Garter Belts
Garters and garter belts hold up stockings in style
Garters were designed to hold up stockings before the invention of elastic. Now, women can wear pantyhose or elastic-topped stockings, making the garter unnecessary for everyday dress. However, the garter belt and garter have evolved into lingerie garments that have their own special appeal.
Lingerie Garter Belts
Few pieces of lingerie are as flirty or fun as the garter belt. Perhaps because they are no longer a normal piece of underwear, women’s garter belts hold a mysterious charm in the bedroom. Lingerie stores and online retailers sell garters, garter belts and garter belt stockings to create the complete look. Some larger ladies feel that garters are not for them, but plus size garters are widely available, and just as sexy.
Garter belts usually have two to four suspenders per leg which clip onto thigh-high stockings. They are worn around the waist above the panties. For a complete outfit, wear the belt and stockings with a matching bra and panty. The process of taking off each of these teasing pieces one by one really works to increase the steamy factor.
Unlike the entirely functional garter belts of the past, today’s garter belts are decorated with lace and ribbons, and come in fabulous fabrics like silk, velvet and satin.
Wedding Garters
Outside of the bedroom, any mention of garters today is usually because there is a wedding in the works. Tradition holds that the groom removes the bride’s garter and tosses it to the single men at the wedding, similar to the way the bride tosses her bouquet to the single ladies. At some weddings, the man who catches the garter and the woman who catches the bouquet dance the next dance together.
Wearing blue garters is an easy way for the bride to fulfill one part of the wedding rhyme that suggests brides wear something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. Unless the bride is wearing a sheer dress, the blue garters won’t show up until the groom goes to get them. Brides also have the opportunity to pair garters with a garter belt and stockings, making for sexy bridal lingerie, which increases the anticipation on the wedding night.