How to Stop Tights Laddering: 9 Tips to Make Hosiery Last

There are few wardrobe frustrations quite like pulling on a fresh pair of tights and finding a ladder racing up your leg before you've even left the house. The good news: most laddering is preventable. Here are nine simple habits that will make your hosiery last far longer.

1. Trim your nails and remove rough jewellery

Snags are the number-one cause of ladders. Rough nails, rings and bracelets catch fine yarns instantly. File any rough edges before handling sheer tights, and take off sharp rings when you put them on.

2. Put them on properly

Don't yank. Gather each leg from toe to top, ease your foot in, then roll the fabric up gradually, smoothing as you go. Sit down so you're not off-balance and rushing.

3. Wear gloves for very sheer pairs

For delicate 15–20 denier tights, a pair of cotton or rubber washing-up gloves stops your nails catching the yarn entirely. It looks fussy, but it works.

4. Moisturise the night before

Dry, rough skin and heels snag hosiery. Moisturise the evening before so skin is soft but not slippery-wet when you dress.

5. Try the freezer trick

An old hosiery hack: dampen brand-new tights, seal them in a freezer bag overnight, then thaw and dry. Many swear it toughens the fibres and reduces runs. Harmless to try.

6. Hand-wash, or use a mesh bag

The washing machine is where tights go to die — zips and hooks shred them. Hand-wash in cool water with gentle detergent, or at least seal them in a mesh laundry bag on a delicate cycle.

7. Never wring or tumble dry

Heat destroys elastane. Press water out gently and air-dry flat or on a rail, away from radiators.

8. Stop a run the moment it starts

Caught a small run early? A dab of clear nail polish or a little hairspray at each end stops it spreading, buying you the rest of the day.

9. Choose quality yarns and the right denier

Cheap tights ladder faster. Well-made European hosiery uses more resilient yarns that resist snags — and a slightly higher denier is naturally more durable. Explore our 20 denier and 40 denier tights, or browse the full hosiery collection.

A little care goes a long way. Not sure which denier suits the occasion? Read our guide to tights denier.