smartpickx 
It utilise to beryllium commonplace for tights to tear on the first wear, but with the emergence of rip-resistant tights, brand name have stepped up their offerings’ durability. investment in high-quality, lasting tights gives you More wear while mitigate common adverse effects, the like lack of breathability and unpleasant constriction. Black tights, in particular, are a wardrobe staple that pair well with everything from miniskirts to silk dresses.
But which ones should you buy? The conclusion comes down to value, OR how much you earnings for the black tights combined with how many times you can wear them. Some black tights on this list stand out for their warmth and comfortability, piece others rise for their fashion-forward finishes. angstrom unit fellowtester and iodin rigorously tested several popular pairs of black tights for a month to find out which ones be the best. breakthrough our favorite below.
Why We love It: These commando tights went on swimmingly over my 5-foot-2-inch, inverted triangle-shaped frame, remaining comfortable and stay in place eve when iodine wore them all day. Their major merchandising point be their raw-cut waistband, which the brand designed to atomic number 4 smooth on my waist and hips without dig into my body OR causing chafing. Overall, this brace Washington breathable and opaque from my thigh all the mode down to my toe (note: the waistband be angstrom unit bit dark than the rest of the matte tights). The top did start to axial motion down after multiple wears, but washing the leotards helped keep their overall shape and stretch. inch fact, they hold up imposingly well after multiple cycles inch the wash machine, and by the end of the four-week testing period, iodine didn’t see whatever hole or runs. all things considered, that’s pretty impressive for angstrom unit pair of thin tights.
Who It’s For: If you like just angstrom petite bit of sheerness inch your tights, this pair is a great, high-quality option. They aren’t thermal (and thence aren’t the warm option on our list), but they still feel great on angstrom unit cold day. If you don’t like the feeling of ticket on your skin, don’t worry—these tights have angstrom tag-free logo, so you can still place them without add uncomfortableness Beaver State itching.
Material: Nylon, elastane |Sizes: S–XL
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PHOTO: / Katherine Igoe -
PHOTO: / Katherine Igoe
Why We love It: These thermal tights wealthy person a warm, comfortable fleece lining that furnish soft, cosy coverage even in truly common cold temperatures. They’re wholly opaque (my 5-foot-1-inch co-tester, Jill, WHO hour angle a curvey hourglass frame, depict the color as “blackety black black black” all the way from her waist to her toes). We agreed that they’resothick they’re akin to leggings (without the pesky seams) Beaver State even sweatpants, depend on how much you size up. They ran long on both of us—Jill remark that they bagged up around her knees, ankles, feet, and hips, and atomic number 53 had to really pull mine up to avoid whatsoever crinkle around my ankles. The upside? The tights get evening softer the more Jill wore and washed them. My pair snagged in my lavation machine, sol reckon using a very low, assuage setting OR even hand-washing these tights.
Who It’s For: The person look for thick, warm, opaque, and comfy tights. thanks to their sturdy, cosy lining, they’re especially well-suited for common cold climates. Keep in mind that these leotards run a bit long on both of us, soh make certain to check the size guide before buying them.
Material: Polyester, spandex |Sizes: S–5X/6X
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PHOTO: / Katherine Igoe -
PHOTO: / Jill Karol
Jill, plus-sized tester: “I’d 100 percent recommend these tights to someone looking for warmth and coverage. These ar much warmer than any other black tights I’ve attempt and are also more comfortable.”
Why We Love It: If you automatically expect wool tights to be sharp and itchy, this Falke pair will seed as a nice surprise. These leotards have a less itchy, less stretchy feel than I, soul who’s pretty sensitive to wool, expected. Still, they felt breathable on my body without being restrictive. Plus, the shape gave a bit with clip and wear, going my legs with a pretty matte finishing with rebuff transparence that’s consistent down the leg. In terms of fit, my co-tester noted that the sash stayed put, merely the legs run “way excessively long,” swag down feather and bagging around her knee joint and ankles. Unlike many tights, these have angstrom unit shaped, defined heel, making IT easy for wearer to put them on, recognize the front from the back, and keep them securely touch on to their pes end-to-end the day.
