Chain store tights trump designer: Choice

A Choice survey has found that tights available for $3.30 from discount store Kmart last longer without laddering than similar ones sold by a luxury lingerie retailer for $75.

The consumer advocate tested 10 brands of 70 denier black opaque tights for durability.

A sample of each of the tights was stretched, pricked and loaded with weight at Melbourne's RMIT textile lab to ascertain how soon they began laddering and how large each hole became.

Clio Super Soft opaque tights 3-pack from Kmart ($10 or $3.30 a pair) ranked the best, while Wolford's 66 denier Velvet Deluxe tights ($75) came in at the bottom.

Choice's Kate Browne says the more affordable options performed well and showed price is no reflection of quality.

"With Australians spending almost $600 million in hosiery in 2015, it pays to know where you stand when it comes to durability," Ms Browne said in a statement.

RANK OF TIGHTS FROM BEST TO WORST

1. Clio Super Soft opaque tights 3 pack, $10

2. Bonds Comfy Tops opaque tights, $7.20

3. Razzamatazz Perfectly Matte opaque tights, $7.20

4. Mix Basic soft matte opaque tights 3 pack, $10

5. Voodoo Lavish opaque tights, $19.95

6. Levante Suede Matte opaque tight, $18.95

7. Ambra opaque back seam tight, $10

8. Kmart opaque tights $6

9. Kayser Ultrafresh treated opaque tights, $11.95

10. Wolford Velvet Deluxe 66, $75