Thermal Tights: Keep Wearing Skirts All Winter

By Fashion Tight

Skirt season doesn't end in October. It just needs different legs underneath. Thermal tights are how the midi, the mini and the knit dress keep going through to March, and this guide covers what they are, which pair to pick and how to wear them.

What are thermal tights?

On the outside, thermal tights look like a regular opaque. The difference is on the inside: the knit is brushed into a soft, fleece-like lining. Our pair, the Penti Fleece Lined Thermal Tights 150 Denier, is 150 denier in 94% polyester and 6% elastane, with a slight sheen on the outside, a comfort waistband, a cotton gusset and a reinforced panty and toe.

Want the full story on denier numbers, from barely-there 7 to heavyweight 200? Our denier guide has every weight explained. This one stays at the thermal end of the drawer.

Fleece-lined or 200 denier: which winter opaque?

Both give you a solid black leg. They just get there differently.

• Fleece-lined thermal, 150 denier: a brushed lining inside, a slight sheen outside and a polyester-rich yarn.
• Plain opaque, 200 denier: no lining, just a dense matt knit in 91% polyamide and 9% elastane, with a comfort plus waistband and a cotton gusset. The Penti Super Opaque Black Tights 200 Denier come in six sizes, S to XXXL.

Choose the thermal for the brushed lining and a touch of sheen. Choose the 200 denier for a completely flat matt black and the widest size range. Both sit in our opaque tights collection, next to the 80 and 100 denier weights, so you can see every winter option in one place.

Thermal tights or thermal leggings?

Penti makes the same 150 denier fleece-lined knit in two cuts. The tights have a cotton gusset and a reinforced toe, so they go under ankle boots and loafers like any other pair. The Penti Fleece Lined Thermal Leggings 150 Denier are cut legging-style, with a comfort band waistband, a reinforced crotch and the same slightly shiny finish.

Same composition, same S to XL sizing. The rule is simple. A skirt with boots or loafers? Tights. A tunic, a long jumper or an oversized shirt dress? Leggings.

How to style thermal tights with skirts and dresses

Opaque black is the easiest leg in fashion. It goes with everything, so the outfit can do the talking.

The black midi and ankle boots

Thermal tights, a black midi, chunky ankle boots. The slight sheen looks polished at the office and still works at the pub after. Add a camel coat and you're done.

The mini and knee boots

A tweed or corduroy mini with black thermals and knee boots is the most straightforward cold-weather outfit there is. One solid line from hem to boot, nothing to think about at 7am.

The knit dress, with pattern

Want pattern without going sheer? The Penti Knit Effect Patterned Winter Tights have a raised over-knit texture, in Black or Coffee-Cream. Coffee-Cream with a camel knit dress and brown boots; Black with everything else. They're not a thermal, so keep them for the days you want texture over lining.

Fishnets on top

For a going-out version, layer a black fishnet over black opaques. The net shows, the leg underneath stays solid, and the black midi suddenly has plans for Friday. Pick your net from our fishnet range.

Sizing and care

Both Penti thermals come in S, M, L and XL; the 200 denier opaque runs from S to XXXL. Match your height and weight on our size guide, and if you're between two sizes, go up.

Care is the same for the thermals and the 200 denier: a delicate wash at 30 degrees, with no ironing, bleach, dry cleaning or tumble drying. Hosiery is returnable only unopened, so check the size before you open the pack.

Thermal tights FAQs

Are thermal tights see-through?

No. Our Penti thermal tights are 150 denier with a brushed lining, so the leg is fully covered in solid black, with a slight sheen on the outside.

What is the difference between thermal tights and 200 denier tights?

Thermal tights have a brushed, fleece-like lining on the inside. 200 denier tights have no lining and get their coverage from a dense, matt knit. Both are fully opaque.

What size thermal tights should I buy?

Our Penti thermal tights come in S, M, L and XL, sized by height and weight. Check the Fashion Tight size guide, and go up a size if you are between two.

Find your winter pair at fashiontight.co.uk. Free delivery to the UK and 49 more countries.