Spring has triggered early this year, so I'm suddenly not wanting to wear black opaques or other dark colored/thick tights. At the same time, it's still too chilly (most of the time) and too early in the year to go bare-legged.

At times like these, my preference is for nearly-nude but patterned hose. I have a limited collection, mostly from Vera Wang at Kohl's. I LOVE hose like this. They usually have control top (which I usually appreciate for the smoothing) and reinforced toe (because that's the first place I get holes). They're also subtly interesting to look at and are not hard to get on. But I do eventually get too many holes in the toes, or that one major runner, and have to retire them. I'm down to 3 nude-ish hues right now and only the light gray are still whole.

So I desperately need replacements - and I can't find a thing. Couldn't back at the end of the summer, either. Are these now totally out of fashion? Even micro fishnets aren't to be found. I tried a pair once and they snagged horribly/unwearably on the second wearing, so I never got any more. But I'm willing to try again if that's the only thing.

I'm also willing to try plain hose. But just about the only option is L'eggs, and the only reinforced toe variety they have is Sheer Energy. Sheer Energy is halfway to being support hose, so they're very tight and difficult to get on. Not worth the struggle, plus the high risk of putting a thumb through the thigh. (Done that more than once...)

Any ideas?