Garters

Garters are bands or straps worn around the thigh or leg to hold up stockings. In the common modern arrangement, a garter belt—a waist-attached foundation garment—provides multiple detachable garters that hang down to secure stockings with clips or rings. Some garters are worn directly on the thigh as standalone leg garters, without a belt.

Material and construction vary widely. Garters and garter belts are often made from lace, satin, or elastic fabrics, and may include metal or plastic clasps, hooks, or silicone grips to hold stockings in place. They are typically designed to be decorative as well as functional, and are used in both everyday lingerie and formal attire.

History and usage have evolved with hosiery technology. Before elastic stockings became common, stockings were held up by ties or ribbons tied around the leg. The garter belt and detachable garters emerged as a practical solution in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The rise of pantyhose reduced routine reliance on garters, but they remain popular for fashion, bridal wear, and certain performance or fetish contexts where decorative or adjustable garters are preferred.

Cultural notes include the wedding tradition in some cultures in which the groom removes the bride’s garter and tosses it to unmarried guests. This ritual variation underscores the garter’s continued association with dress, ceremony, and symbolic gesture, even as its practical role in hosiery has diminished for many wearers.

See also: stockings, hosiery, garter belt, wedding traditions.