The Best Women’s Tights

Buying Guide

Women’s tights, which are sometimes referred to as sheer tights, leggings or pantyhose, are a form of legwear that covers the waist to the toes. They are close-fitting, often sheer and made from stretchy nylon material. Typically, women’s tights are worn as part of business formal or formal attire. They are designed to reduce the appearance of visible panty lines and hide any blemishes or scars on the legs. Tights can also help to reduce chafing in the thighs or the feet.

When choosing women’s tights, consider whether you’re looking for a high-waisted pair or a regular one. A high-waisted pair of women’s tights, often considered control top pantyhose, are designed to smooth out and flatten the stomach area. This is particularly useful when you’re wearing form-fitted dresses or skirts and tops.

Many women’s tights will be marketed as one-size-fits-all. Keep in mind that if you want a truly custom fit, then it’s best to go with a brand that has multiple sizes for their women’s tights, or that specifies the height and weight of the wearer for the one-size-fit-all pair. This way, you can be sure you’re getting tights that are made for your body type.

• The denier of the tights refers to the weight of the fabric. The higher the denier is, the more opaque your tights will be. If you’re looking for sheer tights, then opt for a low denier. Opaque tights often work well with outfits in the fall or winter, while sheer tights go well with spring and summer dresses. However, there is no hard-and-fast rule about when you can wear certain types of tights.
• While many women’s tights are solid colors, such as nude and black, you can also find different patterns on tights. Common options for patterns include fishnet, herringbone and stripes. You can also get tights that have floral patterns, dots or abstract designs.
• Having reinforced toes and crotch area ensure that your tights won’t get ripped too easily. These are areas that can get snags and runs, ruining the look of your tights. Durability is an important factor to look for in tights, as the thin material can easily rip if it is not high quality.
• Carefully read the care instructions before buying tights. Even though some tights are machine washable, if you want to lengthen the lifespan of your tights it’s best to hand wash and hang dry them. This way, you can avoid them snagging in the wash.