I started wearing support hose in early in 2007 after starting a job in a data center which had me on a rotating schedule and on my feet for 3-4 days, 12-hour shifts with 2 more days seated most of the time dealing with server reboots, updates and so on. My mom was in a nursing home at the time and I'd stop before and after work for a while. Some of the staff heard me talking about being really tired when I got off and having sore legs and they (men and women both) unanimously recommended support hose.
I tried a pair and lo-and-behold...they worked! Shortly thereafter my podiatrist recommended support hose and offered a prescription. Since then two general practitioners have done the same. With 9 years of 24/7/365 less shower time and a few hours here and there kicking back and relaxing every 3 or 4 weeks...I've used No Nonsense E and D sizes quite successfully with no rolling or falling down episodes. Having lost some weight I can now get into Hane's Legg's Sheer Energy Q+ though they are a bit....errr....tight.

I've tried a few off brands and they are the ones that stretch overmuch and loosen up and start sliding down so I stick with No Nonsense Smart Support and Legg's Sheer Energy. I'll use No Nonsense shaping tights quite successfully as well, in the same sizes. I was also given some Lane Bryant fleece-lined tights and fleece-lined leggings which are superb when the temperature is nine-below-zero. (Last night when I got in it was 9 F with wind making it -6 F.) It actually got up to 20 F late this afternoon and we are due for some more extreme cold and some snow Wednesday.
So. I think if you get quality gear it will last for several wearings...perhaps even 3-4 months (though sometimes with a couple patches of nail polish on the beginnings of a run and preventing the run before I replace them). And...sometimes you blow a pair the first time you wear them. So I carry a spare in my gear bag. I may get a pair of knee socks to wear with my kilts, but to date I've just worn my usual support hose, with tights or leggings depending on how cold it is.
And, of course, they can get a bit warm in summer, but that's a good excuse to wear a skirt.
