The Great Tights Tournament: A Leg-Wear Showdown That Helps You Find the Perfect Tights
Spring is slowly arriving around the country, but in Chicago it’s still pretty chilly. While sandals and bare legs might be do-able in Georgia or California, it continues to be boots and tights weather here in the tundra. After three winters in Chicago, I consider myself an expert(ish) on surviving the brutal cold while maintaining my personal style. In other posts I’ve discussed how important layering and choosing the right coat are to staying warm. Also essential: a proper pair of tights. This post is the product of extensive research and cross-referencing of basically every brand of hosiery I have in my closet. I put each pair head to head in…The Great Tights Tournament!!
THE COMPETITORS: American Apparel, Betsy Johnson, DKNY, George, HUE, Nine West, Plush, Pretty Polly, We Love Colors
THE CATEGORIES:
1: Durability: How well do these tights hold up over time? Do they hold their shape, stand up to picks and snags, and avoid runs?
2: Comfort: Are these tights comfortable enough for long days? Are they stretchy? Do they have smooth waist bands and soft material? Are they constricting after a few hours?
3: Affordability: Are these tights reasonably priced in comparison to other tights of similar quality? Are there good sales on this brand?
4: Style: Are these tights fun, with various patterns and colors? Does the brand have a wide range of styles?
5: Warmth: Are these tights feasible for winter wear? Are they practical for layering with other tights?
The Rating System: 1 for least, 5 for most.
THE RESULTS!
| Durability | Comfort | Affordability | Style | Warmth | TOTAL | |
| American Apparel | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2.8 |
| Betsy Johnson | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4-5 | 2 | 2.7 |
| DKNY
|
3-4 | 3-4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3.2 |
| George
|
4-5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4.1 |
| HUE
|
5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4.4 |
| Nine West
|
3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Plush
|
3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3.6 |
| Pretty Polly
|
2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 2.6 |
| We Love Colors | 3-4 | 4 | 4-5 | 5 | 3-4 | 4.1 |
It seems that most tights are either stylish (Betsy Johnson, American Apparel, Pretty Polly) or comfy and (DKNY, Plush). Most tights weren’t both. Betsy Johnson has some great styles and Plush has a pair of fleece-lined tights that I swear by on snowy days, but neither are my all-around faves. Likewise, many of American Apparel’s tights are attractive and fun, but they tear easily and are generally over-priced. Of all the tights I tested, those I found to have the best combination of all the categories were HUE, George, and We Love Colors. My only problem with George tights is that they’re produced and mostly sold by Wal-Mart. A friend gave me two pairs of these and they’re fantastic, but I so heartily disagree with Wal-Mart’s policies that I say George fails on ethical grounds. :) Thus, I decided to share two outfits in my favorite of the high scorers, We Love Colors and HUE.
We Love Colors can’t be beaten in terms of price and style. Their hand-dyed tights are super rich in color and don’t seem to fade, even after a number of washes. The range of colors they offer is staggering and at their prices stocking up is an affordable option. My only major issue with this brand is that their tights tend to lose their shape and become baggy after a while. A little time in the dryer generally fixes the problem, but still, it’s a drawback. Here’s me in one of my favorite pairs of WLC tights.
We Love Colors: tights (c/o We Love Colors), dress (vintage, thrifted, $3), belt (Anthropologie, $32), boots (random, $30), necklace (store in Namibia, $5).
HUE sells the perfect pair of opaque, matte black tights, a style otherwise incredibly hard to find and essential to my wardrobe. They also have fun patterns and colors, all of which are durable but comfortable, making them the perfect tights to wear all day long. If I know I’m going to be running about and need to be comfortable, the first pair of tights I reach for are HUEs. They’re stretchy, cozy, affordable, and they look great with everything, including my new favorite blazer, snagged in Austin last week.
HUE: tights (HUE, Filene's Basement, $7 for 2), lace skirt (Target, $4), top (H&M, $10), blazer (New Bohemia in Austin, TX, $20), scarf (c/o Affordable Scarves), boots (random, $30), necklace (Clyde's Rebirth, $32).
