Stockings & Suspenders Guide: Hold-Ups, Thigh Highs & How to Wear Them
Stockings are one of the most consistently popular pieces of bedroom lingerie — and one of the most confusing to buy if you are new to them. Hold-ups or suspenders? Sheer or opaque? How do you actually attach them? This guide answers all of it, with picks from across the range at Roxy Fox.
The three types: hold-ups, suspender stockings, and bodystockings
Self-supporting — a silicone or lace band at the top grips the thigh. No suspender belt needed. Easiest to wear. Can slip down if the band is sized wrong.
Attach to a suspender belt (garter belt) worn around the waist. Fully secure — will not slip. More involved to put on, but the classic look.
Full-body coverage from shoulder to toe in one piece — usually fishnet or lace. No sizing issues. Dramatic all-over look.
Hold-ups & thigh highs
Hold-up stockings (also called thigh highs) have a wide band at the top — usually a double-width layer of silicone, lace, or both — that grips the thigh without any external support. They are the most popular choice because they require nothing else: no suspender belt, no fiddly clips.
Getting the fit right is everything with hold-ups. Too loose and they slide down. Too tight and the band digs in and leaves marks. The rule: measure your thigh at the widest point (usually 6–8 inches below the crotch) and match it to the size guide on the product page. When in doubt between sizes, go up — a slightly looser fit is more comfortable and still holds securely.
Sheer Lace Top Hold-Ups — Nude
Classic sheer with lace top band. Nude finish suits all skin tones. UK 6–12.
£9.99 — Shop
Sheer Lace Top Hold-Ups — White
White lace top. Clean and classic, works with most lingerie. UK 6–12.
£11.99 — Shop
Reinforced stay-up band. Red sheer finish — classic contrast with black lingerie.
£17.99 — Shop
Suspender stockings & garter belts
Suspender stockings do not have a self-supporting band — they need a suspender belt (garter belt) to hold them up. The belt sits around the waist or hips, and four or six adjustable straps hang down with metal or plastic clips at the ends that attach to the stocking tops.
This is the more involved option but the result is completely secure — no slipping, no re-adjusting, no interruptions. Many people also find the look of the suspender straps against the thigh significantly more striking than hold-ups alone.
How to attach stockings to a suspender belt
- Put the suspender belt on first — around the waist or hips, positioned where it sits comfortably. Most belts have four straps (two at front, two at back). Loosen the adjusters fully before starting.
- Put the knickers on over the belt — not under it. This is the single most common mistake. Knickers over the belt means you can remove them without unclipping the stockings.
- Roll each stocking up from the toe — do not pull from the top. Roll up in small sections to avoid snags or runs.
- Clip the front strap first. Open the clip, slide the stocking top through the loop, and close it. The clip should grip the doubled fabric of the stocking top, not just one layer.
- Clip the back strap — reach behind and do the same. The stocking should be taut but not stretched tight.
- Adjust the strap lengths until the stocking sits straight and the top band is just below the crotch seam of any knickers.
Leg Avenue Garterbelt & Stockings
Belt and stockings together. Best way to buy if starting out — guaranteed to match.
£19.99 — Shop
The classic seamed stocking. Runs up the back of the leg for maximum retro effect.
£12.99 — Shop
Wet Look Suspender Belt & Stockings
Wet-look PVC belt with sheer stockings. More daring, fetish-adjacent aesthetic.
£20.99 — ShopBackseam stockings
Backseam stockings have a vertical seam running up the back of the leg — a detail from the era of fully-fashioned hosiery that has never gone out of fashion in bedroom lingerie. They look most striking when the seam runs perfectly straight up the centre of the calf and thigh, which requires a little adjustment after putting them on. Run your hand up the back of your leg to check alignment, then rotate the stocking slightly if needed.
Classic sheer nude. Versatile — pair with any colour lingerie or suspender belt.
£7.99 — ShopBodystockings
A bodystocking is a single piece that covers the body from neck or shoulder to toe — usually in fishnet, lace, or sheer mesh. There are no separate pieces to coordinate, no bands or clips to worry about, and sizing is typically one-size-fits-most due to the stretch fabric. The trade-off: they are all-or-nothing to remove.
Le Desir Suspender Bodystocking
Suspender-style detailing built in. Full coverage. UK 14–20.
£19.99 — Shop
Rhinestone detail on suspender lines. More elaborate, statement piece.
£27.99 — Shop
Crystalized Net Bodystocking — Plus
Rhinestone net, full coverage. Designed specifically for plus size. UK 14–18.
£36.99 — ShopSheer vs opaque: which to choose
Thin, see-through finish. The classic stocking look. Shows skin through the fabric. Works with most lingerie colours. More delicate — snagging is possible with rings or rough surfaces.
Thicker, less see-through. More like tights in finish. More forgiving to wear and more durable. Better for cooler temperatures. Lace tops on opaque styles are particularly striking.
Sizing guide
Stocking sizing varies by brand but most use a combination of height and weight or dress size. Key measurements:
- Thigh circumference — the most critical measurement for hold-ups. Measure at the widest point of your thigh.
- Height — determines where the stocking top sits. Taller wearers need longer stockings or the top will not reach the thigh.
- Weight / dress size — most size guides use weight + height together to assign a size.
All product pages at Roxy Fox include the size range (e.g. UK 6–12 or UK 14–18). If you are between sizes, go up for hold-ups and down for suspender stockings (which do not need to grip independently).
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between stockings and tights?
Tights cover the full leg and join at the waist in one piece. Stockings end at the thigh and are held up either by their own band (hold-ups) or a separate suspender belt. Stockings are lingerie; tights are everyday hosiery.
Do hold-ups stay up all night?
On the right size, yes. The key is fit: the silicone band needs to grip the thigh without excess slack. If your hold-ups slide during the day, go up a size. If they leave deep marks, go up a size and check the position — they should sit below the widest point of the thigh.
Can you wear knickers with a suspender belt?
Yes — but always put the knickers on over the suspender belt, not under it. This way you can remove the knickers without unclipping the stockings. It feels counterintuitive the first time but becomes automatic.
What suspender belt goes with which stockings?
Any suspender stockings work with any suspender belt — the clips are universal. The only thing to match is colour and finish. Classic pairing: black satin belt with black sheer stockings. For something more striking: lace belt with backseam stockings.
How do I stop stockings from laddering?
Remove rings and rough jewellery before putting them on. Roll stockings up from the toe rather than pulling from the top. Store them folded flat, not balled up. Sheer stockings are inherently delicate — a snag from a rough surface is inevitable eventually. Opaque styles are more durable.