How to Stop Tights Laddering — and Rescue a Pair Mid-Run

A ladder — or a "run," as it is often called — is what happens when a single looped thread in the knit breaks and the surrounding loops unravel in a line. Sheer, low-denier tights are the most prone to it, which is a shame because they are also the most beautiful. The good news is that most ladders are avoidable, and many can be stopped before they spread.

Why tights ladder in the first place

• Snags from rough nails, dry hands, jewellery, zips, and Velcro.
• A size that is too small, which stretches the knit thin and leaves no slack.
• Friction points — the inner thighs, the toes, and anywhere a seam or shoe rubs.
• Age and heat: fibres weaken over time and in a hot wash or tumble dryer.

Prevention that actually works

• Smooth your hands and nails before putting tights on; dry skin catches threads.
• Gather each leg up to the toe and ease it on slowly, rather than yanking from the top.
• Buy the right size — snug, not straining — so the knit is not already under tension.
• Hand-wash or use a mesh laundry bag on a cool, gentle cycle, and never tumble dry.
• Keep a dedicated pair of gardening-style grippy gloves out of the equation and off your tights.

How to stop a run that has already started

If you catch a run early, you can often freeze it in place. A dab of clear nail polish at both ends of the ladder seals the broken loops so they cannot travel further; let it dry before moving. In a pinch, a little hairspray or even a rub of wet soap can do the same job temporarily. These are rescues, not repairs — but they will get a pair through the rest of the day.

When a ladder is long or lands somewhere visible, it is usually time to retire the pair. Keeping a cheap spare in a bag or a desk drawer is the single best insurance against a ruined outfit.