It's that time of year, again. The very best matt black opaques?

[brogueish]

I'm looking for a totally matt, even finish. Not fussed about blackout levels of denier, anything over 50 would be perfectly fine - as long as they're properly flat matt.

What would you recommend please?

I haven’t bought a pair yet this year but M&S bum shaping 60 denier are the best in terms of matteness/no sagginess/not prone to bobbling.

www.marksandspencer.com/60-denier-secret-slimming-opaque-1-pair-pack-tights/p/p22476699?image=SD_02_T60_2275_Y0_X_EC_90&color=BLACK&prevPage=plp

During summer I went through and chucked all my tights with bobbling & of the ten I kept, five were the M&S kind. The others were Spanx and I think Next.

Thank you, I'll check out these ones.

Any others?

Watching with interest. The ones I've had in the last couple of years from M&S have had a habit of sagging round the ankles.

Charnos - find they fit, wash and last much, much better than M&S. I wear the 50 or 100D and I love the black, grey and navy ones. www.uktights.com/charnos/shopby/40-60-denier

stillsmallvoice I found the same with m&s 3-packs (the 40 denier ones). Fine with boots but look bloody awful with flat shoes. Hoping this thread has some good recommendations

I am still having a love affair with the JL ones you can buy for a tenner at Waitrose: www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-150-denier-polar-fleece-opaque-thermal-tights-black/p3241496
They make them sound like you could do a sub-zero trek in them but I haven't noticed them being hotter than normal. I love that they are utterly opaque.

I clicked on the Charnos link and then clicked again and these popped up:

www.uktights.com/product/6099/wolford-pearl-net-fashion-tights

WTF!

£175 for pearl encrusted fishnets! I'm going to get a glue gun and some faux pearls....this time next year, I will be a millionaire...

Anyone tried the JL 3 packs ? Any views on ankle sagging?

I can't imagine where you would wear them, and imagine snagging them on the first wear!

Haven't tried the John Lewis ones but did get a Waitrose three pack:

www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/john-lewis-40-denier-black-opaque-tights-pack-of-3-large/511143-72244-72245 Ankles are fine but they sag a bit at the crotch. (Perhaps I need a bigger size.)

I swear by the Wolford ones. They are expensive but I've had mine years!!!!

AVoid the m and s autograph 100 denier ones. Look lovely for a couple of washes but have bobbles like mad and are now really tatty looking.

M&S Velvet touch luxe 100 denier. They are the dog's. I have one pair still going strong on their 4th winter.... I usually stock up when there is a 20% off deal on Sparks... Not sure when the next one will be.

M&S get slated a lot on MN but they are good at getting tights and underwear (once you know your correct bra size of course, never get fitted there ) very right IME.

Definitely m&s!

@olddear I was looking at Wolford actually. Which do you have? There seem to be loads of different types.

Based on all the recommendations, I need to check out the M&S offerings don't I.

@stillsmallvoice Those are...amazing...!

I wash all my smalls in laundry bag in a normal load on a standard 1hr 40oC programme and don't have any problems with bobbling likes Cakes alludes to...

My £20 Wolford 60 denier bobbled on their third wear. Massive waste of money!

I also wash my tights in a delicates bag but that doesn’t stop them bobbling around the heels.

Really, Ruby? That's not good to hear.

I have several pairs of Wolfords that I've worn since 1993. They are still perfect.
I have some Asda heavy denier ones that were as cheap as chips and are fine for everyday wear, but won't last like the Wolfords. I paid £24 and £19 back in 1994 which was a horrific amount of money but, as they are still going strong it was an investment!

Every time I go to the States I stock up on Spanx tights. I really rate them.

I'm not sure which ones I've got! I've had them so long!! I always wash mine in a net bag too. They are likely to be 40 denier though....

M&S do an opaque with an extra wide waistband, which is great as they don't dig in and give you a muffin too, regardless of whether you have one or not. They are by Autograph so are pricier than the 3 packs but totally worth it!

Wolford, every time. I tend to get end of the line or damaged packet ones from HoF but if I buy new then it’s 60 or 80 denier.

M&S 100 denier are as close as I can find anywhere else.

Falke and Wolford will last for a long time.

If you want spend a bit less there are Good Pretty Polly Opaques on Amazon. Mine have lasted years.

Watching with interest.