Black tights sound like a simple fashion purchase, but then you add the term denier and it all gets a bit confusing... What's the right denier for a sheer pair of tights to wear with your mini skirts and transition your legs into spring? Are higher denier tights snag-proof? Yep, there's no denying that trying to decide which denier to go for adds a whole new factor into the shopping experience.
Well, we're here to help with the fashion fatigue by breaking down the different denier tights and which will work best for you and your outfit. (Psst, don't forget, if it's warmth and protection you're after, can we recommend fleece-lined tights, anyone?)
What does ‘denier’ mean?
Basically, the lower the number, the more see-through your tights will appear, versus the higher the denier, the more opaque. A high denier also implies thicker and warmer tights, too. Not to mention more robust against fingernails, table edges and any pointy potential tights destroyer... While we can't guarantee any tights will be snag-proof, sheer tights and the barely-there look they create are far more vulnerable to laddering.
Every tights, no matter the colour, are assigned a denier number, but it's easiest to spot the differences in black tights. Plus, we wear black tights more than any other colour (though we wouldn't sniff at a pillar box red pair...).
When it comes to styling your black tights, it's important to take denier into consideration. Worn beneath a floaty midi, slip or shirt dress, a sheer pair of tights allows for those summer staples to become much more trans-seasonal. Similarly, adding a bold or opaque pair of tights to a mini dress or denim skirt effortlessly makes your wardrobe work twice as hard – and keeps you warm in winter to boot.
To help you decide which you need, we're taking you through each denier rating one by one, following the scale used by most of our high street faves from M&S, Calzedonia, Wolford and more:
7 denier
Model wears: 7 denier black tights in Rich Quartz from M&S.
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10 denier
Model wears: 10 denier tights in Black from Wolford.
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15 denier
Models wears: 15 denier tights in Black from Calzedonia.
Shop here:
Calzedonia Premium Matt Second Skin 15 Denier Tights
40 denier
Model wears: 40 denier tights in Black from M&S.
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60 denier
Model wears: 60 denier tights in Black from Heist.
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100 denier
Model wears: 100 denier tights in Graphite from Falke.
Shop here:
And there you have it! As for ways to stop your tights laddering? TikTok is full of genius tips and tricks. We'll definitely be trying them out ourselves...
Jess Edwards is Cosmopolitan UK’s Deputy Editor, working to deliver the very best experiences across the brand's platforms (print, social, video, digital), products and events, including a focus on our membership offering, Club Cosmo. Jess has worked in the media industry for almost 20 years and at Cosmopolitan for over 10 years, joining the brand as Fashion Editor and later going on to lead the digital team as Site Editor. With her background in lifestyle journalism, it is no surprise that you’re most likely to find her in the Fashion section and exploring the very best in hospitality via our Travel pages.
Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
