They’re lightweight, soft, and cozy, with temperature-regulating properties to keep you comfortably warm. Many happy users say these fit well for anyone needing a plus size, and they’re amazingly versatile and affordable, too! In warm temperatures, wool's breathable qualities draw in air removing excess heat and moisture from the body, helping the wearer stay cool. Merino wool particularly is naturally water-resistant and expels moisture vapour through its fibres naturally, keeping bacteria and bad odours at bay. It’s hard to find a pair of warm patterned tights. Warm tights tend to be opaque, and opacity makes patterns hard to see. But MeMoi’s Juneau Diamonds Cotton-Blend Sweater Tights get around this common problem in a clever way: The knit tights have been woven into an argyle-like pattern that doesn’t sacrifice warmth. If you’re worried about wool tights feeling itchy, put your fears to rest. Merino wool is one of the finest and softest wools around, so you can expect these tights to feel comfortable rather than scratchy. Though the tights are the most expensive on our list, we think they’re worth the investment—and stylist Liz Teich agrees. “These tights are so luxe,” she says. “Wolford is a brand I tend to recommend to clients, because while the tights are a splurge, they [outlast cheaper options].”

The key to keeping your tights from ripping? Buy tights made with sturdy materials, and make sure you’re buying the right size and length for your legs. Then, be gentle when wearing, cleaning, and storing your tights. “Avoid harsh pulling,” López says. “Wash [your tights] by themselves or in a mesh laundry pouch, and store them with other tights.” To top things off, these tights are one of the most affordable options on our list. And when we asked stylists to recommend their favorite warm tights, Teich gave these a shoutout.

Silk thermals, such as these, are popular for their incredibly lightweight, breathable insulation, and deliciously soft feel.

Leuwenhaupt also recommends waiting a while between washes. “To help your tights last longer, wash them only when necessary,” he says. “Between washes, you can air your tights outside and give them a spritz of fabric spray to remove unwanted odors.” If you want a pair of shapewear tights that will also keep you warm, look no further than Hue’s Super Opaque Tights With Control Top. These ultra-cozy tights are made of a blend of nylon and spandex, and they’re designed with a control top, which makes the top of the tights feel snug and slimming—but not uncomfortably tight. Woven from a blend of polyester and spandex, the tights feel like a stretchy sweater for your legs. We also like that they’re designed with a tagless waistband to cut down on itch and irritation. Since the tights come in three versatile colors, they’re super easy to pair with your favorite winter outfits. And to top things off, they’re remarkably budget-friendly, too. If you’re in a position where you can splurge on high-quality materials, Wolford’s Merino Tights are some of the best tights money can buy. Many other warm tights are made of a nylon-elastane blend and occasionally lined with fleece for added warmth—but these are made of equal parts merino wool and nylon, with a little elastane thrown in. This hard-to-find material blend makes the tights extra warm and cozy, though they’re still sturdy and stretchy enough to wear every day. These are well made pants and the merino wool is good quality. They provide nice warmth and breathability and aren’t itchy at all.”It’s nearly impossible to find a pair of 100-percent cashmere tights, and even cashmere-blend tights can get really expensive. But we love Natori’s Cashmere Sweater Tights for a simple reason: They offer a good amount of cashmere at a reasonable price. Sure, you can find more affordable tights that contain half as much cashmere, or cashmere-heavy tights that cost three times the price. But we think that these tights hit the sweet spot, giving you the cozy feel of cashmere without costing a small fortune. A wearer says, “These merino long underwear have been a game changer. On some of the coldest Minnesota days, they kept me warm! They are so comfortable, I sometimes just use them for sleeping. Buy a pair with a matching top . You will not regret it.” They come in sizes XS-XL .

If you feel you want a little more help (we think you’re gorgeous as you are by the way), then why not try our shapewear range? Control panels stitched into the leggings flatter and shape to give you the confidence you want. Over-bump leggings To stay warm while wearing tights, buy the warmest tights you can—and layer other warm clothing on top of them. While you can wear tights to keep your legs covered with dresses and skirts on cool days, López recommends sliding warm tights under pants, jeans, leggings, or maxi dresses to add an extra layer of warmth on very cold days. The tights contain 52% merino wool, which is more than many other merino-blend tights. And that wool is blended with polyamide and elastane to cut down on static, itch, and wear. The tights are ribbed in two directions, which helps them stay put rather than rolling down, and they can be machine-washed and air dried, so they’re also easy to clean. One note: To cut down on dye transfer, you should wash the tights before wearing them—and you should only wash them with similar colors. A user gives a rave review, “I live in these leggings. I sleep in them, travel in them; they are everything. In 110 degree Egypt heat they were perfect and they never smelled. I wear them in winter as much as summer. I have field tested them for over a year and bottom line: there are no better leggings on the face of the earth.” They come in sizes XS-3X , and in long sizes S-XXL . Like thermals, tights are warm and great for layering. But they also tend to be lightweight and stylish. “Tights are meant to be seen, and thermals are not,” says stylist Kendra Sharpe. Tights are also more versatile than thermals: “Thermals are generally [designed for] cold-weather wear, while tights tend to be more multi-season,” Chayes says.

Cool In Summer

Amazing when traveling to or living in cold places. Used them for my winter tour of Europe. Saved me a lot of shivering in Sweden particularly.” There are plenty of chilly months ahead, so there's no better time to begin planning your seasonal legging outfits. Although winter throws up countless joyous elements - think roast dinners, log fires, and cosy nights in - it can also make getting dressed a bit of a mission. Comfort is a major factor when putting together our wardrobe for chilly days, so a pair of reliable and stylish leggings is a non-negotiable in any winter capsule wardrobe. They are so comfortable, I sometimes just use them for sleeping. Buy a pair with a matching top. You will not regret it.” Find out why Woolx is a go-to brand for our readers for merino wool clothing, and take a look at some of their favorite pieces right here!