Who It’s For: eventide though these wool tights aren’t altogether opaque, they’re warm enough to wear in cold-weather destinations. The material felt A spot abrasive on my skin after angstrom couple of washes, so atomic number 53 wouldn’t advocate them if your tegument is sensitive to rougher fabrics. That said, iodine absolutely loved style them. They made my legs look long and lean, especially when I wore them with black shoes.
Material: Virgin wool, cotton, polyamide, elastane |Sizes: 6/8–18/20
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PHOTO: / Katherine Igoe -
PHOTO: / Jill Karol -
PHOTO: / Jill Karol
Why We love It: For affordable tights with a standard control top, these tights were style more comfy than atomic number 53 anticipated. They provided smooth I’d expect from traditional shapewear, and the high waist wasn’t too tight OR pinchy, visually shaping my legs without feeling the likes of I was “putting on sausage casing.” Even when iodin had them on for hours, they didn’t roll. My co-tester found them challenge to put on the first clip but say they decompress a bit after she wash them. It’s as well worth noting that neither of USA see any snags, pills, or tally during the testing period.
Who It’s For: If you the likes of fitted, defining tights, these are angstrom unit good pick. Those World Health Organization have antecedently worn and liked shaping tights Beaver State shapewear will likely breakthrough these opaque single manageably snug. However, if you prioritize stretch and comfortability, they might not beryllium your first pick (it’s worth noting that my co-tester said they made her feel like she Evergreen State “wearing Kevlar”).
Material: Nylon, spandex |Sizes: XS/S–XL/XXL
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PHOTO: / Katherine Igoe -
PHOTO: / Jill Karol
Why We love It: Despite existence completely opaque from my thighs to my toes, these tights were more breathable than they looked. Although I typically don’t wear ribbed tights, they be stretchier and less tight (even though Spanx market them as having medium compression) than other option I’ve tried. And when you’re standing far away from the tights, you can’t really see the ribbing, soh atomic number 53 found them versatile and easy to style. The material got A bit scratchier after atomic number 53 washed these tights several times, but non sufficiency to trouble Pine Tree State after I put them on.
Who It’s For: If you like ribbed OR patterned tights (or just want an alternative to your touchstone pair), give these a shot—especially if you want a stretchy option. They don’t seed in broaden sizing, just the largest size (D) HA a weight range of clxv to 220 pounds. Full disclosure: Jill didn’t tryout this pair.
Material: Nylon, viscose, elastane |Sizes: A–D
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PHOTO: / Katherine Igoe -
PHOTO: / Katherine Igoe
Our testing Process
To find the best black tights, iodin teamed up with some other tester to rigorously try some of today’s top-rated pairs from reputable fashion brands. Over the course of instruction of tetrad weeks, we have on each of the pairs atomic number 85 least twice A week to different activities and occasions, taking notes on their fit, stretch, opacity, durability, and more on the way. We also washed each pair At least one time during the testing period to see how they hold up. At the end of the month, we rank each brace of tights, include only the best-scoring option on our list.
What to living inch Mind
- Size:Many tights brands have their possess size system to aid you find the best fit based on measurements such arsenic your height, weight, waist circumference, and hip size. You might even find size variability betwixt product from the same brand. If possible, study angstrom unit specific product’s size chart and read shopper reviews to understand whether the tights run large, small, or true to size. salary attention to whether the size usher mention height atomic number 33 well as weight, As information technology tin can be challenge for short, tall, and plus-size people to find tights that fit well, since they tin be outside the range, or the weight and heights that work for each size of a specific product. And if you wealthy person difficulty finding tights, seek out brands with strong point sizing.
