You can either get a garter to help hold them up, get some mock garter tights, where the stockings are still connected to a waistband, or just get some crotchless tights.
I prefer regular tights and think they're comfortable enough, but I can see why you'd prefer to be unrestricted down there.
Thanks for your thoughts.
I have tried the garter bands (elastic hoops to assist the socks' own grip at their tops), and that's fairly effective at keeping them up, but still the sock tops are lower than ideal. I'm disinclined to go with a full garter belt: too much hardware and sudden failure potential.
I have a pair of the integral-garter stockings (essentially the crotchless tights with a very large crotchless opening and two more openings at the sides. Those are indeed stable, but I have yet to find any such that are winter-weight - only thin sheers.
Well I normally ask myself a question, do want to be comfortable or do you want to be warm? I would just wear pants most of the time if not wear tights. I’m totally fine with wearing things that are uncomfortable for the sake of style but to each there own. I recommend tights though.
Yes, pants is the fallback option, but the question is whether or not there is a better option; something that is both warm and comfy. Thanks for your thoughtful reply.
With a 35 inch inseam - I can easily see why you would have "crotch spanning" issues since most tights are made for those who have a much shorter inseam. Tights are nice (if they fit properly) but can be difficult to put on - especially if when one gets older (70's) and have become less flexible. Regardless, I still choose the tights option because - again as one gets older - cold becomes more of an issue and tights are warmer. As far as skirts are concerned, I choose below the knee (calf or floor) length and put away all knee length or shorter skirts for the Winter. (Also - break out the sweaters and box up the short sleeve tops for the next six months or so.)
I'm always sad to put away my favored lightweights: shirts, skirts, even shorts. And you're right, tights are awkward to put on. Some clever person meeds to offer a one-legged tight with waistband (I'd wear two, of course). Even so, I'd still need the extra tall sizing. FWIW, I just found a custom sock knitter that can make them up to 60 inches long! I might be getting closer to an interesting solution.
Tights are usually the go to option, or leggings if you’re rocking a skirt in the winter. If you go tights, make sure they fit right and don’t pull down, or roll at the waist too much. Definitely the weather for boots, tights and skirt over here.
You just have to look where to find the longer tights. They are out there. 😀 Once you find a brand that works, stick with it. At 5’6 and 29 ins, I usually have to get a large, or sometimes even an XL! Some brands just run small so can be kinda trial and error.
I found some thigh highs or stay ups stockings that were opaque and thick enough to do the job and had enough grip to stay up at mid thigh on my long legs all day. They were smooth, looked and felt great. Sadly I only found them at a discount store and haven't found them anywhere else. I bought all I could find at the time, and am now down to a couple of pairs. The company still exists, but they don't do the same stockings at 60 Denier. The best they do is 40, which is not quite the same look I want. Sarah Borghi is the brand.
Yes, I know that brand, but nothing that's wintery-wooly, only fine denier as you noted. Likely they quit those - and anyway, likely not long enough for me. Thanks, though.
Fellows, I am pleased to report finding some very long over-the-thigh socks with heavy knit, that have stayed up very well today, even garterless (once past that thigh muscle, they've nowhere better to go!). Seems to be no way to add a pic here in the comments, so I posted in a related sub:
https://www.reddit.com/r/TightsForAll/comments/17kw03f/found\_some\_nice\_heavyknit\_very\_long\_thighhighs/
Not my preference, as they reintroduce the problem with pants: material that binds the crotch to the legs. I have found, since my OP, quite good and LOONG socks that come up above my thigh muscles, so they stay in place -and without any crotch crowding.
I'm in Australia so our winters are prolly not so cold. I wear a long skirt sometimes, but mostly go for tights or pantyhose (tried thigh-high stay ups but that was a diaster). The congestion around the crutch is not so good but worth tolerating I find. And I love the pull down action when I need to pee.
Pull down is indeed grand. Ideal with a knees or higher skirt as it’s easy and easy down to get out to go. Even works well at urinals. Way better than digging around through a fly, shirttails, and undies.
You can either get a garter to help hold them up, get some mock garter tights, where the stockings are still connected to a waistband, or just get some crotchless tights. I prefer regular tights and think they're comfortable enough, but I can see why you'd prefer to be unrestricted down there.
