Garter

[Rosie]

I was watching the movie Sirens the other day (a movie set in the 30s), there was this scene where a few of the girls were sitting in a way where their garters could be seen but, they weren't wearing a garter belt or an open bottom with attached garters, they were wearing the kind of garter a bride usually wears, the one tht looks like a big scrunchie. So I was wondering, have any of you ladies ever worn a garter like this? Is it comfortable, how well does it work?

 

[jitterbugdoll]

I've never worn them, but have seen them on eBay. I have also noticed that it was possible to order lastex-topped stockings (today's thigh highs) and knee highs in the 1930s, which I thought was pretty interesting!

 

[Lauren]

I have used ribbons, I think, for earlier periods. It's a pain in the butt. I think these came in pretty hot when the flappers were rolling their stockings. Definately cute, anyways

 

[LizzieMaine]

My grandmother used to use this type of garter -- not so fancy, though. Hers were basically just rings of woven elastic, and she'd roll them a few turns into the welts of her stockings when she didn't want to wear an actual girdle.

Once, when I was a teenager just getting into vintage clothes, I tried them myself -- but they drove me crazy after a few hours, and I had new respect for my Nannie's ability to tolerate discomfort. That girdle of hers must've been a real pain to make this a better alternative....

 

[Rosie]

Wow, thanks ladies, that's really interesting. I remember in the movie The Color Purple, the girls tied their stockings in a knot in the back of their thighs. I would think the stocking would slip a lot, not very comfortable.