I was happy when Man & Wife Living Life was contacted by a representative from Therafirm, owners of the Preggers by Therafirm™ brand of prenatal compression hosiery for a possible review of their new plus size ("tall") footless tights and pantyhose. Since getting pregnant, I have appreciated the support and that garments like hosiery and shirt-extending belly bands provide me, but after growing larger in my belly I was unable to comfortably wear the right size non-prenatal legwear.
I began by selecting my size in the Preggers line of footless tights and pantyhose. Each now has a "plus size" available, marketed as "tall", which meant they should fit my 5'10", plus sized frame. However, here is the new leggings sizing chart, which includes the "tall" sizes.
LIGHT TIGHTS & FOOTLESS TIGHTS SIZE CHART
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The product design was very modern and didn't require a lot of extra packaging, which I liked. Some legwear brands insist on a lot of plastic and hooks, but Preggers was packaged in a small plastic bag inside of a paperboard box, taped closed. The tights looked thick, shiny and black (as I chose the black, though they have other shades to choose from).
I will admit that before I tried to squeeze these compression tights onto my legs, I should've checked out their Tips for Putting on Gradient Compression Stockings on the Preggers website. I tried the footless tights first and even at 19 and 20 weeks pregnant, it was very difficult to get them on. My husband said, "I just don't think that looks very safe for you." The hardest part was bending over for so long trying to get them un-bunched from around my slightly swollen ankles. But after about eight minutes, I shimmied them up around my belly.
Once I got the tights on and under my clothing, a lighter summer skirt, I didn't feel the need for a smoothing belly band shirt extender, which was nice. I went to work for a half-day and the tights held up well. Because my ankles were a bit swollen and because these are compression tights, I did find them to be uncomfortable around five hours after I put them on, but that is to say they began to get uncomfortable five hours later. If I had other things to do, I could've probably left them on for another hour or two, but I was able to change clothing when I got home. After I peeled them off, I did have what I refer to as "sock rings" around my ankles, which was disappointing, but expected given the swelling I had all day.
About a week later, I tried the same tights on again, and the second time around they were already "broken in" and much easier to get on and off. I still felt supported and thought they did a nice job supporting and smoothing. The second time I also had less swelling, so my ankles fared better. Although it was difficult to get these tights on the first time, I think they were overall a nice product that I will continue to use through my pregnancy.
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I didn't have as much luck with the pantyhose. Between 20 and 21 weeks gestation, my belly finally "popped," meaning it now looks pregnant, and started to put just a bit more strain on my back. Unfortunately at 21 weeks, 1 day, I was fully unable to wiggle the footed pantyhose (also black with similar, nice packaging) from around my ankles, though they were not swollen. They are so tight that it was impossible to wiggle the second foot on after getting the first one on. I was very disappointed in this and if I had purchased them, I would've returned them. I suppose that in my case for pantyhose, I would prefer a very light support with a belly band to give some support to my abdomen. I couldn't get them on at 5 months, so I can't fathom being able to successfully get them on without assistance (at least the first time) at 7+ months of pregnancy, plus size or not.
(It should be noted that when not pregnant I can fully extend and flex backwards and forwards and my weight has never been a factor in successfully putting on tights or pantyhose.)
Photo was my approximate belly size at the time of first leggings trial. Let's say we've grown in the last three weeks. :-)
Preggers Brand Plus Sized Footless Tights -- Pros
Overall I am definitely a fan of the footless leggings for short engagements or shorter work days. They retail at approximately $28-36 depending on style. I can't say I would spend money on the pantyhose at approximately $25/pair, though. I feel as if my footless tights will go the distance of my pregnancy and be beneficial afterward, as I believe in support and compression of the belly post-partum aids in helping the body get back to where it was before baby.
About a week later, I tried the same tights on again, and the second time around they were already "broken in" and much easier to get on and off. I still felt supported and thought they did a nice job supporting and smoothing. The second time I also had less swelling, so my ankles fared better. Although it was difficult to get these tights on the first time, I think they were overall a nice product that I will continue to use through my pregnancy.
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(It should be noted that when not pregnant I can fully extend and flex backwards and forwards and my weight has never been a factor in successfully putting on tights or pantyhose.)
Photo was my approximate belly size at the time of first leggings trial. Let's say we've grown in the last three weeks. :-)
Preggers Brand Plus Sized Footless Tights -- Pros
- Excellent support
- Smoothing/slimming qualities without endangering baby
- Nice color, weight and texture
- Pleasant packaging
- Looks "sporty" under work and play clothing
- Some plus size availability
- Extremely difficult to get on the first time
- Difficult to wear for a full work day (8+ hours)
- Swelling at ankles post-wear
- Hard to unroll and reshape after removal
- Not enough plus-sized availability (plus doesn't stop at 240!)
Overall I am definitely a fan of the footless leggings for short engagements or shorter work days. They retail at approximately $28-36 depending on style. I can't say I would spend money on the pantyhose at approximately $25/pair, though. I feel as if my footless tights will go the distance of my pregnancy and be beneficial afterward, as I believe in support and compression of the belly post-partum aids in helping the body get back to where it was before baby.
Note: Post edited 9-10-2012 to reflect corrected sizing image and fact correction re: Preggers website.
Have you purchased Preggers by Therafirm™ products in the past? What do you think about them?
Preggers by Therafirm™ logo and product images © Preggers by Therafirm™.
FTC Disclaimer: Preggers by Therafirm™ offered one pair each of leggings and pantyhose to Carrie at Man & Wife Living Life in exchange for an honest review of their products, positive or negative. I was not compensated monetarily to write nor post this review.
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