The best mature woman tights are a staple in any lady's closet. They will leave you feeling comfortable and confident when you leave the house. First of all, they’re incredibly versatile: You can wear them under your favourite flattering dress for mature women, a skirt, or even beneath trousers to provide that extra layer of warmth in the winter.
But, as we’re sure you’re aware, not all tights are made equal. To make sure you only have the best stocked in your wardrobe, we’ve shared the best mature woman tights. So, whether you are looking for tights to help shape your figure or tights to add a layer of warmth we have found the best picks for you.
Best tights for mature women shortlist:
• Best for comfort: Autograph 40 Denier Fine Cotton Opaque Tights
• Overall best mature woman tights: Snag Tights 50 Denier Tights
• Best for support: John Lewis 15 Denier Sleek Body Shaper Tights
• Best for aiding circulation: John Lewis 40 Denier Firm Support Tights
We’re all about tights that are flattering and look stylish. We think tights paired with an M&S dress are a match made in heaven, but as you get older you also want tights that are fit for purpose. Read on for more information about how to pick the best tights.
The best mature woman tights
Overall best mature woman tights
snagtights.com
Snag Tights is home to tights for all shapes and sizes. You can find tights in sizes 4 to 36, in various heights, widths, colours and designs, and in 30 to 120 deniers. Each pair is designed to be stretchy, comfortable, breathable, and durable - no snags here!
The 50 denier tights, like those pictured, are great for the changing seasons and are semi-opaque. They come in four colours and allow you to have all the stretch and comfort of 80 deniers but in a lighter tight.
Customer review: "They don’t fall down, they actually fit!! I’m a large person in my 60s and I haven’t worn tights since my school days, for the sole reason none have fit properly. The colours and patterns are amazing. I’ve bought the chub rubs too and they are a lifesaver. Go for it you won’t be disappointed."
Pros
- Inclusive sizing
- Multiple colour choices
- Stretchy
- Great fit
- Tights blend to your skin tone
Cons
- No online reviews
| Sizes: | UK 4-36 |
| Material: | 91 per cent polyamide, 8 per cent elastane, 1 per cent cotton |
Best for comfort
www.marksandspencer.com
M&S is one of our go-to retailers for clothes, and that includes tights! This pair from Autograph is made of responsibly sourced fine cotton with 3D stretch and a 'Comfort Waistband' so it fits comfortably and securely. With feet and reinforced toes, they'll stay in place all day long and you shouldn't have to worry about your toes poking through the opaque material. Customers found these were true to size and soft to wear.
Customer review: "These are the best black tights I have ever worn: They are the only tights I have bought over the past decade. They don't scag easily, keep me warm in winter and cool in summer and feel great!"
Pros
- Comfortable waistband
- Good fit
- Reinforced toe
Cons
- Can tear easily
| Sizes: | S-XL |
| Material: | 55 per cent cotton, 34 per cent polyamide, 11 per cent elastane lycra |
Best for support
www.johnlewis.com
If you'd feel more comfortable in tights that provide added control and shape around the tummy, waist, and hips, we'd recommend this pair from John Lewis. Perfect for shaping your silhouette whilst providing that little extra support around the waist, the wide-shaping waistband comes in a lustrous texture with a cotton gusset for comfort and hygiene. With 15 deniers, these will provide a sheer finish with a choice of colours; black, nude, natural tan, sable, and nearly black.
Customer review: "Great quality and fit. I bought these to go for an evening out. I was impressed with the shaped foot and reinforced toe. They stayed up well and added a lovely shimmer to my legs. Very impressed, shall be buying more."
Pros
- Limited size options
- Stomach control
- High quality material
- Good fit
Cons
- Colours are slightly darker
| Sizes: | S-XL |
| Material: | 88 per cent nylon, 11 per cent lycra elastane, 1 per cent cotton |
Best for sheer finish
www.heist-studios.com
Speaking of sheer, The Nude tights from Heist Studios come in seven colour shades so you can find a match for your skin tone. Perfect for creating a seamless, smooth, and silky leg finish. Made from a durable yarn, these tights come without a gusset to prevent sagging but have a wide adaptive waistband to comfortably hug your figure and stay in place.
