Yes, they stay up, as long as you take the right size. A stay-up stocking holds itself on a silicone band built into the lace at the top, which grips directly against the skin. No suspenders, no belt, nothing to fasten. When a stay-up slides down, the cause is almost always one of two things: a size that is too large, or moisturiser applied to the thigh before putting them on.
Here is how they work, which size to take, and how to keep the grip for as long as possible.
How does a stay-up stocking hold itself up?
A stay-up stocking, also called a hold-up or a thigh-high, stops at the top of the thigh instead of coming up to the waist. What holds it there is a silicone band set inside the lace, running the full way around the top.
Silicone does not stick the way an adhesive does. It creates friction against the skin. That is why the cleanliness of both the skin and the band changes everything: on a freshly moisturised thigh, or on a band covered in lint, the friction disappears and the stocking comes down.
Our Mid-Thigh Prima work on exactly this principle: black lace, a silicone band, semi-sheer down the leg.
Do stay-up stockings slip?
Not if these three conditions are met.
- The right size. A stocking that is too large does not put enough tension on the band for it to work. This is by far the first cause of slipping.
- Clean, dry skin. No cream, oil or lotion on the strip of skin where the silicone sits. If you moisturise your legs, do it below that zone, or well before getting dressed.
- A clean silicone band. Silicone picks up lint and soap residue. A damp cloth wiped over the band after a few wears is enough to give it back its grip.
Which size of stay-up stocking should you choose?
This is where stay-ups differ from tights. Tights are chosen on your height and your hip measurement. A thigh-high is chosen on your thigh circumference, measured at the widest point, where the stocking is going to sit.
| Size | Thigh circumference | General reference |
|---|---|---|
| S-M | 19 to 23 inches | Generally corresponds to sizes S to M, hips up to 41 inches |
| L-XL | 23 to 27 inches | Generally corresponds to sizes L to XL, hips up to 50 inches |
If you do not know your thigh circumference, your usual hip measurement is a good approximation. When in doubt between two sizes, the calculator on the product page recommends the larger of the two.
How long does the grip last?
It is not permanent. The silicone band loses its grip with washing and with the residue it picks up over time. On our Mid-Thigh Prima product page we state that the grip can last for up to thirty wears, depending on care and frequency of use.
Care is what makes the difference:
- Hand wash in lukewarm water, without fabric softener
- Air dry, never in the dryer
- Wipe the silicone band with a damp cloth after a few wears
- Put them on by rolling them up the leg rather than pulling in one go
The same principle applies to everything we make, and we have set it out in our care guide.
When should you wear stay-ups instead of tights?
Late August and September in Quebec are the in-between season: cool enough that bare legs no longer work, still too mild for full tights. That is exactly the window for a thigh-high. Under a dress or a skirt, it gives the finish of a nylon without the layer of warmth of tights that come up to the waist.
Once the temperature drops for good, tights take over again. Our Deluxe Unbreakable are our most resistant style, and our Prima Durable are the sheerer, lighter equivalent.
Stay-ups, knee-highs or tights: which one?
It comes down to the length you want, and nothing else. The material is the same.
- Mid-Thigh Prima: stop at the top of the thigh and hold themselves up. Worn under a dress or a skirt.
- Midi Prima: come up to the knee, sold in a pack of 3 pairs. Worn under trousers.
- Mini Prima: sheer ankle socks, sold in a pack of 3 pairs. Worn with closed shoes.
- Tights: come up to the waist, cover both legs in one piece, and add a real layer of warmth.
All three stocking lengths are in our Stockings collection, and the full comparison of our styles is on Our Tights.
