These are the absolute best black tights we've tested. We found them to be comfortable and stretchy, and we appreciated the control top and mid-thigh shaper that gave us a smooth appearance. Most impressive was the high level of durability, which allowed us to wash and wear the tights multiple times without issue.

At its core, Spanx aims to find wardrobe solutions for real women. Although it has been 24 years since the company's founding, it's "still a group of women addressing those wardrobe frustrations," Spanx Chief Merchandising Officer Kiana Miree tells PEOPLE.

So, sizing at Spanx is designed to accommodate a wide variety of body types. "We fit every single size on multiple body types," Miree says. "At Spanx, we have five different 'size medium women,' so we're learning from those women."

On the Spanx website, each product has sizing information that advises shoppers whether products run small, large, or true-to-size. You may have to size up in stretchy items like the Booty Boost Flare Pant, which tend to run small.

Spanx were invented by Sara Blakely in 2000 after she cut the feet off a pair of control top tights to achieve a smooth look under pants. Spanx quickly became a celebrity favorite (the brand made Oprah's Favorite Things list in 2000), and they have continued to expand their offerings in the brand's 24 years of existence. Today, Spanx offers some of the market's best shapewear and apparel.

Our closets are full of Spanx styles that we've acquired over the years. We polled PEOPLE editors and writers on their favorite items from Spanx, and the best products made this list. It's worth noting that some products -- like the AirEssentials Half Zip and matching Wide Leg Pant -- are so good that they were recommended multiple times.

We also included products that have gone through our formal testing process to earn our PEOPLE Tested seal of approval, like the EveryWear Flare Jeans, Bra-llelujah! Wireless Bra and Core Tights. We previously tested these styles against similar products, and multiple weeks of testing determined that they were among the best of their kind.

Genevieve Cepeda is a shopping writer for PEOPLE, who specializes in writing about the best beauty and fashion buys. For this article, she polled shopping editors and writers to gather a list of the best Spanx products. She also consulted testing feedback from long-term tests previously conducted by PEOPLE. We personally recommend each and every one of these products, and we think they're worth the buy.

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don't stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we've awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval -- because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust -- every day, every purchase.