Greener Hosiery (usually with a little elastane)
Although not as popular as years ago (when women would ‘draw lines’ on the back of their legs when tights were unaffordable), millions of women still wear tights and stockings (majorettes and sailors also wear pop-socks!) But like socks and briefs, nearly all contain some elastane for stretch.
If you wear hosiery, launder in a microfiber filter (this helps stop microplastics leaching out of washing machines, and into the sea).
Avoid silk stockings (these are made by boiling silkworms which are actually moths). Even ‘peace silk’ leaves tired silkworms often too exhausted to find food, as they too die).
Synthetic fibres (nylon, polyester) are made from oil. So we don’t want to be supporting the oil industry, more than is necessary. But sometimes it’s almost impossible, so do what you can. Like choosing brands that let you send laddered hosiery back for recycling, and sell in plastic-free packaging.
You can also take laddered hosiery to textile banks (they are shredded to upcycle into insulation and other industrial materials).
To make hosiery last longer, launder with unscented biodegradable laundry detergent and avoid fabric softener and tumble driers. Keep toenails trimmed and wear shoes that fit, to avoid them rubbing holes in your tights!
Keep hosiery away from pets. It smells lovely to animals but could cause constipation, choking or intestinal blockage. Signs of ingestion are lethargy, vomiting, loss of appetite, a tender abdomen and difficulty pooping (it’s a medical emergency, so call the vet).
Hēdoïne (Send Old Pairs Back For recycling)
Hēdoïne (Italy) offers tights that cost a little more, but are designed not to ladder so easily. Though may still tear, from ‘dog handshakes!
Tights and stockings are sold in denier. Low-denier (5 to 30) are lightweight but tear easily. High-denier (40 and above) are thicker and more resistant to snags.
What’s great about this company is that you can send (any brand) of old tights to them for recycling, to receive £10 credit on your next pair.
EcoOutfitters (knitted tights for children)
EcoOutfitters (which makes Teflon-free organic school uniforms) offers knitted tights for children (or small people!) These are soft with flat seams, sold in neutral colours (black, white, brown, grey, navy, bottle green).
Thought (consciously crafted knitted tights)
Thought offers stockings and tights that are better than most, go for the bamboo ones over recycled nylon, for less microplastics when laundering). These are ladder-resistant to hopefully last longer.
Support Hosiery (is it always needed?)
Although GPs sometimes prescribe support stockings, in many cases they are not needed (some people with heart disease should not wear them).
They ‘squeeze legs’ to encourage good blood flow to the heart, but of course, there are ways to do this naturally:
- Raise legs above your heart. This can be done simply by placing your legs higher than the sofa (say on a pouffe) while reading watching TV.
- Wear comfortable shoes that exercise calf muscles. Ahinsa Shoes (above) are made by physiotherapists.
- Regular walking naturally squeezes blood to the heart (good for circulation).
- Drink plenty of water, eat well, avoid alcohol and give up smoking.
- A handful of Epsom salts (sold in chemists) can help aching legs. Not for inflamed/infected skin, open wounds or burns.
- People who stand all day (like hairdressers), fly regularly or are confined to bed/wheelchairs benefit from foot/leg exercises to get blood pumping from the legs to the heart. Talk to your GP if you see brown areas (or ulcers).
