The Complete Guide To Opaque Tights

Opaque tights are some of the absolute best items of leg wear in the world. They are some of the most popular items of hosiery or leg wear too. They are true best sellers, and are every bit as versatile as any sheer tights can be. In fact, we believe they may very well be even more versatile, actually. But what is so special about these garments? What makes opaque tights as great as we say they are? Let’s find out.

First Thing Is First, What Is Denier?

Denier is a complex measurement, but one that is pretty simple to apply your leg wear. All fabrics have a denier, and very simply, it means the weight of the fabric. The little more complex answer is, it is a measurement of the linear mass density of fibre. It is the mass in grams of the fabric for every 9000 metres of fabric. It is based off the reference point of a strand of silk. A strand of silk weighs 9000 metres long weighs one gram. A strand of Nylon stretching the same length might weight 20 grams. That would be the fabric they use in a sheer tights design. If it was a denser fabric, it might weigh 60 grams. That would mean it is an opaque tights fabric.

Opaque Tights, What Exactly Are They?

The definition of opaque tights is a simple one. Sheers are any denier up to 30 denier. Semi-opaques are 30 to 40 denier and tend to obscure the leg a little more. At 40 denier, you are now getting a pair of opaque tights. Opaque tights really do not stop at a denier number. They don’t cap out at any particular thickness. Sometimes, really thick tights at a 300 denier are sometimes called super opaque tights, but this is a colloquial term. Opaque tights still refer to anything at a 40 denier or above. Any other word for them is the designer or manufacturer using their own terms.

Why Wear Opaque Tights?

This is not just one answer to this question. But there is an obvious reason that most people have. They are a lot thicker than normal sheer tights. This usually means they are a lot warmer than other leg wear. If you are wearing tights all year round, then you want to switch to opaques around mid autumn. That thicker material is insulating and traps your bodies heat. Because they are woven to move easily, they have little air pockets. This is great for trapping heat efficiently. The main reason to buy opaque tights is warmth, and it is the most important part of their appeal.

When Should I Wear Opaque Tights In My Part Of The World?

As we mentioned above, opaques are best around the middle of autumn. This really depends where you live, of course. That is because autumn isn’t the same everywhere. If you are in the Northern Hemisphere, then autumn is the cooler time of year. For those in the Southern Hemisphere, you want sometime in spring. If you are in the far north, then really the first day of autumn is probably chilly enough. If you are closer to the Mediterranean, or somewhere along that latitude, you may only need them occasionally. Maybe for a few days around the Christmas period.

What About Fashion Reasons?

Fashion is another part of the appeal for opaque tights. Having a thicker material gives you more versatility. You can more easily print on tights that is a bit denser. When the fabric is a bit thicker, the dye takes more accurately and more vividly. The final result is a pair of opaque tights that is fantastic for rich and vibrant prints. Of course, this is just one benefit to the fabric. Once you have it though, it becomes the source of so many different cool possibilities. Complex patterns, for example, are just so much more viable on thick leg wear. You can’t easily decorate a pair of tights with tartan, for instance. But with a little more fabric and thickness, it becomes far easier. So not only do you get vibrant colours, but you get a great array of patterns with opaque tights too.

The Gateway To Beautiful Wool Tights

Opaque tights are not always wool tights, but wool tights are always opaques. Or at least almost always. It is extremely rare to find wool woven so finely. The main reason is the warmth of wool. That is usually what makes designers use this miracle material. So naturally, it is thick and dense and opaque. So if you do go for a slightly thicker pair of tights, you will unlock a world of new items. Wool is one of the most luxurious fabrics, and whilst it is warm, it also breathes beautifully. That means your legs never get clammy and you never feel stuffy. It is also soft, and high quality wool is every bit as good as cashmere. And of course, there is the miracle fabric of merino wool. This is such a complex material though, so more about that in our next section.

