Tips on tights for early spring
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I prefer to wear skirts and dresses but I am perplexed about leg wear. Summer, no problem: bare legs with sandals. Fall and winter: tights or knee-high boots. But what about early spring? The fall and winter options, especially in dark colors, seem so out of season, but it’s chilly! Any ideas on the eternal question: How to be stylish and seasonal, while still being comfortable?
— Donna D.
Dear Donna: There are many weights of tights and what you’re looking for are tights on the lighter side — but not as light as what’s marketed as “sheer” hosiery.
Look for the dernier number in small print on the packaging. It’s the amount of transparency the tights have. Denier ranges from 5 to 100. The lower the number, the sheerer (and thinner) they are. You want 20 or up for a chilly spring day. Hanes Perfect Tights (onehanesplace.com, $16) at 20 denier are still pretty sheer. Thirty denier is considered semi sheer and that is probably the range you’re looking for. Hue makes some 32 deniers (amazon. com, 2 for $24); Berkshire’s Light Support Leg Graduated Compressions are 30 deniers (amazon. com, $9.90); and if you’re a big spender, try Wolford’s Pure 30 Complete Support Tights (amazon.com, $64 and up).
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: In a cruel twist of fate, I weigh the same as I have for many, many years, but my pants don’t fit around my waist and stomach. And my old bras are now tight and uncomfortable. Everything has shifted south. With so many stores closing their fitting rooms, shopping is a nightmare. HELP!! All I want is comfortable, neat and nice-looking pants and a bra that is reasonably comfortable (not asking for miracles) and stays put without an underwire. Any suggestions would be most welcome.
— Cathy P.
Dear Cathy: You are not alone! Lots of readers complain to me that their body shape is changing. And almost always the weight has moved to the stomach, waist or chest. For bras, the best you can do is donate the old ones and buy new ones that fit your changing form. Realsimple.com has produced a list of “16 best wireless bras” (tinyurl.com/3nd7rk8n).
I’m betting that stores’ try-on rooms open up as more and more of us are vaccinated. In the meantime, whatever you buy, in stores or online, make sure it’s returnable and, preferably, that the online seller pays the return postage.
Moving on to your pants problem. One thing we learned working from home or not leaving the house during this pandemic is the comfort of elastic waist or drawstring pants. That’s still your best bet. And they don’t have to be ugly sweatpants or baggy joggers.
Online you’ll find a huge array of what I’m talking about: llbean.com, gap. com, everlane.com, landsend.com, chicos.com and so many more. My only caution is you’ll want to wear your shirt, blouse or tunic untucked.
Now it’s your turn
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