Being a larger girl I really struggle to find tights, hold ups, fishnets and stockings that fit me. I’m not overly tall or long legged, however my average height and over average sized legs do prove a problem, and I often rip holes in my tights in a bid to get the crotch up higher than knee length. And even when I am successful I often find they work their way downward throughout the day and it is almost better to go bare legged than spend my time hoiking them up.
Recently I came across a site called Tights Please. They stock a huge variety of tights and leggings and stockings in many sizes. Browsing the website brought me a lot of joy – I couldn’t believe how many awesome plus size options there were – I just had to try a pair! And so after careful I decided on these Pamela Mann hold ups.
The hold ups arrived very quickly and in a parcel that could be posted through the letterbox, an added bonus for those of us who despise those post office slips. The length of the tights worked well on me and I didn’t have to struggle to pull them up high enough. The lacy tops were nice and thick and although it took a while to get them into a position that didn’t make them roll down, once I did they felt secure and comfortable. They did dig in a little more than I would be comfortable with in a tight skirt, but they would work perfectly under something less fitted.
I will definitely be using TightsPlease again. I’ve got my eye on these funky coloured tights – perfect for fancy dress parties or jazzing up an outfit. Hopefully my hosiery woes will now be a things of the past!
Fuller Figure Fuller Bust 
I’m wondering – how do you deal with ‘thigh-friction’ when wearing hold-ups? I tend to avoid them most of the time as my thighs rub together when walking, and it makes them so sore after a while…
I’ve never really had much issue with friction, mind you I do have to adjust the hold ups a fair bit!
I’ve had lots of luck with We Love Colors. Obviously they have lots of colours and they have plus sized products that fit me well. http://www.welovecolours.com
I have a three pairs of the Cette Dublin tights and can only recommend them! Bought them at Tightsplease over a year ago, such a great (and soft) quality!
Wife has same issues. Being very short and stocky makes it more difficult … will check this site you recommend. Thank you
I am very surprised you haven’t heard of or use http://www.stockingshq.com they have an awesome selection of plus size hold-ups and stockings and tights. My wife wears an 18/20 and she is also 6’2″ so not only does she have issues with finding ones that fit her thighs without rolling down but also finding ones that are long enough to actually reach her upper thigh. They are the only place we found that has them to fit her perfectly. You should try the Magic Fashion brand (previously Levee) and they also now have their in house label Nylonica. Many great colors to choose from with those.
Oh lord, it’s not easy is it. Admittedly, I don’t have a problem with tights, I just buy large sizes and deal with any ankle-wrinkles by wearing boots or legwarmers, but stockings… nightmare. If I want to give myself a body-confidence bashing, I just have to try on a pair of one-size fits all stockings. And don’t even talk to me about hold ups. I’ve had more luck with stockingsHQ, they sell basic Charnos 15d stockings in 2 packs which are fine but marginally long for me (I’m 5’7″) but they also sell these http://www.stockingshq.com/stockings-c3/nylonica-linea-lusso-microfibre-55-opaque-stockings-p306 which, in XL, made me want to weep for joy. Truly wonderful things, that don’t leave me with awful thigh bulges. Wouldn’t it be nice if hosiery was measured in thigh circumference instead of height/weight?
I just have to say yours is my new favourite blog.i just spent a ood while going through your recent posts and i love your honesty and leads to great plus size items and i love your style.Keep it up,you have inspired me Thanks!
Tightsplease are awesome! ❤
Have any of you tried Ann Summers? They actually have a great range of stockings and hold ups! As a 5’10 18, I struggle with both length and avoiding that attractive biting effect on the old thighs, but their XL stockings fit like a dream (I got gorgeous nude back seam ones for a wedding). The only thing I would advise is a 6 strap suspender belt, as 4 straps rarely hold out for a night of dancing 🙂 great website btw, major dress envy!
The best hold-ups I have ever had were actually from Tesco’s. Wore them loads of times and they wash well and last.They still have a selectiopn online on their website. My second option would be Marks & Spencers. I wouldnt pay more than £10 for a pair , unless its some special occasion and Im getting Wolford ones.
If you have problems finding stockings, i recommend a brand called glamory, they have true sizes, and they fit amazingly! Iwear a size 32 uk and their largest size fits perfectly on me! You can find it on ebay:)
I have just discovered your blog and I did a happy dance around my sitting room. Thank you for an honest and useful approach to underwear for women with curves (in all the right places!) I am a real stockings person, I prefer them to tights, but as my thighs are quite large I often struggle to find decent stockings that don’t rip. To be honest, for comfortable everyday wearing, I buy Marks and Spencer. They are a reasonable price, stay up well, have pretty lace at the top and go right up to the top of my leg, which is where I like them to avoid thigh friction. For fancy-pants occasions, I go to stockingshq also. The advantage with stockings is, if you get a long line girdle, you don’t get the disruption of leg outline so fitted dresses aren’t spoilt!