Tights and stockings: how to choose

How to choose tights and stockings

Warmth is the first question to settle. Our product pages work to a weight and weather guide: an 85 g pair suits spring and autumn, the 220 g or 300 g fleece-lined versions are made for cold days, and the 0D ultra-thin is the one for days when the temperature sits between 20 and 30 degrees. Denier tells a similar story in a different language: the lower the number, the finer and more transparent the yarn. A 10 denier pair reads as a haze of colour over the leg, while a 20 denier gives a little more coverage without losing the sheer look.

After warmth, think about the finish you want and the shoe you plan to wear. A sheer finish with a control top keeps a smooth line under a short hemline; a seamed pair draws the eye along the leg for evening; an open fishnet or a lace thigh-high adds texture. Footed styles suit closed shoes, while non-footed styles let you choose the finish that works with open shoes, and the sheer shaping tights come in both.

Fit is where most of the comfort lives. Where a weight guide is given, choose between the average fit (40-60 kg) and the large fit (50-72.5 kg), and the high stretch velvet warm tights are cut to fit 40-70 kg. One-size styles are cut to an 80cm length in a stretch nylon and spandex blend, so check the size chart before ordering. Your usual size is the right starting point for knit pieces: the waistband should sit smooth rather than tight, and a high waist should settle at the natural waistline.

Materials, details and fit

The fibres do most of the quiet work. Nylon gives a fine, even face and a smooth surface; spandex brings the stretch that lets a pair follow the leg rather than sit stiffly against it; polyester appears in fine knits such as the maternity pair; mesh and lace bring texture; fleece and velvet-touch linings hold warmth close to the skin; and cotton appears as a gusset lining. A breathable knit is worth looking for if you plan to wear a textured pair through a long evening.

Details are worth reading closely. A cotton-lined gusset, a knitted waistband that stays put, a moderate control top that smooths the tummy, hips and rear, a toe seam fine enough to stay unnoticed, a step foot or a closed foot, and an adjustable waist on maternity styles each answer a different part of the day. With a lined pair, roll the leg up from the foot in small sections so the lining sits flat against the skin, then settle the waistband at your natural waist.

Stretch and recovery matter most on long days: generous stretch helps a pair hold its shape from waist to ankle without pinching at the waist or knee. If you are between sizes or unsure, the size chart is a better guide than guesswork, and a quick check of the foot length saves a pair that pulls at the toe.

How to style them

Start with the shade that grounds the rest of the outfit. Black sharpens tailoring and sits well with a pencil skirt; coffee brings warmth to neutral dressing; grey softens a daytime knit or a plain dress. Nude tones keep the leg line quiet with open shoes, while white, wine, red, blue, green, purple, pink and brown are there for days when you want the hosiery to carry some of the colour.

Texture changes the mood quickly. A fine three-thread seam along the leg adds polish to a short hemline and a simple dress; an open fishnet grid brings shadow beneath a pleated skirt or a slip dress after dark; long lace thigh-highs bring detail high on the leg under a slip or a skirt. Keep the rest of the outfit quiet so the texture has room to read.

In winter, let the lining do the work rather than adding bulk. Fleece-lined and velvet-touch pairs sit under a wool skirt, a knitted dress or wide trousers without changing the line, and a high waist keeps the midriff tidy under close-fitting knitwear. Finish with boots and a clean ankle line, and keep hemlines simple so the leg stays the focus.

Care and storage

Hand wash in cool water with a small amount of mild soap, and keep the pair away from bleach and harsh detergent. Press the water out gently instead of wringing, roll the pair in a towel to take up the rest, then dry flat away from direct heat and sunlight.

Before you put a pair on, check your hands: rough nails, a ring or a bracelet can catch a fine yarn. Ease the leg up from the foot in small sections rather than pulling from the waistband, and take care near zips and hooks. If a snag appears, resist pulling it; a tiny stitch with a fine needle can stop it running.

Store tights and stockings rolled or folded in their own drawer or cotton pouch, away from anything with a rough edge. Keep dark shades apart from pale ones, and give pairs a rest between wears so the stretch can settle. A little rotation keeps the drawer in good order and makes mornings quicker.

Standout pieces

• Fleece-Lined Sheer-Look Tights: A faintly sheer face over a brushed fleece lining, with a waist that rises about 7cm to keep a clean line under close-fitting knitwear.
• 10 Denier Sheer Tights with Seam: A fine Edwardian-style three-thread seam draws a slender line along the leg in an 88% nylon and 12% spandex blend that holds close.
• Wide Grid Fishnet Tights: An open grid in a soft, stretchy mesh stays light through a long evening, with breathable knit and pull-on styling.
• Long Lace Thigh-High Stockings: Lace climbs from the band to the thigh in one size, with spandex stretch that holds a close, smooth line under a skirt or dress.
• Adjustable Maternity Tights: An adjustable waist settles comfortably over the bump as the months change, in a fine, smooth polyester knit in black, grey and brown.