Choose Your Perfect Garter Belt

Lingerie can be both erotic and functional. The garter belt is definitely no exception. Beginning in the 1940s, garter belts served as a less cumbersome alternative to the girdle to hold up a woman's stockings. Today, they serve multiple purposes - holding up a stockings throughout the day or adding some spice to the bedroom. A garter belt adds a touch of retro glamour to your sexy ensemble.

Garter belts look much the same today as they did when they first were introduced. They range in waistband thickness from two to six inches. The garter straps (also known as the suspenders) are the fabric that hangs down from the garter belt itself and are found in varying numbers ranging from two to eight, depending on the belt. The straps are made from elastic and have hour-glass shaped hooks with rubber circles or metal clips that connect to the stocking to hold it up. There are so many style options today that you are sure to find one to suit your taste.



One of the first things to consider when garter belt shopping is what your intended use is. Do you want one to hold your stockings up throughout the day? Or are you looking for one to wear for your lover in the bedroom?

If you are shopping for all day wear, then you will want to choose a garter belt that is wide and sits high on the waist. This style sits better under your clothes. Consider how many straps there are. The higher the number of straps, the more stable the stockings will be without the need for adjustments throughout the day. Six straps are better than four when it comes to wearing seamed stockings.

If you are choosing a garter belt to wear only in the bedroom, then you can look for something that sits lower on the hips, has a thinner belt, and less straps. Since you won't be wearing it long, shopping for something that will stay put for a long day's wear isn't a worry.

Women should choose a garter belt that lays flat against their skin without bunching up, rolling down, or causing bulges. Taking a moment to measure your waist will help you find the correct size to achieve the best look.

Garter Belt Size	Comfortably Fitting Waistline (in inches)	Suggested Waistband Width (in inches)
Small	19 through 26	Any (2 through 6)
Medium	25 through 33	Any (2 through 6)
Large	28 through 38	Any (2 through 6)
1X	34 through 43	Either 3 or 6
2X	38 through 48	Either 3 or 6
3X	44 through 58	6, for comfort and support
4X	53 through 62	6, for comfort and support