I'm obsessed with tights, and these are the 9 best pairs for dressing up in the cold
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Rebecca Strong/Business Insider
As a lifelong New Englander, a solid collection of tights has always been a must. Not only do tights have a practical purpose, offering much-needed coverage during the colder months and allowing me to transition all my favorite skirts and dresses, but they can also serve as accessories — giving any outfit a little more visual intrigue.
After dealing with far too many tights that run the second I slip them on, I eventually committed to investing more into some better-quality pairs. And recently, I tested more than a dozen options to find the best tights in every category. IMO, the tights that stand out are those that are comfy enough for all-day wear, sturdy enough to resist snags, and versatile enough to pair with a variety of outfits across multiple seasons.
How we tested tights
I put every pair of tights to the test in order to evaluate them for quality, durability, and versatility. Here's how I assessed them.
- I wore each pair across multiple days — and in various situations, like sitting at a desk through a full work day, taking a walk outside, and sitting in my car to and from date nights or other evening events.
- I also tested these tights with different outfits and footwear, ranging from sweater dresses with boots to silky skirts with heels.
- To see how durable each pair is, I washed them more than once.
- I also looked at the level of opacity from a visual standpoint, and noted the comfort level of the waistband, the degree of snag resistance, and how well they bounce back to their original shape after stretching out.
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By far the tights I wear the most are sheer and nude — like foundation for legs, they offer a touch of coverage and blur out any flaws while still letting me show off some skin. And in this category, the Noosh Play Sheer has it all, as far as I'm concerned. I love that this style is offered in seven different shades to accommodate different skin tones, ranging from ultra fair (Leche) to deep brown (Espresso).
The Noosh Play Sheer is 18 denier — which strikes the perfect compromise: these tights still have a barely there look, but are more resistant to snags and runs than, say, the ultra-sheer 5-15 denier range. These don't have a reinforced toe, but that said, I haven't had any issues with holes or tears in the feet. I do, however, have to be a bit more delicate slipping my footwear on and off.
The U-shaped waistband is super soft, never cutting into my skin or causing any discomfort — and I appreciate that Noosh skipped the pesky middle seam for a sleeker design. The Play Sheer has a demi-matte finish with the subtlest of sheen, but it's worth noting that Noosh also offers other finish options — including Play Gloss, Play Semi-Opaque, Play Opaque, and Play Shimmer, among others.
Other members of our team also love Noosh tights — including style editor Samantha Crozier, who hails the stretchy, comfortably curved waistband as a tights revelation that more brands should adopt. But Gabrielle Chase, senior associate style editor, notes that she experienced running right out of the package, which may indicate that quality control could use improvement.
I tend to wear the Noosh Play Sheer with knee-length dresses, pencil skirts, and booties during the fall and winter, but when the weather warms up come spring, I'll pair these tights with miniskirts and ballet flats or sneakers.
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Historically, I've only purchased tights at the drugstore when I'm desperate and need something last minute for plans that evening. But I'd heard good things about these L'eggs tights, and the price point is tough to beat, so I snagged a pair at my local CVS — and I can honestly say these are much better quality than other budget-friendly picks I've tried in the past.
These aren't the softest tights I've ever worn, but they don't feel itchy or scratchy against my skin, either. They feature a control top that lends a decent amount of compression around my thighs and stomach — however, I didn't feel uncomfortable in them even after cleaning my plate at a steakhouse dinner. At 30-denier, they're a true sheer — offering a peek of skin without being totally see-through.
The one thing I will say is that these tights seem to run a bit short. I had to exert a little extra effort inching the legs up to make sure the crotch wasn't sagging. If you're taller than 5'4, I'd suggest sizing up to make sure the legs are long enough.
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It can be hard to find tights that are truly opaque — often, when the fabric stretches against the skin, particularly around thicker areas like the thighs, it can sheer out a bit. That's not the case with the Commando Ultimate Opaque Matte Tights: they offer full coverage everywhere.
The first thing I noticed about these tights was the patented raw-cut waistband, which lay flat against my stomach without digging in even a little bit.
These tights are made from a luxury microfiber blend that feels ultra-soft — almost like a luxurious suede. They offer some light compression while still letting me breathe, and thanks to the 10% elastane, these tights stretch with my every movement.
