What Is a Garter Used For?

Nowadays, the garter is a part of the bride's accessories.

The garter dates back to as early as King Arthur and is a piece of elastic that is generally a few inches thick. To make it more decorative, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a ribbon or bell was added to the garter.

Stocking Support

The garter is worn around the leg just below the knee at the tip of the calf and is used to hold up a stocking or sock. This type of garter is used by both men and woman to hold up socks or stockings that do not have an elastic band around the top.

Girdle Support

Another form of garter is one that is similar to a suspender strap and fastens to a girdle or belt that is also used to hold up stockings or socks. This type of garter is common with women's lingerie used to hold up thigh high stockings.

Sleeve Support

Common in casinos in the Wild West, another form of the garter was used to keep a sleeve pushed up.

Wedding Accessory

Nowadays, the garter is a satiny elastic band worn by the bride in a wedding and is tossed into a crowd of bachelors by the groom immediately after removing it from the bride's thigh.

References

• The Free Dictionary: Garter
• Apparel Search: Garters Definition