Julie, although I've lived in England I'm afraid I can't help you with a brand suggestion. However, I can tell you that 10 denier is pretty sheer, very delicate, and is called "invisible" or "summer hose" in my tropical home country.
On the other hand, 40 denier is, as you very well said, more of a opaque hose, and is worn in our mild winters.
Maybe this pictures will speak for themselves:

-10 denier - "invisible"
http://site.lupo.com.br/produtos/detalhes/5970-01/

- 15 denier - still pretty sheer
http://site.lupo.com.br/produt.....5590-01/1/

- 40 denier - opaque
http://site.lupo.com.br/produtos/detalhes/5830-01/

Hope this helps!

Julie here's and m and s link to pictures of 10 denier tights. http://www.marksandspencer.com.....nav_search
I never worn them that thin don't think i'd even get them on without snagging them! i'm on my second pair of fishnets in as many weeks!!!!! x

Thanks Erica, those links where very insightful.

Louise, I'm also concerned about snagging, more so considering the price!

Like Khris I'm also planning my office Christmas event outfit (starts at 1pm ends at 1am) . I work for a small office, four employees and the boss goes wild at Christmas.

Apart from the hose, I think I have the outfit sorted, silk dress from gap, grey studded belt, grey and green suede clutch and the above booties. I need to move from daytime with Christmas shoppers/ business people to evening with the Christmas revellers.

Just need the hose HELP!

Gorgeous new booties! I prefer 15 denier when I want sheer and 40 for the semi-opaque, but those you post seem great also.

I've found some, they also have these in my local store and thankfully much cheaper x
http://www.bhs.co.uk/mall/prod.....oke%20Grey

Thank you Rute and Louise.

Louise I'm going to order the BHS hose asap. I would like to have a couple of extra pairs in my clutch in case of emergency. Thanks for the link!!!!!

Glad to be of service i couldn't bear the thought of £11 tights! x

KILLER booties! Do you love them? I want some too!

Julie, how about a pair of trextured hose with the look? I've found that they last much longer than plain sheer hose.

Talking of textured ones Angie i've got these on order in grey
http://www.marksandspencer.com....._10%3AGrey
Julie would something like this work with your booties? x

Thanks again for the link Louise, I wish I lived closer to Birmingham, I can bet you are a fantastic shopping buddy.

Angie, I think I will try to post the outfit over the next couple of nights to see if adding another texture would be overkill. I'm actually quite minimalist at heart.

Update, I have just ordered some dark grey fishnets from mytights, not quite micro, but I hope they work
http://www.mytights.com/gb/fas.....ights.html
(I will layer over nude hose to combat the chill.)

Aw thanks Julie x
I've been lusting over several tights on mytights since you posted the first link. I love the idea of layering patterned tights over nude ones i'm feeling the cold at the mo so much so i've ordered thermal knickers to wear over my tights! x