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First time wearing stockings - any advice?

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Reply 20

Original post
by paula1287
The stockings we're wearing are like these - http://www.bhs.co.uk/mall/productpage.cfm/bhsstore/300074/220140 - they're plain with no elastic or anything at the top, and no 'gripping' feeling around your thighs. They need the suspender belt to keep them up, else they'll quickly be heading southwards!

I suspect you're referring to ones like this - http://www.bhs.co.uk/mall/productpage.cfm/bhsstore/300075/220140 which are hold-ups with the elasticated bit at the top... should in theory stay up without a suspender belt as you say (but in my experience don't!), though I suppose you can wear a suspender belt too. But the top is rather thicker, so not so easy to attach the clips...


Hard to make out the difference in the photo without seeing them in real life.

That's one pair of stockings I have that have fairly strechable fabric, no adhesive lining that most holdups tend to have. It's really thin material too, although may look otherwise in photos.
The suspender clips can still be attached even if the material is thicker however it might be better to buy those suspender belts that have little hooks and not clips- although I haven't seen any around apart from online.

It's strange how I have never experienced stockings that don't have strechy or elasticated material- I've been buying stockings from various shops and online too :s-smilie:

Isn't it easier for you girls to just buy stockings with that stretchy band, so you know they will stay up but have suspender belt as a sexy accessory.

Reply 21

Original post
by parasitic
Hard to make out the difference in the photo without seeing them in real life.

That's one pair of stockings I have that have fairly strechable fabric, no adhesive lining that most holdups tend to have. It's really thin material too, although may look otherwise in photos.
The suspender clips can still be attached even if the material is thicker however it might be better to buy those suspender belts that have little hooks and not clips- although I haven't seen any around apart from online.

It's strange how I have never experienced stockings that don't have strechy or elasticated material- I've been buying stockings from various shops and online too :s-smilie:

Isn't it easier for you girls to just buy stockings with that stretchy band, so you know they will stay up but have suspender belt as a sexy accessory.


No, it's not so easy to tell from photos - that was the best I could do quickly!

I don't know about suspenders with hooks... the only suspender belts I've worn (or even seen) are those that have the clips with the little 'bobble' that goes through the metal loop at the end of the straps - sorry, I don't know the technical terms for the different bits.

To be honest I've never tried wearing a suspender belt with hold-ups - but then one of the things I don't like about hold-ups (apart from them not 'holding up') is that gripping feeling around my thigh. Normal stockings with a suspender belt to keep them up work perfectly for me, and are so comfortable and secure - with the suspender belt to do a job rather than be a 'sexy accessory', though it can be that as well!

Reply 22

Advice and help from a LONG-TIME wearer of stockings and suspenders.
As well as all the usual outlets suggested by other wearers such as M&S, Debenhams, BHS, Calzedonia, House of Fraser etc, there is much more choice available online. This is because the wearing of stockings and suspenders has become a niche market with just a small but very dedicated and enthusiastic group of wearers who in my opinion have an affinity for being feminine and the love of dressing up - often just for ourselves. It's hard to believe that before tights, we all wore suspenders every day because trousers/jeans just weren't so fashionable and expected - apart from leisure wear - and leggings hadn't even been invented! Then miniskirts necessitated the invention of tights and the 'mini' could then evolve into the 'micro' skirt. There was a changeover period when tights were available but so expensive as to be desirable but not really a possibility so long stockings and short suspenders became very common. It wasn't that terrible to flash a hint of stocking top in those days because we all did so for a bit of fun and to attract attention. Stockings faded in popularity after the mid 60's but regained popularity in the early 80's and falling out of favour again when leggings became universal. They have however never really gone away for many of us, but as I say, the internet and dedicated stockings websites have kept them available in much the same manner as before when we bought them in high street stores. I agree with the various comments about poor quality suspender belts being sold in several outlets that are just for the bedroom but wish to suggest that you can still enjoy wearing lovely lingerie there too as well as for everyday wear. In addition to the online suggestions of StockingsHQ, Stockingsworld, plus the many sites that come up with an internet search, I would highly recommend the website 'What Katie Did' because as well as having a lovely 1950's-inspired collection of lingerie and stockings you will find a selection of YouTube videos giving sound advice on what type of 'suspender' garment to choose in order to hold up your stockings. Believe me - there is much more pleasure to be enjoyed from holding up your stockings with a garment other than a lovely suspender belt!
Another good website worth a look is 'Secrets In Lace' which has gorgeous fashion ideas and suggestions for a modern 1950's look.
So for those of you still wishing to enjoy the pleasure of stockings there is much advice and help online - you just need to know where to look.

