BLACK tights hide pasty pale skin, slim thighs and help keep your modesty when wearing a bum-skimming mini skirt.
Every woman has at least one pair in her underwear drawer, and they were given the fashion thumbs up after leggy models wore them on the Chanel, Balenciaga and Givenchy autumn/winter catwalks.
But buying the perfect hosiery can be a challenge - lingerie departments have racks of nylons that all look the same, but are labelled with different denier numbers.
Denier refers to the thickness of the yarns used to knit a pair of tights. The higher the denier, the thicker the fabric.
Deniers lower than 20 are referred to as sheer tights, which are made of fine threads and offer light leg coverage. While, opaque tights begin at 30 denier and mean you won't be able to see as much skin through the fabric.
Here, model Sabine Roll tests black tights to show what the top six denier looks like in real life.
10 denier
Very thin black tights look elegant with long hemlines - think pretty floral maxi dresses and metallic midi skirts.
But they are much less forgiving on the legs, particularly if you have knobbly knees, and they tend to ladder really easily.
15 denier
Sometimes it's nice to see a bit of leg.
Fifteen denier tights offer pretty much the same coverage as 10, but are more ladder-resistant.
Opt for matt styles over gloss and pair with chic black shoes.
40 denier
A nice thick pair of tights gives a nod to the 60s when paired with A-line mini skirts and pointy flat shoes.
They also look stylish with a splash of colour, such as a candyfloss pink coat or checked dress.
Forty denier are much sturdier than sheer tights and will last long if you take good care of them.
How to care for your hosiery
- Place tights in a lingerie bag and wash on a cold, gentle cycle with a mild detergent
- Don't wash with any clothing that has zippers or clasps as it can snag the fabric
- Apply clear nail varnish or hairspray onto ladders to stop them running
- Roll your tights up over your legs as you put them on to prevent stretching or ripping
- Put moisturiser on your legs and hands before putting on tights to prevent snags
- Roll tights and store in your underwear drawer to keep them tidy
60 denier
It's consider a major fashion faux pas to wear tan shoes with black tights.
When wearing 60 deniers, keep things simple in black heels or an on-trend patent brogue.
Stock up on 60 deniers with seamless waistbands so you never see a visible line under dresses.
Keep your tights hole, snag and ladder-free by washing them inside out, ideally in a wash bag.
80 denier
Opaques are the tights of choice in colder weather - as a general rule, the higher the denier the warmer you'll be.
Never tumble-dry your tights or put them on a radiator – the heat will kill the stretch.
The best way to dry them is flat or draped over a clothes horse.
100 denier
A must for chilly days. One hundred denier tights are fully opaque and do not let any skin peek through.
If you're going for a heavier denier, the best way to eradicate static is to apply a non-greasy body lotion to the legs, then wet your palms before putting on your tights.
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