Hosiery by Denier
Denier measures the thickness of hosiery yarn. Lower denier = more sheer and delicate. Higher denier = more opaque and durable.
Ultra-Sheer (5-10 Denier)
Appearance: Nearly invisible, bare-leg look with subtle enhancement
Durability: Very delicate—prone to snags and runs
Best for:
- Special occasions
- Hot weather when coverage needed
- When you want the "no tights" look
- Under sheer fabrics
Brands known for: Wolford, Falke, Fogal
Care: Extreme caution. Remove jewelry. Consider application gloves.
Sheer (15-20 Denier)
Appearance: Classic hosiery look—visible but elegant
Durability: Moderate—still delicate
Best for:
- Office wear
- Formal events
- Everyday elegance
- Most common choice
Note: 15 denier is the "standard" sheer most people think of
Semi-Sheer (30-40 Denier)
Appearance: Noticeable coverage while still showing skin tone
Durability: Good—balanced choice
Best for:
- Cooler weather
- When you want more coverage
- Hiding minor imperfections
- Year-round versatility
Tip: 40 denier black is extremely versatile
Semi-Opaque (50-70 Denier)
Appearance: Almost opaque—skin barely visible
Durability: Very good
Best for:
- Cold weather
- Complete coverage
- Bold color statements
- Casual looks
Note: 60 denier is often called "opaque" on packaging but still has some transparency
Opaque (80-100+ Denier)
Appearance: Completely opaque—no skin visible
Durability: Excellent—most resistant to runs
Best for:
- Winter
- Fashion statements
- Complete coverage needs
- Activewear-adjacent looks
Popular: 100 denier black opaques are wardrobe staples
Fleece-Lined (200+ Denier)
Appearance: Thick, cozy—more like leggings
Durability: Excellent
Best for:
- Extreme cold
- Outdoor activities
- Under pants for warmth
Note: At this level, technically more "legwear" than traditional hosiery
Denier Quick Reference
| Denier | Category | Transparency | Durability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-10 | Ultra-sheer | Nearly invisible | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 15-20 | Sheer | Clearly visible skin | ★★☆☆☆ |
| 30-40 | Semi-sheer | Skin tone shows | ★★★☆☆ |
| 50-70 | Semi-opaque | Slight transparency | ★★★★☆ |
| 80-100+ | Opaque | No transparency | ★★★★★ |
Denier by Occasion
- Job interview: 15-20 denier sheer
- Office daily: 15-40 denier depending on dress code
- Black tie: 10-15 denier ultra-sheer
- Casual: 40-100 denier opaques
- Winter commute: 80-200 denier
Denier by Season
- Summer: 5-15 denier (or go bare)
- Spring/Fall: 20-60 denier
- Winter: 60-200+ denier
Common Misconceptions
- "Higher denier = higher quality" — False. Denier only indicates thickness.
- "Low denier always runs" — Quality ultra-sheers can be surprisingly durable.
- "40 denier is opaque" — It's semi-sheer. True opaque starts around 60-80.