Customer review: "Have been searching for ages to find these panties. They are the best, never ever want anything else. The high waist is fantastic, nothing to see under my dresses."
Pros
- High waistband
- Durable
- Larger sizes have a reinforced area under the waistband
Cons
- Hand wash only
| Sizes: | UK 4-22 |
| Material: | 64 per cent polyamide, 36 per cent elastane |
Best for temperature regulation
www.marksandspencer.com
M&S deliver again in these Body Sensor tights that are not only fantastic value (three for the price of one!) but are great for wearing all year round. The technology in the fabric is designed to adapt to different temperatures so you can wear them in both hot and cold weather. Just like the Autograph pair of tights, these include a Comfort Waistband and cotton gusset. Get them in black, navy, or a trio of granite, purple, and green.
Customer review: "Brilliant fit, don’t slip down. Perfect for a dress & boots outfit. Enough coverage without being too thick. Will be buying another pack. I’m size 16/18 so I bought XL as I like to pull my tights up high!"
Pros
- Adapts to different temperatures
- Great fit
- Tights do not slip
- Three colour options
Cons
- May be a bit long for shorter women
| Sizes: | S-XL |
| Material | 85 per cent polyamide, 14 per cent elastane lycra, and 1 per cent cotton |
Best for aiding circulation
www.johnlewis.com
Not only do these tights provide a comfortable and supportive fit, but they're also designed to aid circulation. Featuring a factor 10 graduated compression, the lycra structure gives a massaging effect that'll leave your legs feeling revitalised. These are great if you're on your feet for long periods of time as they should help your legs feel less tired and reduce swollen ankles. These are available in black, navy, nearly black, nude, and natural tan.
Customer review: "Does what it says! I have used this product for many years now and have not found a different company that makes an equivalent product. They certainly help with my circulation throughout the day. The cost per pair is worth it for being able to stand on one's feet during most of the day."
Pros
- Five colour options
- True size fit
- Supportive
Cons
- Hand wash only
| Sizes: | S-XL |
| Material: | 86 per cent nylon, 13 per cent lycra, 1 per cent elastane |
Top pick
Rated an average of 4.4 out of five stars from over 2,000 reviewers, these opaque tights tick a lot of boxes. They're soft, great value, and high-waisted. Plus, they're durable and stretchy, thanks to the 3D Spandex knitted into every row. We also love the vast colour range available with everything from black or navy, wine red or forest grey, to fuchsia and yellow.
Customer review: "Super soft, super comfy, not prickly at all like other tights, actually fit easy so get in no battle with them and look amazing! I highly rate this product and suggest everyone try a pair of this brand they are fabulous."
Pros
- Multiple colour options
- Inclusive sizing
- Stretchy
Cons
- Not cotton
| Sizes: | S-M, L-XL, XXL-3XL Plus |
| Material: | 84 per cent polyamide, 14 per cent elastane, 2 per cent cotton |
Best footless tights
Wolford makes luxury legwear, so it's no surprise that the quality of its tights is exceptional. If you'd prefer a pair of footless tights to wear under a dress or paired with socks and boots in the winter, these have a luxurious velvet feel and a smooth, matte finish. They're highly durable, and feature a soft and comfortable knitted waistband with a cotton gusset.
Customer review: "Lightweight, soft & lovely quality. Great for wearing under dresses & skirts for outdoor dining!"
Pros
- Comfortable
- Good quality
- Comfortable fit
Cons
- Only one colour option
| Sizes: | S-L |
| Material: | 94 per cent nylon, 6 per cent elastane |
Best for body contouring
www.net-a-porter.com
Spanx is well known for its shapewear, and you can achieve the same controlled and contoured feeling in its tights. Designed to sculpt your stomach and thighs, these opaque tights have a smooth waistband, cotton gusset, built-in shaper, and invisible seams. They'll create that smooth silhouette whilst still being comfortable to wear all day long.
