Seamed Stockings

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Garters are a part of clothing article consists of narrow bands of fabric fastened near the leg to keep the stockings from slipping off your thighs. Usually just a few inches in width, they are made of leather or heavy cloth which is decorated with small bells or ribbons. The technology of elastic and other materials like silicone used in the top band of fully fashioned stockings have render the garters unnecessary from a functional standpoint. But they are still worn for the bold fashion statement they hold.

Back in history, a garter is often worn by newlywed brides. It is the groom’s right to remove the garter. The symbolism to deflowering is obvious. The removed garter is then thrown to the male guests. Superstition has it that an unmarried male wedding guest who successfully catches the garter is believed to be the next man headed for the altar. In Elizabethan fashions, men also wear garters with their hose. Using a garter that holds up socks has been a continued part of some men’s clothing up until now.

The garter belt on the other hand is a woman’s undergarment that consists of an elastic piece of cloth worn around the waist to which garters are attached to hold up stockings. There are four clasps hanging from the belt, two in front of your legs and another two behind. Women used to wear them to hold up their original silk stockings. The garter belt was the popular alternative to the girdle back in the 20^th century as it was simpler, more practical and more comfortable than a girdle.

The British term for garter belts are suspender belts. They are now becoming the latest fashion items but back in 1960’s with the arrival of pantyhose or tights, they were rendered archaic. Today, back in the fashion industry, garter belts are sold in many modern department stores and specialized outlets to reflect their lasting role in erotic fantasy. For practical purposes, they are used as they provide the option for people who feel more comfortable wearing them than wearing the pantyhose. The number one primary motivation for the usage of garter belts still is centered on the sex appeal that they exude. Nowadays they are available in many types of designs that come in a variety of colors and materials. They are available in six- and four-garter variations which can be made of a mixture of nylon and spandex.