Though often treated like base layers, the best tights for women are some of the most under-utilized of style accessories. Classic black stockings, fleece-lined tights, and office-appropriate pantyhose are wardrobe essentials, of course, but today’s tight trends leave a lot more room for creativity. You’ll find a world of vivid hues like cherry red and cobalt blue, prints, and sexy shimmers—all available in a range of opacities. To find the best tights for women, Glamour editors tested a range of styles for comfort, durability, and how they actually look on. Below, find the pairs that held up through long days without sagging, digging, or tearing—and styled effortlessly with everything from slip dresses and chunky heels to denim shorts and flats.
Our favorite tights
- Best Semi-Sheer: Hue Opaque Sheer Tights, $14
- Best for Tummy Control: SPANXshape Mid-Thigh Tight-End Tights, $38
- Best Opaque: Frola 80-Denier Tights, $7
- Best Sheer: Falke Shelina Tights, $28
- Best Black Tights: Sheertex Classic Sheer Tights, $49
Best Semi-Sheer: Hue Opaque Sheer Tights
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Hue Opaque Sheer Tights
Amazon
What we love: These high-waisted tights are a favorite of Glamour contributor and fashion influencer Wendy Sy of Style Meets Story, who says they’re perfect for transitional weather like winter to spring. “For those days when it’s slightly cold but not freezing out, these semi-sheer tights are not too thick and provide just the right amount of warmth (without making me sweat),” she says. “The black shade is easy to match with and pulls an outfit together seamlessly, whether you pair them with matching sets, dresses, or skirts with cashmere sweaters,” she says.
Fast facts
- Worth noting: Skin shows through; no control top; more prone to snags than thicker pairs
- Sizing: 1–5 (XS–XXL)
- Material: 86% nylon, 14% spandex
- Opacity: Slightly sheer
- Denier: 40
- Colors: 5+
Best for Tummy Control: SPANXshape Mid-Thigh Tight-End Tights
SPANXshape Mid-Thigh Tight-End Tights
Amazon
Spanx
Nordstrom
What we love: SPANX’s shaping tights go beyond a standard control top, with a built-in mid-thigh shaper that offers more targeted support through the stomach and hips. “I like them under tighter dresses and skirts—they give real tummy control and a butt-lifting effect without feeling overly constrictive,” says Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs. The overall effect is more sculpted than most tights, but still wearable for longer stretches. Griggs notes that the mid-thigh shaper peeks out from under shorter hemlines, so the tights are best suited for longer skirts or dresses.
Fast facts
- Worth noting: Shaper peeks out from short hemlines; sheer leg is prone to snags
- Sizing: A–E (sizing based on height and weight)
- Material: 83% nylon, 17% elastane
- Opacity: Solid
- Denier: Not listed
- Colors: 1
Best Opaque: Frola 80 Denier Opaque Solid Color Tights
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Frola 80 Denier Opaque Solid Color Tights
Amazon
What we love: If you like the look of opaque tights, Sy is a fan of these high-rise solid color tights which come in over 35 fun colors. “This high-opacity gray style is a neutral color that’s sleek and doesn’t have the heavy look of darker tights,” she says. The midweight fabric has enough coverage to look polished without feeling overly thick, and it’s stretchy but durable—holding up better than you’d expect at this under-$10 price point. “I love pairing them with a short dress, leather jacket, and knee-high boots,” Sy says.
Fast facts
- Worth noting: Fully opaque, so no skin shows; thicker feel than sheers
- Sizing: XS–XXL
- Material: 84% nylon, 14% spandex, 2% cotton
- Opacity: Solid
- Denier: 80
- Colors: 35+
Best Black Tights: Sheertex Classic Sheer Tights
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Sheertex Classic Sheer Tights
Sheertex
What we love: The main thing our testers raved about in their reviews of Sheertex’s viral tights was the material’s durability and ability to slightly compress and hug the legs. “I’ve had pairs in both sheer and opaque styles for years, and they’ve lasted through at least 30 washes without snags or losing their shape—an amazing feat for tights,” says Griggs. Kilkeary adds that the control top and snug style of these tights can be likened to shapewear, as they hide the tummy area without discomfort: “I’d buy these over and over if I could.” They come in expanded plus size and skin tone ranges, which makes finding a good fit a bit easier.
Fast facts
- Worth noting: Very pricey
- Sizing: XXS–4XL
- Material: 44% nylon, 36% polyethylene, 20% spandex
- Opacity: Semi-sheer
- Denier: Not listed
- Colors: 1+
Best Sheer: Falke Shelina Tights
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Falke Shelina Tights
Amazon
What we love: At just 12 denier, these light, breathable Falke tights are super sheer—more like a whisper of coverage than what you’ll find in more substantial semi-sheer and opaque tights. They give the legs a lightly blurred, ever-so-slight shimmer that looks polished under shorter skirts or dresses when you want a little more coverage (for the office, say).
