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Thursday, October 01, 2009

Garter belts for the modern woman

I totally forgot about my old obsession with wearing garter belts. I used to wear them all the time a few years back and then sort of stopped for reasons I am unsure of - at any rate, my boyfriend brought up the other day that he loves seeing me in my garter belt stockings and that was all I needed to take my babies for another spin.

I've done a post on this before - back in 2006 or 2007 (YES this blog is THAT old) - but for the sake of everyone new (and the fact that I still get at least 10 hits a day of people googling "garter belts") I'll repost it.

"Retro Whore":

That got your attention didn't it?

A few years ago I really got into the whole retro look. This is when my love affair with classic films started, which then led me on to reading retro books (like Raymond Chandler and Daphne Du Maurier...so good), listening to retro music (who doesn't like Billie Holiday or Frank Sinatra?), idolizing retro people (hello Rita Hayworth), purchasing retro photographs and artwork (just take a look around my apartment) and wearing retro clothes.

Being a curvy woman myself, I found comfort in harking back to the Golden Era, when women were aloud to be women and not stick figures. The hourglass shape was revered and women were encouraged to dress feminine, to enhance their womanly figure. Cute pumps, fitted dresses, rhinestone jewlery, vintage handbags...these were all the things I coveted and I spent a good part of my paycheck on them.

But one thing I didn't buy into at the time was lingerie.

Not just any lingerie, but thigh-high stockings, garter belts and corsets. The whole shebang.


Of course, back then I was single and a bit younger, so the lure of lingerie wasn't really calling me.

But now, all that has changed.

Every year I go through a bit of an Ebay binge and last month was no exception. Aside from getting some primo bargains (which I will blog about later), I decided to embrace the retro whore look.

I bought corsets...and not the ones you would wear out to the club (Lord knows I have those too). I bought garter belts in black, red, white with matching undies. And I bought black thigh highs to attach to my garters.


Today I went out to run some errands wearing a wrap dress. Little did people know that underneath that dress (and underneath the huge coat) my black stockings were held up by a garter belt. It made me feel sexy and mysterious. And very, very ladylike.

Garter belts are an amazing invention. Personally, I hate stockings because the control top usually sucks the life out of you, leaves you with lumps and bumps and it's a pain to get off. I know all you women will agree but it's not very, erm, "accessible" if you want to get busy (if you know what I mean, and I think you do). Strike while the iron's hot, I always say, and when it takes you five minutes to wiggle out of your hose (and in the most unflattering way) the iron is usually cold.

The only complaint I have about garter belts is that sometimes you have to constantly adjust the belts in order to hold your stockings up.

Which is why I purchashed this brilliant invention that you see to your right:

This pair of rocking fishnet stockings come with the garter attached, so you just slip them on and forget about them.

I bought two pairs, the one shown and one sheer black with a seam running up the back.

Of course the minute I tried on the sheer pair I snagged the darn things on a raspy fingernail and now I can't wear them.

The stockings may make me look like a lady but my nails say otherwise.




And here of course, is me wearing them yesterday. Don't mind the fact that the metallic navy bag does not match the black - I was matching for the quilting quality (my boots are quilted as well).










Dress: Sakura
Boots: Bata
Bag: Mango MNG
Jacket: Forever 21
Earrings: ASOS - I think
Choker: fabulous 80's gem from my mother's closet



PS there is still more time to enter the Forever 21 Giveaway!! Click HERE to enter.

16 comments:

Couture Carrie said...

Hi gorgeous!
You KNOW I love this post! Vintage lingerie is totally amazing... I love corsets and garters and thigh highs...
You look fantastic, and that choker is perfection!

xoxox,
CC

Denisa L said...

you look great!love your dress

Eyeliah said...

I've never really worn them, other than when I got married. Perhaps time for a revist, my pantyhose are sooooo annoying today!

Seeker said...

Interesting post ;)

You look so amazing with that great dress and love your jacket.

xoxo

Anonymous said...

love love LOVE the garter belt
flawless! perfect hidden touch to any fall outfit

-cma
check out my blog @
cosmicaroline.blogspot.com

Wondering Woman said...

I wouldn't put on a garter belt again for all the tea in China... To me they are beyond uncomfortable... but as always you look hot. (If my husband told me he liked me in them I'd tell him to put the damn things on.)

Ginny said...

I hate pantyhose and I don't know why I've never tried garter belts. I think I might need to.

. said...

oolala!

MizzJ said...

Sexy lady! Your guy must be counting his lucky stars :D

almost famous kiwi said...

Hot! So going to wear these on my wedding night, along with the corset I'm getting made!

daisychain said...

SO sexy, vintage lingerie is a thousand times more alluring and you rock it.

Unlikely You said...

Aww, you look pretty. Liked your rant on the garter belts.

Jen said...

You know, I never thought about wearing stockings and a garter belt instead of pantyhose! I bought a couple pairs of thigh highs meant to be worn without a garter, but they are not comfortable on the curvy woman as the sticky stuff gets really suffocating around the thighs.

I'll have to visit my old haunt Victoria's Secret and try this trick out.

~ Jen

pretty*pink*rat said...

Sexy mama! You look gorgeous as always!

Unknown said...

You look so striking in black! It was really interesting to read about your take on garters. They were always things I'd relegated to the past and thought they couldn't work for today. But you're testament that they do! And yes - tights are definitely a pain sometimes. Some brands just keep rolling down.

And you'll be in Wellington in November?! Wow. Make sure to email me and we can have a giggle over a coffee.

Doll Face said...

I was thinking of pulling mine out and wearing them this week - all inspired by watching Chicago today :-D