Pros
- Built-in shaper
- Invisible seams
Cons
- No online reviews
| Sizes: | XS-L |
| Material: | 85 per cent nylon, 15 per cent spandex; lining: 55 per cent nylon, 45 per cent cotton |
Best for warmth
www.marksandspencer.com
For those that struggle to stay warm in the winter, these 100 denier tights made from a merino wool blend will keep you cosy and comfortable. They're luxuriously soft with added stretch and will give your legs that sleek appearance you're after, even with the thread density. They sit comfortably on the waist and customers found they both wore and washed really well.
Customer review: "Nice tights, warm but not too much. I bought these in a size up compared to last winter and these are just right! They don't snag or ladder like other tights I've had before."
Pros
- Breathable
- Warm
- Machine washable
- Wool material
Cons
- Not completely opaque
| Sizes: | S-XL |
| Material: | 54 per cent merino wool, 41 per cent polyamide, 4 per cent elastane lycra, 1 per cent cotton |
Best knee high tights
www.marksandspencer.com
If you are looking for tights to wear under a long skirt or jeans these wonderful knee high tights are a must have. They have a ribbed trim ensures they fit snugly at all times. These firm support knee highs give you an extra boost while energising legs, improving circulation and even reducing ankle swelling.
Customer review: "Have searched for ages for natural colour Knee Highs and these are perfect."
Pros
- Supportive
- Comfortable
Cons
- Only one size available
| Sizes: | One size |
| Material: | 71% polyamide, 29% elastane lycra |
What to look for in tights for mature women?
Denier
The denier is the weight of the fabric, and so tights with a higher denier will be heavier and thicker. Meanwhile, those that have a lower denier will be more sheer and fragile.
As you get older, you may also feel a little more self-conscious about your legs. If so, choosing tights that offer a higher denier for an opaquer finish may help you feel more comfortable wearing the skirts and dresses you love. That being said, we have also included some lower denier options if you’re looking for tights to give that ‘smooth’ leg appearance under dresses for special occasions.
Here’s a handy guide from Truly Fab which shares the pros and cons of each:
Whilst it’s down to personal preference, we would recommend tights that have a higher denier. They’ll be warmer and not to mention, much more robust against fingernails, snags, and ladders. We’d prefer our tights to last more than a few uses!
Material
Most tights are made from nylon or cotton but you can now find tights with lycra included too for an improved fit. Lycra is known for its superior elasticity so it’s that extra stretchy; making putting tights on and general wear much more comfortable and flexible.
Cotton is soft and a natural fibre, great for those with skin allergies or sensitive skin. We love pairing cotton tights with a cotton summer dress in warm weather. Nylon on the other hand is more durable than cotton and less likely to shrink or crease over time.
Colour and design
Whilst the denier of a tight can affect the shade, you can also find tights in varying colours and designs too – great if you’re looking to make a statement or find a true skin-colour match.
There are other style differences you can consider: Footless tights, tights that are fleece-lined for extra warmth in the winter, and compression tights.
Compression tights are great for mature women; as well as providing a flattering shape, they can help to improve circulation by providing a massaging effect and help to reduce swollen ankles.
When choosing the right pair of tights for you, pick the ones that’ll make you feel the most comfortable and confident.
How to style tights as an older woman?
Tights are extremely versatile and so can really be worn any which way! You can wear them under skirts and dresses, whether its a cocktail dress, occasion wear, or winter dress. You can wear them under shorts in the autumn or trousers for added warmth come winter.
If you’re wearing a sheer tight and want to keep the illusion that that smooth-leg look is au natural, we’d just recommend wearing a closed-toe shoe as the ruching around your toes may give it away!