Whether you call them stockings, tights, or pantyhose, I love wearing them all year round. Sheer black hose make any outfit sultry, and skin-color ones are like leg makeup. Fishnets and patterns are just fun. If you’ve only ever worn pantyhose in an egg from the drugstore, it’s time to level up. Those ones tend to run and tear easily, sometimes after a single wear—or while you’re still wearing them. They may cost you just a few bucks, but once they’ve ripped, they go with the rest of the world’s textile waste—straight to a landfill.
You don’t have to spend a lot to get hosiery that will last. We tried a few brands that promise durability. We wore them for a few washes and also tugged and yanked and tried to rip them. No tights are going to be bomb-proof, but these ones come pretty close.
Brenda Stolyar, Nena Farrell, Louryn Strampe, and Jaina Grey contributed testing to this guide.
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