Cold weather is no reason to put your favourite skirts and dresses away. The right winter tights keep you comfortable from the school run to a winter wedding, and the warmest pairs combine a heavier denier with a fleece lining or a wool blend. Below we explain what makes tights warm, then help you choose the right pair by type, fabric and size.
Quick picks
- For the coldest days: 200 to 300 denier fleece lined tights, such as Couture Velvet Feel 300 Fleece Lined Tights.
- For a sheer look with warmth: Allana Sheer Fleece Lined Tights.
- For natural fibres: wool blend tights from Wolford, Falke and Trasparenze.
- For colour: 100 denier opaques such as Gipsy 100 Denier Luxury Opaque Tights.
What makes tights warm?
Three things decide how warm a pair feels: weight, lining and fibre.
- Denier is the weight of the yarn. Around 50 to 100 denier gives opaque coverage for cool days, while 200 to 300 denier suits the coldest weather. Knit and fibre affect warmth too, so two pairs of the same denier can feel different.
- A fleece lining is brushed on the inside and holds warmth against the leg, so a lined pair usually feels warmer than an unlined pair of the same denier.
- Wool blends bring natural warmth and absorb moisture. Nylon and elastane give stretch and a smooth finish.
Fleece lined and thermal tights
These are our warmest styles, made for frosty mornings, outdoor work and long days in the cold.
| Tights | Denier | Inside | Fabric | Sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Couture Velvet Feel 300 Fleece Lined Tights | 300 | Fleece lined | 95% polyester, 5% elastane | Medium, Large, Extra Large |
| Charnos Fleece Lined Tights | 200 | Fleece lined | 87% polyester, 13% elastane | Small/Medium, Medium/Large, Large/Extra Large |
| Andrea Bucci Thermal 200 Denier Opaque Tights | 200 | Full fleece lining | 95% polyester, 5% elastane | Medium, Large, Extra Large |
| Gipsy 200 Denier Thermal Cosy Tights | 200 | Thermal knit | 96% nylon, 4% elastane | Small/Medium, Medium/Large |
| Falke Warm Deluxe 80 Thermo Tights | 80 | Plush lined | 94% polyamide, 6% elastane | Small to Extra Large |
The Couture Velvet Feel 300 Fleece Lined Tights have flat seams, so they sit smoothly under fitted dresses. They also come as Couture Velvet Feel 300 Fleece Lined Footless Tights in Medium and Large. The Falke Warm Deluxe 80 Thermo Tights are the lightest here: they look like a standard opaque on the leg but have a plush lining inside, and come in Black and Marine. They are a good choice for the office, where a 200 or 300 denier pair can feel too heavy.
Sheer-look fleece lined tights
Allana Sheer Fleece Lined Tights look like sheer black tights from the outside but have a fleece lining inside. They suit office wear and evenings when you want a lighter look without feeling the cold. The foot is sheer, so they work with open shoes as well as boots.
They come in three sizes: Size 1 fits UK 8 to 12, Size 2 fits UK 14 to 18 and Size 3 fits UK 20 to 22. Sizes 2 and 3 have two front seams. For more on how they work, read our guide to sheer fleece lined tights.
Wool tights
Wool blends give a soft, natural warmth that suits long winter days in and out of the cold, from the commute to a weekend walk.
- Wolford Merino Wool Tights are 49% virgin wool, 49% nylon and 2% elastane, with elastane only in the waistband. A wool gusset and reinforced toe, sole and heel add comfort and wear where it matters, which is part of the higher price. Black, Small to Extra Large.
- Falke Soft Merino Wool Tights are 55% virgin wool and 28% cotton. The cotton sits on the inside against the skin, so they feel soft rather than scratchy. Black and Dark Navy, Small to Extra Large.
- Trasparenze Jennifer Wool Tights are 60% wool with a 100 denier look and a cotton gusset. They come in Black, Blue, Fume, Marrone and Rubino, sizes 1 to 5. Fume is a very dark grey.
If you prefer hold ups, Trasparenze Jennifer Wool Hold Ups come in Black and Noisette.
Thick opaque tights in colour
A 100 denier opaque gives full coverage, suits most cold days from work to weekends, and comes in more colours than lined styles. A bright pair is an easy way to lift a dark winter coat or dress.
- Gipsy 100 Denier Luxury Opaque Tights come in 17 colours, from Black and Navy to Warm Mustard, Duck Teal and Dark Sage, in Small to Extra Large.
- Falke Pure Matt 100 Denier Opaque Tights have a velvety matt finish and a comfort waistband. Colours include Marine, Amethyst, Brandy and Graphite.
- Charnos 100 Denier Opaque Tights are a plain everyday pair in Black and Navy, Small to Extra Large.
- Wolford Opaque 70 Matt Tights are a lighter 70 denier for cool rather than cold days, in Black and Admiral Blue, sizes XS to Extra Large.
See every weight in our 100 denier, 200 denier and 300 denier collections.
Warm tights in larger sizes
For fuller sizes, Allana 100 Denier Opaque Black Tights and Allana 100 Denier Opaque Brown Tights go up to 2XL, and Allana Sheer Fleece Lined Tights up to UK 22. Each brand sizes differently, so check the size chart on the product page. Browse our plus size tights for more.
Caring for winter tights
Wash tights on a gentle cycle or by hand, inside a laundry bag, and avoid the tumble dryer. Check the care label first, especially on wool blends.