TIGHTS for women come in various styles, colours, opacity, and patterns, but finding the best tights that are comfortable and stylish can be difficult.
The best tights have the ability to support your body in the right places, slim your waist, elongate your pins, help you battle colder climates, and provide the necessary coverage without slipping down, sagging or snagging.
Tights for women have long been a fashion essential. In the 1960s, after the invention of Spandex, rainbow colours and bright white pairs were all the rage.
These bold styles were perfect for underpinning Mary Quant's mini skirt and models such as Twiggy, Jean Shrimpton and Edie Sedgwick were rarely seen without them.
But it was 20 denier tights that saw us through the 1980s and 1990s and, with high-octane, thigh-skimming Dynasty style dresses in fashion (thanks to Anthony Vaccarello at Saint Laurent and Attico), a trend, which had a serious comeback in 2018 and remains popular today.
Patterned tights, floral lace and logo styles also have become hugely popular, and designs including sheer polka dots have previously been spotted on the likes of Miley Cyrus and Katie Holmes, while gem-encrusted tights make a comeback every Christmas season.
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The best tights for those wanting coverage are more opaque creations, which can be worn with skirts and dresses throughout the colder months for that much-needed insulation and coverage.
Feeling overwhelmed? Don't worry, we've got you — here's our tried-and-tested selection of the best tights on the market:
Best tights at a glance:
- Best tights for women: Marks and Spencer
- Best tummy control tights: Very Pretty Polly Opaque Tights
- Best sheer tights: Shaping Luxury Semi-Sheer Rip-Resist Tights
- Best value tights: New Look Black Opaque 70 Denier Tights
- Most comfortable tights: Snag Tights
Very Pretty Polly 60D Opaque Tights 2PP
- Very Pretty Polly 60D Opaque Tights 2PP, £6 from Very – buy here
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Pros: Comfortable, easy to put on, no tears, multiple sizes
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
Very's Pretty Polly 60D Opaque Tights are considered a winning formula among us fashion experts, as they are comfortable, stable and affordable, so one of the best pair of tights for women.
These tights, made from nylon and elastane blend,slip on nicely, feel super comfortable and stay up all day.
After a long day in the office, and a rather large Pizza Express lunch they still didn't roll down like others – even the gusset stays in its rightful place.
After having worn the tights for around 15 hours there was not a hole, pull or mark in sight.
They washed flawlessly and after wearing them multiple times since, they still remain intact, almost as if they are still fresh off the shelves.
They come in two sizes, small/medium as well as medium/large, which makes for easy shopping, we think.
M&S 3pk 60 Denier Supersoft Opaque Tights
- M&S 60 Denier Supersoft Opaque Tights, £5 from M&S – buy here
Pros: soft, strong coverage, not itchy
Cons: Some tears
Rating: 3.5/5
Often the first port of call when buying the best tights is to head to trusty M&S, which reportedly sells two pairs of single tights every minute.
Initially, the 60 denier opaque tights feel buttery soft and stretchy, thanks to the polyamide and elastane mix, which provides a little extra stretch for comfort, and security. Plus, they aren’t itchy.
However, as the day goes on these tights have a tendency to roll down slightly.
Despite the strong coverage and the fact they wash well, they are susceptible to some wear and tear, in particular, holes when pulling them up, or around the toe section, though they are really comfortable and provide a secure fit.
While we rated these tights a 3.5/5, other shoppers have ranked them higher, with some praising them for being an "excellent buy, good quality", and affordable.
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New Look Black Opaque 70 Denier Tights
- New Look Black Opaque 70 Denier Tights, £7.99 from New Look – buy here
Pros: Cheap
Cons: Tears easily
Rating: 2/5
New Look's 3-pack of 70 Denier tights are a bargain buy, but the under £10 price tag is one of the only perks.
Without much movement they are fine, but after day one we noticed a ladder in the crotch after constantly yanking them upwards when they fell below the waist.
Our second wear was even less successful, with a trip to the supermarket resulting in my tights literally falling down to an obscene level by the time I got back to my car.
These are actually ten deniers more than some of the other tights tested – yet they feel like the thinnest out of others tested and not necessarily as opaque as you hope.
Snag Tights
- Snag Tights 120 Denier Tights, £6.99 from Snag Tights – buy here
Pros: Eco-conscious, high-quality material, wide range of sizes
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
Tights vary in length, but often not by width, so it can be tricky to find a pair that fits and is comfortable without being too small and causing chafing, or being too big and falling down your legs when you walk.
The eco-conscious brand burst onto the scene promising to change that, with size, height and weight-inclusive tights that actually fit wearers of all different shapes and sizes.
The size guide was super easy to follow, simply find your height range, then scroll to your dress size to find a designated letter, from a size 4 to 36, and up to 6'5 in height, though, prices vary from £6.99 upwards depending on the style, denier and size.
The tights are designed from top quality material, as they are made using aerated yarn for a buttery soft texture, which is moisture wicking, as well as breathable, and provide secure coverage.
