Hold-ups or stay-ups (in the United States also referred to as thigh-high stockings or simply thigh highs) are stockings with an elasticized band at the top, designed to hold the stockings up when worn, without the use of a garter belt or garters (British English: suspenders). Thigh highs are held up by one or more bands sewn to the top that is backed with silicone on its inner surface. This ensures the thigh highs stay in position because of the elastic and the friction of the silicone against the skin.
The silicone can become ineffective by contact with body lotions, oils and talcum powder, as they all reduce the friction of the silicone. Thigh highs are designed so that the elastic band exerts just the right pressure on a woman's thigh, avoiding any uncomfortable tightness or unflattering muffin-top effect. Sometimes thigh highs are preferred to pantyhose for hygiene reasons, because they reduce excessive humidity and warmth.
Thigh highs may be chosen because of the classic popular "stocking top" line, and there are no suspender bumps to be seen through a skirt or dress. Like stockings and pantyhose, the thickness of thigh-highs is measured in denier.
With the invention of nylon, thigh high stockings took center stage in women's fashion. While high-end consumers never lost their fascination with silk thigh highs, their nylon counterparts were so ubiquitous that they ended up baptizing the entire stocking family. In popular use, stockings were referred to as "nylons" in the 1940s.
In the 1960s, thigh highs retreated towards a more marginal place in women's fashion. It is accepted that the popularity of the mini-skirt was an important factor in this. As the skirt was growing shorter and shorter, revealing the top line of the stockings became uncommon, and thigh highs became superseded by pantyhose.
HOLD UP STOCKINGS
Hold Ups, also known as stay ups, are a fantastic alternative to tights. They are just as sexy as stockings, but you do not need a suspender belt to wear them. They are cooler during the summer than tights and are absolutely nuisance-free to wear (when they are put on right).
How They Work
Hold ups are kept in place by a combination of a silicone band and elasticated top. If correctly selected for size and put on properly, there should be no risk of them falling down.
It is important to get the right size hold up stockings for you. When wearing hold ups ensure that the lace band fits snugly but not tightly onto your leg. The lace should be positioned mid-thigh for maximum comfort and fit.
Avoid using products like body lotions and talcum powder as these hinder the effectiveness of the silicone grip, and your hold ups could slip out of position. (Similarly when washing, use of fabric conditioners is not recommended).
Turn the top of the hold up stocking over so it is not touching your leg until it is in position, then flip up and smooth onto your leg (i.e. the silicone does not come into contact with the skin until in correct position).
Top Tip If you want to wear hold ups on your wedding day, it is a good idea to test them first. On your wedding day you are likely to apply loads of moisturiser, and be hotter than normal due to nerves and the number of layers under your dress (both can reduce the efficacy of the silicone, making it difficult for the stocking to stay up).