Sexy and sophisticated, 5 to 10 denier tights are a must-have. Fashion-savvy celebrities can’t wear them fast enough. This trend is also booming on the high street, making these tights one of the season’s hottest fashion items.

But how practical are 5 to 10 denier tights for a busy working mom?

Emma Lazenby shares her verdict after testing 8 denier tights…

“Getting dressed is tricky when the weather changes from wet and windy to hot and humid. It’s not quite winter-tights season, but even with warmer days, I’m not ready to bare my legs.

That’s where transitional tights come in.

Fashion experts say 5 denier stockings are a must-have this autumn. Celebrities like Maya Jama, Michelle Keegan, and Lily Collins have been flaunting their legs in these barely-there tights.

Slimming, sexy, and stylish, sheer hosiery adds a touch of elegance. But are they snag-proof and practical for a busy mom of three?

I tested an 8 denier pair from Calzedonia, priced at £6.99, and didn’t have high expectations. The first issue? The fear of laddering is much higher when rushing to pull them up. You need to gather them carefully and roll them on slowly, just like in the movies.

Overall, it was a good experience. I remembered to shave, but sheer tights need to be pulled taut. Faced with wrinkly ankles and a sagging crotch, I had to start over. I realized I’d need an extra five minutes each morning to put them on properly without laddering—not ideal when getting three young kids to school before my commute. Still, they feel luxurious, so sacrificing those five minutes in bed might be worth it. It was chilly, so I opted for a jumper-dress for the school run and asked my kids not to touch my new tights—pointless, of course. My five-year-old daughter dried her wet hands on them, but they dried almost instantly. That’s a win! Good to know they’ll hold up during rainy school runs. I usually prefer 70 denier tights; my motto has always been, ‘The thicker, the better.’

Anyone who grew up in the Nineties remembers that sheer hosiery was iconic, worn by stars like Madonna in Who’s That Girl and Princess Diana.

Barely-there tights felt too Eighties, while opaque options let us wear shorter skirts. I still remember when M&S launched 70 denier tights made from the revolutionary material—Lycra. Priced at just £2.50 a pair, I never looked back.

That was 30 years ago. Now that I’m in my forties and dealing with an unpredictable thermostat, I’m ready for a change. Sheer tights are perfect when you don’t want to use fake tan or have the occasional bruise or spider vein; they provide coverage while adding a touch of sex appeal. I can see how alluring celebrities like Lily Collins, Alexa Chung, and Maya Jama look in them, as the tights seem to lengthen their legs. When I paired them with a mini-dress and asked my husband for his opinion, he replied, ‘Aren’t you going to be cold?’ and then added, ‘The kids will ruin them.’

I took him back to the Eighties and Nineties, mentioning icons like Kim Basinger and Susanna Hoffs from The Bangles, and he finally understood. Sheer tights were undeniably sexy back then. While I may not be in showbiz, he admitted, ‘I see what you mean; legs do look really nice.’

I also tested them under cropped trousers, and they looked great. As a base layer, they felt light and comfortable. I tried them with a floaty midi-dress, which I had never considered before, fearing I might look frumpy. However, my new hosiery kept my legs warm without any laddering—though I had clear nail varnish handy for those tiny nicks. It might be wise to invest in a ladder-resistant pair, priced up to £20.

I felt a bit overexposed, especially in the mini-dress, but I grew to love the bold sheer look.

And why not embrace it?”