How do you determine which tights are the best/worst? What are your favorite (or least favorite) brands of tights? Does my nerdy table jive with your experience with those I’ve chosen? Please contribute to the discussion so we can all keep our legs warm and comfy! :)
***Some tights c/o We Love Colors and Plush. Sponsorship did not affect the results of this study in hosiery.***
courtesy of!!!!!!! just kidding. i’ve never had any tights from hue or we love colors. but i totally want some! i’ve only heard great things about them. i typically have bad luck with my tights, either they don’t hold their shape after wearing them for a couple hours, or they snag super easy (RIP floral tights!!!) , or any number of annoyances. i will most def take all your tips into consideration. you know, in the fall. because it’s spring here in arkansas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am jealous x 200. I want bare legs! No offense to these awesome tights but, really, it’s time.
what a great comparison! very helpful. i’ve never tried hue. i love love love we love colors.
Completely agree—Hue and We Love Colors for the win! I only have one pair of George tights and found the “opaque” label to be a complete lie, so I’m currently biased against ‘em. I also like Gap’s opaque tights, but the color selection can be very random.
I agree with you on George tights. Despite the ethical issues of where they are sold, they still rank up there as my favorite tights. The last forever and don’t have the baggy/sagging issue after a few hours. And for the price tag of $5 a pair you can’t bet that.
WLC tights are also another favorite brand of mine. I love the multitude of options they have for colors and they are extremely comfortable. But the baggy/I am wearing a dirty diaper feeling I get after a couple of wears annoys me sometimes. I will have to try the dryer trick.
I like We Love Colors and Hue too, but We Love Colors gets a better review from me since they seem to fit me a little better.
i think hue tights are the best, too. i also have a pair of their jegging-y looking leggings that are AWESOME. i haven’t tried as many tights brands as you, but i find target and forever 21 are the worst. calvin klein seems to be a good fit for me (hell yeah ebay!)
i LOVE that cardigan? or is a top? the colors are awesome on you!
carrie
Thanks, Carrie! It’s a sort of cloth blazer I got during the Texas Style Council Conference in Austin. I’m pretty much obsessed w it. Be prepared to be seeing it quite a lot.
Good call on the Calvin Klein tights. I could’ve sworn i had a pair somewhere, but they didn’t get into the mix somehow…
I love that you made a chart. Heart!
I think I have to go with HUE for my all-time favorite opaque tights manufacturer—in part because they last so darn long! I have a pair of HUE tights that my mum gave me in—I swear—high school that are still in more or less perfect working order. I’ve liked the tights I’ve ordered from WLC, but I agree they tend to get a little saggy—and personally, I think the waists bind a little more than the HUE ones do, for what it’s worth…
This is such a great post!! I love the nerdy chart. And I’ll have to try Hue. They sound great!!
Can I throw in a dark horse candidate here? I love Target tights. Especially their premium opaque tights. These things are beyond durable. Like, I’ll throw them in the washer instead of hand washing durable. And they are comfortable. Seriously, I love them. One problem – they only come in black. But if you;re in the market for black tights, I highly recommend them.
That’s a good addition to the list. I think I may have a pair of Target tights somewhere, but it’s good to have this review to add to the rest. Thanks, Becca!
I am a big HUE girl too! THey last long and are great!!! Love your teal color ones
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This post is awesome, largely due to the very thorough chart. I haven.t tried either of your favorite brands, but they sound great. I’m putting them on my shopping list!!
this cracks me up because i have a running chart going in my mind about tights, as well. i think we love colors tights are the thickest with the most amazing color saturation but i have saggy-crotch syndrome with some of them. i only have one pair of hue tights and they are my favorite in terms of fit–so comfortable, flattering, and no saggy crotch whatsoever.
i’ve never tried besty johnson or american apparel but i hear good things about american apparel ones.
p.s. i think you would really like malcolm gladwell’s recent article on the u.s. news and world reports college rankings–right up the nerdy statistician-style alley.
I think the chart originates in our inescapable nerdiness. I love that about is.
Checking out the Gladwell article in .3 seconds.
Spanx and Assets are actually the most durable and COMFORTABLE I’ve ever worn. And my favorite tights might be Assets footless black because unlike non-lycra leggings, they never bag ANYWHERE. Also, the non-delicate material Anthropologie/Eloise brand tights are also durable and comfortable–the ones that have more of a material construction resembling Hue tights (which are also great). But what I cannot ever do are sweater tights. I’m usually a medium in tights and if there’s a choice between S/M and M/L I go with the S/M, but I CANNOT for the life of me get my upper-upper outer thigh (where it curves) into even a large to fit right in sweater tights of any brand. I’ve had a few pairs of Target/Merona tights but they usually have to be tossed after a season or two–granted I probably wear them 30 or 40 times by that point.
