The right hosiery gives your outfit the coverage, comfort, and finish you want. A sheer pair can add a polished touch to a dress, while opaque tights bring a cozy feel to cooler days.
With so many styles to choose from, it helps to start with your outfit and how you like your legwear to feel. Comfort matters, and so does finding a look that makes you smile when you get dressed! Here's how to choose a pair that works for you.
Key Takeaways
- Sheer hosiery gives your legs a lighter look, while opaque tights offer more visible coverage.
- Pantyhose, thigh highs, and knee highs provide different amounts of coverage, so your outfit can help you choose.
- Your shoes matter, too. A reinforced toe, sheer toe, or sandalfoot can make a difference in the finished look.
- Use the size chart for the style you're buying, since fit ranges can vary between products.
Start With the Coverage You Want
The first decision is often how much of your leg you want to show. Some outfits call for a barely-there finish, while others look wonderful with a richer, more opaque color.
Sheer for a lighter finish
Sheer hosiery lets more of your natural skin tone show through. Choose a tan shade for a soft, polished look, or try sheer black when you want a little more definition.
A sheer pair works beautifully with dresses, skirts, and dressier shoes. Plus, it's an easy choice when you'd like leg coverage without the look of a heavy tight.
Opaque for a more covered look
Opaque tights give your legs a stronger wash of color. Black is a wardrobe favorite because it pairs so easily with boots, knit dresses, and skirts.
You may see a denier number on hosiery packaging. In general, it describes the thickness of the yarn, but it doesn't tell you everything about the finished pair. Our guide to how hosiery denier affects coverage explains why fabric and construction matter, too.
Choose Sheer Hosiery for a Polished Look
A sheer pair is a lovely choice when you want your outfit to feel dressed up without drawing attention away from your clothes. Think of a tailored work dress, a skirt for a lunch date, or a favorite outfit for a celebration.
Our Ultra Sheer styles come in more than 30 colors, giving you plenty of options for finding the finish you like. A shade close to your skin tone gives a subtle appearance, while a deeper tan or sheer black creates more contrast.
Ultra Sheer 4419 has a 15-denier leg, a control top, and a reinforced toe. The control top offers a smooth feel through the middle, while the reinforced toe provides extra material at the front of the foot.
For a simple outfit, try sheer black hosiery with a black dress and pumps. Prefer a softer look? Tan hosiery pairs nicely with lighter shoes and a colorful dress. Both options let the outfit shine while giving your legs a polished finish!
Reach for Tights When You Want More Coverage
Tights are an easy way to keep wearing your favorite dresses and skirts when the weather turns cooler. And, they can give an outfit a completely different look!
Opaque tights for everyday outfits
Our Luxe Opaque Control Top Tight, style 4741, has a 40-denier opaque leg. Pair it with a sweater dress and ankle boots for a comfortable, pulled-together outfit.
Opaque black tights also look lovely with a short dress when you want more coverage. For more ideas, our tips for choosing tights for a mini dress include both sheer and opaque looks.
Cozy tights for colder days
When you want a warmer pair, Cozy Hose has a 70-denier fleece leg and panty. It's a cozy option with a knit skirt, a substantial dress, or your favorite boots.
For even more coverage, our Easy On Thermal Plush Lined Tight offers 200-denier coverage with plush lining through the waist and legs. The plush feel makes it a lovely choice when your outfit calls for a little extra warmth.
Decide Between Pantyhose, Thigh Highs, and Knee Highs
The length of your hosiery changes how it feels under your clothes. Your hemline, shoes, and preference for a waistband can all help you decide.
Pantyhose for waist-to-toe coverage
Pantyhose cover the leg and extend to the waist. They're a practical choice under dresses and skirts when you want a consistent look across both legs.
Some styles have a control top, while others have a different waistband or panty construction. If you enjoy a smooth feeling through your middle, a control-top pair may be the right choice for your outfit.
Thigh highs and knee highs for a different fit
Thigh highs are an appealing option when you prefer a free waist. Our sheer thigh-high stockings have a stay-up top and an invisible toe, and they don't require a garter. The leg is 100% nylon, while the top contains nylon, latex, and rubber.
For more on the differences, see our comparison of pantyhose and thigh highs. If you're wearing pants or a longer skirt, knee highs offer coverage where it's visible without extending up the entire leg.
Have Fun With Fishnet and Backseam Styles
Sometimes the hosiery is the detail that makes an outfit feel special. A fishnet pattern or a backseam can add personality to clothes you already own, and you don't need a fancy occasion to wear either one!