I hope my advice and suggestions help,

Regards,

Catherine.

Reply 23

Original post
by parasitic
I know hold up-s don't really hold themselves up, but if you're wearing the right size, they should stay on for like 5 minutes without you moving much. This indicates they're a good size and then can be worn with a suspender belt to add that extra security so they don't slip off. (If they can't even hold themselves up for a few minutes at all then it's a wrong size, and you might have to pull them way up where your thighs are at their fullest)

Not sure what kind of stockings you girls are wearing, because generaly my stockings have some kind of elasticated strip, or stretchy fabric material so they hold themselves up (I still wear a suspender belt sometimes with them because I like the look of the little straps)
Normal stockings that are like socks should also hold themselves up because they're made a bit smaller in the thigh area so when you put them on, they cling onto your flesh :smile:


In my teen's I was a cancan dancer I wore stockings and found them very comfortable to wear. But with being a tall girl I just can't get tights to fit me . Now I wear stockings all day. I personally don't like the deep suspender belt for your paying for all the lace etc; after all nobody sees it. You must have a belt with wide straps and metal clips plus 3 hook and eye's at the back so it won't pull down over your tummy and keeps your stockings secure. I did buy a cheap M&S belt but the plastic clips came away from my stockings, which was embarrassing. Advert's shows the belt over the knickers always wear your belt under your knickers for convenience sake. Stockings are much more healthier than tights, for a couple of girlfriends have medical problems around the private area. But you must try them not just for a day for you will be comparing them with your tights besides they are very feminine and makes you feel a whole woman

Reply 24

Sounds like you don't take notice of the advice offered by experienced and knowledgeable stocking/suspender wearers!
Here's a copy of my post from over a year ago that you could have found elsewhere in this discussion - if you had bothered to look!
I'm beginning to think you aren't the sort of person who actually listens to advice despite asking for it.
I can only repeat below that the best advice is to enjoy the assorted videos offering excellent help on the WHAT KATIE DID website, easily found by searching online or via YouTube.

Advice and help from a LONG-TIME wearer of stockings and suspenders.
As well as all the usual outlets suggested by other wearers such as M&S, Debenhams, BHS, Calzedonia, House of Fraser etc, there is much more choice available online. This is because the wearing of stockings and suspenders has become a niche market with just a small but very dedicated and enthusiastic group of wearers who in my opinion have an affinity for being feminine and the love of dressing up - often just for ourselves. It's hard to believe that before tights, we all wore suspenders every day because trousers/jeans just weren't so fashionable and expected - apart from leisure wear - and leggings hadn't even been invented! Then miniskirts necessitated the invention of tights and the 'mini' could then evolve into the 'micro' skirt. There was a changeover period when tights were available but so expensive as to be desirable but not really a possibility so long stockings and short suspenders became very common. It wasn't that terrible to flash a hint of stocking top in those days because we all did so for a bit of fun and to attract attention. Stockings faded in popularity after the mid 60's but regained popularity in the early 80's and falling out of favour again when leggings became universal. They have however never really gone away for many of us, but as I say, the internet and dedicated stockings websites have kept them available in much the same manner as before when we bought them in high street stores. I agree with the various comments about poor quality suspender belts being sold in several outlets that are just for the bedroom but wish to suggest that you can still enjoy wearing lovely lingerie there too as well as for everyday wear. In addition to the online suggestions of StockingsHQ, Stockingsworld, plus the many sites that come up with an internet search, I would highly recommend the website 'What Katie Did' because as well as having a lovely 1950's-inspired collection of lingerie and stockings you will find a selection of YouTube videos giving sound advice on what type of 'suspender' garment to choose in order to hold up your stockings. Believe me - there is much more pleasure to be enjoyed from holding up your stockings with a garment other than a lovely suspender belt!
Another good website worth a look is 'Secrets In Lace' which has gorgeous fashion ideas and suggestions for a modern 1950's look.
So for those of you still wishing to enjoy the pleasure of stockings there is much advice and help online - you just need to know where to look.

I hope my advice and suggestions help,

Regards,

Catherine.

Original post
by Sempiternitas
I'm wearing stockings for the first time today. It took me quite a while to put them on, and I find that the belt keeps being pulled down, even when I've done the clasp to the tightest. Also, I had to do the clips before I put the stockings on, because it was virtually impossible to do so with them on. Do you have any advice on how they can be worn more easily and comfortably?

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