Stockings

Thigh-high stockings can either be worn as a simple and understated alternative to tights, or as a more risqué accompaniment to lingerie or daring outfits. While elastic-topped stockings can be worn relatively discreetly, other knee or thigh-high stockings may require garters or a suspender belt in order to keep them up. Choose simple skin-colored or black colors for an understated finishing touch, while more ornate designs are suited for matching to lacy lingerie or tops.

Buying tights a size bigger can improve comfort and prevent snagging, while too-small tights may dig in, sag, or tear easily. Realistically, however, all tights are designed to fit accurately and the best possible thing it to buy the correct size. Accurately sized tights will not only be the most comfortable, but will ensure that the fabric is distributed more evenly, giving a more uniform and flattering appearance.

These days there is an amazing choice of colored tights, but black, nude or white are by far the most popular. Nude-toned tights are often the most versatile, as their neutral palette gives a discreet, “barely there” look that often has a negligible impact on the overall composition of an outfit. By comparison, black tights are suitable for adding a serious or sultry twist to your outfit and are often favored on more formal occasions. By comparison, white tights offer an ethereal and gentle hue to any ensemble, making them a calming, cooling influence on your outfits.

A ladder in tights refers to a vertical run or snag where fibers have broken, creating a visible line. Tights ladder, rather than simply rip, due to their knitted construction: Snagging or damage causes loops of fabric to unravel, creating a distinct repeating pattern that looks similar to the rungs of a ladder. Once weakened, ladders are likely to worsen over time as this fabric continues to unravel. While all tights risk laddering when damaged, lower denier tights are thinner and therefore more prone to it. Protect your tights from laddering by always storing in garment bags, avoiding contact with rough surfaces, and only laundering in line with the manufacturer’s instructions.

There are three main ways that stockings say up. Firstly, and most traditionally, stockings were held up by suspenders attached to garters. This method can be difficult to perfect and most modern garters are only worn for aesthetic, rather than practical, purposes. Garter belts are a more practical alternative to garters. They sit above the hips and therefore have a natural anchor point against which to suspend your stockings. Garter belts are a sophisticated piece of lingerie that may be impractical to wear under daily clothing. The least complicated and most practical way of keeping stockings up is with simple elasticated hems. This keeps your stockings in place without the need for any other additional supporting items.