RSS feed
plus size
« DIY: More dyeing techniques | Soft Spring Rainbows! »
by Brenna
March 30th, 2012
Size comparison: Leg Avenue Striped Tights
Pretty much the go-to for bright striped tights, the Leg Avenue Striped Tights are a great, budget-friendly way to sass up your derby uniform, going out clothes, or every day wardrobe. Though most of the colours are only offered in a “one size fits most” that fits waists up 35 inches around (with a couple more inches stretch in the hips), four colours come in two more sizes with an amazing range of fit. The Black/Purple, Black/White, White/Red and Black/Red are also available in a “1x-2x” and a “3x-4x”.
You may notice in the image below that the red is a little different between sizes. The “one size” is more of a tomato red and the 1x-2x is more of a lipstick red. The other colours of the 1x-2x and 3x-4x aren’t as different when compared to their “one size” versions.
There are some other differences between the “one size” and the “plus” sizes. Though it isn’t dependable that the stripes go all the way up to the waistband on the one size (which is why we love when you drop us a line to ask if the current batch do), both the 1x-2x and the 3x-4x sizes always have stripes that go all the way up.
“One size” on top, the 1x-2x below
And that’s true for the other end too. The stripes go all the way to the toes on the 1x-2x and 3x-4x.
You’ll notice that the one size legs are longer than the plus size in the image below. Don’t fret! There is some magic stretch in the plus sizes of the Leg Avenue Striped Tights. If you have a longer inseam and any curves, the 1x-2x size may be a better option. Our tester with a 32 inch inseam found that the legs of the “one size” just fit—they maxed out the stretch of the “one size”, both hips and inseam.
More comparisons of the Leg Avenue Striped Tights sizes after the jump!
Other than using some magical, stretchy fabric for the 1x-2x and the 3x-4x, Leg Avenue has also designed the larger sizes with a rear panel. Instead of one seam in the back, there are two, giving you lots more room for stretch and curves. One of our testers loved that the optical illusion of how the stripes met up gave her better curves in the back.
1x-2x on the left, “one size” on the right
Guys looking for striped tights may do what one of our testers tried on accident—he found that putting on the tights with the double seam in the front adds a little more room and comfort where necessary. One thing to keep in mind, no matter how you wear them, the rear panel also acts as a gusset, and is slightly visible on the inner leg, so folks wearing tanga shorts and tap pants with these tights should keep that in mind.
Okay, now for the straight numbers for stretch! Remember, the more something stretches around, the less they can stretch up, so longer legs with curves need to keep that in mind. We stretched the waist/hip area and inside the leg, here’s what we found:
The “one size” stretches to 35 inches or so in the waist, with a little more stretch in the hip. The leg circumference stretches to 22inches and we don’t recommend them for folks with longer inseams than 31 inches who are maxing the stretch for the waist and leg.
The 1x-2x stretch to 57 inches in the waist & hip area and have a 30 inch stretch in the leg circumference. From our experience they don’t ride down too badly when the waist is stretched to the higher end of their range, though the rise does shorten (often, something has the stretch, but then become hip-huggers).
The 3x-4x stretch to about 64 inches in the waist & hip area and 36 inches of stretch in the leg circumference. If your size range fits the 1x-2x more and you’d like a more opaque tight, the 3x-4x will fit you just fine, from our testing.
Have you tried the Leg Avenue Striped Tights? What size do you like the most?
12 soxy thoughts:
Great topic. and definitely one of my favorite buys. I get the 1x-2x, though at the end of the night it gets loose around the ankles. But the fit and feel overall is amazing.
@Naiad, Thank you! Nylon is prone to getting a little saggy as you wear and stretch them out in places where your leg bends, like the ankle and knee. To help keep their shape between washings, you can touch them up by dipping your hands in warm water and rubbing your hands up your legs, starting at the ankle, for a better fit. It sort of helps the nylon snug back into shape.
i love tights so much thanks for the tips girls
@Marshal, glad us Sock Dreamer guys and gals can help!
This is the kind of information I LOVE to see! I’m taller, but curvy through hips and thighs, so I find that the usual “one size” description may tell me I weigh the ‘right’ amount, but heaven help me if things run at all small!
Thank you for such an extensive comparison!
@KittyBlue, we agree! We’re trying to update older Sizing Tips that just list the weight/height that the packaging says, but it takes time with this many socks and tights! Weight doesn’t mean a thing, since you can carry it any place, in a million different shapes!
When it comes to sizing tights, the best info to know is your inseam, waist/hip and thigh circumfrence. With those numbers we can help you better to find what will fit right for you!
These are by far the best tights I own for colourful fun and so comfortable to wear… The real person sizing really helps as generally sizing i.e. 20 / 22 varies from company to company
@Natacha, for real! I don’t even know what my modern dress size is, I’ve long since given up having a “number”. But I know my measurments!
I thought I’d need a 3-4x, but when i got them I found way more wiggle room than I intended! I’m pretty much in love with them, and now I know that I can get them in the 1-2x!
@Lady Lynnie, that is so awesome! Yay for finding things that fit! My next plan is to get a pair of the Black & White and see how they take dye. They’re 50/50 nylon/polyester, so I don’t quite know how vibrant I’ll be able to get them, but it opens up a world of colours!
Yay! I love these tights. I have a very hard time with “plus” size tights, but found these 3x-3x perfect for my big bubble butt. I’ve got the red/black and the purple/black and couldn’t be happier with them.
Much like Lady Lynnie, I might just give the 1x-2x a try in this brand, because the larger size is very roomy!
@Danicia, aw, yay! They’re a great tight for sure and my driving inspiration behind doing a post soon on dying nylon. If you can dye nylon, you could make black and ANY colour stripes from the Black & White version of these!
Share Your Thoughts: