Tights take flight

People planning on travelling abroad this year should consider wearing tights on their long-haul flights, according to new research.

A study conducted by Australian researchers and recently published in the Medical Journal of Australia showed that ankle swelling and fatigue was reduced by wearing tights.

Passengers may not be unused to wearing tights, especially if they are women; however the study also tested the spandex tights on the male pilots, meaning people may like to try and sneak a peek in the cockpit to catch a glimpse of their glamorous pins.

The people involved in the study had to wear a stocking on one leg and none on the other in order to form a comparison. The results showed that there was a 60 per cent improvement in their leg pain rating and 45 per cent improvement in their swelling.

Dr Lambert from Westmead Hospital in Sydney added: "There was also an 18 per cent improvement in their energy level rating, a 13 per cent improvement in their alertness level and a 12 per cent improvement in their ability to concentrate."

This is great news for followers of fashion, as their must-have accessories now have style and function.

People who are not so keen on wearing tights may prefer to invest in a pair of flight socks, which may prevent conditions such as deep vein thrombosis, according to FlightHealth.org.