How to wear a garter belt and stockings, step by step

A garter belt looks complicated and is not. The secret is the order. Get that right and it takes about three minutes.

What you need

• A garter belt with adjustable straps and metal clips, like the six strap Duchessa or the four strap Aurora.
• Stockings with a deep plain welt, not hold-ups. The Calze Seta 15 denier and the seamed Calze Cucitura are made for clips.
• Your usual brief, worn on top of the straps.

The seven steps

1. Belt first. Fasten the hook and eye at the front, rotate it so the fastening sits at the back, and settle the belt at your natural waist or just below.
2. Sit down. Sitting relaxes the thigh, so the stockings are not overstretched when you stand.
3. Gather and roll. Gather each stocking down to the toe, slip your foot in, and roll it up the leg with your palms, not your nails.
4. Front clips. Clip each front strap to the welt, about an inch from the top, centred above the knee.
5. Back clips. Reach behind and clip the back straps, centred on the back of the thigh. With seamed stockings, line the seam up with the clip.
6. Stand and adjust. Slide the strap adjusters so the straps are straight and gently taut, not pulling the welt into a point.
7. Brief on top. Put your brief on over the straps, so you can take it off without unclipping anything.

How to keep the seams straight

Line the back seam up before clipping the back strap, then look over your shoulder in a mirror and walk a few steps. If the seam drifts, unclip the back strap, twist the stocking slightly, and clip again. A deep welt and metal clips hold the line much better than plastic.

Garter belt or hold-ups?

Hold-ups have a silicone band and stay up alone, the easiest choice for a long evening or a short dress. A garter belt is the more traditional look and keeps seamed stockings straighter. Both are in our thigh high stockings collection, and the garter belt and stockings page lists matched pairings.

Questions

Does the garter belt go over or under the underwear?

Under. Wear the belt first and the brief on top, so you can take the brief off without unclipping.

Why do my garter straps keep coming undone?

Usually the clip is on the sheer leg instead of the welt, or the strap is too tight. Clip on the welt and lengthen the strap a little.

Can I wear a garter belt with hold-ups?

You can, but it is not needed. Hold-ups stay up on their silicone band.