Retro Garter Belt

The Look of Garter Belts from Yesterday

The overall look of an old-fashioned garter belt isn’t very different from a modern belt, at least in so far as the basics are concerned. It goes around the waist and has straps that hold up your stockings. But whereas most modern garter belts are flimsy little things that are fine for dressing up and fantasy, so long as you don’t wear them for more than about an hour, a retro garter belt will let you wear stockings all day and night. It has more fabric, is sturdier and well constructed so that it won’t slip down to your hips and be uncomfortable.

Bear in mind that from the 1930s through the mid-1960s, women wore garter belts as a matter of course and expected them to stay in place under their clothes and hold up their stockings properly. The garter straps themselves were thicker and less elastic, so that stockings did not droop. Finally, there are at least three garters per leg, as opposed to the miserly two on modern belts, better guaranteeing that stockings and seams stay in place.

Retro vs. Vintage

Vintage lingerie can be amazing, and a lot of it is in surprisingly good condition. However, you want to be mindful of vintage lingerie that features a lot of elastic. Even if it appears to be in good condition, old elastic will disintegrate quickly. You can get new garters to replace those on a vintage belt, but there might be elastic in the belt itself. Most of the time, a vintage garter belt is best for those who can sew and want a vintage piece to work from as they construct something in modern fabric. Spend your money on vintage slips and chemises instead!

Shopping for Retro Garter Belts

A number of purveyors of good lingerie sell garter belts with an old-fashioned flair. If you’re shopping online, a good place to start is Vicki’s Nylons, which will also do custom designs if you have a vintage piece you’d like remade.

Their 1950s-style belt is made of Powernet stretch fabric, guaranteeing comfort and control. The front panel has a double layer, the sides are single. It fastens with hooks and eyes allowing for a 2-inch adjustment. The belt varies in length from 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 inches, depending on the size, and the elastic in the waistband is almost one inch wide, so you know everything is going to stay in place. You can specify how many garters you want--6 to a slightly insane 24. The waist sizes range to 42.

Over at StockinGirl, they have a sexy pull-on 6-strap belt especially designed to keep seamed stockings straight and tight. The garter belt is made of nylon and Lycra so it’s silky and smooth but also moves well with your body.

Furthermore, there are shaping panels in the front that smooth your figure and allow you to wear a tight skirt over your stockings. The garter straps are 8 inches long and adjustable with metal clasps, so be sure not to wear them when you have to go through a metal detector.

Another slinky belt is available at Secrets in Lace. Called the Dominique, it’s a 6-strap belt that holds up your stockings and is still elegant, with lace panels and ribbons covering the metal garter grips.

For guaranteed retro charm, go to vintage reproduction shop My Baby Jo, where you can choose from all sorts of old-fashioned sexy lingerie. Their garter belt is high-waisted, sturdy, has a slight tummy tuck, six straps and comes in sizes up to 4X.

Stock Up on Stockings

Once you go retro, it’s hard to go back. Garter belts can be great to wear all day every day, so you’ll have to lay in a good supply of stockings to keep your legs happy.