13 best tights to switch up your winter styling, according to our reviewers
If you're looking forward to styling layers (upon layers) of clothes for your winter wardrobe, the best tights are great for this time of year. When you feel like wearing a wool skirt, a long-sleeve dress, or a leather blazer with shorts, there's a hosiery that will work for you. Classic black tights will always have a place in our top drawer, but there are plenty more designs (hi, lace tights) to choose from nowadays.
Grab yourself a pair of opaque tights to go with oversized button-ups and chunky boots, or lean into the ’90s with sheer tights that look great with a T-shirt, miniskirt, and loafer combo. Want to go bold with some patterned tights instead? We found animal prints, and sparkly tights for upcoming holiday parties, and we can't forget trending red tights (which are everywhere, BTW!). If you're looking for tummy control, shaping tights from the likes of Spanx and Commando will keep you snatched from morning to night.
Below, we polled our team and close friends to share the best tights for women, and included a breakdown on fabric, thickness, and of course, the quality of each. Choose from classic low-denier pantyhose to high-fashion takes from the likes of Gucci and Prada, plus innovative options from Sheertex tights.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Shaping Tights: Calzedonia 50 Denier Total Shaper Tights, £11.99
- Best Opaque Tights: Commando Ultimate Opaque Matte Tights, £34
- Best Rip-Resistant Tights: Sheertex Classic Sheer Tights, £35
- Best Coloured Tights: HeyUU Semi-Opaque Tights, £7.99
- Best Patterned Tights: Polka-Dot Classic Sheer Rip-Resist Tights, £35
- Best Designer Tights: Gucci Jacquard-Knit Tights, £250
Ahead, the best tights to stock-up on this season.
“I can't get enough of Calzedonia right now,” says Navarro. “This brand offers affordable options, and it make some of the best shapewear tights.” These leggings have a firming shorts section up top for tummy control. “I wear these with body-con dresses because they really do keep you so snatched underneath,” she says.
Sizes: S–XL / Colors: 4 options / Materials: Polyamide, elastane
“I wasn't very into tights until the past two years — I felt like they made me look like Minnie Mouse,” says GLAMOUR US Commerce Writer Andrea Navarro. “But I knew that I wanted to give this Spanx pair a shot after my mom raved about them.” These stretchy tights are made with Spanx's signature compressive materials to smooth you out underneath your clothes and add extra tummy control up top. “I like that they're not super opaque but also not sheer,” she says. “It's a happy medium for me and my style. So far I've worn them with closed-toe heels, but I would definitely pair these with some boots or ballet flats.”
Sizes: A–E / Colors: 3 options / Materials: Polyester, spandex, cotton.
Save when you shop for the best tights with these Amazon discount codes.
The GLAMOUR US team reviewed Sheertex tights a few years ago, and they're still just as good today. The main thing the testers raved about was the material's durability. Sheertex tights are made with what the brand calls the “toughest pantyhose technology on the market,” and they have this viral pineapple test to prove it. GLAMOUR US contributor Rebecca Brown even went as far as scaling a palm tree while wearing them: “They got super dirty, but no rips.”
Sizes: XS–3XL / Colors: 1 option / Materials: Nylon, polyethylene, spandex
“I figured I should invest in a pair of tights that are warm enough for an East Coast winter, so I got these patterned ones,” GLAMOUR tester Lucia Amaya says. “I know they might seem super extra, and they're not cheap, but I can't stop raving about how comfortable and durable they are.” Unlike most designer tights, these are actually double-knit and opaque, so you don't have to worry about the double G's stretching into a sheer oblivion.
Sizes: S–L / Colors: 1 option / Materials: Polyamide, elastane
“I'm obsessed with Wolford and its high-quality bodysuits, so I decided to give its tights a try,” says Navarro. “While they're a little more opaque than what I'm used to, they're buttery soft — keeping the brands' signature smoothing fabric — and not as compressive as so many other black tights out there. These manage to contour your figure without feeling too constrictive, so I can get away with wearing them all day.” Wolford's tights aren't the cheapest, but they're long-lasting and comfortable enough that we think the price tag is worth it.
Sizes: XS–XL / Colors: 1 option / Materials: Nylon, elastane
“This is a big step away from my usual style, but coloUred stockings are having a moment, so I'm going for it,” says Navarro. “I paired the burgundy shade and the bolder red coloUr with ballet flats.” These opaque tights are available in 24 colors, including fun shades for hosiery like teal and mustard yellow. And with 80 denier thickness (i.e., the weight of the fabric), they're perfect for colder days and nights.
Sizes: XS–3X / Colors: 24 options / Materials: Nylon, spandex
Save when you shop for the best tights with these Amazon discount codes.
“These are my absolute favourite tights of all time,” exclaims GLAMOUR tester Alexandra Simmons. “I work at a rooftop restaurant in LA, so even though our days are usually warm, our nights can get really cold. These keep my legs super warm and have this velvety feel that's so soft and comfortable, I'm truly, truly obsessed.”
Sizes: XS–XL / Colors: 5 options / Materials: Nylon, elastane
Save when you shop for the best tights with these John Lewis discount codes.
“Another pair that I like wearing to work in the winter are these from Commando,” says Simmons. “I have a few pieces from the brand, but I'm shocked at how powerful these tights are, from a shapewear standpoint.” These compressive tights are a Nordstrom bestseller, and Simmons also gives a shout-out to their durability: “Things can get messy at my job, and I'll never know when I'll have to crouch down, stand on chairs — and these have survived a lot.”
Sizes: S–XL / Colors: 1 option / Materials: Nylon, spandex, cotton
Save when you shop for the best tights with these Amazon discount codes.
“Apparently, I enjoy spending my money on designer tights,” says GLAMOUR tester Lucia Amaya, “because these Prada ones are among my most prized possessions. I can't tell you the number of times people have stopped and asked me about these, and I'm sure it's because of the glitter.” Take a closer look and you'll notice that each of the stripes are topped off with a subtle sparkle. “They're a great pair for the holiday season, and I love dressing them up for parties and date night,” she says.
Sizes: 1–4 / Colors: 1 option / Materials: Nylon, metal, polyurethane
“My biggest gripe with a lot of sheer tights is that they either have full briefs or shaping shorts up top,” says Navarro. “These Skims tights don't squeeze you or show any visible panty lines.” These have a strip of fabric in the front and the back kind of shaped like a thong, along with a little bit of compressive fabric around the waistline. So you'll still get support without having the risk any VPLs.
Sizes: XXS–4X / Colors: 4 options / Materials: Polyamide, elastane
“Holiday dressing stresses me out so much, because I'm really not a fan of the festive colors and patterns that you typically find on everything during that time of year,” says tester Francesca Simmons. “These tights have adorable stars along the sides, and I feel like that's just the right amount of sparkle for me.” If compressive tights aren't your vibe, these sheer ones are pretty stretchy too.
Sizes: One size / Colors: 1 option / Materials: Nylon, spandex
