The 7 types of tights you need in your winter wardrobe
03:53:00
The fashion world has oft had a tricky relationship with hosiery, sometimes seen as the un-cool aunt to edgier ideas. Yet, current ideas are bucking the trend: tights were deployed to excellent effect on the autumn winter 16 catwalks by Prada (cosy grey argyles), Chanel (black-out opaques), Gucci (bright colours - for the game and gamine only), Burberry (knitted patterned versions) and Saint Laurent (the high maintenance black sheer).
If you’re spending upwards on tights - or just want to add longevity to a pair of any cost - then you must wash with care. Tights are best preserved by being washed inside out, ideally in a washbag (Wolford do make them, but equally - John Lewis do a three pack by Brabantia for £6) on a cool wash. Never tumble-dry or put them on the radiator (heat will kill the stretch), ideally you want to dry flat or drape over a clothes horse - don’t peg.
Sue Harrison, buyer at Fenwick advises that when it comes to fit “the most important factor is leg length, regardless of clothing size. If they are too small or short they will fall down and if they are too big or long they will look much more opaque”. And to avoid ladders with “the 'Damp Hand’ trick; with tights on, place hands under tap, shake off excess water, use flat palms to pull tights up from ankles. This gives extra length, denier and, therefore, strength needed to avoid ladders.”
When I quizzed my mother-in-law and sister-in-law over lunch on Sunday they were both appalled that anyone would spend more than a tenner on a pair. There was no reasoning with them. Yet a colleague offers that her friend - who is a nurse - categorically only buys Wolford or Falke tights for work - she finds the endless replacing of cheaper pairs a false economy. Horses (or hosiery) for courses.
But for anyone really undeterred by price, Selfridges are stocking Wolford’s £145 cashmere and silk tights. Perrie Reynolds, Selfridges Lingerie buyer counsels that you should “tights can be a secret weapon when it comes to shape and contouring – Spanx tights in 60 and 100 will support like no other solution-wear can.”
Innovation in hosiery, has become something of a competitive sport, with specialist brands vying for pole position when it comes to ladder proofing, seamless, skin-toning and even cellulite-reducing: Falke’s Cellulite Control range hold this claim - but results are driven by wearing the tights for “at least 8 hours every day over a period of 4 weeks” which is a serious - especially given the £39 price tag -commitment.
One excellent newcomer is a London based label called Heist (a missed opportunity surely, to have not named them Hoist), which has created an impressive new take on tights. Seamless, with even the toe line moved so it sits under your foot (ideal for wearing with open toe sandals if one is so inclined - we are), a wide waist-band that doesn’t budge, the 3D knitted yarn has a 5K higher spiral count than your average high street pair. They are dreamy: soft, comfortable, a great opaque black colour (personally I like the 50 denier).
During rigorous testing in our fashion cupboard, another brand that impressed was Couture Ultimates - which offers seamless, ladder proof pairs - created using a vertical knitting technique. Terrible brand name, but terrific tights - which come in every denier thickness, as well as more daring patterned pairs. Variety in hosiery is something that is down to personal preference - and pin-prowess (flattery is everything). We’re against any shine whatsoever but don’t mind a hint of pattern or colour when paired with a knee length or midi skirt.
Flesh-colour tights - as favoured by the Duchess of Cambridge - are something that bemuse us, but if you must, colour match is key - on this the Duch is a very good model. Hers are seamless. Literally.
Of course, as my mother-in-law told me in no uncertain terms - what’s wrong with good old M&S? Nothing at all. They reign supreme - from wet -weather proof, to shaping and sculpting, their exhaustive offer has a pair for every endeavour. Our winner was the Autograph body shaping opaques, which are divinely soft and silky. A little more than the trad 3-pack, but I feel worth every penny of the £9.50 cost.
Below are our breakdown of the key tight-styles knocking around this winter, and - thanks to rigorous wriggling - our favourite pairs. Try not to snag them on wayward dining tables. VICTORIA MOSS
Our pick of the best tights
Black opaques
We like them to be black out dark, and best worn with dark colour skirts and dresses, although that certainly doesn’t count out a splash of colour on top like this pink coat.
Our top three:
1. The Fifty, £22, Heist - Also comes in a low-waist version, we adore them. Yes it’s pricey, but they really are the ultimate in tights.
