Expert Guide in Buying Tights

The selection of tights on the market today is vast, so purchasing the right pair can be a daunting experience. Whether you are searching for a hosiery for a specific outfit or occasion, or simply looking for an everyday pair that you can wear with various outfits, you will need to familiarize yourself with some jargons to assess your hosiery needs.

Here is a list of features to look out for when shopping for the ideal pair of tights next time.

Determine the Thickness or Thinness

One of the primary features to consider when buying tights is the denier, or the thickness or thinness of the tights. It helps you determine which tights best suits a climate or seasonal conditions.

Ultra Sheer - If you are aiming to create a bare leg look, a pair with 10 denier or less would be the perfect choice. These tights hide light flaws or blemishes while keeping your legs cool during warm months.

Sheer - Tights with a denier of 10-20 is a wardrobe must-have. These are a bit thicker than ultra sheer so they are more durable and are ideal for everyday wear during the summer. For a day ensemble, choose matte sheer tights, and for fancier affairs, opt for a shiny pair.

Semi Opaque - A denier between 21 and 40 are thicker but still shows skin through. Semi opaque tights are ideal during the spring and autumn seasons because they provide ample coverage while maintaining a natural look.

Opaque - Tights with denier value of 41-69 give good coverage. These tights can also keep you warm particularly during the chilly days of late autumn and early spring.

Thick Opaque - Tights with 70-99 denier offer full coverage, so it is perfect for winter use. Thick opaque tights will allow you to wear dresses, skirts and shorts even when it’s cold. They are a great alternative to woolly tights as they can be prone to allergies or irritations to some wearers.

Extra Thick Opaque - When the temperature outside gets really low, what you need are tights with denier value of over 100. Its thickness ensures full coverage and warmth. Extra thick opaque tights are extremely durable so they will give you a long lasting wear.

Remember: the higher the value of the denier, the thicker it gets. So understandably, if the denier is low, the tights are more sheer and delicate.

Pick a Colour

The colour of the tights can draw attention to your legs, so it’s best to make a wise decision. Classic colours can be worn for almost any occasions, while the more daring hues can be fun to match with quirky outfits.

Nude - going for a natural shade? Pick nude. It should either match your skin tone or be one shade darker. If the color difference is too distinct, it’d look unnatural. This goes well with formal wear and colored ensemble.

Black - If you want your legs to appear slimmer, choose black. It’s elegant and classy, and matches most outfits.

Dark-colours - Brown looks warmer and goes well with autumn colors. Conversely, other dark hues like grey, navy, or silver create sophistication when paired with light or dark skin tones.

Vibrant-colours - These are trendy but should be carefully paired. Bright, eye-catching colors like mustard, orange, purple, and maroon makes quite a statement. Match them with a more subtle-toned clothing and footwear, so your outfit won’t appear too busy.

Consider Other Features

Tights may seem like a simple garment, but if you’re looking into purchasing a pair, there are many other features to consider.

Waistband - A standard pair of tights has a navel-leveled waistband. If you want one that sits low on the hips, find a pair with a hipster waistband. On the contrary, look for tights with a high waistband if you prefer it to end just below your bra line. Typically, this style is designed to trim the bottom and stomach for a seemingly smooth midsection.

Gusset - this is usually inserted into the crotch seam to strengthen the tights and add breadth. Some tights have thicker gusset fabric, others have the same thickness as with the rest of the tights. There are also tights that do not have gusset.

Brief - brief is the part that covers the bottom. Various briefs are categorized by the support levels and shape the tights come in. Sheer to Waist Briefs are suitable to wear under dresses or short skirts. Boxer Briefs have thicker denier starting from the upper thighs to the waist resembling shorts. V-Line has thicker weave from waist to bottom appearing like an underwear, while shaping briefs or control tops have a thicker brief and a shaping quality to smooth out bumps on the waist, thighs, and stomach.

Finish - This refers to the amount of sheen the tights have. If you prefer a natural look go for the matte finish. If you want a bit of shine but don’t want to draw too much attention, choose tights with a slightly sheen finish. Meanwhile, shiny and very shiny finishes have obvious shine and can be a great choice for evening parties. The terms may differ from one manufacturer to another but the concept remains the same.

Toes - this determines what shoes can be worn with the tights. Sheer toes are ideal for strappy sandals. Open toes don’t have fabric, while sandal toes have barely visible weave so both work well with peep toe shoes. Reinforced toes are the most visible and durable. They look good with enclosed shoes.

We bet you didn’t think buying tights would involve such complicated terms, let alone many confusing features. But now that the fundamentals are out of the way, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test! Ready to buy that perfect pair of tights? Browse through our exquisite collection of hosiery for a wide range of quality options.

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