Accessory Report: Garters
Back in early August, we mentioned that the Lingerie Display would be one of the season's standout styles, referring to the multitude of bra-baring looks on the fall runways. But lately we've noticed a new trend that just might have a leg up on the plunging-neckline look: the garter belt. There are a number of theories as to why suspenders are making such a splash right now—the garment itself references the forties, while making it a visible part of an outfit is a very late eighties/early nineties look—but we think it comes to down to the countless thigh-high boots on the market. After all, if your gams are toned and taut enough to wear these semi-scandalous boots, you probably want to show off the fruits of your Pilates-class labor as much as possible, right? Whatever the inspiration, we're just intrigued by the range of ways that red-carpet regulars like Taylor Momsen and Julia Restoin-Roitfeld are incorporating this au currant hosiery trend into their daily wardrobes.
As any Style.com devotee knows, the garter belt snapped back into the fashion industry's collective consciousness relatively recently. Model-turned-designer Erin Wasson was one of the first to officially embrace the trend back in February. For the Fall 09 presentation of Erin Wasson x RVCA, she added suspender belts and thigh-highs to black denim shorts and crushed velvet mini dresses. Wasson wasn't the only one, of course; we also noticed sly undergarment references at Richard Nicoll, boots with garters at Prada, and nearly every single look at the Christian Dior F/W 09 Couture show was accessorized with visible garter belts.
With all these runway examples, it's no wonder that the high-impact hosiery has made its way into a few very famous wardrobes. For example, one early ode to the look came from Julia Restoin-Roitfeld when she attended the Yves Saint Laurent F/W 09 show wearing a pair of Fogal stockings that were embellished with mock garters. (Her exact style is no longer available.) Much like the Henry Holland for Pretty Polly Mock Stockings Tights ($14) we mentioned in our recent Patterned Tights story, JRR's semi-sheer legwear suggests said lingerie without actually requiring any. They're the perfect choice for a body-con frock—such as the American Apparel Double U-Neck Dress ($36) Restoin-Roitfeld wore with a custom-made belt—because they give you a smooth silhouette.
Another way to achieve the look without buying full-blown lingerie is to pick up a garter-inspired article of clothing in the spirit of Daisy Lowe. The lovely Lowe was snapped at a launch party for Bolongaro Trevor wearing Agent Provocateur's Rachel Dress ($990), which is made from knit silk cashmere and comes with detachable working garters. Obviously her frock is quite pricey, but happily there are alternatives such as Natalie Encarnita's eponymous line, which includes lingerie-inspired clothes for the non-designer budget. We think her Mesh Suspender Leggings ($113) are super chic and don't miss her cheeky take on the Suspender Dress ($140).
Of course, we have a feeling that a few lingerie enthusiasts will want to commit to the full look à la Taylor Momsen and Byrdie Bell. Both ladies were snapped in today's accessory during New York Fashion Week; Momsen wore this key piece to her band's Fashion's Night Out performance, while Bell attended shows in the Bryant Park Tents in her garters. Momsen paired a Kiki De Montparnasse Boyfriend Shirt ($295), vintage Chanel black sequin hot pants, and Phi buckle booties with vintage garters and Wolford's Individual 10 Suspender Stockings ($28). Bell's directional look also features an intriguing mix of high and low: she deftly combined a sheer t-shirt from American Apparel with Brian Atwood Suede Over-The-Knee Boots
($1470) and a bottomless garter belt from Starstruck Vintage. We love the fact that Momsen and Bell opted for antique undergarments and of-the-moment accents; the resulting outfits are totally modern and fresh—just like the ladies who wear this look!
Photos of Julia Restoin Roitfeld, Byrdie Bell, and Daisy Lowe, from Getty Images; Photo of Taylor Momsen, from Splash.
As any Style.com devotee knows, the garter belt snapped back into the fashion industry's collective consciousness relatively recently. Model-turned-designer Erin Wasson was one of the first to officially embrace the trend back in February. For the Fall 09 presentation of Erin Wasson x RVCA, she added suspender belts and thigh-highs to black denim shorts and crushed velvet mini dresses. Wasson wasn't the only one, of course; we also noticed sly undergarment references at Richard Nicoll, boots with garters at Prada, and nearly every single look at the Christian Dior F/W 09 Couture show was accessorized with visible garter belts.