The foot and toe sections are reinforced for extra durability, while the cotton gusset prevents any irritation or discomfort, and promises ultra freshness.
I never felt like they were falling down, or short enough to encourage the dreaded chub rub, and I actually felt like the tights were made for my body especially.
There are also tights available for children, and the tights are suitable for maternity wear, too.
Snag Tights not only prides itself on tights that truly fit, but on its recyclable packaging, too, which alongside creating durable, comfortable and stylish tights, we consider these a worthy investment.
Primark 3pk opaque tights 60 denier
- Primark: 3pk opaque tights 60 denier, £5 from Primark – buy here
Pros: Durable, comfy, secure, cheap
Cons: In between thin and thick material, shows tears
Rating: 3/5
Primark is the go-to shopping destination for affordable dupes and stylish wardrobe pieces, as well as failsafe underwear buys, including tights.
After putting these to the test it's safe to say they are durable, comfortable and provide a secure fit, as after a day they wearing this hosiery creation they did not fall down when walking, the gusset stays in place and there is no itch.
However, with 60 denier tight, while they aren’t the thinnest of tights you can buy, they’re also not the thickest either, meaning there is more scope for holes and snags.
However, after a few hours these tights start to show signs of wear and tear, with ladders and holes appearing, but for £5 what can we expect?
Sheertex Shaping Luxury Semi-Sheer Rip-Resist Tights
- Shaping Luxury Semi-Sheer Rip-Resist Tights,
£89£35 from Sheertex – buy here
Pros: Super strong material, smoothing control top
Cons: Tights roll down
Rating: 4/5
Founded in 2017, Sheertex is a relatively new name in the hosiery world, but it's made its presence known thanks to its strong Instagram game and 'rip-resistant' tights, which it claims are "made with one of the strongest materials in the world."
The shaping tights are made with a 50 denier knit that Sheertex claims is softer than ever – but, crucially, just as strong.
When shopping on Sheertex customers will find a handy slider bar on the site, which allows shoppers to select a skin tone and then see the visual difference between each of its three deniers – genius.
Onto the tights, and the fabric certainly feels freakishly strong. The packaging insert (super cute) suggests to 'pull, tug and stomp on your tights to show just how strong they really are' – and we have to say, they really do hold up to force.
I sat down with my pal’s dog, who climbs onto my lap and paws away – yet no holes or rips.
The supportive control top was smooth without being overly constricted and the tights themselves were comfy.
However, the only bugbear is these tights kept rolling down over my stomach, so size up if you are in between sizes
What's the difference between leggings and tights?
Though they sometimes look the same, leggings and tights are two distinct pieces of clothing.
The key difference is that leggings run down from the waist to the ankle and do not cover the feet.
Leggings can also be worn alone or under long jumpers, T-shirts or tunics. Sometimes made of elastic material, they can be great for both workouts and lazy Sunday afternoons spent on the couch.
Unlike leggings, tights can't be worn on their own and should be paired with dresses, skirts or shorts. They come in different patterns, designs and fabrics but they are usually made of thinner materials than leggings.
Are 20 denier tights thick?
The sheer qualities of materials are measured in denier or den. The lower the number, the lower the thickness and weight of the materials used.
Deniers lower than 20 are referred to as sheer tights, which are made of fine threads and offer light leg coverage, while opaque tights begin at 30 deniers and mean you won't be able to see as much skin through the fabric.
What are the different types of tights?
With trends changing throughout the years, the world of tights has seen many different varieties and styles, but some are here to stay.
The most popular types of tights include control top tights, which usually give the wearer a smoother figure.
There are also support tights that some know as "granny tights" (although, of course, they can be worn by women of all ages).
Support tights help people suffering from poor circulation because of prolonged periods of sitting — pretty good if you're working in an office all day.
You can also choose between sheer tights, made of thinner materials as well as opaque tights, which usually keep your legs warmer and are great for winter months.
How can I make my tights last longer?
There's nothing worse than discovering your big toe poking through your tights at the end of the day.
As a general rule of thumb, opaque and thicker tights are more resistant but if you're a sheer tights fan there are still a few hacks to make them last longer.
Fashion experts say that running your tights under cold water, placing them in a plastic bag and popping them in the freezer before the first wear will strengthen them, meaning it should make them less prone to ripping.
When washing tights, you can also place them into a delicate bag or pillowcase, to avoid tearing them. To reinforce the seams, slip on a pair of thin socks before putting on your tights — this will protect them from your toenails.
How to fix a snag in my tights
Nails and delicate tights are often a recipe for disaster: we've all been there.
However, if you notice a snag in your tights and want to do some damage control before it turns into a full-on rip, it's super easy to fix the problem.
A snag will appear as dark lines in your tights: all you need to do when you spot one is to very gently pull on the sides and rub ever so slightly.
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The snag will disappear, as if by magic! If it's a hole that you're dealing with, then one of the best tips to stop it from running is to dab a bit of clear nail varnish onto the edge to 'seal' it.
Once it's dry, you can even sew a few stitches in a similar coloured thread to close the hole and get some more wear out of your tights.
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