Do you size up in hosiery? - YouLookFab Forum

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Do you size up in hosiery?

Maya

Veteran

I have heard this advice on the forum before because it adds comfort and coverage, but when I tried it, the hose crept down on me all day, to a point where it really could have just fallen off. I had to hike it up after every few steps and it was sooo uncomfortable. It also meant that it wasn't as smooth as it should/could have been. Is there anything I'm missing about this, or is this just my weird issue? I draw the line at wearing at wearing a garter with thigh high stockings in my everyday life.

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22 replies

Latest reply was from londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I don't- I have found that if I size up they are often too long in the leg, or too baggy with leggings. I think it's just one of those YMMV things.

Inge

(website)

I alway do Maya, but I'm tall and have long legs to boot. I never have any problems with bagging or weird fit, in fact, when I buy my regular size they are often a bit too short for comfort.

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I usually size up one size, especially in opaque tights. I want them nice and dark.
I recently got some micro fishnets by Hue at TJMaxx that are at least two sizes too big. So I'll try them and let ya know.

Maya

Veteran

Good point Inge. Maybe since I'm short the sizing up doesn't work as well.

Nice find Sarah!

Ellen

Maya, I always size up, but I am 5'10 so I do it for the length. I've never had the baggy problem with larger sizes, but with the smaller options they often ride down because there isn't enough length. It may be a height thing.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

When I was a teen and allot slimmer I had to wear a second pair of Knickers (is panties the US term) over the tights to hold them up, I resembled Superman but it did the trick.

Now my body has filled out, like the others at 5ft 8" I size up for leg and torso length.

Oneirix

(website)

I've never sized up Maya, and I'm also short (5'). For me hose is always so long I have to roll down the top. :p It sounds like from the replies sizing up may only be for length rather than fit and comfort, as hose is naturally pretty stretchy.

shiny

Veteran

I bought Oroblu tights a few months back in the summer, on sale, in the smallest size. Cracked them open this weekend, only to discover that they are enormous on me. Nice quality though. But made for really tall women!

marianne

I don't size up. Sometimes I err on the side of bigger after studying the size guide - I am usually on the border - I get unsightly wrinkles around my ankles. I don't really buy much hosiery, so it may be the brand?

Dawn

(website)

I've never sized up as I find that the smallest size in tights are often too big for me. That's probably because I'm so short.

shana

Veteran

Yes, I definitely see a trend when it comes to us shorties! I also do not size up for the same reasons mention by some of the others - way too much excess hose if I do.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I guess that it has more to do with the length of you legs than anything else. I am actually 5'5", but I have shorter legs.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I always size up - too short otherwise.

Tanya

Veteran

I also size up, for the same reasons as Angie.

Maya

Veteran

Hmm, well I have long legs for my height so I'm not sure what it is. I would like to size up since I find hose too restricting to wear regularly, but I guess that's just how it is meant to fit. Thanks for the responses ladies.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Maya- long legs for your height are still shorter than "average", I would imagine.

Maya

Veteran

I don't know what average is. Angie wears a 32" inseam and Tanya wears 29" (I think, correct me if I'm wrong) at the same height and overall size. I wear 31" inseam and I'm shorter but bigger than both of them.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You're right!

The only thing I can boil it down to is quality hose. I know that costs extra bucks, but you really *can* see and feel the difference. Perhaps you should just purchase your normal size.

Tanya

Veteran

Maya, you got me thinking. I just went and measured the inseam of my jeans hemmed for flats and they are 31". I do not know where I got the number of 29" I have posted previously. Maybe this now makes a bit more sense

Maya

Veteran

I thought you looked longer-legged than you thought you were Tanya!

You're probably right Angie. I cannot bring myself to spend more than $15 on hosiery it shows!

Alexandra

I size up! I do it to prevent muffin top, not because I'm any sort of tall (if only!). It tends to work decently well and I don't get much ankle sagging, even at 5'4". I think I'm going to have to work on a new approach regarding leggings though; the last pair I bought (from Target) fit fine in the waist because I sized up but bag through the thigh, calf, and ankle. Ah well, trial and error.

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

I'm only 5'4" but tend to size up too as I have long legs and the size for my waist/hip measurement tends to be too short for my leg length.