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While the shade range may not be massive for these HUE Super Opaque Control Top Tights, the color options are rich and remarkably versatile. Shades like Graphite Heather (gray), Black Cherry (eggplant), Espresso (brown), and Burgundy (deep red) all play nicely with lots of other colors while also punching up a simple neutral outfit.
Best of all, after wearing and washing these a few times, I can attest to the fact that the color doesn't fade.I tested the burgundy color and found that the nylon-spandex blend feels surprisingly smooth and soft against my skin. At a whopping 90 denier, these tights are also super thick. That makes them an ideal pick for keeping my legs cozy on particularly frigid days, but it also means I don't have to be so delicate with them.
When I want to add a pop of color to an all-black or gray outfit, I always reach for these colored tights — and I love how they add a playful edge to more sophisticated blazer-skirt suit sets.
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It only made sense to turn to Spanx on my quest for tights-meets-shapewear. Luckily, Spanx definitely delivered with this pair of Tight-End Tights, which provides medium compression and an ultra high waistband for smoothing and sculpting from my thighs to my waist.
I'll be honest: pulling these on required a bit of a comical dance — not unlike when I'm donning a pair of skinny jeans. Let's just say there was definitely some wiggling and jumping involved. But once they were on, they felt like a second skin. The fabric is buttery soft, the waistband doesn't dig into my skin, and the open gusset makes bathroom trips way easier.
To really test the shaping power of these tights, I slipped them on under a snakeskin-patterned midi skirt that's been increasingly challenging to zip up in recent years — the waistband has zero stretches, so it's not the most forgiving piece, particularly after a meal. To my delight, it was a cinch to zip up the skirt over my Tight-End Tights.
For more of our favorite Spanx pieces, see our full Spanx review.
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When shopping for the best black tights for fall and winter, it's important to understand what "denier" means. Denier is a unit of measurement that refers to how thick the fabric is. Tights that are 20 denier and below tend to be ultra sheer and lightweight, whereas 70 denier and above are opaque tights that show no skin whatsoever.
These Lustrous Lechery Tights come in 20 denier and 40 denier. I tried and loved both, but ultimately felt the semi-sheer 40 denier offers a perfect balance between strength and transparency.
Lechery is a woman-owned brand that's been spotted on countless "it girls" from Bella Hadid to Selena Gomez. Lately, I keep seeing shiny, wet-effect tights all over Instagram — and I knew Lechery would have a pair, given that the brand is known for its unique, on-trend colors, patterns, and styles.
These tights definitely didn't disappoint. The eye-catching sheen elevates the look, giving some extra visual appeal to an all-black outfit. I'm especially swooning over the textural juxtaposition of their glossy finish looks next to a matte black leather skirt. ("Glazed donut" skin and nails had their moments, but are glazed donut legs a thing yet? They should be, IMHO.)
Also a perk? There's no defined waistband — instead, the top edge is laser cut and lays flat without digging in, making it almost impossible for me to tell where the tights end and my skin begins.
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Ever since I saw these TikTok-trending fleece tights, which are lined for warmth but still have a sheer effect, I knew I had to find out whether they were worth the hype. So I picked up a pair of these X-Cheng tights, which not only had a budget-friendly price point but also thousands of five-star reviews on Amazon.
The first thing worth noting about these tights is how absurdly easy they are to get on. Sliding my leg through one of the legs felt like sliding a hot knife through butter — the impossibly soft fleece lining created quite a slippery runway against my skin. (I actually exlaimed "Woah!" out loud.) I can't help but think that feature will come in handy when I'm rushing to get ready and out the door.
I love the idea of wearing sweater dresses during the winter, but it's not exactly a practical choice in New England. With these insulated tights, though, it feels like anything is possible. I wore them on a bitter cold February day (the high was 23 degrees) and it felt like I might as well have been wearing pants. Never once did my legs feel chilly. The best part, though, is that unlike most thicker tights — which are almost always opaque — these are designed with a skin-toned underlayer to give the illusion of sheerness.
As an added bonus, these tights are machine washable. My only beef? The oddly placed seams down the left and right side of the bum feel — and look — a little awkward. But truth be told, I quickly forgot they were even there.
