Garter

A garter is an article of clothing comprising a narrow band of fabric fastened about the leg to keep up stockings.

This practice is often interpreted as symbolic of deflowering, though some sources attribute its origin to a superstition that taking an article of the bride's clothing will bring good luck.

[citation needed] While most commonly used for regular stockings, suspender belts can also be used for medical support hosiery worn due to varicose veins or poor circulation.

Stockings are often considered to be sensual or erotic, both in person and in photographs, and some people enjoy dressing up for special occasions in attractive suspender belts or basques.

[citation needed] Garters in the 18th century could be elaborately decorated and were sometimes embroidered with names, dates, mottoes, or humorous phrases.

Prior to the invention of elastic, they were fastened by buckles, or threaded with spiral springs to grip the wearer's leg.

[10] During World War II, Women's Auxiliary Air Force members were issued inexpensive suspenders.

Amid concerns girdles might cause abdominal flabbiness, suspender belts offered a more practical and comfortable choice when used to hold up stockings.

[12][13] Since the mid-20th century, men's adult magazines featuring images of women in underwear reached mass-market popularity.

These magazines evolved from pin-up posters and often showcased models in suspenders and stockings, usually with slips, petticoats, corsets, or a bra and knickers or panties.

Like jewelry, the purpose of garters and other lingerie in adult media is as a statement of excess and to draw attention to certain parts of the wearer's body.

[15] After the release of Bull Durham in June 1988, garter belt and stocking sales increased at Victoria's Secret and Frederick's of Hollywood stores.

The lingerie retailers attributed the jump in sales to the black lace garter Susan Sarandon wore in the film.

The origin of the symbol of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, a blue 'garter' with the motto Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense, is not known, as the earliest records of the order were destroyed by fire; however, the story is that at a ball possibly held at Calais, Joan, Countess of Salisbury dropped her garter and King Edward, seeing her embarrassment, picked it up and bound it about his own leg saying in French, "Evil [or shamed] be he that thinks evil of it."