of your height and size, and they do not. Take them back and complain.

There are specialist retailers on the web who stock tights sized for fuller figures. Worth checking out and then looking for the cheapest price. I've bought from uk tights and stockings direct but I usually check prices on Amazon and eBay as well.