Q Where can I find opaque tights of good quality for my wife?

A If it is quality you are looking for, I would suggest you choose leggings over tights.

Tights are usually made of nylon and lycra for comfort and better fit, which means they are thin, sheer and delicate. You have to handle them gently if you want them to last.

Leggings, on the other hand, are made of cotton and are often not as stretchy as tights. However, they are more durable because of their thickness and can be worn as trousers due to their opacity.

Leggings can be tossed into a washing machine. Refrain from doing so with tights - they are likely to snag, tear or warp.

A good way to launder tights is to put them in a pillow case or laundry net before putting them into the washer. Make sure you put them on a delicate cycle at a cool to medium temperature as hot water will cause shrinkage. Use a mild detergent .

Japanese label Uniqlo offers both basic black leggings and tights at two price points: $14.90 and $29.90. In both cases, the more costly versions are made of a thicker fabric and are more stretchy than the cheaper ones.

Over at Topshop, tights start from $13 for your basic black nylon to $29 for lace versions. For opaque legwear (above), prices range from $26 for below-the-knee leggings to $76 for black leggings with eyelets.

This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times.