The UK dictionary definition of “denier” is “a measure of the thickness of the weave of nylon, silk, etc. thread, especially that which is used in making stockings or tights” (from Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary).
We’re all pretty used to looking at the denier of tights without really knowing what it means but we know that the higher the number of denier the thicker the tights. Opaque tights are usually 40 denier or higher while sheer tights range from as low as 5 denier to 30 denier, and usually have reinforced toes and gusset.
Sheer denier tights come in many different materials as the denier is determined by the thickness of the tights and not the material that they are made of. You can get matte sheer tights, sheer tights with a slight sheen, shiny sheer tights and glossy sheer tights. You can even get sun oil sheen tights made by Pretty Polly that make your legs look as though they have just been moisturised. They are 8 denier and as the name suggests are tan in colour so your legs look sun kissed.
The lowest denier tights you can get are 5 denier, again by Pretty Polly those giants of tight making who have ridden the wave of change over the years, keeping up to date with the latest fashions and advancing technology in materials. Not surprisingly the 5 denier tights are called Almost Naked Tights and they are designed for a bare leg look. They have a transparent appearance and apparently a cooling effect, perfect for those warmer days when you just can’t bear to go bare! They look natural but cover up those little flaws to make your legs look stunning.
At the other end of the denier scale you can get 200 denier Opaque tights such as Emilio Cavallini’s 200D Glossy Tights which come in a variety of colours. 200 denier tights are quite rare and a more common denier for opaque tights is 40 to 100 denier. The beauty of the higher denier, opaque tights is that they tend to come in lots of bright colours as well as black and they are much more difficult to ladder!
Opaque, denier tights are generally more robust and definitely warmer than sheer tights so usually not worn in summer, but any time from autumn through to spring. Just like sheer tights, opaque tights can be made from all sorts of different materials such as wool, silk, cotton, nylon, Lycra or a combination of materials. Their prices can vary greatly as well, usually depending on the material they’re made of.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I thoroughly enjoy wearing hosiery and did not understand what denier was about at first. Then I was exposed to the wonderful world of European Pantyhose and Stockings.
Since I enjoy wearing pantyhose daily, I have worn my hosiery almost anywhere. For the beach to hang out I wear the Pretty Polly Oil Sheen that you mentioned above and many ladies compliment my legs in baby oil. Yet I share with them I have pantyhose on and they have to feel my legs to realize how excellent they feel, not just look on you.
I wish men would wear tights, I think it so sexist that they can not. I have put my boyfriend in tights, that took some doing and her looked great in them better then ME! Maybe I will ask a question here, here goes. Would you like to see your boyfriend in tights or nylons?
I wish my partner would let me wear tights on a regular basis, and not just the odd occassion. I especially like the 5/10 denier ultra sheer tights.