Stockings Buying Guide: Hold-Ups, Fishnets & Everything In Between
You find the lingerie set. It’s perfect. Then you spot the stockings in the product photos and realise you have absolutely no idea which ones to buy, whether you need a suspender belt, or whether they’ll stay up for more than twenty minutes.
It’s one of the most common questions our team answers in store, and whether you’re buying for yourself or for a partner and want to get it right, the answer is always the same: once someone explains the basics clearly, it stops being confusing.
First Things First: Stockings, Hold-Ups and Tights — What’s Actually Different?
Before anything else, it helps to know what you’re actually choosing between. The terms get used loosely, and it leads to a lot of accidental purchases.
Tights cover everything from waist to toe in one piece. They’re the everyday option most people grew up wearing, and they’re not what this guide is about. Worth naming, though, so you know where one category ends and another begins.
Stockings are thigh-high and stop there. They have no built-in mechanism to stay up. They need a suspender belt, sometimes called a garter belt, with clips that attach to the stocking top. Classic, elegant, a little more involved to put on. Worth it for occasion wear.
Hold-ups, also called stay-ups, are thigh-high stockings with a silicone grip band sewn into the top. No suspender belt needed. You pull them on, smooth the band flat against your thigh, and they stay put. One practical note: don’t moisturise your thighs before putting them on. The silicone needs bare skin to grip. Lotion turns it into a slide.
The stockings vs hold-ups question is the one our team answers most often in store. Once you know the difference, everything else makes sense.
The Main Styles: A Quick Guide
Within the stocking and hold-up world, there are a handful of distinct styles. Here’s what each one is and when it’s the right choice.
Classic sheer stockings. Fine denier, a slight sheen, and a barely-there look on the leg. The traditional stocking, worn with a suspender belt and matching lingerie. Sheer stockings work beautifully for occasion wear, romantic evenings, or completing a full lingerie set.
Seamed stockings. The same as classic sheer, but with a deliberate back seam running up the length of the leg. It’s a vintage detail that adds a lot: visually dramatic, unmistakably glamorous, and perfect for boudoir or burlesque-inspired looks. Any time you want to make an impression, really.
Lace-top stockings. A decorative lace band at the thigh rather than a plain welt. These pair especially well with a matching lace suspender belt and bra. Lace with lace is always a winning combination, and they’re primarily for lingerie sets and bedroom-adjacent wear.
Hold-up stockings. The practical option. Sheer or opaque, lace-topped or plain, hold-ups come in every finish. The silicone band at the top means no belt required. If you want the look without the process, start here.
Fishnet stockings. Open diamond-knit mesh, available in hold-up or suspender styles. Fishnets have moved well beyond fancy dress. A pair of fine fishnet hold-ups under straight trousers adds texture and edge to an everyday outfit, and they’ve become a genuine fashion staple rather than a special-occasion piece.
Opaque stockings. Higher denier, more coverage, less sheer. These work well for cooler weather, fashion-forward looks, or anyone who wants the stocking shape with a more subtle finish.
Browse our stockings and hosiery range to see all styles in one place.
What Is Denier and Does It Matter?
In practice, here’s what the numbers mean:
5 to 10 denier: Ultra-sheer and barely visible on the skin. Delicate but beautiful, these are for occasions where you want the look rather than the warmth, and where you’ll be careful with them.
15 to 20 denier: The classic stocking range. A gentle sheen, some coverage, and the look most people picture when they think of stockings. This is where most buyers land, and it’s a good starting point if you’re not sure.
30 to 40 denier: More substantial coverage and a more matte finish. Better for cooler weather or if you want something that feels a little more robust day-to-day.
50 denier and above: Opaque, these are fashion hosiery rather than sheer lingerie stockings, but they’re worth knowing about if you’re after a bolder look.
For most occasions, 15 to 20 denier is the sweet spot. If you’re buying your first pair and not sure where to start, that’s the range to look at.
How to Wear Stockings with a Suspender Belt
This is the bit that puts people off, and it really shouldn’t. It’s much simpler than it looks. Our team walks people through this in store regularly, and within two minutes it always clicks.
Here’s how it works:
Step 1. Put the suspender belt on at your natural waist, and put it on over your knickers rather than underneath. This sounds odd but it’s the practical choice: you won’t have to remove the whole arrangement every time you need the bathroom.
Step 2. Adjust the straps so they hang roughly to mid-thigh. You’ll fine-tune this once the stockings are on.
Step 3. Roll the stocking up your leg slowly from the toe. Don’t pull from the top. Gather it up as you go, smooth it gently, and ease it up to your thigh.
Step 4. Attach the front clip first, then the back clip. If your belt has six clips rather than four, do the side ones last. The clip needs to go through the welt, the reinforced band at the top of the stocking, not just the sheer fabric.
Step 5. Adjust the strap length until the stocking sits taut but not tight, with no pulling at the clip. Walk around and readjust as needed.
One finishing tip: if you’ve chosen lace-top stockings, match the lace pattern to your suspender belt. The visual effect is worth the thought.
What to Wear Stockings With:
Stockings and hold-ups work for more occasions than most people give them credit for.
With a lingerie set. Match the stocking tops to the style of your bra and knickers. Lace-top stockings with a lace suspender belt and matching bra is a classic combination. Sheer stockings with a silk or satin set feels quietly luxurious.
For occasion wear. Sheer stockings under a dress or midi skirt add a polished finish that tights don’t quite replicate. Seamed stockings are the choice for a glamorous event or anywhere the detail will be appreciated.
Fishnets as a fashion piece. Fine fishnet hold-ups under tailored trousers or slightly cropped jeans add texture without making a noise about it. This is genuinely mainstream now. Stockings and suspender searches rose 60% since early 2023, and fishnets are a big part of that shift.
For everyday practicality. Hold-ups under a work skirt or dress offer the feel of stockings without any of the complexity. Once you’re used to the silicone band, they’re no more involved than tights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if sized correctly and worn on bare skin. The silicone band grips your thigh and holds the stocking in place through normal movement.
Not really, and we’d advise against it. Hold-ups have a thick silicone band at the top that makes attaching the suspender clips properly very difficult, and forcing them can ladder the stocking.
Most stocking sizing is based on a combination of height and weight or hip measurement. Start with the brand’s own size guide, since sizes vary more than you’d expect between labels. If you’re between two sizes, use your height as the deciding factor: a stocking that’s too short will pull at the top and be uncomfortable. When in doubt, size up.
Ready to Find Your Pair?
Stockings are one of those things that feel more complicated than they are until someone explains them clearly. Now you know the difference between hold-ups and traditional stockings, how denier works, and how the suspender belt actually goes on. The only thing left is finding a style you love.
If you’re near one of our stores, our team helps customers find the right stockings and put a full look together in person. It’s one of the most enjoyable conversations we have on the shop floor. No awkward questions, just good advice from people who know their hosiery.
Otherwise, browse our full stockings and hosiery range and take your time. There’s a lot to explore.