Best Hosiery and Sockwear for Women Over 50 in 2024

3. Update your opaque tights.

Opaque tights have become a modern wardrobe staple for colder weather. The density (which can range from semi-opaque to totally opaque) blanks out discolorations for full coverage that makes all legs look longer and sleeker. In recent years, black leggings have nudged black opaques to the sidelines as wardrobes shifted to casual wear. However, with dresses and skirts trending, opaque pantyhose for day and casual evenings have made a comeback. If you wear mostly black, and especially black shoes and boots, black opaque tights are still your best bet. If your wardrobe and shoes/boots veer towards warmer browns, camel, tan and olive or you’re leaning towards cool charcoal grey, navy or burgundy, now’s a good time to stock up on opaques in those shades or shades in the same color family for a more pulled together look head to toe. They’re not easy to find at a reasonable price so snatch up the Simply Vera Vera Wang Opaque 90D Control Top Tights in Heather Gray, Dark Green, Brown or Burgundy ($14, kohls.com) and the Calzedonia Women 50 Denier Total Comfort Soft Touch Tights in3654 Verde Bosco, 910 Mid Grey Blend or 1094 Red Lacquer ($15, calzedonia.com). And if your legs are still great or you’ve got lots of confidence, here’s a twist on the black opaque trend — this time for evening. Inky dense lurex tights in very low-watt shimmery black like the Banana Republic Factory Women’s Lurex Tights in Black/Gold or Black/Silver ($12, bananarepublicfactory.gapfactory.com) are a quick way to light up a black sweater dress or black leather skirt and sweater. No, it’s not too much, just fabulous.

Gap CashSoft Crew Socks in Ultra Violet (Left), Hot Sox Women’s Starry Night Fashion Crew Socks (Center) and Old Navy Women’s Sheer Nylon Crew Sock 3-Pack in Black Jack (Right).

AARP (GAP, Macy’s, Old Navy)

4. Get into stylish, colorful pant socks.

When chilly ankles have worn out their welcome you can opt for inexpensive basic black crews, but color has turned a practical item into a quick way to add punctuation and personality to an otherwise neutral toned outfit. Try the Gap CashSoft Crew Socks in Budding Lilac, Ultra Violet, Modern Red ($5, gap.com) or the Loft Refined Crew Socks in Melrose Pink or Tango Red ($11, loft.com) for a sophisticated but playful touch. If you love a touch of whimsy, skip kitschy patterns and opt for an art-inspired pair like the Hot Sox Women’s Starry Night Fashion Crew Socks ($9, macys.com) they are very Van Gogh and a real conversation starter. And please note: Many women over 50 find crews less constricting than knee socks and more comfortable to wear under pants. For a slightly more elevated look with dressier flats or loafers try a trendy sheer crew sock like the Old Navy Women’s Sheer Nylon Crew Sock 3-Pack in Black Jack ($7, oldnavy.gap.com) that includes a black, red and ivory dotted pair. And, to pep up your sporty socks even if you’re the only one who sees them, try the Women’s Sonoma Goods for Life 10-Pack No-Show Marled Socks in Multi ($8, kohls.com) with a pop of color.

Peds Women’s 4-Pack Low Cut Liner Socks in Black/ Beige 5-10 (Left), MeMoi Micro Liner Open-Toe No-Show Shoe Liners 7-Pack in Black/Nude (Center), Flat Socks Women’s Printed Shoe Liner in Snow Leopard (Right).

