How to keep knee high boots up
October 08, 2025
Year after year. Season after season. There's one type of footwear we can always turn to: the knee high boot. They ooze class and keep your feet warm and comfortable - the ultimate transition piece from day to night, autumn to winter.
But we all hate the feeling of constantly bending down to pull up or readjust our knee highs. There's nothing worse than spoiling your look with slouching boots. This guide will reveal insider tips on how to keep your knee high boots up and looking fabulous all day long.
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Types of knee high boots: Which stay up best?
Not all knee-high boots are created equal when it comes to staying put. The material and style play a big role in how likely they are to slouch:
- Leather boots: Naturally more structured, so they hold their shape well. Ideal if you want a long-lasting style without much fuss.
- Suede boots: Softer and more flexible, but more prone to slouching. Work best with some extra support like fashion tape or socks.
- Faux leather boots: Affordable and versatile, often slightly stiffer than suede. They’re a good middle ground but can crease over time.>/li>
- Stretch or fabric boots: Designed to hug the leg, so they often stay up better. However, they may loosen with wear, especially at the thigh.
10 Useful Tips to Keep Your Knee High Boots Up
1. Layer a pair of tights or leggings under your boots
Opt for a pair of tights or leggings with a bit of texture. This added friction should help secure your knee highs and stop them falling down. Try woolly or even glittery tights, for a fashionable twist that's sure to save you from yanking your boots up.
2. Invest in some knee high socks
If you aren't already wearing knee high socks with your knee high boots, what's your magic secret? This trick works in a similar way to wearing tights. The texture of the socks helps your boots stay in place, while the extra layer makes sure your legs stay nice and warm.
3. Try the plastic bag trick
This may sound like a rogue idea but stick with us. Wrap your foot in a plastic bag as you slip into your boots. Pull your boots up and carefully tear away the bag, then voila! Your boots should stay up all day.
4. Secure your boots using an elasticated hair tie
Sometimes the best options are the simplest. Just grab an old hair tie and place it on top of your boots (provided it's the same colour) so they won't budge when you walk. This is a great method to use on the go. Just chuck a few hair bands in your bag - you'll never know when they may come in handy.
5. Treat yourself to some fashion tape
The holy grail product. Fashion tape works the same as double-sided tape, so it can stick the top of your boots to your leg. Depending on how stubborn your boots are, you may want to use a few strips.
6. Store your boots correctly
It's worth investing in some boot trees, to make sure your boots keep their shape for as long as possible. If they're stored with a boot tree or even some newspaper stuffing inside, they're more likely to last and less likely to slouch.
7.Give fashion glue a go
Fashion glue is a special adhesive that's safe to use on your skin - it's often used in fashion shows to make sure that the clothing stays in the right position. This means you can literally glue your boots to your legs to stop them from moving around.
8.Fold the upper part of your boots
A simple fix. If your knee-high boots are made from a nice soft material, just folding down the top of them could do the trick. While this may not work with a leather pair, why not give your suede pair a new look with an asymmetric fold-over?
9. Buy (or DIY) a boot strap
Depending on how resourceful and creative you're feeling, you can buy or make your own boot straps. These are great for securing thigh high boots. The elastic loop goes around your thigh and attaches to your boots with easy fasten straps.
10. Always carry a few safety pins
Safety pins have saved us all from countless fashion disasters. They are the pocket-sized, on-the-go version of a needle and thread. You can use these handy little things to attach the lining off your boots to your knee high socks, tights, or leggings to keep them secure.
How to keep thigh high boots up: a simple hack
Trying to feel glamourous, but have to keep yanking up your thigh high boots every five minutes? Enter the boot bra. This nifty little device will have your boots standing tall and proud in no time.
You only need four pieces of equipment for this:
- Industrial strength touch fasten strips
- Knit elastic
- Sewing materials
- Scissors
How to make a boot bra
- Measure your knit elastic by wrapping it around your thigh. Aim for half an inch to an inch below where you like your boots to sit.
- Pull the elastic tight, making sure it's comfortable, and cut the elastic.
- Fold this elastic strip in half and sew along the loose ends to make a complete circle.
- Take one half of the touch fasten strips and attach it to the outside of your elastic strip.
- Place the other half an inch down from the top of your boot and glue or sew it to the lining.
- Put your foot through the boot bra so that the touch fasten strip is facing outwards and pull into position on your thigh.
- When you pull your boot up, you should find that the two touch fasten strips line up and can be fastened together.
- Voila! Your new favourite fashion hack.
These tips and tricks should help you to love wearing your knee high boots again and look effortlessly stylish when doing so. Fancy adding a new pair to your collection? Browse our range of women's knee high boots today.
FAQs
Why do my knee-high boots keep falling down?
It usually comes down to the material and fit. Softer fabrics like suede or wide-cut boots are more likely to slouch. Over time, even structured boots can loosen if not stored properly.
Can I make my loose boots tighter?
Yes, adding insoles, wearing thick socks, or using boot straps can all help improve the fit. For a more permanent solution, a cobbler can sometimes tailor the shaft of the boot.
Are expensive boots less likely to slouch?
Not always. Higher-quality boots may use stronger materials that hold their shape better, but even designer suede boots can slide down without support. It’s often more about construction and storage than price.
What’s the easiest everyday hack to keep boots up?
Layering with knee-high socks or textured tights is the simplest trick. It adds grip, warmth, and doesn’t require any tools.
Check out the shoezone blog for more style tips and footwear suggestions for every occasion.