16 Best Black Tights to Shop Now

The best tights are true staples, but knowing we’ll need black, thermal, or patterned tights to wear under every fall dress and matching set doesn’t make them easy to find. Lesser-made pairs are magnets for inconvenient rips and tears—and don’t get us started on a too-tight waistband.

Pulling on tights doesn’t have to be a chore, if you know where to shop. After combing through online reviews and new arrivals, we’ve found the best tights that are more than a necessity for declining temperatures. The best tights brands like Wolford, Skims, and Sheertex make pairs that are silky smooth and tear-proof. Finding your preferred pattern or level of sheer can come down to trial and error, but key details can help you find the best tights on the first try. Denier, which measures fabric weight, gauges the opacity of a pair of tights. (If you’re anti-see-through, look for a denier of 40 or above; if you want the sheer look, you’ll target a denier of 30 or less.) Labels like “control-top” call out pairs that have the smoothing effect of shape wear, without the thick fabrications.

With the right pair of tights in your arsenal, gripes like tears and rolling waistbands will be things of the past. Ahead, shop the 16 best pairs you won’t mind wearing with every fall and winter outfit.