I have a confession to make - I hate tights.
When the summer rolls around, I relish leaving the drawer of uncomfortable, ugly and intrusive officewear essentials gathering dust as my new wardrobe rotation consists of nothing but floaty dresses, shorts and the odd bit of activewear thrown in.
But in the UK, winter frost is guaranteed and leaves us with no choice but to prise into those dreaded tights once again in order to make the most of our winter frocks. But dread no longer. These were the tights of old. I have been on a search for hosiery that doesn’t ride up, ladder, snag or chafe and it’s been successful. I have found some game-changing options.
No matter your work dress code - be it casual or smart - tights play a vital role in transforming summer wares to winter-ready, giving seasonal dresses and skirts the chance to shine all year round.
Tights have also played a key role on the season’s catwalks - transforming the reputation of hosiery into real style statements. Although they were spotted at Versace in Stabilo-bright hues, Ganni in Grinch-green and logo-embellished at Gucci and Fendi, it’s the timeless all-black options that are the most difficult to get right.
Fill your arsenal with a solid pair of quality tights and you’ll wear them for years to come.
So what should you look for in a good pair of tights?
Anyone who’s ever accidentally poked, caught them on a rogue splinter or tried to minimise ladder risk with nail polish (if you know, you know) may think tights are disposable and as such, not be worth splashing out on. Oh, but how wrong you are.
Innovation in tights has led to revolutionary creations such as ladder-resistance fabrics, and new constructions that make them far more environmentally friendly. In times past, they were crafted from nylon - a plastic-based fabric that uses a lot of energy to produce with an intensive chemical process and emits the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (which is 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide). These were not recyclable. There are now sustainable options aplenty that are biodegradable and will counteract the massive amount of waste caused by these items.
While you need a couple of pairs of true black and denier options across the spectrum, you can also get creative within the realm of ‘black tights’ and still come out with some seriously striking options. Polka dots, logo-embellished, glitter-adorned and high-shine designs bring a playful edge and can give the same outfit you wear on repeat an extra bit of intrigue.
What is denier?
This will form the foundation of the tight shopping process. Like togs for duvets, the denier refers to the thickness of your hosiery. Dating back to medieval France, the lower the denier, the more nude-looking they look on. The higher the denier, the more opaque. It can range from just 5 to 100.
The lesser end of the spectrum - around 5,10 and 20 - will give the appearance of bare legs, giving polish without adding too much colour and can be worn into the spring without overheating. As you head into 40, you get more coverage until you reach 80 and 100 which are the fullest, block colour coverage.
Elevate your tights game with the best brands to know below.
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Swedish Stockings
It may be known as Swedish Stockings but this brand handcrafts its tights in Italy with an emphasis on fine craftsmanship and the use of eco-conscious practices. The luxe daily underwear is composed of recycled and natural materials but with the aim to stand the test of time by using a process of 3D knitting. There are tights in every colour but the most popular is the premium opaque black.
Buy now £12.00, Swedish Stockings
Heist
Fashion-forward foundationwear label Heist has made great strides to redefine the traditional tight into a far chicer, and more practical style statement. The brand deems its offering to be the most comfortable in the world and while we haven’t tried every model in all four corners, we can certainly testify that they are soft and cosy – crafted from a sumptuous yarn with an adaptive waistband. The fabric combines the aforementioned yarn with recycled polyamide and recycled elastane that is more sustainable than its nylon predecessor.
Most importantly of all, the hosiery is designed without a gusset, so there’s no sagging or elbow-grease need in hoisting them back up throughout the day.
The pieces are helpfully named after what they are. We’re talking The Ankle Sock for well, ankle socks and the tights entitled by the denier e.g. The Fifty, The Eighty and so on.
On top of the monochrome all-black styles, there’s vivid patterns and block hue of brown, blue and more with over 35 styles available. There’s slip-proof over-the-knee options, geometric fishnets with an Art Deco aesthetic, seamed stockings and our personal favourite, The Gold Shimmer – a sparkly iteration that is brimming with evening appeal.
Buy now £6.00, Amazon
Hedoine
You need not dread the effort of aggressively hoisting tights up your body on an early winter’s morning. Or the fear that they will roll, sag or dig in as the day progresses. Hedoine has alleviated hosiery-related angst with its designs. Ladder-resistant, seamless and gusset-free, the updated underwear are created in Italy using 3D knitting technology and state-of-the-art yarn to give a barely-there feel. So confident is the brand in the durability of its tights that it offers a ladder-free guarantee on its 20, 30 and 40 denier range.
