Practical alternatives to tights

Whilst tights are often seen as the most practical form of hosiery, there are some situations where they just won’t do. Perhaps you are wearing a tight-fitting dress and you don’t want the tell-tale ‘muffin-top’, or perhaps it’s just a hot day and you don’t want to walk around for hours feeling sweaty and uncomfortable. In these and other situations, there are alternatives which can allow you to cover up your legs without some of the associated drawbacks.

Stockings will always be great, classic look. They are good for clothes that are very fitted at the waist as they don’t dig in there, and can also come in a wide range of styles to suit whatever colour or particular look you are going for. For example, they can be seamless, toe seamed or, for a sexy look, they can come with a seam down the back. They also come in many colours, from black and nude to more eye-catching colours or even printed patterns such as spots and stripes.

Because they are fixed in place with garters rather than with an elasticated waist and gusset, they also allow your skin to breathe which makes them, some would say, the more hygienic choice on a hot day. Many women who suffer from bladder infections such as cystitis also find that tights irritate the problem and so prefer to find an alternative for that reason alone.

It is also widely accepted that tights, whilst useful on many occasions, are just not a particularly sexy look when compared to stockings and suspenders, which look stunning when teamed with a flattering, fitted basque. When going for sex appeal I’m afraid it has to be stockings all the way.

If you find that you don’t have the time to fiddle about with garter belts every day then an alternative option is holdups, which offer most of the benefits of stockings but take much less time to put on. Holdups are held in place at the top of the leg by an elastic strap, so like suspenders are perfect for the summer or for avoiding an unsightly line around the waist. However, bear in mind that whilst they are certainly more convenient than stockings, if you wear them for very long periods of time they can start to chafe slightly.

Tights, stockings and holdups are all made from similar materials such as lycra or silk and come in different deniers, so it is very easy to find a form of hosiery to replace your trusty tights on occasions when they won’t suit your outfit or mood. 

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