AARP (Target, MeMoi, Flat Socks)

5. Have liners for every kind of sneaker, flat and heel.

If the idea of blisters, sore, sweaty soles, irritated heels and sensitive corns makes you cringe, stock up on shoe liners. No-show liners and low-cut socks are keeping tootsies friction-free in everything from ballet flats to loafers, pumps and sneakers. Designed to be barely there, they cover soles and toes but don’t creep beyond the shoe’s border. Be sure to pay attention to the liner shape and match the shoe’s top-line to that of the liner (most ballet flats have a lower vamp than loafers). Three that make the cut: the discreet Kelly & Katie Smooth Edge No-Show Liner - 6 Pack in Black or Tan ($15, dsw.com), Flat Socks’ Women’s Printed Shoe Liner in Leopard or Snow Leopard ($8, kohls.com) with moisture-wicking foam insoles and the Peds Women’s 4-Pack Low Cut Liner Socks in Black/Beige 5-10 ($9, target.com) with a gel heel pad to prevent slippage. Don’t forget mules, slingback and peep-toe shoe styles either. Backless mules benefit from a half-liner like the HuePerfectly Bare Toe Cover ($8, hue.com) which has a sewn in ball of foot cushion, while open-toe pumps and peep-toe wedges merit the MeMoi Micro Liner Open-Toe No-Show Shoe Liners 7-Pack in Black/Nude ($20, memoi.com) to highlight your colorful pedicure.

6. Weatherproof your feet and legs.

Winter enthusiasts who ice skate, snow board, run or hike pay lots of attention to their hosiery … everyone else not so much. In fact, thick cushy socks and fleece-lined pantyhose are rarely a pre-planned buy. It’s only when icy blasts freeze your toes, thighs and rear end that women decide to add these extras to their sock drawer. If you’re spending time commuting, traveling or attending outdoor events like fairs, sports events and holiday festivities put “buy lined tights” on your to-do list. While opaque tights and tall boots do help when wearing skirts and dresses, for real warmth upgrade to warmer fleece lined tights like the Muk Luks Women’s 2 Pack Fleece-Lined Tights in Black/Black or Charcoal/Black ($13, kohls.com) or sweater tights like the MeMoi Women’s Cozy Brooklyn Flat Knit Sweater Tights in Black, Navy, Denim Heather, Burgundy Heather ($20, macys.com). All insulate without adding bulk to your hips, belly or legs. Shearling-lined boots make socks unnecessary, but add cozy chenille socks like the Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Heather Socks in Charcoal/White ($18, nordstrom.com) to that list too. Slip them on for extra warmth when wearing leggings with tall boots — waterproof or basic leather knee-high styles.

Bombas Women’s Everyday Compression Socks (15-20mmHg) in Berry Clay (Left), Sockologie Women’s Knee High Socks in Dragonfly (Center), and Vim &Vigr Women’s Compression Socks 15-20 MMHG: Pinstripe Cotton in Rust & Chartreuse (Right)

AARP (Bombas, Sockologie, Vim & Vigr)

7.  Deal with wide calves and leg circulation in style.

Two problems I hear about concern wide calves and leg circulation issues. These may be separate concerns or a combo complaint from women who are looking for more stylish options. Fashion is listening. Some brands have leveled up with plus-size tights in on-trend colors like the Ashley Stewart 50 Denier Opaque Footed Tights in Wine, Navy, Black and Chocolate Brown ($8, ashleystewart.com) which are cut roomier for curvy shapes. Sock brands are adding wide-calf options like the Sockologie Women’s Knee High Socks in Dragonfly ($15, sockologie.com) which accommodate calves up to 21” in circumference with no pattern distortion. And while knee-high compression socks are not new, more brands in this category are emphasizing fashion with styles like the Bombas Women’s Everyday Compression Socks (15-20 mmHg) in Plum Night or Berry Clay ($28, bombas.com), Comrad Companions’ Knee-High Compression Socks in Ombre Black or Ombre Berry ($22, comradsocks.com) and the Vim & Vigr Women’s Compression Socks 15-20 mmHg Pinstripe Cotton in Rust & Chartreuse ($38, vimvigr.com). Doctors prescribe medical-grade compression socks for serious leg swelling and varicose veins, and to help prevent deep vein thrombosis on plane flights but many women who stand all day at work or sit for hours at a desk appreciate even moderate compression for tired achy legs. Color and pattern turn a medical problem into a feel-good experience.