A top band (1, 1′) for garments (2), in particular for medical compression stockings or bandages, comprising a flexible basic body (3, 3′) with an inside (4, 4′) facing the garment (2) and an outside (5, 5′), wherein the flexible basic body (3, 3′) comprises a fastening section (7, 7′) for the garment (2) on the inside (4, 4′) next to a coupling section (6, 6′), and wherein the fastening section (7, 7′) is formed by an edge-side recess (8, 8′) in the flexible basic body (3, 3′), so that the garment (2) can be fastened, offset from the coupling section (6, 6′) of the flexible basic body (3, 3′), in the recess (8, 8′).