How to Keep Nylon Stockings Up
Historically, men wore long stockings when pants were short and women's skirts were long. However, when women's skirts got shorter their stockings got longer. The well-to-do preferred hosiery of silk. But nylon preempted silk in popularity with its invention in 1939, and made sheer stockings available to the common woman. With the stocking revolution came a revolution in garters, the accessory used to keep stockings up. Does this Spark an idea?
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Garters
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World War II-era women used roll-type garters made of covered elastic to keep up their nylon hose. This elastic band looked very much like a larger version of ponytail holders in vogue today. A woman put her foot through the band and pulled it up near the top of her stocking. She turned down the top edge of the stocking over the garter, then rolled the garter and stocking down a couple inches. Another garter version was a wide band, often decorated with lace, also placed near the top of the stocking. The garter band was not rolled. With either of these garters, hosiery was prone to sag.
Garter Belts
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Garter belts provide a system that prevents sagging hosiery through constant tension kept on the stockings. A wide fabric, lace or leather belt worn around the waist has straps attached in front and back. Garter clips at the ends of the straps attach to the top of the stocking in the welt area. Straps typically have adjustment sliders to accommodate women of various heights. Although photographs typically show garter belts worn on top of panties, women find it more convenient to wear garter belts under their panties.
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Garter Clothing
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The need for separate garter belts is eliminated by garter straps and clips attached to clothing items. Panties, girdles, bustiers, basques and corsets can have attached straps to keep hosiery up. Elastic straps keep a steady tension on hosiery and allow freedom of movement without fear of sagging hose. Ribbon or lace straps require adjustable sliders for a good fit. Pantyhose eliminate the need for garters entirely. Developed at the end of the 1960s, pantyhose gained rapid popularity, taking more than 80 percent of the hosiery market.
Hosiery Trends
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Nylon stockings are making a comeback, as feminine hosiery instead of bare legs dominate the fashion scene. Women seeking a more feminine look or feel use garter-style garments for everyday wear and special occasions. Vintage hosiery is also popular with many enthusiasts. Authentic vintage stockings, both seamed and seamless styles, are available online and at many fashion boutiques. The female dandy trend uses below-the-knee garters to hold up socks and nylon hose. Below-the-knee garters attach to straps that encircle the calf.
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References
- Photo Credit George Marks/Retrofile/Getty Images
