Denier

Denier (pronounced "den-YAY") is the standard unit of measurement used to indicate the thickness and opacity of hosiery fibers. Understanding denier is essential for choosing the right hosiery for any occasion, climate, or outfit.

Technical Definition

One denier equals the mass in grams of 9,000 meters of fiber. In simpler terms, the higher the denier number, the thicker and more opaque the hosiery. A single strand of silk is approximately one denier, which is why silk was historically prized for its fineness.

Denier Categories

Denier Range	Category	Appearance	Best For
5-10	Ultra Sheer	Nearly invisible, skin-like	Summer, formal events
10-20	Sheer	Transparent with slight tint	Office, everyday wear
20-40	Semi-Opaque	Visible coverage, some transparency	Transitional weather
40-70	Opaque	Solid coverage, no transparency	Autumn, winter
70+	Super Opaque	Very thick, maximum warmth	Cold weather, fashion

Choosing the Right Denier

For Warm Weather

In summer months, opt for 5-15 denier hosiery. These ultra-sheer options provide a polished look without adding warmth. They create a subtle, natural appearance that evens skin tone while remaining nearly invisible.

For Professional Settings

The 15-20 denier range is ideal for office environments. This provides enough coverage to look polished and professional while remaining comfortable for extended wear.

For Cold Weather

When temperatures drop, 40-100 denier tights offer warmth and full coverage. These opaque options come in various colors and can be a fashion statement in themselves.

Denier and Durability

Generally, higher denier hosiery is more durable and resistant to runs and snags. However, modern manufacturing techniques have improved the durability of sheer hosiery significantly. Many brands now offer "run-resistant" technology even in lower denier options.

Quick Tip

When shopping online, look for both denier and gauge specifications. Higher gauge numbers (400+) indicate finer knitting, which typically means softer, more luxurious hosiery regardless of denier.