Young Brunette Girl Wearing A Black Hold-ups On The Table

"Hold-ups" is a term given by “Pretty Polly” to self-supporting stockings. They never registered this term and it is now recognized to mean stockings with an elasticated band at the top that enables them to stay up without the need for a suspender/garter belt. Sometimes thigh highs are preferred to pantyhose for hygiene reasons, because they reduce excessive microbial growth around the groin from humidity and warmth. They are sometimes chosen because of the classic popular "stocking top" line, and there are no suspender bumps to be seen through a skirt or dress.
The thickness of thigh-highs is measured in Denier, the same measurement unit used for different varieties of feminine stockings.