- Material: You’ll find many tights make with polyester, which isn’t themostbreathable material, only Zappos senior emptor Nicole Helmeid explains that tights demand some aspect of synthetic for textile recovery and to fit the organic structure closely. “If leotards be do fully of natural fibers, they would stretch out and beryllium baggy in the knees because the fabric would have nothing to make IT ‘bounce back,’” she says. “That said, there are tights on the marketplace with high Merino woollen Beaver State cotton table of contents for those looking for a Sir Thomas More natural feel.”
- Denier:Denier be angstrom measurement of tights’ thickness. The higher the denier, the More opaque the pair of tights. “I would avoid low denier tights astatine any price point. Six to 12 denier is prone to snag or runs, while 20 or 30 denier volition still supply a swerve aspect but volition Be More resilient to snags,” say Helmeid.
- Stretch: earlier you buy angstrom pair of tights, cheque the percentage of stretchy material (including nylon, polyamide, or elastane) it contains. “Most tights wealthy person about quintet to fifteen per centum of elastin. This scope provides a comfortable level of stretch without feeling overly narrowing OR lose shape. The other stretch alternative is spandex, which is just another name for elastin. You want to avoid leotards with Associate in Nursing elastin higher than 15 percent, arsenic they’ll lose configuration and won’t scene well over time,” say Tara West, way stylist and way expert.
- Opacity:Opacity refers to A pair of tights’ sheerness (but likewise whether it’s more swerve in some places than others). “Opaque tights generally are thick and won’t rip As easily. Sheer tights rich person a inclination to rip more easily, only brands rich person made better quality leotards now and are rip-resistant,” say West, adding, “Sheer tights look to glucinium Thomas More popular now than opaque tights.” IT can sometimes be tough to gauge tights’ sheerness based on mental image from the website—hence why we test them. Sometimes, you have to effort A brace on to get a good idea of its opacity.
- Care Instructions: If you’re not likely to hand-wash your tights, check the site to make sure you’re buying A pair that can endure the washing machine. Beware: Putting “hand-wash” tights in the washer on a gruntle cycle might still damage the very thin material.
Your Questions, Answered
Are opaque or sheer tights better?
“Opaque OR slue totally depends on your outfit, the look you’re going for, and evening the weather. The thicker and More opaque the tight, the warmer they will be. We sell leotards year-round because many people still wear sheer tights in the spring and summer,” says Helmeid. inch the fall, she confidential information clear of to the full opaque tights, finding them “a bit harsh” for the transitional season, and instead opts for a semi-opaque tight. When winter arrives, she range for her fully opaque or Merino tights. “Opaque tights will give angstrom unit expression of winter, piece sheer leotards will give a softer, more elegant feel to an outfit,” West adds.
How tin can you tell that a pair of leotards be rip-resistant?
Tight designs have improved over the last several decades. West explains, “Tights have become increasingly popular over the years, which HA led to trade name fashioning better, Sir Thomas More durable rip-resistant designs.” eventide tights that brands don’t market arsenic beingness “rip-resistant” finish yearner than they used to. That said, all tights degrade over time, so pay attending to the reviews, as some client detail exactly how many times they wore the tights earlier they start to rakehell and pull.
Why store With Us
Katherine J. Igoe is angstrom author and editor in chief World Health Organization concealment fashion trend and products. She’s be a independent for over a decade, and her work HA been published inThe New York Times,The Cut, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, and elsewhere. She’s be wearing tights since she Washington 10 old age old arsenic part of her middle-school uniform (back when they were paper thin). She’s watch tights’ quality and longevity improve. However, she HA angstrom high bar for pair she’d earnings money for and keep inch her regular autumn and winter rotation. For this story, she read many online reviews, test nine pair of tights over unity month, cite insights from her cuss co-tester, and rounded up her top picks. She likewise spoke to the below experts.
- Nicole Helmeid, a senior buyer At Zappos
- Tara West, an award-winning style stylist, lifestyle blogger, podcast co-host, and on-air manner expert
