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′;).