I Asked My Fashion Friends What Tights They Wear in the Winter—They Sent Me These

As winter encroaches on the East Coast and temperatures dip below 55°, the urge to showcase my bare legs in skirts, shorts, and dresses diminishes significantly. The chilling air not only leaves my skin looking pale and dry, but it also prompts me to seek comfort and style, leading me to the elegant embrace of tights. More specifically, my heart belongs to sheer tights.

As a discerning fashion editor, I find the traditional opaque tights to be somewhat passé, and I know many like-minded individuals share my sentiment. Recently, I’ve observed a delightful resurgence of the sheer-tights trend among fashion enthusiasts in style capitals such as Paris and London. This trend has inspired me to approach my sheer-tights shopping with a newfound seriousness. Instead of mindlessly grabbing any pair labeled “sheer” from the store shelf, I took the time to research and consult my fashionable friends to discover which tights they rely on for warmth and style during the colder months.

A term that emerged in my research is “denier,” an essential label indicating the thickness and transparency of tights. Understanding this term has proven enlightening. I learned that tights with a denier of 40 or higher are categorized as opaque and offer no hint of transparency, while those with a denier under 30 feature a sheer appearance. I am drawn to the natural, skin-like look of 8 denier tights, but I’ve found that styles ranging from 15 to 30 denier strike the perfect balance—they offer durability and a chic aesthetic.

In addition to grasping the technical aspects, I explored the various styles favored by my style muses. While classic black and skin-tone tights remain perennial staples, an exciting trend has emerged—sheer burgundy tights and playful patterned tights, such as cute polka dots and sophisticated lace designs. This evolution illustrates that the sheer-tights trend is thriving and encourages a spirit of experimentation and fun during the typically dreary winter months.

With all of that in mind, I invite you to keep scrolling to discover a curated selection of the best sheer tights, each one thoughtfully reviewed and approved by my stylish friends. Additionally, you’ll find outfit inspiration from the editors of WWW, showcasing the chicest ways to style tights this winter.

“This is kind of a multipronged answer, but I have strong feelings about this topic! For sheer tights, I always go with Calzedonia tights because they’re affordable and always go on sale (especially the multi-packs) and because they’ve never pulled on me. If they did, though, it wouldn’t be a huge deal because of the price. I’m sorry, but I refuse to spend $50+ on tights that will likely eventually rip if I wear them enough, which I do in the winter. I especially love the pair of 20 denier tights—they do it all. For warmer, thicker tights, you can’t go wrong with Sheertex. I’ve had my pairs for years, and they’ve never pulled. I don’t know how they do it, but Sheertex is different.”

“I typically wear (and love) Sheertex tights, but I just bought my first pair of Swedish Stockings because I have enough black tights. I loved the muted colors, like dark brown, bordeaux, and deep green. The Olivia Tights are 60 denier, so they’re still a bit sheer but will provide some warmth. They’re admittedly a bit pricey for tights, but the reviews claim that they’re extremely durable, and I’m fine with investing in tights that I don’t have to throw away after one season. The brand also recently launched a collab with Reformation, so it’s safe to say that Swedish Stockings is about to have even more fans.”

“My tights were still in storage during the first cold front of the season, and last minute, I needed to pick up a pair. No contemplating or decision-making was necessary—I was set on this pair from Calzedonia and dropped by the store immediately. I’ve had them in two colors for two winters now, and they’ve held up quite well. Plus, a pop of color always adds a fun touch to any outfit.”

“In the past, I purchased tights without giving them much thought, which led to them ripping easily. This resulted in frequent replacements and ultimately cost me more money than I wanted to spend. This winter, however, I’m taking my tights shopping more seriously. Although it’s not winter yet, I’ve already tried a dozen pairs. I’ve found that Wolford’s Satin Touch 20 Comfort Tights, and Calzedonia’s Premium Matt Second Skin 15 Denier Tights are the best options.

“I appreciate them for different reasons: The Wolford tights have a luxurious finish, making them ideal for formal occasions, and the Calzedonia tights offer a skin-like texture that feels more casual and suitable for everyday wear. Despite their differences in style, both pairs are durable and do not rip or pill after multiple wears.”

“To me, these Wolford Fatal 15 Tights are the gold standard of sheer stockings. They’re easily the most sheer pair in my top drawer, almost to the point of being barely there. In fact, the brand markets them as a second skin, and I couldn’t agree more. The best part is how legitimately thin they are—they feel as light as air and don’t add any bulk to my outfit, which can often be tricky with opaque or shapewear-style tights. While they’re certainly an investment, I think of these as my special-occasion pair that I reach for to finish off a cocktail or eveningwear look during the fall and winter.

“Also, any style from Sheertex is what I like to call workhorse tights. The brand’s patented rip-resistant technology is no joke. They’re literally indestructible, and I’ve been wearing the same pair for four years now. They’re almost always on sale too, so given just how well they hold up, they’ve more than paid for themselves by now.”

Shop more of the best sheer tights:

Style Notes: Take a page from Who What Wear senior editor Eliza Huber’s style book and pair your sheer black tights with shorts, a sweater, and a long wool coat.

Style Notes: Don’t be afraid to swap your black tights for a white or red pair. It’s a subtle and easy change that makes a significant statement.

Style Notes: Dress up your sheer tights this holiday season with a polka-dot dress and patent-leather flats.