These are great to add to the list! I’ll check them out! Thanks, SFE.
HUE is the best brand I’ve tried. I’m glad to see it ranked so highly, reaffirming my loyalty!
Did you know I was sitting at my Chicago desk in f21 tights that are squeezing my waist and that I just got a snag in!? Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’m going to make a few purchases, now!
OK this is like the best post I’ve ever read! I am always debating over tights. You have convinced me to try out Hue’s tights.
http://fashioncuriouscait.blogspot.com
I love ur skirt in the Hue pics!
wow you have such a great photographer! that last picture is amazing, if I do say so myself
also, yay tights!
I’ve been dying to get a pair of WLC, and Hue is always a good option. Target is hit or miss for me, and I’ve never tried any of the other brands in your (awesome!) table. Regardless of the brand, the thing that matters to me most is they NOT BE SHINY. Nothing irks me more than a pair of tights that look like Jane Fonda could be wearing them on the cover of one of her 80s fitness videos. No offense to Jane Fonda, of course.
I entirely agree. If you’re going for shiny, fine. But most tights should be matte, and ACTUALLY be matte! No accidental Jane Fondas here!
Oh I am so pissed off at myself for not getting the WLC tights last week. Instead I bought some cheapo ones at target and they already have holes in them. I have definitely learned my lesson in the hosiery department:)
You outfits are super cute too! I really like the one from Austin with the sweater and boots. That sweater is awesome!
I love this table and this post!! I haven’t tried either kinds pf these tights,so I’m excited to check them out!! Also, that’s a fantastic dress and I love the blazer.
Love the chart! What a great little experiment. I actually have the worst time with tights — I always seem to snag my HUE and Target tights. I’m sure they’re supposed to be durable, but not accident-proof from clumsy me. Also: I know places like Macy’s and Dillards have epic one-day sales during the summer for tights. If you go on a one-day sale day, HUE tights are about $2 a pair, instead of the usual 20. I stocked up last year
tights! how i love and loathe thee….
my fav is definitely HUE. i wore my wine colored tights by them about a 1,000 times this year, and they just caught a snag – totally my fault. WLC = also great.
i gotta throw one out there for target tights! i bought several pairs of theirs this year, and while they arent the best quality of all time, ive def got lots of use out of them.
great comparison!
I had written a nice long comment and then my browser died. LAME.
I hate American Apparel tights because they waistband is really tight and uncomfortable, but I like that the crotch has a gusset. I really wish WLC’s tights had gussets, but they’re still my favorite. I’ve never tried Hue but I keep hoping to find some!
Hearing about all the colors, types, and not to metnion Namebrands and comparisons make me wish I lived in colder climate were I could try on a few pair.. But alas the Deep South will not allow me my fantasy, thick socks are too much sometimes.
that is such a cool blazer!
You know what I love? This post. I can’t believe I didn’t think to write this! Though, it wouldn’t have been as good because you are obviously the tights-pert.
I have had a longtime fixation with tights ever since I had to work at a Catholic hospital where I couldn’t have bare legs. EVEN IN SUMMER. So I know a thing or two about the lace, breathable variety but less about the warm ones now that I’m in Austin…Awesome post, lady.
i’m pretty much in agreement with your top choices. I’ve only recently been introduced to We Love Colors, and I think their price:quality ratio is solid. And you won’t find more colors anywhere. Hue is the brand that I’ve been wearing for years, and they’re just good, basic tights. I don’t think it’s worth it to spend more money on “designer” tights. I’ve never even heard of George, but I live in nyc, no where near a Wal-Mart, sooo I don’t anticipate trying them soon.
I have some DKNY tights that I thrifted and they are of such great quality. I also have some tights I got on mega sale at the Gap, which snag if you glance at them the wrong way, filling me with mega anger.
Just bought tights from both Hue and WLC after reading this post. Thanks for the.awesome info!!!
I have tights from Target, Betsy Johnson, Top Shop, and J. Crew, but, in terms of the amount of wear and tear I put on my tights, I agree about We Love Colors and HUE being the best you can get for your buck.