Help! Do I need petite tights?

I meant to call TE and didn't, and now I'm about to miss their sale. My inseam is 26" measured to the ankle bone. The Terry petite tights I'm looking at have a 26 inseam, so I'm assuming that's what I need.

I've never bought tights before so I'm not sure how their stretchiness will factor in. Would appreciate any advice.

Pam

At 5'3" and very short-waisted it's never been an issue for me. I absolutely cannot wear regular misses' bottoms in street clothes; CW-X tights are just slightly long on me, cycling tights (where the knee placement isn't critical) just aren't an issue.

I am 5' 1" and have had no trouble with regular tights. They usually have a length of 28", so it's OK. And petite pants often have to be hemmed on me! It would be interesting to try on a pair, though.

I have very short legs and I have had to return/sell tights that were too long before. I think it was Assos brand that were just bunching around my ankles...and when there is also a zipper down there, it just doesn't work, knee placement or not!

I don't think that Terry tights are all that long though. I have a pair from them (non-petite with chamois) that only wrinkle slightly at the ankle. Because there is no actual bunching, they work just fine.

And yes, the outward stretch will reduce length a bit. As I've gained weight, my longer tights have gotten slightly shorter! :p

I would say that you have about a 1" - 2" buffer zone. If the tights are within your inseam measurement by less than 2" (either long or short), then you'll probably be fine (unless you have REALLY big legs).

I'm 5'2" with a 28" inseam and ALWAYS need petite pants however I have a few different pairs of regular tights and have no problem (Sugoi, PI and Shebeest) I use them for running and cycling therefore do not buy the ones with the chamois - I don't have a problem with any of them being too long - they just bunch at the ankle a bit.

Thanks for the advice. Sounds like petite is not essential for me. Unfortunately, I fell asleep and missed the TE sale (side effect of my long bike ride) but there's always next time...

Pam