2. Couture Ultimates Anne 60 denier, £12.50, UK Tights - No unsightly seams, the perfect black, high waist band, comfy all day long.
3. Autograph Bodyshaping opaque tights in 60 denier, £9.50, M&S - We can confirm the velvet-y-finish. Our favourite of the extensive M&S range. Worth the extra.
The knitted tight
Patterned knitted tights, Argyle diamond prints and cable knits offer a cosy retro styling tip that is having a moment right now. Perhaps wait until it’s colder for these - we nearly overheated trialling them this week.
Our top three:
1. Fashion tights, cashmere blend, £16, Calzedonia A great traditional knitted design in a chic dark grey. Watch out if you’ve got long legs as they come up a little short, but this is a great brand for petite sizes.
2. Cotton cable tights in grey, £9.99, UK Tights A great thick, classic cable knit, with a high waist fit in a mid grey colour. Great with a navy pleated skirt, and for keeping out the cold.
3. Glitter Argyle tights, £8, ASOS A fun burgundy and grey classic patterned pair - which will give you that Prada-style look (but without dropping the £350 the Italian label is charging for their pairs).
Nude
Necessary when a bare leg isn’t an option. Opt for matt styles over gloss and ensure the shade matches your skin tone perfectly.
Our top three:
1. 15 denier tights in chestnut, £15, Bianca Miller at Topshop Good, stretchy high waist which felt slightly supportive too.
2. 7 denier cool comfort ladder resist tights in suntan, £5, M&SAvailable in 8 different shades, including espresso (deep brown) and suntan (golden brown).
3. Matt 10 denier tights in caramel, £7.08, Nubian Skin Created specifically with the woman of colour in mind. These still looked as good as new after two ordinary washes.
The evening tight: go dotty, fishnet or patterned
If you’re partial to an 80 denier, a patterned pair may feel ambitious, but they break up an all-black outfit a treat and a bit of pizzazz.
2. Dotty - Oroblu 20 denier, £10.99, UK Tights Adds an understated interest to a minimalist black dress and are very comfortable.
3. Patterned - Design tights, £6, M&S Great quality and a good alternative to fishnets, but we think the busy print works best on long legs.
Black sheer
Sometimes it’s nice to see a bit of leg. Keep things elegant and pair with a longer hemline like Alexa Chung, who always wears sheer tights well (see above for further inspiration).
Our top three:
1. Synergy 20 denier push up, £31, Wolford Even with my long nails these were almost impossible to ladder. The push-up bottom effect really works, too.
2. Aristoc invisible sheer 15 denier, £8.99, UK Tights Total revelation - legs appear slimmer, and they’re completely comfortable.
3. Resistant 15 denier ladder resist tights, £10, Calzedonia Perfectly matt and pull on easily. Just the right amount of sheer for everyday.
Coloured - but not crazy
Matching tights add a chic touch to a tonal outfit. We advise sticking closely to the same colour palette - take Valentino’s yummy taupe look as inspiration.
1. Fogal opaque tights in viola navy, £29.50, Selfridges A good alternative to black with the most comfortable flat seams for a flawless look.
2. Opaque cotton tights in mustard, £10, COS Great autumnal colour selection and warm, thick material.
3. Wool ribbed opaque tights in forest green, £16, John Lewis An inch or two of these look great peeping out from between a long skirt and ankle boots.
When tights go tech: super shapers
Whilst all tights give somewhat of a smoothing effect, for something sharper these are our best picks. Just don’t double up on shapewear underwear or else you’ll keel over by lunchtime.
Our top three:
1. Spanx luxe leg blackout, 100 denier, £35, Selfridges We love the very dense blackness of them, as well as the softness. They offer light control and a very smooth line with none of that constricted sausage feeling normally associated with Spanx.
2. Falke Energize 50 denier, £52, Fenwick - 020 7629 9161 These effectively work as a compression sock - great for when you’re on your feet all day, need that extra support or travelling a lot. They are a wriggle to put on, but once they’re up, the effect is excellent.
3. Perfect shaping firm control high waist shaping tights 80 denier, £10.50, Debenhams The control element is not to be underestimated. Waist was completely smoothed and sucked in - ideal under a fitted dress. The blackout leg was slimming too.
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