With all these runway examples, it's no wonder that the high-impact hosiery has made its way into a few very famous wardrobes. For example, one early ode to the look came from Julia Restoin-Roitfeld when she attended the Yves Saint Laurent F/W 09 show wearing a pair of Fogal stockings that were embellished with mock garters. (Her exact style is no longer available.) Much like the Henry Holland for Pretty Polly Mock Stockings Tights ($14) we mentioned in our recent Patterned Tights story, JRR's semi-sheer legwear suggests said lingerie without actually requiring any. They're the perfect choice for a body-con frock—such as the American Apparel Double U-Neck Dress ($36) Restoin-Roitfeld wore with a custom-made belt—because they give you a smooth silhouette.
Another way to achieve the look without buying full-blown lingerie is to pick up a garter-inspired article of clothing in the spirit of Daisy Lowe. The lovely Lowe was snapped at a launch party for Bolongaro Trevor wearing Agent Provocateur's Rachel Dress ($990), which is made from knit silk cashmere and comes with detachable working garters. Obviously her frock is quite pricey, but happily there are alternatives such as Natalie Encarnita's eponymous line, which includes lingerie-inspired clothes for the non-designer budget. We think her Mesh Suspender Leggings ($113) are super chic and don't miss her cheeky take on the Suspender Dress ($140).
Of course, we have a feeling that a few lingerie enthusiasts will want to commit to the full look à la Taylor Momsen and Byrdie Bell. Both ladies were snapped in today's accessory during New York Fashion Week; Momsen wore this key piece to her band's Fashion's Night Out performance, while Bell attended shows in the Bryant Park Tents in her garters. Momsen paired a Kiki De Montparnasse Boyfriend Shirt ($295), vintage Chanel black sequin hot pants, and Phi buckle booties with vintage garters and Wolford's Individual 10 Suspender Stockings ($28). Bell's directional look also features an intriguing mix of high and low: she deftly combined a sheer t-shirt from American Apparel with Brian Atwood Suede Over-The-Knee Boots
Photos of Julia Restoin Roitfeld, Byrdie Bell, and Daisy Lowe, from Getty Images; Photo of Taylor Momsen, from Splash.
Garter/suspender belts, when worn properly, can be a very sophisticated look; one embraced by European women for years. For an un paralleled selection of garters and fine lingerie try www.nancymeyer.com
Posted by: Julie | 2009-11-01 09:56:56
whore-ibble!
Posted by: sarah | 2009-10-30 21:36:58
I don't think the garter part is intended for show.
Posted by: D. | 2009-10-29 11:31:20
Completely trashy. What is happening to WWW?
Posted by: ash | 2009-10-29 11:07:51
trashy, and not in a good way
Posted by: Alice | 2009-10-28 21:28:03
Byrdie looks the best in this look.
Posted by: olgaturka | 2009-10-28 04:49:33
I agree with Michelle. Is taylor momsen even wearing pants! That is never okay, I don't care how 'fashionable' it is
Posted by: rach | 2009-10-28 00:57:52
no no no!
Posted by: lisa | 2009-10-27 23:43:52
i'm not too sure about this trend . i think its one of those trends that you'll regret seeing urself wearing it when you see the photo in like a year or two.. http://glistersandblisters.blogspot.com
Posted by: Michelle Koesna | 2009-10-27 21:49:49
WWW needs to stop showcasing every trend, and actually be selective. Isn't being selective what stylists are supposed to do?!
Posted by: lulu | 2009-10-27 18:30:32
I have mixed feelings about this trend... however I do believe Taylor Momsen is too young to be wearing it. www.fashionofmysoul.com
Posted by: Marie | 2009-10-27 17:18:14
i completely agree with hannah. taylor momsen needs to stop looking like she's smoking crack all the time.
Posted by: Nicole | 2009-10-27 15:02:20
I'm not so crazy about this trend..its a bit slutty? unless if your not showing too much http://modebanana.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Brianna | 2009-10-27 14:11:08
god maia you seem like one extremely pretentious person. im so sick of wwwd lately, just a forum for wannabe rachel zoes.
Posted by: ceecee | 2009-10-27 13:57:39
NYFashionista, if you're planning on giving harsh criticism on Courtney Love, at least get your dates right: if you mean the garter look is very riot grrrrl then you're refering to Courtney Love prior to 1996. 1997 was a very Versacesque year for her.
