How To Put Your Tights On Without Laddering Them

Good tights are an expensive purchase, but well worth the money. So the last thing you want is for your designer tights to be ruined by a snag or tear.

Now that tights are this year’s ‘must-have’ fashion item, this is how to put them on without damaging them:

Before you unwrap your new tights, check your hands and feet for rough skin and sharp finger or toenails and remedy with a skin buffer or nail file if necessary. If your skin is rough, apply moisturising cream and make sure it is fully absorbed by the skin before putting on your tights.

Some people suffer with permanent dry hands which leaves skin cracked and rough. If you are one of these people, it’s best to invest in a pair of hosiery gloves, which will cost you about the same as a decent pair of tights. These thin cotton gloves will help you put your tights on smoothly and easily every time.

Also before opening the packet, check you have the right size. Most hosiery cannot be returned once opened. Remove tights from packet and examine them for snags or threads. Okay, ideally there shouldn’t be any, but sometimes faults can slip though undetected, particularly with cheaper brands.

Gently stretch your tights out.

When you’re ready to put them on make sure you are seated (never try to put tights on whilst standing!)

Hold the top of the first leg with your thumbs and roll the leg down to the toe. Repeat with the second leg.

Slip one foot in and position so that the toe and heel are correctly aligned. Ease the tights up to your ankle. Repeat for the other leg.

Unroll the material to the middle of your thigh, gently stretching it as you go. Repeat for second leg.

Now stand up and continue easing the tights to the top of your legs until everything is in place and the waistband fits comfortably and securely.

And that’s about all there is to it.

The golden rule is never to ‘pull’ tights, but gently ease them into place. If you find the first time you put a new pair of tights on, they do not come up high enough (and you’re sure you have the right size), then roll them back down to your ankles and start again from there, gently stretching as you go. They should fit a treat.