Shirley 90026 Sheer Lace-Top Thigh-High Stockings

What the Shirley 90026 is

The Shirley 90026 is a pair of sheer thigh-high stockings finished with a wide decorative lace band at the top of each leg, from the Shirley of Hollywood label. This listing is for one pair of stockings. They are photographed in black, worn at full thigh length with the lace band sitting high on the leg.

Thigh-highs are the shortest of the three classic hosiery lengths — below pantyhose and above a knee-high — and they stop part-way up the thigh rather than continuing to the waist. That makes them the piece most often paired with a garter belt, and it is also what gives the decorative top band somewhere to be seen. Everything structural about this style is in service of that one design idea: an unbroken sheer leg that ends in a band of patterned lace.

The lace top band

The defining feature of the 90026 is a broad floral lace band finishing the top of each stocking. The band is several inches deep with a scalloped upper edge, so the lace does not end on a straight hem line but on a soft, wave-shaped border. The pattern is open and floral rather than a solid knit, which is why the band reads as a distinct design element against the plain sheer leg below it.

A deep lace top does two practical things as well as a decorative one. It gives a garter strap something substantial to clip onto, and it breaks up the transition between hosiery and bare skin so the top of the stocking is less of a hard line. That is a large part of why lace-top thigh-highs have stayed in production, essentially unchanged in concept, for decades.

The sheer leg

Below the lace band, the leg is a plain sheer knit with no pattern, seam detail or reinforced panel. Sheer hosiery of this kind is knitted from very fine filament yarn, which is what produces the semi-transparent finish and the smooth surface. There is no visible back seam and no contrast welt — the leg runs uninterrupted from the lace band down to the toe.

Because the knit is fine, the leg takes colour evenly and sits close without bunching at the knee or ankle. It is also, inevitably, delicate. Fine-gauge hosiery is the least robust thing in most lingerie drawers, and the care guidance in this listing matters more here than it would on a heavier garment.

Product specifications

How to wear them

Put thigh-highs on by gathering each stocking from the toe to the lace band first, then easing it up the leg rather than pulling it on in one movement. Gathering the leg spreads the tension across the whole knit instead of concentrating it on whichever few threads happen to be under your thumbs, and it is the single biggest difference between a pair that survives the week and a pair that snags on the first wear.

There are two ways to wear them. With a garter belt, the belt sits at the waist and four or six straps clip down onto the lace band, which is the traditional pairing and the one the deep lace top is designed around. Worn on their own, the lace band sits where you position it on the thigh. Rings and bracelets are the usual culprits for pulls, so it is worth taking them off before handling the stockings at all.

Caring for sheer hosiery

Fine sheer hosiery is generally hand washed separately in cool or lukewarm water with a gentle detergent, then pressed — not wrung — in a towel and left to air dry flat or on a line. Washing-machine drums, zips and hooks on other garments, bleach and tumble dryers are the four things that most often finish a pair of stockings off. A mesh lingerie bag is a reasonable compromise if hand washing is not practical.

Store them loosely rather than folded sharply, and keep them away from rough timber, unfinished drawer edges and velcro. Where a care label is supplied with the garment, follow its instructions in place of this general guidance.

Who they're for

These suit an adult shopper looking for a classic, uncomplicated lace-top thigh-high rather than a novelty or themed piece. They work as a standalone addition to a lingerie drawer, as a partner to a garter belt someone already owns, or as a plain sheer base layer under other pieces. If you are comparing styles, the wider stockings category covers the alternatives — patterned legs, back-seam styles, fishnets and bodystockings among them.

They are a less obvious choice if you want hosiery with a heavy opaque leg, a specific denier rating, or a named stay-up silicone lining, since none of those are confirmed features of this style.

Good to know

This listing covers the stockings only — gloves, a garter belt and other garments are separate purchases. Hosiery is a close-fitting garment, so check the sizing options on this product page against your own measurements before ordering, and bear in mind that fine knits have limited tolerance for being stretched past their intended fit.

Privacy is handled at both ends of the order: the outer packaging carries no product imagery, and the billing descriptor that appears on a card statement is non-descriptive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this listing include a garter belt?

No — this listing is for one pair of Shirley 90026 thigh-high stockings on their own. A garter belt, gloves and any other garments are bought separately. The lace band at the top of each stocking will take a standard garter strap if you already have a belt.

What is the lace at the top of these stockings like?

It is a wide floral lace band with a scalloped upper edge, running several inches deep at the top of each leg. The pattern is open and decorative rather than a solid knit, and it contrasts with the plain sheer leg beneath it.

How should I wash the Shirley 90026?

Hand wash sheer hosiery separately in cool or lukewarm water with a mild detergent, blot the water out in a towel and leave it to air dry. Skip bleach and the tumble dryer, and follow any care label supplied with the garment if its instructions differ.

Can these be worn without a garter belt?

Yes — thigh-high stockings can be worn on their own, with the lace band positioned on the thigh. A garter belt is the traditional pairing and is what the deep lace top is designed to clip to, but it is optional.

How is this order packaged for delivery?

It ships in plain, unbranded outer packaging with no product images or descriptive wording on the outside. Nothing on the parcel identifies what is inside or which category it came from.

Product information compiled and reviewed by the Gear Isle product team. We transcribe product specifications directly from manufacturer packaging. Found an error? Tell us.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Adult novelty device for adults 18 and over. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before use, especially if you have a medical condition. Keep out of reach of children.