Seeking tights/leggings that won't "muffin" my "top"...
April 30, 2012 9:18 AM Subscribe
Looking for a women's (not girl's!) leggings/tights store that is either located in, or ships to, Canada. I am sick of getting fun-looking tights from teeny-bopper type accessory stores that are clearly not made for anyone with curves...
My husband and I recently returned from a trip to France/Italy where I found a chain of stores (Calzedonia) that sold leggings and tights marketed towards women - and I fell in LOVE with the tights and leggings they sold there. I bought out the store, but sadly they do not appear to sell online.
Many of the accessory stores I have access to locally in Vancouver, Canada (see Ardenes, Claire's etc...) are geared towards a younger age group, and as such, do not seem to fit a curvier format; I am often very disappointed with the waist allowance in these which will usually produce an uncomfortable muffin top that I would rather avoid. I am roughly 5'2" and 135 lbs, so I'm not large, but there is some squish factor to me for sure.
So, my question:
Please can anyone recommend me some stores which are in or ship to North America that sell tights/leggings to WOMEN (not girls)? Obviously most retailers will have some tights, but I am looking for a store that *specializes* in leggings/tights like Calzedonia does.
My husband and I recently returned from a trip to France/Italy where I found a chain of stores (Calzedonia) that sold leggings and tights marketed towards women - and I fell in LOVE with the tights and leggings they sold there. I bought out the store, but sadly they do not appear to sell online.
Many of the accessory stores I have access to locally in Vancouver, Canada (see Ardenes, Claire's etc...) are geared towards a younger age group, and as such, do not seem to fit a curvier format; I am often very disappointed with the waist allowance in these which will usually produce an uncomfortable muffin top that I would rather avoid. I am roughly 5'2" and 135 lbs, so I'm not large, but there is some squish factor to me for sure.
So, my question:
Please can anyone recommend me some stores which are in or ship to North America that sell tights/leggings to WOMEN (not girls)? Obviously most retailers will have some tights, but I am looking for a store that *specializes* in leggings/tights like Calzedonia does.
Best answer: Welovecolors.com has what you're looking for, and many members of my dance troupe have bought items from there so they definitely fit adults. They ship to Canada.
In general when I buy tights, I look for ones with "no waistband" or "soft waistband" so they don't dig. Spanx and Assets have these styles too.
posted by radioamy at 9:22 AM on April 30, 2012 [1 favorite]
In general when I buy tights, I look for ones with "no waistband" or "soft waistband" so they don't dig. Spanx and Assets have these styles too.
posted by radioamy at 9:22 AM on April 30, 2012 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Sock Dreams are based in Portland, OR, they ship to Canada, and everyone I know who has ordered from them loves them.
posted by flex at 9:26 AM on April 30, 2012 [6 favorites]
posted by flex at 9:26 AM on April 30, 2012 [6 favorites]
I buy my leggings from Black Milk. They are based in Australia, and only sell online (and as an ambassador of leggings, I'll admit that they also have a cult-like following). Their sizing chart also includes pictures of the different sizes on different shapes. They are not cheap, but the fit and quality are great, and they have a lot of really fantastic statement leggings, if that's what you are looking for.
posted by Nimmie Amee at 9:29 AM on April 30, 2012
posted by Nimmie Amee at 9:29 AM on April 30, 2012
Wolford is known for their (expensive) hosiery. They do have a shop in Vancouver on 753 Burrard Street.
posted by mossicle at 9:35 AM on April 30, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by mossicle at 9:35 AM on April 30, 2012 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I really like MyTights, which is UK based but ships to the US and Canada at reasonable rates. But I also buy a lot of leggings and tights at department stores (Macys, etc. - not sure what the Canadian equivalent would be) and find that they have a lot of cute styles that are cut for grownups (and not "one-size-fits-all").
posted by mskyle at 10:08 AM on April 30, 2012
posted by mskyle at 10:08 AM on April 30, 2012
Sock Dreams (which flex mentioned above) is also great because they give extensive reviews of their wares, so they'll tell you if they fit well on thinner folk or how big your thighs can be and still fit in a particular pair of thigh-highs or if the "5-10" foot size the manufacturer claims has anything to do with reality; they have a few different testers so you should be able to get info appropriate to your body type.
