Tights for the Tall

by Geraden

It is time to update and re-publish this article.

My wife, who is a little above average height, used to complain that she cannot get tights to fit and stay up. Strangely enough, she never asked me how I manage, when I am 7 inches taller than she is.

As a tall man who wears tights, I could have some information that may be of use to other male wearers, or to very tall females for that matter. So let me share my experiences.

Some facts

But first some factual information, which you can skip if you like. The average height of Western males aged 20-55 is between 5'9" and 5'10". The average height for women of similar ages is between 5'4" and 5'5". So men are on average 5 inches taller than women.

That is bad news for male tights wearers, but we men have one advantage over women when it comes to getting tights to fit. Male physique is different from female physique. We men have slimmer hips, and we tend not to lay down fat on our bottoms, hips and thighs in the way that many women do.

The point is that when it comes to fitting tights it is the surface area (i.e. skin area) of the legs and lower body that is important, not just the length of the legs. Tights stretch both ways at once, but there are limits, and the more they stretch horizontally the less they will stretch vertically. Surface area is related to volume and volume is related to weight, which is why weight is often a better indicator than height as to whether tights will fit.

However tights that are made specifically for plus size women may be very generous in the body part, and not provide enough vertical stretch in the legs.

Here is some more good news for men. Not only are specialist companies (eg Activskin) making tights specifically for men now, but mainstream companies are beginning to acknowledge the male market. Some, like Mayer-Berkshire, have brought out male ranges under a different brand name (e.g. Lexwear), some like Levee have brought out unisex ranges (e.g. WoMan); a few (e.g. Evona, Lida, Wolford) have brought out male products under the main brand name. News breaking in November 2006 is that Gerbe is planning to join the male market, too.

But apart from this, the hosiery industry knows, though it does not acknowledge, that up to 40% of total hosiery sales are for men (That was the finding of a survey done some time ago by Kayser Roth). Some companies are improving the sizing of their products to take this into account, though they will say it is because women are getting bigger these days.

Personal

The following is based on my own experience. I cannot tell you what will fit you: I can only tell what fits me and what does not. So please excuse me if give you some personal statistics.

At 6'4" (193cm) I am a whole foot (30cm) taller than the average woman. My legs are 36" (91cm) long from floor to crotch. They do not have much fat on them, but they are not skinny either. I weigh around 16 stone (100kg), which is a bit overweight for my height and age. My waist and hips are both 40" (101cm). (Members with access to my private pages can see one or two pictures which give the idea of my general shape.)

Advice

First of all, when choosing tights, here is what I avoid:

• one size tights – and unless you are of average height at most, I suggest you do the same.
• Any brand that has only two sizes, S/M and M/L – e.g. Pretty Polly.
• Aristoc, because they are well known for being ungenerous in their sizing.
• Wolford, except the lines that they make in XL. Wolfords cost too much to afford a pair of tights that do not fit well.

What works for me:

• Male tights. Anything that Legwear4men sells in XL will be ok. This includes Activskin, Evona, Lida. (Legwear Express D500 are borderline and need help holding them up.)
• Unisex tights like Levee WoMan. In theory these are designed to fit men and women up to 6'7" tall, but in practice they vary. Dimension and Perfect Skin are very long and I have no problem with them. The support tights called Dynamic Life are just long enough. The 40 den Sensation are not long enough and should be avoided if you are tall.
• Falke in size V (e.g. Seidenglatt and Shelina)
• Gerbe in size 5 (eg Sunlight 20)
• Levante in XXTall (XTall are borderline on me)
• Silkies in XL including opquaes. Their control tops are good.
• Oroblu in size 5 ( I love Magie 20 and Master 7)
• Wolfords that are made in XL - Sheer15, Magic Touch 12 were fine. Synergy 40 were borderline. 

The height/weight chart on the back of tights packets is only a guide. With many brands you can safely exceed the stated range.

Here is my strategy for choosing tights, depending on how many sizes they come in:

• one size or two size – don't bother
• three size: check chart carefully and if necessary take an chance on L, unless the brand is known to be ungenerous in its sizing (Aristoc) or the tights cost too much (Wolford)
• four size: usually the largest size (XL or equivalent) will be ok
• more than 4 sizes: check chart carefully – the largest sizes may be designed for large hips rather than long legs.

Borderline

What to do if the size is borderline?

If the tights are fully stretched, they will ladder more easily. Take extra care with hands and feet to avoid rough nails and skin. Use moisturising cream and/or hosiery gloves if you have them. A pair of pop socks or cut-off legs of old tights make a good substitute for hosiery gloves, according to my friend Sal, who is an expert on hosiery (though she is not an expert on large sizes)!

Control Top tights will stay up better than non-control top. Some tights will stay up much better if you wear something over them, and I do not mean boxer shorts! You can try plain panties (Sloggi cotton/lycra briefs are good and not too fem looking), control panties or a leo. Another alternative is lycra briefs with elasticated legs. The 32" ones from Maybury Sports are generously sized and fit me just fine. Look here under 'netball clothing'.

All tights will stay up better if you shave your legs! They will look better and feel better too.

Comfort

Many brands of tights in the XL size have an extra back panel (M&S are the exception). If so, men may like to turn the tights back to front and wear the extra panel at the front. This can be more comfortable. It is how most male tights are meant to be worn (Activskin, Lida, Evona). But you cannot do this if the tights have a reinforced heel – e.g. Levee WoMan Dynamic Life.

Mytights.com has a page of advice for tall wearers, but it is limited to the lines that they stock.

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tags: tights  tall  advice  size  

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