Opaque Tights Means Merino Tights

Merino is one of the finest on the planet, and it has so many great qualities too. You have access to gorgeous wool with a pair of thick tights. But you also get to try this magic fabric too. Merino is anti-microbial and fights off the bacteria that makes clothes smell less fresh when they absorb sweat. It is one of the most sustainable fabrics on the planet too. Merino comes from an animal that requires little tending to. Because they roam widely merino sheep herding isn’t intensive farming. Merino is also hydrophobic, and doesn’t get wet easily. It quick dries too, in case you do get caught in a storm. But because this material is from a specific type of sheep, it can be a little expensive. We think it really is worth it though, and it is a fantastic addition to your opaque tights collection.

But Are They Comfy Too?

Yes, opaque tights are some of the comfiest around. With a little extra material, the designer can do a lot to make the tights comfy. A thick and woolly knit alone is a great way to add comfort. It swaddles your legs and feels like a fluffy cloud around your body. But not all opaque stuff is fluffy and woolly. Some are dense and thickly knitted. This is great for those that want quality opaque tights that go with a lot of different items. Woolly stuff only really goes with winter outfits and Christmas ensembles. But with a thicker knit, you get something very comfy and warm and smooth. And speaking of beautiful knits, don’t opaque tights give you a better range of knitted items? They do indeed, and that is our next stop.

What About Different Knits And Weaves?

Knits are one of the best things about opaque tights. You can get three dimensional patterns in your leg wear and create so many different looks because of it. A cable knit is one of the obvious and classic examples. Stripes are always a perennial pattern too. Of course, here we mean actual knitted patterns, not prints. Prints work well on opaques, as we have mentioned. But here we mean actual knitted patterns, like cable knits, or ribbed tights. Ribbed tights would be the actual name for a pair of striped tights with a three dimensional knit. You can get other great stuff too, like 3D polka dots., and floral prints with a flocked fabric. All of this comes from having a thicker plush material. Everything else we mentioned might be available in some small way to sheer tights. But stuff like this is exclusively the purview of opaque tights.

What Brands Make Great Opaque Tights?

It is hard to say exactly who makes the best opaque tights. There are so many different brands that suit so many different tastes and needs. But if we need to pick a few then we have a shortlist for you to look at. Here are three names you may know that make some excellent thick leg wear.

1) Trasparenze

Not a name you may primarily associate with opaques on first consideration. They often do patterned and printed tights that turn heads with their Italian baroque style of design. But they also have a strong roster of Italian wool tights. They are fantastic for super soft and lush feeling fabrics and we adore how rich their colours can be. We particularly recommend the Jennifer, which is pictured above. Designs like those show the full extent of their talents with Lana wool and merino. See the Trasparenze opaque tights here.

2) Wolford

Wolford has an amazing large range of opaque tights to choose from. They also cover a staggering number of deniers and thicknesses. But all of them have a few things in common. They are stylish, they are minimalist, the items are all comfy, and they are made superbly well. If you want a pair of opaque tights and nothing else matters to you but pure quality, here you go. You cannot go wrong with Wolford. Click here to see their range. The product you see above is the Velvet de Luxe 66, which you can also find here.

3) Kunert

Kunert doesn’t have the same enormous range as one of the other names we have mentioned. But it has one or two that are simply superb, perhaps the best of all time. The Kunert Warm Up, which is not pictured above, is easily the most cosy pair of tights ever. It is designed by the most skilled textile engineers in the industry, and you can tell. They have a relatively low denier of 60. Yet they warm up your legs as if they were a 120 denier. Warm Up is impressive, but it’s not all about practicality. Above is pictured the Kunert Liz. It’s an actual 120 denier item, but it is made with cotton. It is soft and luxurious and not as insulating. That means you can have all the stylish elements of opaque tights without being too warm.

Conclusion

Opaque tights are simply one of the best types of leg wear out there. They are stylish and they are practical. Of course, they are comfy and a pleasure to wear. But most of all, they are unbeatable for the things that they do well. We love opaque tights for so many reasons, and if you have a chance to wear them, you should. If the weather is permitting, and you have a cute skirt or dress to wear with them, go ahead. There is nothing is better on your legs than a pair of thick tights. So wait for a chilly day and pick out a great pair of opaque tights. Click here to see our whole range.