I'm a Stylist—This "Overlooked" Basic Is Instrumental In Making Your Outfits Look Chic

I've spent the last few months analysing what I already have in my wardrobe and working out the pieces that could do with a refresh. Handily, most of my pieces still hold true. Still, there's one thing, however, I never think to renew, and that's my tights collection. Despite wearing them probably every other day, I always seem to settle for my years-old hosiery that looks and feels like it's about to pop a hole every time I put it on. Shopping for tights is hardly enjoyable, right? 

Tights have been ubiquitous as of late thanks to Miu Miu's autumn/winter hosiery being layered under chiffon and over knitwear (niche but chic). The brand's styling brought the trusted tights (usually bound for underneath) to the surface and the forefront of a lot of the fashion circle's daily looks. The full runway look might not be best suited for cooler spring days but it sure does look great. 

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(Image credit: Miu Miu via Getty Images)

The reality is that I live in the UK, and having a good-quality pair is essential all year round. Well, I've tried on so many and can honestly say I think I've found the perfect pairs. To help us all out of our tights rut, I was tasked with finding the best that money can buy, so I road-tested 23 pairs of black opaques. They might all look the same in your underwear drawer, but there can be a huge difference between brands when you get down to the nitty-gritty and can be instrumental in making your outfits look more elegant.

In my hosiery pile was a heat-tech pair from Marks and Spencer, Spanx's 60-deniers and a pair from Heist that has been called "the perfect tights." Keep scrolling to see the tights that are worth spending money on this season.

The Best Tights, According to a Seasoned Stylist

1. The Most Flattering Tights

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(Image credit: @amalie_gassmann)

Heading out-out? Keep it sleek and understated with a mid-denier pair of tights and an LBD like Amalie Gassmann. 

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(Image credit: @annelauremais)

Make your trench work harder with a mid-denier pair of tights and the very recognisable Miu Miu pumps.

The Spanx tights promise a lot. The package tells me they will "flatten my stomach and firm my butt and thighs." They're high-waisted (they almost reach my bra line) and are fitted with in-built shaping shorts, which do noticeably smooth my stomach and thighs, making them the best option if you're wearing them with anything slinky or fitted. When you first try them on, the shapers do feel tight, but after five minutes or so, they felt comfortable enough to wear for the day, and they're not as constricting as classic Spanx. Although, due to the sculpting high waistband, I wouldn't wear these every day.

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2. The Closest-to-Perfect Tights

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(Image credit: @Monikh)

Opaque tights are so popular right now.

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(Image credit: @stylepluscurves)

Amber styles her tights with her Chanel for a chic and monochrome look. 

London-based brand Heist has a lot of hype, as it claims to have created the perfect pair of tights. Out of the 23 tights I tried, these were my favourite. Thanks to the high thread count (5000 yarns of nylon compared to the average 500), they're soft, and the stretchy waistband and removal of the gusset mean they keep their shape and don't droop. Gone are the days of trying to find a quiet corner to subtly hoist up your saggy tights.

You also don't realise quite how annoying the centre seam and seams on the toes are until they are gone. The only seams on Heist tights are at the base of your foot, so they don't snag against your toenails. They might be more expensive, but with detailed washing instructions and the snag-free design, they're a sensible investment. I was so impressed that I texted my mum to tell her to buy a pair.

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3. The Softest Tights

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(Image credit: The Style Stalker)

Pair with flat knee-highs and patterns for a chic and easy look.

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(Image credit: The Style Stalker)

Don't retire your tights for party season. They also look great with heels!

Just behind Heist, my second-favourite pair for everyday wear was a tie between Wolford Velvet de Luxe 50 Comfort Tights (£35), available at luxury-legs.com, and Falke Pure Matt 50 (£21). These are the softest and most comfortable in my pile, and although they are more expensive than a high-street pair, they don't droop, and you can notice the difference in the quality of the fabric. If you play tights economics, these are a wise purchase, as they are far more likely to last you the entire season.

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4. The Strongest Tights

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(Image credit: @arlenett_)

Knitwear and tights are a great way to combine a sleek silhouette with a little added texture. Arlette Jeanett nails it.

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(Image credit: @anaasaber)

Perhaps not quite motor-scooter safe but Anaa styles her low-denier tights with stand-out square toe shoes and a minidress.

Normally, I am a notorious 'snagger' when it comes to tights and I just can't go a day or night without some sort of hole or ladder forming. But, with rip-resist technology in every pair of Sheertex tights, these can be stretched, pulled and yanked in many directions and they'll come out on top. The price point is quite high but they come with a 90-day guarantee and hundreds of hours of research and testing so they're sure to go the distance and reduce the need to keep re-buying damaged tights. 

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5. The Best Affordable Tights

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(Image credit: The Style Stalker)

Patterned tights are an easy way to add a twist to an otherwise classic look.

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(Image credit: The Style Stalker)

Ready to go bold? Why not opt for leopard print?

If you can't spend £20 or £30 on a pair of tights, the best pair I tried on is Marks and Spencer's 100 Denier Body Sensor Tights, which retail at £8 for three pairs. I love that they're soft and have a flattering high waistband. M&S's super-soft opaque tights also rated highly in my experiment and are only £6 for two pairs. However, unlike the seamless fitted body on the Heist tights, these will slip over time.

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Next Up: Two Years Later, We're Still Obsessed By the Chanel Logo Tights

Emma Spedding