Every pair of tights has a number with "den" on it. It tells you how fine, how opaque and how warm the tights are. Here you will find out what the denier number means, which thickness suits which occasion and why it looks a little different in plus sizes. If you already know you prefer opaque: here are our opaque plus size tights.
What does denier mean in tights?
"Den" is short for denier, a unit that measures how fine a yarn is. 1 denier means that 9,000 metres of yarn weigh 1 gram. So a pair of 20 denier tights is knitted from a yarn of which 9,000 metres weigh 20 grams. The higher the number, the thicker the yarn. And the thicker the yarn, the denser, more opaque and warmer the tights.
Sometimes you will also see a dtex (decitex) value. That is the weight in grams of 10,000 metres of yarn, so the number is a little higher. At Glamory, both are shown on the product page, for example "20 Denier (22 dtex)".
Denier chart: from sheer to opaque
| Denier | Look on the leg | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 5 to 15 denier | ultra-sheer, almost invisible | summer, festive occasions |
| 20 denier | sheer, your skin shows through | office, evening, weddings, spring and autumn |
| 30 to 40 denier | semi-sheer, slightly covering | office, everyday, autumn |
| 50 denier | semi-sheer, noticeably more covering | autumn, under trousers and boots |
| 60 to 70 denier | opaque | cold days, winter, with boots |
| 80 to 100 denier and up | very opaque, almost like leggings | frost, long walks outdoors |
Glamory styles by denier, all in EU sizes 40 to 62:
- 20 denier: Satin 20, plus most of our stay-ups and stockings
- 40 denier: Satin 40, Vital 40, Ouvert 40
- 50 denier: Fit 50 knee-highs (one size, extra wide)
- 60 denier: Ouvert 60, Micro 60 stay-ups, Noir 60 stockings
- 70 denier: Vital 70
How many denier are opaque tights?
From about 60 denier. At Glamory, all styles from 60 denier are opaque. At 40 and 50 denier they are semi-sheer: more covering than a 20 denier pair, but you can still see your leg. How opaque a pair of tights looks in the end does not depend on the number alone, though, but also on how much they are stretched. More on that below.
Matt or glossy?
The denier number says nothing about the sheen. Whether tights look glossy or matt depends on the type of yarn and how it is processed. Satin 20 and Satin 40 have a soft satin sheen, while Vital 70 is silky matt. Opaque styles are often made of microfibre, a very fine yarn that feels soft.
Why denier looks different in plus sizes
The denier number describes the yarn, not how the tights finally look on your leg. The more a pair of tights is stretched, the wider the stitches open and the more sheer they look. If your tights are too small or cut too tight at the thighs, a 40 denier pair can quickly look like 20 denier there, and opaque tights get light patches. Here is what to look out for:
- The right size: find it with your height and weight in the size chart. If you are between two sizes, choose the larger one.
- Enough room at the hips and thighs: Glamory tights have an extra-roomy brief and thigh section. That way the material is stretched more evenly and stays denser there.
- If in doubt, go one step up: if you want to be sure they are opaque, choose 70 rather than 60 denier. If you want semi-sheer, choose 40 rather than 20 denier.
Which denier for which occasion?
- Office: 20 to 40 denier in black or your skin tone. If you sit or stand a lot, the Vital 40 with gentle support (support class 1) is a good choice.
- Weddings and festive occasions: 20 denier, sheer and elegant. More in our guide tights for weddings.
- Autumn: 40 to 50 denier. Semi-sheer and already noticeably warmer than sheer tights.
- Winter: from 60 denier. Find out which styles really keep you warm in plus size winter tights.
- Under trousers and boots: knee-highs are enough here, for example the Fit 50 with an extra-wide cuff for fuller calves.
Do tights with a higher denier last longer?
Usually yes, because a thicker yarn copes better with a small snag than an ultra-fine one. But no denier number fully protects against ladders. Just as important are the right size, so the material is not overstretched, and the right care: wash tights at 30 °C in a laundry bag, without fabric softener, and let them air dry. You will find more tips in our care tips for tights.
Frequently asked questions
What does 20 denier mean in tights?
20 denier stands for a fine yarn: 9,000 metres weigh 20 grams. A pair of 20 denier tights is sheer, your skin shows through. These are classic sheer tights.
How many denier are opaque tights?
From about 60 denier. At Glamory, all styles from 60 denier are opaque, styles with 40 and 50 denier are semi-sheer.
Which is warmer, 40 or 70 denier?
70 denier. More yarn holds more warmth. At Glamory, for example, that is the opaque Vital 70.
What is the difference between denier and dtex?
Both describe how fine the yarn is. Denier refers to 9,000 metres, dtex to 10,000 metres. That is why the dtex value is a little higher: 20 denier is about 22 dtex.
You will find all styles in EU sizes 40 to 62 in our plus size tights.