I Finally Found the Perfect Pair of Black Tights That Don’t Rip

Just in time for dress and boots season.

The feeling I have slipping into a pair of tights for the first time each fall is the same way I would imagine most people feel putting on their favorite comfortable jeans. Truth be told, I only own three pairs of pants that don’t qualify as leggings, so I anxiously await the moment a chill returns to the air, pumpkin spice everything hits the shelves, and my beloved wardrobe staple finally makes its long-awaited return.

As an avid non-pants-wearer, I’ve searched high and low for the perfect pair of nylon tights over the years, having tried out pairs from Walgreens to Barneys and all the price points in between. No matter the brand, I always found myself dealing with the same frustrating scenarios: If they didn’t pill in a few washes on delicate, then the waistband dug into my hips unbearably; if they would hold up in the right places without sagging, then the toe-seam would tear after just a few wears. And of course, there’s nothing worse than putting on a brand new pair of tights only to discover they’ve snagged before the day is over.

I had become accustomed to throwing away torn tights almost weekly before I discovered the durable pair I should have been buying all along. Enter: Spanx Luxe Leg Blackout Mid-Thigh Tights ($38; spanx.com), the pair that ended my search for the perfect essential black tights.

I’m not a fan of feeling too constricted in clothing (hence the no-pants thing) so I’ll admit, I was apprehensive to try a pair of tights from a brand known for its shapewear. But from the first time I put them on, I was immediately impressed by how insanely comfortable they were. They felt supportive, but not restrictive, and taking them off after a day’s wear wasn’t met with the sigh of relief I had expected. I was sold.

Since they’re made with a durable blend of nylon, cotton, and spandex, these tights really hold up. Even with jewelry and long-nails, they’ve never met the same snagged fate all my previous tights eventually have. Plus, over the course of a year, they still continue to hold their shape, look pill-free, and fit as comfortable as they did the first wear. I now have a few more of the same pair and broke up with the unreliable misfits hanging out in my designated black tights drawer for good.

Designed to be completely opaque, the Blackout Tights are ideal for layering under dresses, skirts, and pairing with boots for a sleek and put-together look that won’t leave you reaching for the nail polish in an effort to stop runs. A win-win all around.

To buy: $38; spanx.com.