No more ladders: the complete guide to making your tights last
It's the moment that breaks all our hearts: you are perfectly styled, you put on your favourite tights and – snap – a ladder. The frustration is huge, your purse gets lighter and another lovely pair ends up in the bin. At Glamory, we know that feeling only too well. But we also know it doesn't have to be this way! With the right know-how and a few clever tricks, you can make your tights last much longer.
Forget the throwaway mindset! In this guide, we share the professionals' secrets – from choosing the right pair to SOS repairs. Get ready to love your hosiery for as long as you did on the very first day. And the best part: you don't just save money, you are doing something good for the environment too.
Trick 1: quality is the first step to tights that last longer
The best tip starts before you even buy. Cheap tights are often made from less elastic yarns and poorly finished. The result: they tear more quickly. Invest in quality – it pays off, especially with plus size styles designed to last.
What to look out for to get the most life out of your tights:
- A higher denier: the higher the denier, the thicker and more robust the material. For everyday wear, opaque tights from 40 denier are a hard-wearing choice.
- Reinforced areas: styles with a reinforced toe, heel and brief section are better protected against wear at the critical points.
- High-quality material: tights with a high proportion of elastane are stretchier and adapt better to your body, which reduces the strain on individual threads. Our Glamory styles rely on exactly this and offer comfort in plus sizes.
- Yarns with recycled content: they help conserve resources. Glamory also uses yarns with recycled content.
Trick 2: the cold shock – a piece of folk wisdom that really helps your tights last
It sounds crazy, but it works. Before you wear a new pair of tights for the first time, rinse them briefly in cold water, gently squeeze them out and put them in a freezer bag in the freezer for a few hours. The cold draws the fibres together and makes them more resilient. Afterwards, let them thaw completely and dry at room temperature. This trick works wonders, especially with fine styles, and is a tried-and-tested tip from the community.
Trick 3: the art of putting on your tights properly
Most damage happens through rushing and the wrong technique when putting them on. Take a moment and follow these steps to make your tights last longer:
- Prepare your hands and feet: take off rings and bracelets. Rough fingernails and dry skin on your heels are the main culprits. Moisturise your feet and file your nails smooth.
- Start sitting down: sit on the edge of the bed. This gives you stability and control.
- Gather, don't stuff: gather one leg of the tights all the way down to the toe.
- Toes first: carefully slip your toes into the toe of the tights and slowly and evenly roll them up over your foot, ankle and calf to the knee.
- Repeat: do the same with the other leg.
- Finish standing up: only now stand up and gently ease the brief section over your thighs and hips into position. Smooth everything out without pulling at the fabric with your nails.
Trick 4: handle with kid gloves – how to wash your tights
The washing machine is the enemy of every pair of tights – unless you know how to use it. Zips, buttons and other garments can pull fatal threads.
- Hand washing is king: the safest method is a quick hand wash in lukewarm water with a mild detergent. Gently squeeze them out (don't wring!) and hang them up.
- If you use the machine, do it properly: if it has to be the machine, only ever use a sturdy laundry bag. Choose the delicates or wool cycle at a maximum of 30°C and a low spin speed.
- Never in the tumble dryer: the heat destroys the delicate elastane, and the tights lose their shape and become brittle. Hang them up to air-dry instead, but not in direct sunlight.
- Extra tips: store them without creases in a cool, dry place to avoid creasing and damage.
Trick 5: SOS repair for small ladders
It has happened? No need to panic. You can stop a small ladder before it runs all the way down your leg. The classic fix always works: dab a tiny drop of clear nail varnish or a little hairspray on the start and end of the ladder. This "glues" the threads and stops the ladder from running further. Always keep a little bottle in your handbag for emergencies.
Trick 6: the right storage helps your tights last longer
Don't just throw your tights into a drawer with belt buckles and zips. Give them a safe home. Ideally, store them individually in small fabric pouches, special organisers or simply rolled up in a smooth drawer of their own. That way you avoid friction and damage from the start.
Conclusion: care pays off – how to get the most out of your tights
As you can see, a few simple habits can make your tights last a great deal longer. It's about valuing quality and treating it with a little care. That is not only kinder to your purse, it's more sustainable too. Give your curves the best quality and look after it well – with our tips, you'll manage it. Discover our wide collection of durable and elegant plus size tights now!
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about making tights last
How should I wash tights so they last longer?
Ideally by hand in lukewarm water with a detergent for delicates. If you use the washing machine, only put them in a laundry bag on a delicate cycle at a maximum of 30°C. Never put them in the tumble dryer; always let them air-dry.
How do I stop a ladder in my tights?
To stop a ladder from running, immediately dab a small drop of clear nail varnish or a little hairspray on the start and end of the ladder. This fixes the threads and stops the damage from getting bigger.
Which tights are the most hard-wearing?
In general, tights with a higher denier (from 40 denier) are more robust. Styles with reinforced areas at the toes and brief section and a high proportion of high-quality elastane last considerably longer, as they are more resilient and stretchier.
Does the freezer trick really make tights last longer?
Yes, freezing draws the fibres together and makes them more resistant to tears. Try it with new tights for better durability.
Ready to enjoy your tights for longer? Take a look at our long-lasting styles and get started with these tips!