SMALL PRINT:IF WE can take one positive from the speedy and shocking change from Indian summer to Baltic winter, it is this: finally, it's time to return to tights. No longer for us, these hours spent shaving, waxing and tanning – our legs can take refuge from the wind and the judgmental glares of passersby until early 2012. Before stocking up, consider what you want your tights to say about you – and how much you're willing to spend for the privilege.

Leaps and bounds in technology and manufacturing mean that unless you have a maid willing to handwash each pair of tights using only Dove soap, your €27 opaques will last no longer than your €4 pair. The expense, psychologically, will force you to be more careful with them, but there are no longer vast differences in quality between brands.

That said, there are factors worth bearing in mind when choosing your hosiery:

1. Pay attention to denier.When it comes to opaques, the higher the better. Dunnes is currently doing a gorgeous pair of 100 denier velvet opaques in black and mulberry at the bargain price of €3.50 (left).

2. Black is the new black.Colour can be fun and cute and, heaven forbid, whimsical – but it will never be as chic as a failsafe pair of black opaques. Experiment with "kooky" shades while out with friends, but in the boardroom (and the bedroom), stick with the classics.

3. Be cautious with patterns.See point 2 – and think about whether or not you want to separate your legs into large indiscriminate portions. Do you think that's flattering? And no, it doesn't matter if you're attempting to mimic suspenders – portioning off your leg is never going to be sexy.

4. Novelty tights.Don't. Just . . . don't.

5. Understand that "ladder-free" does not mean snag-free.If you catch your tights on a nail or a sharp edge or – classy – a bicycle chain, they will tear.

Always carry a spare pair in your handbag, and some clear nail varnish for emergencies – dab it on snags to stop them growing into ladders.