I am (about to get hated) 5’10″ and weigh 128 lbs. I have tried every size of footed tight and none goes up without the eloquently named “penguin effect.” This…is…BRILLIANT!!

Not to mention, socks are usually stretched so tightly on my feet that I wear holes in them quite quickly.

I bet with a smidge of ingenuity, you could actually turn the toe area of a tube-style tight into a stirrup so you still ensure full coverage!! Just cut the toe across then cut a little hole on the back half for your heel, right? Still gain a lot of length but know they won’t rise up.

I can usually bring those high waistbands all the way up to my boobs and they rest right under or over the bottom of my bra, so I hadn’t really thought about it . Now–how is THAT on a shorter person?! Any idea WHY they go so high? It seems like it had a design purpose in the 50′s or something like that…

There’s a beautiful pair of sheer wool tights I have from here that ripped right under the butt from being stretched out and I’ve been clinging to and never realised it was because THIS post would appear, and the voice in the sky would say, “turn them into thigh-highs”. You just rocked my world. What better to do on a Sunday than salvage…psh, hundreds of dollars of things I couldn’t (or wouldn’t) wear? My heros!!

The tops are great under leotards and camisols, for warmth and extra bra support. They add a bit of modesty under low-cut layers. They are also really handy when you don’t have time to shave.

I have tops made with long sleeves, short sleeves, and tank style. I also like to cut the back lower than the front.

The Foot Traffic diamond bamboo and space dye cotton tights are really just right for me- the covered waistband is especially nice- even after one of them went through the dryer!.The waistband of their combed cotton wasn’t, so I cut the elastic down (just in the front at first to try) to just above the seam. Just right now and no fraying.

I just got my new order and the wool sweater tights are really comfortable over the Erica microfiber. The legs are too long though and about 4″ want to hang off the toes. I’m thinking of taking them to my serger since they have tube feet. Any hints about that? If I try to shrink them, I don’t want them to shrink in the width.

And those microfiber tights I got last year are amazingly comfortable and they don’t snag! I admit that when my leg had a surprise meeting with the car door, I was first concerned for the tights. Even though I had a little scrape on my shin, the tights did not show a mark!

Other DIY ideas-I’ve had tights with stretched out waist that didn’t stay up, I stretched and sewed in a 4″ piece of elastic on the back of waist. I tend to have the crotch seams rip out too soon- I’ve sewn in a gusset of a piece of interlock cotton and that worked well for one pair. I’m not sure if I’d like garters- although that would be a lot easier!

Thank you for encouraging us to alter even tights, and to be creative.

Wolf—I agree on that! For some reason being confined from my toes ALL the way up is too much, I wear things so much more once I’ve cut the feet off (they’re cuter and layer better than long underwear too!).

I’m psyched about making them into thigh highs now–or maybe even arm warmers, thanks for that idea from a commenter.

Thanks for the awesome post and perfect timing!