Posted by: Maia | 2009-10-27 13:53:58
Sorry this trend looks very tired and dated. Please fashions Gods don't let the trashy princess look (ala Courtney Love 1997) come back in style. This look is so tacky and uninspired, it reminds me of visible thongs showing above low wasted jeans. NO NO NO and Julia should know better. Check my Blog: http://designerdiscountfashionmarket.blogspot.com/
Posted by: NYFashionista | 2009-10-27 13:30:07
Well, not everyone can carry this look off so there's bound to be a flurry of hate msgs. http://unlikeyyou.blogspot.com
Posted by: Jyun | 2009-10-27 11:01:04
this is RIDICULOUS. i agree with the above. shame on you for glorifying a sixteen year old dressed like a hooker. i will say though that at least the erin wasson look is with SHORTS and flats. thats an unhookery as you can get, but... its still hookery. note: garter belts only become hooker status when you wear them in PUBLIC. keep them to the bedroom.
Posted by: another one | 2009-10-27 10:48:51
Garters are great, but difficult to wear visibly in every day life without looking cheap. This si the challenge that I'm still trying to figure out. I'll definitely post about an outfit with them in the near future, but I still have to do some thinking of how to do it in a somewhat socially acceptable way...
Posted by: Susu Paris Chic | 2009-10-27 10:36:33
(obviously though - and you'll see once you click on the link - garters are meant to NOT be shown like these ladies are....it's something sexy you wear underneath which is more comfortable than regular tights...but again, it should only be for you and your husband to know!) http://ontheblogbandwagon.blogspot.com/2009/10/garter-belts-for-modern-woman.html
Posted by: wanderlusting | 2009-10-27 10:18:20
LOVE GARTERS! Just did a blog post a few weeks back about the BEST garters for the modern woman - easy on and easy off and oh so sexy -----Take a look: http://ontheblogbandwagon.blogspot.com/2009/10/garter-belts-for-modern-woman.html
Posted by: wanderlusting | 2009-10-27 10:16:25
This look is cheap, tacky and is reminiscent of street hookers. I think WWW missed the boat on this one- there is no way this look will catch on.
Posted by: LMB | 2009-10-27 10:15:14
This is supposed to be fashionable? All of these girls look like they rolled onto the red carpet after a tawdry romp with a client. Taylor Momsen is SIXTEEN years old. Shame on you for celebrating her dressing like a prostitute.
Posted by: Kay Tay | 2009-10-27 09:57:17
Yuck! Why would you encourage people to wear this?! www.katiedissojealous.blogspot.com
Posted by: KatieD | 2009-10-27 09:41:26
There is nothing appealing to this look unless you're a performer on stage. http://crty.tv/standout/
Posted by: Patti | 2009-10-27 09:00:45
taylor momster is outrageously annoying...however, i do like this trend and out of all the above looks i think taylor's and the erin wasson look are the most wearable.
Posted by: erih | 2009-10-27 08:30:05
This is taking the Pretty Woman boots inspiration a little too far. The girl with garters attached to her thigh-high boots looks ridiculous. Second from the left is the only look I'd even flirt with.
Posted by: MEP | 2009-10-27 08:12:11
You know, they advertise what brands want to sell.. Link me, follow me @ MaisonChaplin.blogspot.com
Posted by: MAISON CHAPLIN | 2009-10-27 08:00:45
They all look like prostitutes!
Posted by: lilou | 2009-10-27 07:30:01
taylor momsen is getting worse and worse every day http://alwaysrememberonething.blogspot.com/
Posted by: hannah | 2009-10-27 06:50:52
Not cute.
Posted by: Erock | 2009-10-27 05:42:38
Taylor Momsen is my age, sixteen I swear she must forget that sometimes! I know some utterly sl*^%y girls (outfit wise) but compared to her they are these girl are saints. I love her until I read her feature in teen vogue she made herself sound like a complete Hollywood stuck up stereotype.
Posted by: Billy Bab | 2009-10-27 03:23:55
im obsessed with the garter look minus taylor momsen...she used to be so cute, now she looks like courtney love! http://maisondepeanutleigh.com {uninhibited fashion}
Posted by: kirsten | 2009-10-27 02:53:46