I am looking for semi-sheer hosiery that is "spring-like" and not opaque but still appropriate for an academic work environment. I am all sorted out for the cold weather - opaque tights and boots work well with my pencil skirts. I can do bare feet in the summer (which is what I have done for many years). But what about spring?

I have tried patterned tights - so far the two pairs I got from Hue, with small, fairly conservative patterns, turned out to be fairly opaque. The more sheer patterned tights usually have fairly large pattern, which is quite visible, and does not seem very appropriate for the type of work environment I am in. I have also tried the Oroblu microfishnets but I see the fishnet pattern quite well, so for me, it still reads as too bold for work.

Are there any semi-sheer tights around that still have the resilience of tights but look lighter? I don't want to switch to pantyhose because I usually rip it up on the first wear. I saw hosiery from Hanes called "Silk reflections", which sounded promising, but at close examination turned out to be pantyhose-like.