There are obvious similarities between leggings and tights, but they are two different types of clothing. Understanding the variations can help you decide which are most appropriate for you.
When you wear them
Leggings are generally considered an item of casualwear, worn around the house or during exercise. You can wear tights on casual occasions, but they also adapt for more formal outfits, even if they are not as comfortable. Standards for what is considered professional can, of course, vary.
You are more likely to wear tights than leggings under other clothing, such as trousers, although this is not a hard rule. This is because tights are generally thinner and lighter, whilst leggings may be heavy and warm.
Length and shape
A pair of leggings may extend anywhere from the middle of your calf to your ankle, whilst tights traditionally continue to cover not only your legs but also your feet; however, footless tights, including 80 denier tights, are available from stockists such as www.bettertights.com/collections/80-denier-tights.
Tights may also vary their topline more than leggings. Some are designed to just reach your thighs, whilst others go all the way to your waistline. Both tights and leggings are designed to be close-fitting, but tights will generally cling more closely to the skin. Leggings can be closer to tights or trousers in design, including the waistline, crotch, and any pockets.
Colours and patterns
Both leggings and tights come in a range of colours. Leggings are more likely to have patterns, whilst tights are generally plain. Wool tights may be opaque, but others are often sheer with a degree of semi-transparency.
Care
Caring for leggings generally just means putting them through a regular wash cycle with other clothes of a similar colour. Tights are more delicate, and it is usually recommended that you place them in mesh bags first to minimise the risk of them becoming misshapen or laddering.
These few design differences between leggings and tights may seem minor; however, they alter the occasions when you may choose to wear one or the other, so consider the variations carefully.