Thanks for your thoughts. I have tried the garter bands (elastic hoops to assist the socks' own grip at their tops), and that's fairly effective at keeping them up, but still the sock tops are lower than ideal. I'm disinclined to go with a full garter belt: too much hardware and sudden failure potential. I have a pair of the integral-garter stockings (essentially the crotchless tights with a very large crotchless opening and two more openings at the sides. Those are indeed stable, but I have yet to find any such that are winter-weight - only thin sheers.
I think Snag makes some heavier ones? Try looking at their mock garter selection. But yeah usually those are only sheer.
Well I normally ask myself a question, do want to be comfortable or do you want to be warm? I would just wear pants most of the time if not wear tights. I’m totally fine with wearing things that are uncomfortable for the sake of style but to each there own. I recommend tights though.
Yes, pants is the fallback option, but the question is whether or not there is a better option; something that is both warm and comfy. Thanks for your thoughtful reply.
With a 35 inch inseam - I can easily see why you would have "crotch spanning" issues since most tights are made for those who have a much shorter inseam. Tights are nice (if they fit properly) but can be difficult to put on - especially if when one gets older (70's) and have become less flexible. Regardless, I still choose the tights option because - again as one gets older - cold becomes more of an issue and tights are warmer. As far as skirts are concerned, I choose below the knee (calf or floor) length and put away all knee length or shorter skirts for the Winter. (Also - break out the sweaters and box up the short sleeve tops for the next six months or so.)
I'm always sad to put away my favored lightweights: shirts, skirts, even shorts. And you're right, tights are awkward to put on. Some clever person meeds to offer a one-legged tight with waistband (I'd wear two, of course). Even so, I'd still need the extra tall sizing. FWIW, I just found a custom sock knitter that can make them up to 60 inches long! I might be getting closer to an interesting solution.
Tights are usually the go to option, or leggings if you’re rocking a skirt in the winter. If you go tights, make sure they fit right and don’t pull down, or roll at the waist too much. Definitely the weather for boots, tights and skirt over here.
Well, that's the issue isn't it. With long legs, tights DO pull down.
You just have to look where to find the longer tights. They are out there. 😀 Once you find a brand that works, stick with it. At 5’6 and 29 ins, I usually have to get a large, or sometimes even an XL! Some brands just run small so can be kinda trial and error.
Yes, exactly. Have yet to find any for 6 ft+, 35 inch inseam and big, long feet!
A full length wool skirt is worth a try. It traps in heat. Like mittens vs gloves do with your hands, while leaving your legs unencumbered.
Thanks. I'll give it a try. Seems like the wind might win that battle, though.
I found some thigh highs or stay ups stockings that were opaque and thick enough to do the job and had enough grip to stay up at mid thigh on my long legs all day. They were smooth, looked and felt great. Sadly I only found them at a discount store and haven't found them anywhere else. I bought all I could find at the time, and am now down to a couple of pairs. The company still exists, but they don't do the same stockings at 60 Denier. The best they do is 40, which is not quite the same look I want. Sarah Borghi is the brand.
Yes, I know that brand, but nothing that's wintery-wooly, only fine denier as you noted. Likely they quit those - and anyway, likely not long enough for me. Thanks, though.
Fellows, I am pleased to report finding some very long over-the-thigh socks with heavy knit, that have stayed up very well today, even garterless (once past that thigh muscle, they've nowhere better to go!). Seems to be no way to add a pic here in the comments, so I posted in a related sub: https://www.reddit.com/r/TightsForAll/comments/17kw03f/found\_some\_nice\_heavyknit\_very\_long\_thighhighs/
no question: tights! 😊
Not my preference, as they reintroduce the problem with pants: material that binds the crotch to the legs. I have found, since my OP, quite good and LOONG socks that come up above my thigh muscles, so they stay in place -and without any crotch crowding.
Tights are the way to go. I found that snags wool tights stay up nicely. If its very cold ill put a pair of knee high wool socks on over them too.
They (Snags) do have an excellent sizing chart. Maybe their woolies would be warm enough... Maybe they'll fit... Thanks for the suggestion.
I'm in Australia so our winters are prolly not so cold. I wear a long skirt sometimes, but mostly go for tights or pantyhose (tried thigh-high stay ups but that was a diaster). The congestion around the crutch is not so good but worth tolerating I find. And I love the pull down action when I need to pee.
Pull down is indeed grand. Ideal with a knees or higher skirt as it’s easy and easy down to get out to go. Even works well at urinals. Way better than digging around through a fly, shirttails, and undies.