Compression - the dating game

I am still wearing compression after my surgery, and intend to keep wearing it, because my lymphatics are sluggish and I want to look after my lipoedema as best as I can for my future health.  As so many of us are wearing compression I thought I would branch out into reviews of the different compression I'm trying. 

I'm currently in the dating game where I haven't given my heart to any one make or model, as I keep hunting for tights that are a bit softer or a bit smarter or have some comfy open toes, or are in funky colours etc etc.  

I decided that in no other area of our lives would we wear the same thing all the time so it seems to me that the NHS approach of two pairs of compression to last six months is not only a real nuisance for daily washing and drying, but is also unrealistic for my lifestyle - how would the same tights look good in a work meeting, dress down casual and be breathable and extra supportive for exercise classes?  

I do understand that the NHS has limited resources so I understand that the NHS can't provide me with an unlimited amount of compression garments.  I'm lucky that I can afford to treat myself to some extra pairs, so I'm going on a journey over the next few months to try and find:

• everyday thigh support: I can't stand to have too little compression and support on my thighs, I want to support their healing/preserve my surgery results.  
• comfy tights that don't feel scratchy and itchy in wear.  
• tights I can get back into fairly easily after being in the swimming pool. 
• the perfect solution for exercise: this will be covering my foot and offering strong support around my thighs and knees whilst still having a breathable groin/not being too hot.  I may need to achieve this with layering or something in made to measure
• smart work tights: a neutral/natural and modern or inoffensive pair of tights that aren't in a shade that evokes 1980s American Tan or unnatural beige, nor gives me Nora Batty ankles!
• funky coloured tights.  Pre lipodema I had a drawer of patterned and coloured tights.  I did flirt briefly with wearing a pair of funky tights over my compression but it seems too much of a faff to adjust both and wear two pairs so I have not worn any fun ones for months :(
• open toed weekend tights: something for relaxing in which doesn't have open toes that vanish up my foot towards my ankle and be difficult to wear in all my shoes

As I've got a large wishlist, I might not be able to have a spread of pairs that meet these wishes all the time, but now I know what I'm aiming for!  I'm going to the Lipoedema UK conference at the end of the month so I'm hoping there will be a spread of suppliers there to feel the texture of their tights and get some ideas on what to try.