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How to choose the right tights for you
There are a ton of hosiery options on the British high street but we’ve rounded up a key guide on the things to consider before making an investment.
Denier: This refers to the weight of fabric in a piece of hosiery. To be clear, the higher the number, the thicker the material and the more opaque it will be on your leg. Tights with a denier of 40 or over will be considered opaque, but for a solid colour with full coverage, you need to look at deniers above 80. 30 denier and under are classed as sheer (see-through) tights.
Skin tone: Nude tights used to only come in a limited range but brands such as Heist have made incredible strides with inclusivity and now have a large collection to suit a wide range of skin tones. Falke, Wolford and Snag are also worth a browse.
Size: Always check the brand’s sizing chart on their website for reference but it’s also a good idea to check out the reviews or our trusted Mumsnet forums. Some brand’s sizing runs large or small, whilst others may be long or short in the leg. Snag are great for carrying sizes from 4 to 36 and Heist have also taken steps to be more inclusive with their range.
Figure control: There’s a great choice of body-shaping tights on the market. Be clear on what it is you need. For tummy control, try brands that offer a thicker waistband and for thighs, opt for something with more structure in the leg. Try not to size down dramatically for a sculpted effect as this will lead to discomfort.
Do you need compression tights?: Compression tights will enhance the shape of your legs but are primarily worn for medical reasons. They improve blood flow around each part of your lower limbs to decrease tiredness, aches and swollen ankles and feet.
Are tights comfortable to wear?
If they fit well and are made from soft fabric, then yes, tights are comfortable to wear - in fact, it's hard to resist tights. Innovations in fabric construction have meant that tights now feel more pleasant against the skin.
Typically, tights for summer are sheer and a low denier. But brands like M&S have also developed their own Body Sensor technology that means the fabric adjusts to the weather and offers comfort all year long.
What’s the best material for tights?
Most tights are made from man-made fibres, such as nylon, because they are more durable, so they stand up to daily wear and tear. Elastane will usually be added to the mix to provide stretch so that the tights fit well and are easy to wear.
Cotton is often the fabric of choice for things like gussets and waistbands as it feels softer and more breathable.
What are the best tights?
Without a doubt, it seems our Mumsnet users are the biggest fans of Snag’s outstanding 80 deniers. When we trawled through our trusted forums to get an insight into our users suggestions and preferences, Snag tights were mentioned again and again.
Snag has created an innovative way for poorly-fitting ones to be a thing of the past. Your shape, height and dress size are all used to calculate your perfect Snag fit. We also enjoyed the range of beautiful colours they come in. Blueberry Muffin and Plum are lovely alternatives to navy or grey and Bubblegum and Mosaic will brighten the most dreary of days.
How we chose our recommendations
Recommendations from real Mumsnet users
Mumsnetters have certainly put a range of tights through their paces with every kind of outfit, with many Mumsnet users sharing experiences (both good and bad) of the tights they’ve personally tried and tested.
First up, we sought out the trusted opinions of Mumsnet users to get their feedback on their favourite tights, as well as the brands that they have tried, rated, and would recommend to their friends.
We also looked out for any negative reviews, where Mumsetters highlighted products that they felt were poor quality, ineffective, quick to ladder, or quick to get holes.
Expert opinions
We then cross-checked our recommendations with the tights praised by fashion experts to ensure we were bringing you the best products that are rated across the board.
Authentic consumer reviews
Finally, to bring you our definitive list of the best tights, we thoroughly investigated genuine, in-depth customer reviews on retailer sites such as John Lewis, M&S, Ann Summers, and independent sites to get broader consumer experiences regarding the products on our shortlist.
Why you should trust us
Transparency is crucial to us, and that's why we're always honest about where we find our recommendations. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones that our users would recommend to their own friends and family.
About the author
Kat Romero is a writer and journalist with over a decade’s experience in the industry. Hailing from London, she has become experienced in scouring the market to find the latest and best products that are worth your purchase.
As a working mum of a toddler, she knows all too well the struggle to balance everything and the emotional and financial strain parenthood can have on families. That’s why her guides are always written with every budget in mind.
Away from her desk, Kat can be found consuming far too much coffee and spending her weekends with her toddler and partner - soaking up the sights of London and sampling anything new and exciting that has opened up within walking distance. Her favourite activity to do with her son is to visit London’s incredible museums and immerse themselves in new exhibits or installations.