Fast facts
- Worth noting: Tear more easily than thicker tights; pricey
- Sizing: S–XL
- Material: 60% polyamide, 40% polyurethane
- Opacity: Sheer
- Denier: 12
- Colors: 5+
Best for Colorful, Patterned Tights: Noosh Play Semi-Opaque
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Noosh Play Semi-Opaque
Noosh
What we love: Colorful or patterned tights are an easy way to add personality to an outfit, and Noosh has one of the most impressive selections we tried, with designs ranging from tiny polka dots and lace to shimmery fishnets and bold, glossy hues. Griggs tested the brand’s semi-opaque tights in cherry red, sky blue, and the calla lily pattern. “The colors are such gorgeous, vibrant shades, and I love how the calla lily design creeps up the back of my calves like tattoos,” she says. “I also have to call out how soft and breathable they are—the softest pair I tried, almost fur-like. And instead of a waistband that digs in, they have a thick U-shaped band that spreads the pressure more comfortably across the hips.”
Fast facts
- Worth noting: No compression
- Sizing: XS–2X
- Material: 75% polyamide, 25% elastane
- Opacity: Semi-sheer
- Denier: Not listed
- Colors: 5+ (for semi-opaque)
Best Fleece-Lined: X-Cheng Fleece-Lined Tights
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X-Cheng Fleece-Lined Tights
Amazon
What we love: These best fleece-lined tights look sheer, but they actually have a nude-illusion lining that only mimics bare legs while offering the coverage of thicker leggings. “I wore these in 10-degree weather, and I wasn’t cold at all. The sheer illusion works magically! You could never tell it’s not my skin,” says Kilkeary. “The length is great; they’re a little baggy in the butt area, but I am a fan of how snugly they fit around the waist.”
Fast facts
- Worth noting: Not breathable enough for warm days
- Sizing: XS–3XL
- Material: 35% polyester, 25% spandex, 40% cotton
- Opacity: Solid
- Denier: N/A
- Colors: 10+
Best Sparkly: Manzi Sparkly Tights
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Manzi Sparkly Tights
Amazon
What we love: These sparkly tights add just enough shimmer to catch the light without feeling over-the-top. “They add a little dimension to pretty much any outfit and are supremely comfortable. I’ve had them for about six months with no runs or holes, and they give a subtle shimmer that never feels overly sparkly,” says Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary.
Fast facts
- Worth noting: Only two sizes
- Sizing: S/M and L/XL
- Material: 10% spandex, 40% polyamide, 50% metallic yarn
- Opacity: Semi-sheer
- Denier: 50
- Colors: 3
Best for Skin Tone Variety: Calzedonia Sheer Essential 20 Denier Tights
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Calzedonia Sheer Essential 20 Denier Tights
Amazon
What we love: These sheer tights come in perhaps the widest range of skin-tone shades, from deep browns to the palest beiges, making them a strong pick if you want the look of bare legs with subtly smoothing. The finish appears natural rather than shiny or grainy, and the wide waistband adds gentle support. They’re also just $12 and available in sizes up to 3X.
Fast facts
- Worth noting: May rip more easily than thicker tights
- Sizing: XS–3X
- Material: 85% polyamide, 15% elastane
- Opacity: Sheer
- Denier: 20
- Colors: 10+
Frequently asked questions
How we tested
Glamour editors, contributors, and trusted reviewers tested these tights by measuring how well they held up after multiple wears and washes without ripping, running or snags. Other factors for consideration included how easy they were to put on, and how well they elevated an outfit.
What is denier?
Denier is a measurement that tells you how thick the fibers in a pair of tights are, which directly affects how sheer or opaque they look. Lower denier tights (around 5–20) are very sheer and almost transparent, while mid-range deniers (30–50) offer more coverage, and higher deniers (60 and up) are fully opaque and typically more durable.
How should tights fit?
According to stylist Audree Kate López, tights should fit your legs snugly, but not so tightly that they dig in or restrict movement, as this can make them more likely to tear. “If you are tall or curvy, I suggest sizing up for extra stretch. Personally, I’m only five feet three, but sometimes I size up to accommodate my hips,” she says. It’s important to note that the groin area shouldn’t be saggy, and the tights shouldn’t feel as though they’re falling down when you’re walking: “They should fit like second skin or a pair of workout leggings. If they leave marks on your skin, they’re too small,” she says.
How to prevent tights from ripping
In addition to ensuring that they’re the right fit, there are a few ways to actually make müddet that your tights don’t rip. “First, put them on properly, by rolling them up your leg, and being gentle with them,” López says. You’ll also want to store them with similar items such as undergarments or socks, or in a bag so they don’t snag in your drawer.
“I’d also recommend putting them in a laundry bag before washing them, or hand-washing them and hanging them to dry, as dryers can also be too harsh on the material,” López says. Remember to let any body moisturizer dry before putting them on; you can also spray the tights with hairspray evvel you have them on to reinforce fibers and prevent runs. Pro tip: “If you see a run in your tights—apply clear nail polish to the run to prevent it from continuing to tear,” she says.
How to style tights
Going for a monochrome look (like black on black) is a failsafe way to style tights, but if you’re thinking about trying your hand at styling a more colorful pair, test them out with some tall boots so the hosiery hue doesn’t overwhelm the outfit.
“If you want the tights to make a statement, you can add in accessories like a bag, jewelry, or shoes that match and complement the tights,” López says. Bright colors, in particular, can feel intimidating at first, so she recommends starting with darker shades like brown, navy, burgundy or maroon. “Work to layer them in with miniskirts and tall boots, or a long jacket so it’s a little pop of color that feels more chic.”
