Leggings, Tights, Stockings, and Hose for Tall Women

May I present the Redwoodlings all-inclusive list of the longest tights, stockings, and leggings. Unfortunately, this is one area where I find options to be fairly limited, which is particularly tragic because I love wearing dresses in the winter and fall.

As I see it, there are a few options for the longest-legged:

1. Extra Long Women’s Tights

Levante Plain Wool Tights, available in XTall, in Charcoal, Mocca, Navy, Nero, and Sherry. Claims to fit up to 6′2”

Levante Ribbed Wool Tights, available in XTall, in Camel, Mocca, and Nero. I have two pairs of these and they fit me nicely (I’m 6′4” and pretty thin).

Levante Class Tights, more traditional hose, available in XTall, in a range of colors from “dark” to “light tan,” basically.

The girls over at Clothes for Tall Women recommend the X-Large Mark and Spencer fishnets.

2. Unisex Tights: Yes, some guys wear tights. And on average, guys are taller. Way to go cross-dressing guys! Unfortunately, you’re not going to find a fine range of color, but take what you can get, eh? Options:

The Levee WoMan Dynamic Support Tights comes in two boring colors, but a huge range of sizes, sure to fit any gal. This same store has some other options in the section “Men’s Hosiery”.

3. Wearing Long Thigh-high Stockings, possibly with garter belts.

In addition to looking mad sexy, garter belts with thigh-high stockings seem like they’d allow extra stretch and forever eliminate the crotch-area dragging down on your stockings. Make sure you still get longer thigh-highs so they’ll reach high enough on your leg, but there’s definitely more give here. I haven’t yet ordered any of these, but will soon! I have some thigh-highs without garter belts and generally just get annoyed at having to keep tugging them up, even if they are “hold-ups” meant to stay up on their own.

Long Thigh-Highs: Some taller thigh-highs I’ve found include these from Stockings HQ and various options in the Extra Tall section of MyTights.

Another AMAZING source of taller socks is the woman-owned heaven that is Sock Dreams. They have a ton of stockings that would work perfectly as thigh-highs and even without a belt would complement lovely long legs. A lot of their goods have length and description recommendations as well and be sure to browse the Thigh High Socks Section.

For example, check out these amazing longer, scrunchable socks that would work great pulled up and clipped onto a garter belt! 40 inches long!

But what about great patterns? Sometimes I want to show-off my legs with some eye-catching colors and patterns. I love the patterns over at Joy of Socks , for example, and am wondering if I could I cut the top part off, somehow sew or iron the top seam shut, and then use a garter belt to keep them up. Crafty Project!

Garter Belts: A few garter belts I’m eyeing are this one from Agent Provacateur and this one from MyTights (Falke brand). I won’t include pics in case you’re surfing at work!

Your turn! Okay, my long lovely ladies, go out unto the world of tights, and bring back word of treasures you’ve discovered. My general recommendations in trying out new brands is that you should only look for tights that have three, four, or five sizes (just S/M and M/L options aint’ gonna cut it) and pick the biggest. Also, just because you’re skinny doesn’t mean bigger size will fit! Sometimes stretch meant for width will give you an extra inch or so, but some tights just will not be long enough, no matter how twiggy you are! Finally, keep in mind that if hose is stretched to its fullest, you’re going to get runs (or ‘ladders’) easier, so use the Golden Tall Girl Clothing Rule – If it fits you, buy two!

For easy reference, here are the stores I troll:

• MyTights Extra Tall section- Note, I’m an affiliate here, and have also ordered Levante stockings here before with great success.
• Sock Dreams- Also ordered from here before, they always have a high-quality, handmade feel.
• Agent Provacateur (lingerie, for suspender belts)
• Stockings HQ Tall Section