Sustainability is also front and centre for the label with the launch of its biodegradable collection – already a hugely popular range that sold out at launch and shows the brand’s commitment to counteracting textile waste. There’s also the water-saving production and Hedoine offers a legwear recycling scheme in exchange for £10 store credit (they don’t even have to be the label’s tights or leggings!).
The extensive range has products for all occasions – whether you want to show some skin or not. Straight-Up Sheer sits at the 20 denier mark and is the equivalent of body makeup - perfecting without giving the game away. Step it up a notch on the warmth scale with 40 (Near Sheer, Almost Opaque) that still has a subtle look. As you move into 60 (Swiftly Opaque), you can’t see through with constructions that are warmer, stronger and will stand the test of time. 100 Denier, Seriously Opaque gives your summer frocks all year round possibility, while still feeling soft and supportive.
Buy now £28.00, Selfridges
Calzedonia
There’s a reason why Calzedonia has a cult following. The brand offers premium constructed tights at affordable price tags.
Set to transform any outfit, it excels in its creation of intricately detailed designs and playful patterns. The ever-growing range includes sheer options for breezy, balmy nights or thick opaque hosiery for the depths of winter – both of which have a full coverage design that is ideal if you’ve not had a chance to shave your legs.
But it’s the prints and embroidery where this label really has you reaching for your purse: think hearts, graphic designs, slogans, stripes and the joy-inducing smiley face pair pictured. There’s also maternity and shapewear too.
Buy now £5.99, Calzedonia
M&S
Good ol’ reliable M&S has long been the go-to brand for tights wearers for generations.
The retailer’s collection is all about versatility with options for reluctant brave the weather style wearers (see the 10 deniers) or the perpetually chilly (then you’re better off with 250 deniers) – all of which come in bundle packs of threes or fives that are the requisite accompaniment to any look this winter.
Buy now £4.00, M&S
John Lewis
As well as the brand’s in-house selection of black tights, John Lewis includes Falke, Calvin Klein, Wolford and Mamalicious in its expansive offering. There’s foundationwear in every finish, from matte to shimmer and deniers across the spectrum; seven to 100+.
The retailer, much like some of its more luxury counterparts, is also making great strides to make tights not a disposable item, offering ladder-resistant alternatives. The supportive designs mean that sagging and slipping down need not be part of your daily routine and give you the added bonus of shapewear (should you choose to want it) in varying levels of reinforcement; gentle, medium and full.
Buy now £4.50, John Lewis
Wolford
Take your hosiery to luxurious realms with the Austrian label Wolford. Each piece is crafted with the utmost quality with a butter-soft skin feel and unrivalled comfort. Whether you opt for sheer, satin or opaque, sculpting or thermal, the tights will form a staple part of your winter wardrobe.
Buy now £19.00, Selfridges
Falke
German label Falke has finessed hosiery-making since its inception in 1895. The brand has evolved its pieces with the times to focus on fit, fabric and shape.
The use of innovative knitting techniques and compression constructions leads to luxury items that do so much more than keep you warm during the darker months. They are designed to shape the legs and can adapt to prevent pinching.
The range stems from the transparent nude 8 deniers to the opaque 100 deniers with striking patterns, monochrome colourways and fun festive designs available too. The tights are seamless to sit flush with your ensemble with a non-irritating seam at the toes and a comfortable waist. They come complete with a hygienic gusset and feel gentle on the skin.
Buy now £13.00, Falke
Snag
Good tights are hard to find, especially when you wear a plus size. That’s where Snag has found a gap in the market with hosiery and leggings specifically made and sized to fit curves up to a UK dress size 36.
The generous collection includes tights for all occasions, from thick woolly designs and rainbow-bright fishnets to barely-there sheers and skin tones that are perfect for adding under summer frocks. Naturally, there are black aplenty too.
The inclusive brand also offers clothing basics like leggings, tees, skirts and swimwear, giving women of all sizes more comfortable and flattering options than ever. Love.
Buy now £6.99, Snag
Tezenis
High street hero Tezenis specialises in underwear and swimwear with bold, eye-popping prints. Demure doesn’t really feature in the brand’s vernacular and the same is true for its intricately designed tights. This is an exaggeration of course because you will find the classic opaque designs but they always have a fun twist. Cashmere constructions, for example, jewel embellishments and all levels of the sheer spectrum.
Buy now £5.99, Tezenis
