The first cool front of the fall has truly arrived! It's inescapably time to find some better blackout tights. Along with leggings, blackout tights are a staple of my wardrobe because they allow me to wear shorter skirts and dresses/tunics with decency. "Blackout" is important because tights that are acceptably dark on my slender calves often become sheer above the knees.

I found the Apt. 9 Blackout tights at Kohl's last year. They are truly opaque, thick but not hot, very stretchy but fit my long legs without falling down, and nice high top. I really do love them, except that the moderate control top stretches out in a day. I've never had tights do that! It's really a bummer because when new (or straight out of the dryer!) they feel terrific. Smooth and snug without binding. But I have two pair and they're both like that.

Criteria:
* Solidly black, even over quite curvy legs
* Smooth line. That means a "high" waist (my rise is 16" in back). Snug enough to hug my waist without sliding down into a muffin top or pulling at the crotch.
* Not too expensive. Ideally under $30/pair, since I will need multiples. (I'd be willing to pay more if they turn out to be Magic and work perfectly.)

I found a couple of options at Nordstrom. Both have mostly good reviews, with a few reviews from people who despised them. So it's hard to tell. I know it's really subjective! But I figured I'd ask before I ordered 6 pair. (I will also try the Apt. 9 tights again, since they tend to tweak the design from year to year.)