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Formula for the perfect pair of TIGHTS: Equation helps women choose what denier stockings to wear according to the weather

Dr Hind came up with equation to determine most suitable fabric thickness
Secret to deciding what to pop on depends on wind speed and temperature
The formula helps calculate what denier, or thickness, to choose to avoid being too hot or cold throughout the day

Published: 11:02 EST, 8 September 2015 | Updated: 12:11 EST, 8 September 2015

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If you thought wearing a pair of tights is a simple matter, you’d be wrong.

A male scientist has devised a mathematical formula to help women choose the perfect pair of tights to keep their legs warm this winter.

Dr James Hind came up with the equation to determine the most suitable fabric thickness depending on the weather conditions.

A scientist has devised a mathematical formula (pictured above) to help women choose the perfect pair of tights to keep their legs warm this winter. He says the secret all depends on wind speed and temperature

And his research at Nottingham Trent University was based on bitter personal experience – from wearing tights while playing Robin Hood at a tourist attraction in the city.

The 39-year-old says the secret to deciding what stockings to pop on the morning all depends on wind speed and temperature.

The formula then helps calculate what denier, or thickness, to choose to avoid being too hot or cold throughout the day.

The formula builds the temperature (t) and wind speed (w) into a forecast to calculate the thickness of tights most appropriate (thermal imaging of legs during study pictured)

The mathematician designed the equation after he had to wear green stockings when he worked at the Tales of Robin Hood, a former tourist attraction in Nottingham.

He said: ‘I worked in tights day in and day out for a year and I know the value of properly warm tights on a cold day.

‘I worked there 15 years ago in 1997. My 110 denier thick tights saved my life in the winter.

So it is not just women but anyone who wears tights. Having worn them myself, I know the nature of this problem.

‘I made those tights my basis for the formula because they should see anybody through cold and windy weather, and then when it's lovely and sunny, the denier recommendation reduces.’

The mathematician claims the complex-looking formula will work across the UK as it takes into consideration local weather conditions.

His formula builds the temperature (t) and wind speed (w) into a forecast to calculate the thickness of tights most appropriate.

Dr Hind (pictured) said he used a Sigmoid formula because it allows for very little change at the extremes and lots of change in the middle. ‘So, if the temperature is sub-zero then I'd recommend trousers or leggings but if it's 25 to 30 degrees then it will probably be too warm for any tights at all,' he said

The equation uses the sigmoid curve to create a scale to determine the denier or density of fibre needed (d).

It can be altered to allow for warmer southerly winds and colder northerly winds by using kilometres per hour for colder winds and miles per hour for warmer ones.

Dr Hind, who lives with science lecturer wife Dr Laurice Fretwell, 33, in Beeston, Nottingham, added: ‘I used the Sigmoid formula here.

It lets you have very little change at the extremes and lots of change in the middle.

‘So, if the temperature is sub-zero then I'd recommend trousers or leggings but if it's 25 to 30 degrees then it will probably be too warm for any tights at all.

‘It took a lot of tinkering and tampering for a few hours at a time but I think it's turned out really well.

‘I love sticking e and pi in equations - makes them look so much more fun.’