Tights. Everything you NEED to know bu didn’t want to ask (part 1)
I’ve been asked many times for tips and tricks for getting the best out of your tights. So here it is, a full on guide to tights. Enjoy ladies.
Buying tights
This will be UK biased but there are so many choices out there. You can spend a small fortune on tights but do you really need to? Well nope.
So if you are in school / college and have to wear tights everyday all year then you need to be practical and spend your money wisely. So DON’T get the really cheap ones from anywhere they just won’t last.
What to look out for. Ideally they have to be comfy last thing anyone needds is itchy tights right!! So here is a list of what to look for when you buy tights:
- Cotton gusset. Yes that weird white cotton part in the crotch, it’s called a gusset. Having a gusset makes the tights feel more fitted and gives you a better range of movement without the chance of ripping. Also covers your pants more which is a bonus
- Large waistband. Again comfort but it depends how you wear your tights. Some roll this waistband down or tuck it over skirts / shorts. You still need a larger waistband with a good amount of elastic to hold them up. More pull at the top = less falling down later in the day.
- Shiny or matt. So M&S & Primark do some that are more shiney and others than are matt in appearance. Again personal preference here but feel the material. Is it a bit scratchy? Is the weave close knit?
- Buy in multipacks. They are better cost wise and buy in bulk.
I’ve found Primark, M&S and Asda to be good middle of the road brands.
What denier?
Everyone has a preference, but I say challenge that thinking. You might like 40 or 60 denier and always buy that but brands differ so shop around. For example you could buy 150 or 300 denier thick ones but then only use them for a few months.
I would suggest buying a lot of your staple 60d or 40d and then doubling (see below).
For tan tights stick to a good brand and 15 denier not below, they just won’t last (see summer section below).
Wear two pairs of tights( Yes you heard me right!)
It’s a trick that i’ve been doing since about year 10. Everyone doubled!
So if you constantly get rips in your tights especially at school where you need to be covered up then you should start doubling. You’re covered if one pair gets a rip or hole and you don’t have to faff about with changing into a new pair.
Yes it’s warmer than one pair which is really nice and toasty. But what about when it gets warmer you ask? Well same thing applies, just drop down the denier so maybe a 40. This still only means you have a total of 80 denier but with better coverage. It will take some getting used to and if your sat in the sun at lunchtime then prepare to get a bit of a sweat on! Aha but it’s totally worth it. trust me.
So doubling advantages are:
- Covers small rips, holes and ladders really well
- Makes tights last longer
- Saves you having to buy much thicker pairs just for a few months
- Makes cool patterns sometimes
- Warmer
- Buy multipacks of smaller deniers = better cost effectiveness
- Perfect if you have just had your acrylics done too!
Do you double? Let everyone know in the comments or on Twitter @tightsprobs
Summertime
So what about if you want to keep those pins looking grand even in summer? Well don’t fear, the tan tights is actually really good now.
So embrace tights, buy good quality summer tights from the likes of M&S. They sell individual tights that have a good gusset and they look virtually invisible on.
You can get sandle toes ones now too which go great with open toe shoes. I wore tights last year in Ibiza most of the time and no one noticed at all.
Tan tights also act as a sun screen to slow down your tanning. But please screen up under them first!
Also tights in summer prevents chub rub!! Problem sorted.
Keeping the damn things up
SO we all have that falling down problem with tights no matter which ones you buy sometimes they will just decide to fall down.
“Supermanning” — The act of wearing another pair of undies ontop of the tights to hold them up. Aka supermanning! Get it.
I’m suprised how many women just don’t know about this I get asked heaps on Twitter and the answer is so so simple. Enjoy.
Part 2?
What do you want to see in part 2? Let me know on Twitter @tightsprobs.
