Q: My tights tear after a couple of wearings. Where can I find brands that last?

A: Longevity depends less on fancy labels (discounted pairs are often perfectly fine) and more on shopping and wearing habits. My bill of rights for tights:

• Buy the correct size—too small, and they rip; too large, and you're always yanking them up.
• Groom prudently, making sure that legs are moisturized and stubble-free, and toenails and fingernails are short and rounded.
• Put tights on s-l-o-w-l-y, working them up your legs.
• Store them responsibly in a silk bag or old pillowcase, not in a drawer.