How to Stop Tights Laddering
Quick answer: most ladders start when tights are put on dry-handed with rings or rough nails, or when the size is too small and the knit is over-stretched. Buy the right size, put them on gently, wash cool in a mesh bag, and choose a run-resist knit for sheer deniers.
Before you put them on
- Get the size right. Tights that are too small stretch the knit thin at the thigh and seat, which is where ladders begin. Use the height-and-weight chart on each product page — if you sit between sizes, go up.
- Moisturise, then wait. Dry skin and rough heels catch the yarn. Apply moisturiser 10 minutes before, so hands and feet are soft but not slippery.
- Remove jewellery. Rings and watch clasps are the number-one cause of ladders.
Putting them on
Gather each leg from the waist down to the toe, ease your foot in, then unroll up the leg rather than pulling from the top. Pull the panty part up evenly from both sides. Never yank a twisted leg straight — take it off and start again.
Washing
- Hand wash or a 30°C delicate cycle inside a mesh laundry bag.
- Never tumble dry or wring; roll in a towel and air dry away from radiators.
- Wash before the first wear — it relaxes the knit and makes tights slightly more forgiving.
Choose a knit that resists ladders
Sheer 10–20 denier tights are the most delicate. Penti’s Stop range has a knitted-in run-stop finish that contains a snag as a small hole instead of a full-length ladder. For everyday wear, micro-fibre opaques from 40 denier upward are far more robust.
If a ladder starts
A dab of clear nail varnish or hairspray at each end of the ladder will stop it running for the rest of the day. Keep a spare pair of sheer tights in your bag — at £8–£10 they are the cheapest insurance in your wardrobe.
Browse sheer tights or read our denier guide.