Davies, is the 24h thing a lymphoedema special? Because in general stockings should only be worn during the day when you are up and about. They recommend putting them on before getting out of bed but I never do that. I have my showers in the morning
You probably need more support than I do because for the blood thing it is most essential to wear the stocking below the knee. It's the calf muscle that pumps the blood up and the stockings aid this with their graduated technique. So with trousers I wear below the knee black stockings. In summer I wear the granny style 'sand' colour with open toes so that I can wear sandals and flip flops. I even wore one on my wedding day and nobody noticed!
I know what you mean about the NHS stockings not being nice

I think that especially the thigh-length ones are

(and they wonder why people don't wear them and have relapses - honestly!

)
My lovely hubby bought me some French ones from Sigvaris. I know of a lady with lymphoedema who managed to get an NHS prescription for them and used it on a website I recommended: https://www.happyhealthylegs.co.uk/ (I am proud to say that I played a part in introducing the founder of the website to Sigvaris

)
So it is possible, but I'm not sure exactly how she did it. Her username on here is Lynn but she isn't on very often. It might be worth PM-ing her.
I loooooooove my sigvaris stockings. I have patterned ones and plain ones in gray, brown, champagne, pink and blue!
Oh, if you find out how to use an NHS prescription, do let me know as I'd love some proper maternity tights from there but £80 is a little steep in price...