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When I need tights that offer some subtle visual interest without being too flashy, I always reach for ribbed styles. The texture not only lends a little much-appreciated compression, but those long vertical lines also have a flattering, leg-lengthening visual effect. The SPANXshape Rib Knit Shorty Tights go a step further, acting as tights-meets-shapewear.
The mid-thigh shaping short has some smoothing and sculpting benefits, while the comfort waistband never feels remotely restrictive. At 120 denier, these super opaque tights are thick enough to keep my legs toasty — but somehow, they never felt too warm or bulky. I'll chalk that up to the viscose yarns, which have thermo-regulating properties.
The rib knit texture is pretty subtle given the opacity of these tights, but that's a pro in my book, making them more versatile. I've worn these tights with chunky loafers and suede booties alike — and they can easily be dressed down with a chunky knit sweater and flats, or dressed up with patent heels and a slip dress. I'll also admit I was impressed by the fact that the rib knit texture didn't get distorted or pill, even around the thighs, after wearing them multiple times — they snapped right back after every use.
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The main perk to statement tights is that they act as a focal point — I like to let them steal the show without giving the rest of what I'm wearing much thought. With the Free People Butterfly Kisses Tights, I can keep my ensemble super simple — say, a basic pullover sweater and black leather miniskirt, or an ivory turtleneck sweater dress. Intricate, eye-catching details like butterfly appliques and pearl studs offer an elegant, ultra-feminine twist to any outfit. Since they're neutral colored, though, they're just as versatile as they are trendy. I plan to pair these with denim skirts and mini dresses come springtime.
While I fully expected these dainty tights to get ruined after one wear, given that they're ultra-sheer and adorned with so many embellishments, I was pleasantly surprised at how well they held up after a few wears. I just made sure to follow the care instructions to hand wash these, and was extra careful while squeezing any excess water out — no rubbing or aggressive wringing.
- Sagging or slipping: Some of the most common reasons that tights might sag are that they're too big or small for you, there isn't enough Lycra or spandex to hold them in place, or the stretch has simply worn down. To avoid this, choose tights that fit snug and have higher-rise waistbands, and never put your tights in the dryer.
- Runs and snags: To prevent runs and snags, make sure to treat rough calluses and moisturize skin before donning tights, avoid wearing rings and bracelets when slipping them on, keep your fingernails and toenails trimmed and filed, store them in separate plastic bags, and hand-wash and air-dry them. You can also use a fabric protector spray to strengthen the fibers so they're more resistant to runs and snags.
- Itchiness: Nylon, polyester, and non-merino wool are more likely to itch — so seek out tights that have smaller percentages of these, if any. Whenever possible, opt for natural fibers like bamboo, viscose, and silk.
- Shiny finish: Sheer tights, in particular, sometimes have a glossy sheen to them — which may not be an issue, but if you don't like this look, look for tights that are labeled "matte," or have a higher denier.
- Rolling waistbands: When the waistband on your tights rolls down, that's usually a sign that they're either the wrong size or the fabric has lost its elasticity. Keep in mind that wider, higher-rise waistbands are more likely to stay in place than narrow, lower-rise ones.
How long should tights last?
High-quality tights can last a year or more — provided you care for them properly, following all washing instructions carefully. That said, how long they hold out can depend on how often you wear and wash them, as well as the denier of the tights and the fabric they're made with.
How do you wash tights so they don't run?
The best way to wash your tights while avoiding runs is to either machine wash them on a delicate cycle or hand wash them — depending on the care instructions for your particular product.
Hand washing is usually the safest method. Drop your tights in a bucket or basin of cool water with a dash of mild lingerie-safe detergent, and after letting them soak for 15-30 minutes, rinse them under running cold water until the water runs clean. Gently press the tights between two towels to eliminate excess water.
If you do decide to toss your tights in the washing machine, make sure to use a mesh lingerie bag to protect them from getting snagged on anything, and only wash them on cold with soft, button- and zipper-free items like towels and sheets.
Whichever method you choose, air dry your tights by laying them flat or over a hanger.
Are expensive tights worth it?
Sometimes it's worth investing in higher-priced tights — but not always. All of our top picks fell within the reasonable $20 to $49 price range. If tights are a staple in your everyday wardrobe, it can be a good idea to splurge on higher-quality pairs that are made to withstand a lot of wear and washing.