Hosiery

I'm spending too much money on stockings! If I get to wear the same pair twice before they run, I consider myself lucky. Do you have a good source for inexpensive panty hose?

I wear stockings all day every day, and mine last for quite a while. I've never kept track, but I'm sure I get at least 14 and maybe more wears out of a pair. I have a few tricks, though.

1. This one is a little hard on the ego, but worth it. Buy your stockings at least one and maybe two sizes larger than what is recommended on the package. I won't tell anybody. Throw away the package immediately, and nobody will know.

Let's say you fall right in the middle of size B, buy size C. If you're pretty close to size C but still in the B range, buy size D. They won't sag or fall down, and they don't tear as quickly either.

2. Unless you wear open toe shoes, get reinforced toe.

3. Wear disposable plastic gloves (the type you use in the kitchen) when putting them on and taking them off to avoid snags from your hands, rings, or nails.

4. If you find you still get runs starting at the toe, consider filing your toenails after cutting them.

5. Unless it's an emergency, never buy your stockings in the grocery store or dollar stores. It's false economy, and spending another few dollars per pair gets you much longer wear out of your stockings. This is the brand of pantyhose I use:




A package of 3 pairs are on sale right now for $15.99, with free shipping for orders over $50.   I like to stock up and just have them on hand as I need them.  I probably order 2 or 3 times a year at most.  


6. Do not wash them in the machine, even if you have a handwash cycle.  Let them soak overnight in a basin in sudsy water, rinse them out the next morning, and then soak them for about 5 minutes in this product:  



7. Soak them in Hosiery Mate before wearing them for the first time, too.  
I think you'll find your stockings will last much longer this way.  


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