# A Beginners Guide to Stockings, Tights and Hold Ups

**By Katie Thomas** · 2025-11-30

## Beginners Guide to Stockings, Tights and Hold Ups

If you're new to retro style hosiery, or hosiery of any kind, then the terminology can be confusing - but help is at hand!

Take a look at our video to learn the difference between the 3 garments, the different terms around the world, as well as why other stocking manufacturers don't include suspender clips in their product imagery.

-   **Stockings** - need a suspender belt to hold them up
-   **Hold Ups & Stay Ups** - have a silicone band to enable them to stay up by themselves.
-   **Tights** - go right up to your waist.

If you're new to retro style hosiery, or hosiery of any kind, then the terminology can be confusing - but help is at hand!

Check out our guide to hosiery and all will be revealed.

### Stockings vs Tights vs Hold Ups

While Seamed Stockings are a staple for fans of vintage fashion, if you're new to the vintage scene, I know the terminology can get a bit confusing.

It's easy to assume tights are stockings and hold-ups are tights and ask yourself, "when do I need a suspender belt?" Well, fear no more, as I know these simple confusions can cause aggravation.

Stockings: all of our stockings require a Suspender Belt, as they are not designed to hold up by themselves.

[![seamed tights | contrast seamed tights with a red seam](https://i.shgcdn.com/a4185889-0a1e-406c-a186-8caf6d9bb808/-/format/auto/-/preview/3000x3000/-/quality/lighter/)](https://www.whatkatiedid.com/products/contrast-seamed-tights-red-champagne?variant=46092375758)

[![yellow seamed stockings](https://i.shgcdn.com/e76f300b-f74c-429f-9c3a-8cd1bb2c1cdb/-/format/auto/-/preview/3000x3000/-/quality/lighter/)](https://www.whatkatiedid.com/collections/seamed-stockings-colours/products/seamed-stockings-mustard)

[![claret seamed stockings](https://i.shgcdn.com/cc27f7aa-3b71-44ed-9940-e69299e614f4/-/format/auto/-/preview/3000x3000/-/quality/lighter/)](https://www.whatkatiedid.com/products/seamed-stockings-claret-h2037)

Tights: tights go up to the waist.

Hold Ups (Also know as Stay Ups): hold ups have a silicone band on the inside to ensure that they stay up by itself. You do not need to wear a Suspender Belt with hold ups. You can wear a Suspender Belt with your hold ups but will need a retro style study clip as sometimes it's difficult to clip though the silicone.

At What Katie Did we make stockings and tights, but not hold ups.

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[![](https://i.shgcdn.com/0b3b5d57-74ba-4838-a3d7-cc0828df7dc9/-/format/auto/-/preview/3000x3000/-/quality/lighter/)](https://www.whatkatiedid.com/collections/seamed-stockings-colours/products/seamed-stockings-contrast-purple-glamour)

[![](https://i.shgcdn.com/2eb9924d-cf41-417e-89d9-3e67c6df0aca/-/format/auto/-/preview/3000x3000/-/quality/lighter/)](https://www.whatkatiedid.com/products/seamed-stockings-nutmeg-glamour)

[![](https://i.shgcdn.com/e5e88719-f0eb-44e8-ad0b-4b663a4533dc/-/format/auto/-/preview/3000x3000/-/quality/lighter/)](https://www.whatkatiedid.com/collections/seamed-stockings-colours/products/seamed-stockings-contrast-red)

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#### Shop Stockings

[Shop: Seamed Tights](https://www.whatkatiedid.com/collections/seamed-tights)

[Shop: Colour Stockings](https://www.whatkatiedid.com/collections/seamed-stockings-colours)

[Shop: Neutral Stockings](https://www.whatkatiedid.com/collections/natural-seamed-stockings)

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**Tags:** seamed stockings

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> Source: [What Katie Did](https://www.whatkatiedid.com/blogs/vintage-fashion-blog/stockings-tights-hold-ups-guide)