The winner: Threads...If you own just one pair of tights, make it these. Ethically made in Italy using European yarn, this Canadian brand’s tights were born out of one woman’s frustration—that’s brand founder, Xenia Chen—and refined using feedback from over 200 people. The mission was to address all the annoying things about traditional pantyhose, like bizarrely short leg lengths that result in the dreaded “double crotch,” bands that dig in and toes that get holes in them so quickly you feel like some clawed beast must be wearing them when you’re not looking. It shows when you try on a pair of Threads tights. The yarn is just the right amount of stretchy and this opaque pair is seriously opaque and matte. I can also confirm that they hold up in a washing machine very well. The real selling point is the waistband, a genius bit of engineering that is smoothing and supportive in a gentle, coddling sort of way—I’m 5″2′, and I could pull the waistband up almost to the top of my ribcage, which is exactly what I want. I also tried a sheer pair and a nude-for-me pair, and I’d wholeheartedly endorse all three.

Most Flattering Tights: Threads Opaque Contour Tights....With a high-waisted cut and contoured waistband, these tights received unanimous high praise from our testers for their flattering fit. One tester raved, "I like the high waist and the way they smoothed things out but didn't feel crushing, like control tops usually do." Other testers noted that these tights were truly opaque on their legs, with a comfortable mid-weight feel....