posted by nat at 10:42 AM on April 30, 2012
posted by nat at 10:42 AM on April 30, 2012
Sock Dreams is awesome! They have a plus-size section, so you can see all the larger items in one place.
posted by Nibbly Fang at 1:27 PM on April 30, 2012
posted by Nibbly Fang at 1:27 PM on April 30, 2012
Any DIM vendor will have what you're looking for. I bought DIM tights in whistler on Saturday. If you look up lingerie shops in whistler, you'll find what you want. The owner ships too
posted by jennstra at 1:58 PM on April 30, 2012
posted by jennstra at 1:58 PM on April 30, 2012
Best answer: Tabio is an online store that ships to North America. They are a bit pricey but I love their tights, they are excellent quality and have lasted me a long time with no snags or fuzzing. Also some really stylish patterns.
posted by aiglet at 2:31 PM on April 30, 2012
posted by aiglet at 2:31 PM on April 30, 2012
I'm about your height (5') and weight, and Wolford fit me just fine. You'd probably be a XS, like me. No problems with muffin tops. Their products are very high quality and well made, but pricey. Not as many fun, bright colors but they do have nice patterns (I'm wearing a pair of Bonny Dots right now). It's more sophisticated work/going out on the town sort of tights. They will last for a very long time if you care for them properly, though. It doesn't look like Wolfordshop.com ships to Canada, but you might want to go to their brick and mortar store in Vancouver anyway.
I personally dislike American Apparel and Urban Outfitters. Their tights don't fit petite, curvy women well at all. I always feel like they're meant for someone who weighs less than 100 lbs. and I'm shoving my legs into some really cheap material that will probably rip quickly.
posted by kathryn at 7:01 PM on April 30, 2012
I personally dislike American Apparel and Urban Outfitters. Their tights don't fit petite, curvy women well at all. I always feel like they're meant for someone who weighs less than 100 lbs. and I'm shoving my legs into some really cheap material that will probably rip quickly.
posted by kathryn at 7:01 PM on April 30, 2012
I will add to the acclaim for Sock Dreams.
American Apparel, not so much. What kathryn said.
posted by litlnemo at 10:29 PM on April 30, 2012
American Apparel, not so much. What kathryn said.
posted by litlnemo at 10:29 PM on April 30, 2012
Response by poster: Awesome - thank you everyone for the suggestions!
I haven't tried tights from American Apparel, but I am addicted to their leg warmers. I fear that the waist would be very small on tights though, just given the models they use in their ads.
posted by groovesquirrel at 6:27 PM on May 1, 2012
I haven't tried tights from American Apparel, but I am addicted to their leg warmers. I fear that the waist would be very small on tights though, just given the models they use in their ads.
posted by groovesquirrel at 6:27 PM on May 1, 2012
Response by poster: @jennstra: I feel dumb, but, what is DIM? I did a quick google search but couldn't find reference to it :(
posted by groovesquirrel at 6:33 PM on May 1, 2012
posted by groovesquirrel at 6:33 PM on May 1, 2012
We Love Colors all the way. They're expensive but quality and the customer service is great!
posted by masquesoporfavor at 2:29 PM on May 2, 2012
posted by masquesoporfavor at 2:29 PM on May 2, 2012
Dim's a brand. For example
Marks & Spencer (RIP, Canadian M&S stores) have a pretty good tight reputation, and they ship to Canada. Not tights-only, but.
I buy children's tights and mostly wanted to throw out that you might get a good fit from a girl's XL in a "plus" size.
Quality will wobble all over the map but eBay can be good for stuff like this; there are lots of vendors in China selling funky-colour tights for great prices.
posted by kmennie at 6:34 AM on May 3, 2012
Marks & Spencer (RIP, Canadian M&S stores) have a pretty good tight reputation, and they ship to Canada. Not tights-only, but.
I buy children's tights and mostly wanted to throw out that you might get a good fit from a girl's XL in a "plus" size.
Quality will wobble all over the map but eBay can be good for stuff like this; there are lots of vendors in China selling funky-colour tights for great prices.
posted by kmennie at 6:34 AM on May 3, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by muddgirl at 9:20 AM on April 30, 2012 [3 favorites]