How to Keep Knee High Boots Up

There are few items of footwear as timeless as a pair of knee-high boots. Flat or heeled, suede or leather, these boots lend a sleek confidence to pretty much any outfit, from dresses to jeans. But there's one frustrating flaw that even the most stylish pair can fall victim to: slipping down.

If you find yourself constantly pulling your boots back into place, you’re not alone. And you’ll be pleased to know there’s a solution, too. By understanding why boots slip and how to prevent it, you can go back to enjoying the comfort and polish of knee-high boots without the hassle.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything from fit and fabric to smart styling hacks that keep your boots up and looking their best. Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Why your knee-high boots keep falling down
• How knee-high boots should fit
• How leg shape affects knee-high boots
• 6 tips to keep your knee-high boots up

Why Do My Knee-High Boots Keep Falling Down?

The main reason for boots slipping is a mismatch between the structure of the boot and the shape or movement of your leg. Soft, unstructured boots often struggle to stay up on their own, especially if they don’t have reinforcements around the shaft or ankle. Over time, even stiffer boots may begin to lose their shape with frequent wear, especially if they weren’t the perfect fit to begin with.

Other factors that can contribute to the issue include:

• Material flexibility: suede or fabric boots tend to have more give, which can result in sagging
• Lack of fastening: pull-on boots without zippers or laces rely solely on the calf fit to stay up, meaning a bad fit will slip more
• Leg movement: walking, sitting, and bending can cause boots to shift position
• Worn-out lining or structure: age, wear, and storage can make it harder for a boot to stay up

How Should Knee High Boots Fit?

Getting the right fit is the first and most important step to keeping your boots up. Your knee-high boots should fit snugly around your calf without pinching and with no big gaps. If they’re too loose, gravity and movement will have the biggest impact. If they’re too tight, they’ll be uncomfortable and might be more prone to sliding down as the material stretches over time.

We recommend reading our boot fitting guide to measure your calf width properly and find boots that are designed for your shape. Also consider how they fit at the ankle: a boot that is too loose around the ankle won’t have the support needed to stay upright, even if the calf fits well.

6 Tips to Keep Knee-High Boots Up

If your knee-high boots are still sliding down despite your best efforts to choose the right fit, don’t worry. We’ve pulled together six tried and tested solutions to help you keep them in place throughout the day.

1. Choose the Right Size and Fit

It might seem obvious, but this is the key consideration, and it’s easy to get it wrong. Choose knee-high boots that hug your calves without squeezing, whether they’re regular or wide calf fit boots, aim to find a fit that supports your leg shape comfortably.

Check the shaft height of the boot too. If your boots are too tall for your frame, they may hit at the wrong spot and be more prone to sagging.

Best for: all boot materials and styles

2. Stretch Panels, Fastenings and Adjustable Features

Look for styles that include design features to help the boots stay up. Stretch panels (often found on suede or fabric boots) provide a secure and comfortable fit by adjusting to your calf shape. Zip fastenings and buckles offer added structure that prevents the shaft from falling.

Many of our knee-high boots include these clever features to combine practicality with polish.

Best for: everyday wear and a polished finish

3. Insoles, Socks or Tights

Adding insoles or wearing thick socks and tights can help fill out your boots slightly, improving the fit around your foot and ankle. The added volume can stabilise the entire boot, reducing the downward pull from the top.

Thermal tights or boot socks can also offer extra friction, which can keep boots from sliding down against bare legs or silky tights.

Best for: cold-weather outfits and long days on your feet

4. Using Fashion Tape

Fashion tape is for more than fancy dresses. You can use double-sided garment tape to secure the inside of your boots to your leg or tights. Apply a small strip around the top edge or down the shaft for a discreet hold.

Just be sure to test a small patch first to make sure it doesn’t irritate your skin or damage your tights.

Best for: slouchy styles, one-off events and last-minute fixes

5. Using a Hair Tie

This viral hack involves wrapping a hair tie or elastic band around your leg, just above the top of the boot, and folding the boot edge over it. The friction of the band helps hold the boot in place and provides an anchor point to reduce sagging.

Choose a thick, soft band to avoid cutting into your skin, and only use this method with looser-fitting boots with a bit of give.

Best for: soft leather or suede boots with unstructured shafts

6. The Plastic Bag Hack!

Another creative trick is to slip a small plastic bag inside the boot shaft as a kind of inner lining. This can reduce friction and help the boot glide more smoothly over tights or trousers, reducing drag that causes slipping.

It also adds a bit of volume to the inside of the shaft, especially helpful for boots that are just a little too loose.

Best for: light use or styling photoshoots

Explore Our Full Long Boots Collection

Our full long boots collection is bursting with knee-high boots that combine flattering silhouettes with practical features that help them stay comfortably in place. Whether you need wide calf or slim calf, you’ll find plenty of options that balance style and substance.

You can also pop into your nearest store to get help from one of our experts - they’ll pair you with the perfect boots for your style and budget.