Women's tights: from 15 denier to thermal tights

The denier measures the thickness of a pair of tights and dictates everything else. Below 20 deniers, the women's tights are see-through. From 20 to 40, they are semi-opaque. Starting from 40 or 50, they become fully opaque. Beyond 80, we enter the realm of winter tights. This single reference helps avoid most purchasing mistakes.

Fleece tights and thermal tights

These are the two responses to the cold, and they differ. The fleece tights have a brushed interior that traps air and keeps you much warmer at the same apparent thickness. The women's thermal tights rely more on a dense knit, sometimes using a technical fibre or a mix of wool. Both have a matte and thick look that you need to embrace: you won’t find warm and see-through tights, physics doesn't allow it. To wear a skirt in extreme cold, this is the only truly effective solution.

Women’s lace, fishnet, and fancy tights

These styles are now chosen based on the pattern and its density rather than the denier. The fishnet ranges from very wide meshes, purely decorative, to micro-fishnet that can be worn at the office. The women's fancy tights, featuring polka dots, seams, or placed patterns, have become commonplace, with deep colours like brown, plum, or dark green following suit. Be cautious about durability: an openwork pattern creates multiple points for a snag, so these styles should be worn with more care.

Extending the lifespan of tights

Three actions can drastically change the lifespan of a pair of tights, and none of them cost anything. First, putting them on: rolling the tights from the toe to the heel and then unrolling them up the leg, rather than tugging at the knit, avoids most snags. Then, maintenance: cold washing in a mesh bag, without harsh spinning, and above all, never tumble drying, as the heat destroys the elastane. Lastly, nails on both hands and feet are the most common cause of snags: a chipped nail is enough to ruin a new pair of tights in a single wear. In high heat or overheated indoors, hold-ups and stick-ons avoid the tight’s waistband, and women's socks take over under trousers.