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?

images above from Style.com, but similar styles are:

• Medallion Net Tights •
• Faux Garter Look Pantyhose •
• Lacy Faux Lace Up Knee Sock •

This, as any dedicated sock fan knows, is just the rest of the world catching up!  What the popularity of fancy tights means is that our suppliers are offering more options and we have more great styles to choose from!

Of course, I am not a runway model or a celebrity that gets driven around everywhere.  I have to deal with the still-too-cold-for-my-taste weather of February.  I’m guessing you do too, so remember, a gorgeous lace or net style is just as stunning (if not more so) layered over something like the Color Tights or the Foot Traffic Combed Cotton Tights.

Let’s start off with all the amazing options from Foot Traffic.  They offer some great textured tights, most with plus size options and some of them come in white even!

Clockwise from top: Narita Sheer & Opaque Tight, Brooklyn Mesh Flower Tight, Dublin Texture Tights, Paris Fleur-de-Lis Pantyhose, Nordic Texture Tights, Lima Texture Tights.

More lovely, lacy options after the jump!

Both of these stunning styles I know several of you are already rocking.  They’re some of our most popular Leg Avenue lacy tights (ooh, and keep an eye on our What’s New page throughout the year for more great openwork and lace styles from Leg Avenue).

• Vintage Pinstripe Net Pantyhose •
• Baroque Lace Pantyhose •

Lace and net aren’t the only ways to rock some gorgeous openwork.  There are several styles that our suppliers call “crochet” (which aren’t crochet, because socks are knit!) or that mimic the look of crochet styles that are just as lovely.

• Codori Crochet Tights •
• Pothole Pantyhose •
• Patricia Merino Crochet Tights •

Of course, these are all tights.  In our Lace collection we have so many more options, from just a touch of lace to entire stockings, thigh highs to anklets.

• Bow Lace Stockings •
• Floral Lace Knee High •
• Open Crochet Crew •

Every time the sun breaks through the clouds I start planning what socks I’m going to wear as soon as it’s warm enough.  Hopefully combining fancy-pants openwork with warmer layers will keep me satiated until spring. Are you layering lace in these last days of winter?

I am 5’6.5”, 225lbs, 31-32 inch inseam,
hips 49in, 29in thigh, 19in calf, size 8.5 shoe.

So now we have them, and they fit me pretty dang good. They have more room in the waist than the regular size helping the waistband lay nice and flat.

Foot Traffic seems to have reinforced the weave from waist to about mid thigh and I’m thinking that will make them last longer. They are still nice and soft and stretchy. They fit my size and shape quite well. I would guess that a size or two above me would do well with them too depending on your shape and leg length.

The leggings fit me a bit differently than the tights. The leggings seem to me a bit smaller, not a ton, but a bit. The plus size legging also has the reinforced thigh and panty area as the tights but here it seems to effect the sideways stretch some and cause a slight dent in my thigh. But the waist band is great on these as well.

Charcoal is one of my favorite colors and am already planning out some nice fall skirt, sock, and legging/tights combos. I can’t wait for even more colors!

When I came home I found out the last couple of colors were in so I put them on

and climbed my favorite tree…

We also got this new color that we happily ordered in both lengths…

some said they looked like patina, some preferred antique. In honor of Amanda officially taking over the Dream Stocking section I gave her the final say…
antique it is, and gorgeous too!
~~~{:::=:::}~~~
I nearly forgot to add this one from before my trip…

These are indeed dreamy as a knee high on fuller legs!