Garter belts, a type of women’s underwear, were popular in the 1940s and 1960s as a way to keep stockings in place. They were often associated with eroticism and had multiple attachments to stockings, but were eventually replaced by pantyhose and more reliable stockings.
A garter belt is a type of women’s underwear that became fashionable beginning in the 1940s and peaked in fashion in the 1960s. Before the invention of nylon stockings, or pantyhose, stockings that were they wore under skirts usually came to mid-thigh length and didn’t stay up well, most would fall off given the chance. Initially, mayo girdles featured accessories that would keep the stockings in place, but gradually as girdles became less popular, the simpler garter belt was preferred.
This type of belt was a piece of cloth that was cinched around the waist and had several long, elastic attachments that could be attached to stockings. Usually there were at least four and often six attachments in total. With the six-accessory belt, three accessories on each side were attached to the stockings, usually one on the front of the leg, one on the back, and one on the outer side of the thigh.
Some women preferred a garter belt with only four accessories, which would connect to the stocking simply at the front and back of the thigh. However, they were considered to be less secure and did not perform as well as the six attachment version. However, they were good enough for many and easier to use.
The belt would have been worn with stockings, and usually undergarments, as the belt simply fits around the waist. It was frequently associated with eroticism, although it was a functional garment. Still, in the 1940s and 1950s, pin-up models often appeared in bras, panties, garter belts, and stockings. They are still considered sexy clothing and can still be found in lingerie stores and anywhere a shopper can buy silk, fishnet or nylon stockings. They are generally considered a lingerie accessory rather than a necessity these days.
One downside to this undergarment is that a tight skirt usually shows the bulges and ridges associated with connecting straps. The pencil skirts that became popular in the 1940s left little to the imagination, and they certainly let everyone know that a person was wearing a belt. Tight, tight skirts helped make pantyhose extremely popular.
Also, removing this item from the standard woman’s wardrobe meant one less item of clothing. Today, shoppers can find thigh-highs that have enough stretch to stand on their own. The use of Lycra in nylons and stockings has made them more reliable, although some people still like the added security of a garter belt.
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