Hold-ups are one of the easiest hosiery styles to wear well — or badly — depending on whether the size is right. Get the fit correct and they sit smoothly and stay put all day. Get it wrong and you'll be fighting with rolling bands or an uncomfortably tight top. Here's how to choose correctly the first time.
Why hold-ups fit differently from tights
Unlike tights, hold-ups rely entirely on the elastic, often silicone-lined, band at the top of the leg to stay up — there's no waistband or suspender doing the work. That means the thigh measurement matters more here than it does for almost any other hosiery style. A pair that's technically your "size" on the denier chart can still roll down if the thigh band is too loose, or dig in uncomfortably if it's too tight.
How to measure yourself
Use a soft tape measure and measure around the fullest part of your thigh, a few centimetres below where the hold-up band will sit, along with your height and weight as most European hosiery brands (Ballerina and Gabriella among them) size by a combination of these rather than a simple small/medium/large scale. Take the measurement standing, with the tape snug but not pulled tight.
Reading a European size chart
Most of the hold-ups in our hosiery collection are sized by continental European brands, which means the numbers on the pack won't always match UK dress sizes directly. Always check the specific brand's own chart rather than assuming sizes are consistent across brands — a Gabriella medium and a Ballerina medium aren't guaranteed to be identical. If you're shopping across several brands, it's worth taking your measurements once and checking them against each chart individually.
Plus size hold-ups
If your thigh measurement sits outside a standard chart, look for styles specifically listed under plus sizes. These are cut with a wider, often more generously elasticated top band so the fit doesn't dig in, rather than simply being a standard hold-up sized up.
Signs you've got the wrong size
- Rolling or slipping down during the day usually means the band is too loose, or the silicone grip has lost its stick over time.
- A tight, pinching line at the top of the thigh usually means sizing up, particularly in styles without a wide plus-size band.
- Laddering appearing quickly after a few wears can be a sign the denier is too sheer for daily use — a higher denier will generally hold up better to everyday wear and tear.
A quick fit checklist
Before you buy: measure your thigh, check it against that specific brand's chart (not a general size guide), and if you're between two sizes, size up rather than down — a slightly looser hold-up is far more comfortable than one that's too tight.