Fishnets with simple separates
Our fishnet style 8032 has a bold pattern, a stretch leg, a plush waistband, a cotton gusset, and a sandalfoot toe. Try it with a simple black dress and low boots for a look that's stylish without feeling overdone.
Our diamond net pantyhose offers another option, with a 20-denier diamond pattern, sheer-to-waist construction, and a sandalfoot toe. Find more inspiration in our ideas for styling fishnet tights.
Backseams for a dressier touch
A backseam adds a defined line along the leg. Black creates a stronger contrast, while tan has a softer effect.
For an evening look, pair a seam with a dress and shoes that let it show. Our backseam hosiery outfit ideas include lovely pairings with satin, velvet, and jewel tones.
Find a Comfortable Hosiery Fit
A comfortable fit makes all the difference when you're wearing hosiery throughout the day. You want the leg to sit smoothly, the waistband to feel comfortable, and enough room to move without pulling or bunching.
Our hosiery includes regular, Regular Plus, and Queen options. Regular Plus and Queen both offer more room than standard regular hosiery, but they aren't interchangeable labels for every style.
Use the size chart for your style
Hosiery sizes take height and weight into account, and the available ranges depend on the product. A size that works for you in one pair may have a different range in another.
Our queen-size hosiery fit guide explains the difference between Regular Plus and Queen sizing. Some Queen options include Queen Petite and 1X-2X, depending on the style.
Notice how the pair feels
Once your hosiery is on, the waistband should sit comfortably without digging in or rolling down. The leg should feel smooth, with the fabric distributed evenly rather than gathered at the ankle or pulled tightly at the thigh.
Thigh highs need a comfortable fit at the top, too. The band should stay in place without feeling too tight. And, if your pair contains latex or rubber, keep that in mind when choosing hosiery for sensitive skin.
Match the Toe to Your Shoes
The toe of your hosiery may be a small detail, but it matters when you're choosing shoes. A reinforced toe has extra material at the front, which makes it a practical option with closed-toe pumps and other covered shoes.
A sheer, invisible, or sandalfoot toe gives a lighter appearance at the front of the foot. These finishes can work nicely when you want a less visible toe area with your shoes.
Your preference matters here, too. Some women like the extra coverage of a reinforced toe for a busy day, while others prefer the look of a sheer toe with a dressier shoe. Choose the combination that feels comfortable with the shoes you plan to wear.
Consider Support and Control
Support hosiery and control-top hosiery offer different benefits. Support styles are designed to give the legs a supported feel, while a control top focuses on the panty area.
Our Light Support 8101 has a 30-denier leg, light graduated support, and a reinforced toe. Full Support 8100 has a 70-denier leg, full graduated support, and a reinforced toe. Both give you an option when you'd like more support than a standard sheer pair.
For a smoother feel around your middle, consider a control-top style such as Ultra Sheer 4419 or the Luxe Opaque Control Top Tight. You can choose the leg coverage you like along with the panty construction that feels right for your outfit.
Help Your Hosiery Last
A little care can help keep your favorite pairs looking lovely. Put hosiery on slowly, gathering the leg in your hands before easing it over your foot and up your leg. Smooth the fabric as you go rather than tugging at one spot.
Watch for rough nails, jewelry, and shoe details that can catch delicate fabric. Keeping a spare pair handy for a long day or special event is useful, too!
When it's time to wash your hosiery, follow the care directions on the pair. Store clean, dry pairs where they won't catch on zippers or other sharp edges. Your favorite sheer or patterned style will be ready the next time you want it.
Hosiery Questions
What hosiery looks best with a dress?
Sheer hosiery gives a dress a lighter, polished look. Opaque tights offer more coverage and pair especially well with knit dresses and boots. For a little personality, try fishnet or a backseam.
Can I wear thigh highs without a garter?
Yes. Our sheer thigh-high stockings have a stay-up top and don't require a garter. They're a comfortable choice when you'd prefer hosiery without a waistband.
Does a higher denier always mean warmer tights?
Denier alone doesn't determine warmth. The fabric and construction matter, too. A fleece or plush-lined pair offers a different feel from an unlined pair, even when both provide plenty of coverage.
Find Your Favorite Pair
The right hosiery is the pair that feels comfortable and gives your outfit the finish you want. A sheer style, a cozy tight, or a pretty fishnet can each have a place in your wardrobe.
Start with the clothes and shoes you love, then choose your coverage and fit. And, enjoy getting dressed!
