How to Wear a Garter Belt (With Thigh Highs) for Date Night
The short answer
To wear a garter belt, fasten it at your natural waist or high hip with the straps hanging down the front and sides of each leg. Roll on stockings made for garter belts, then clip each strap to the stocking's top band, front clips first, then the back. Adjust the straps so the stockings lie smooth with a little give, and put your underwear on over the belt so you never have to unclip anything to use the restroom. A beginner belt plus one pair of sheer black stockings started at $63.90 on last check.
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What you need (belt + the right stockings)
- A garter belt (also called a suspender belt). It has a waistband with four or six straps, and each strap ends in a clip.
- Stockings made for garter belts. These have a plain top band with no silicone grip, so the belt does all the holding. The product page usually says "requires garter belt."
- Stay-ups work too. Thigh highs with a silicone band can clip to a belt as well. You get the look of a belt plus a backup grip, which is handy for a long night of dancing.
Not sure which hosiery is which? Our thigh highs vs stockings vs stay-ups guide covers the difference.
How to choose a garter belt (4 checks)
- Strap count. Four straps (two per leg) are fine for dinner and easiest for a first belt. Six straps (three per leg) spread the pull more evenly and hold better through a long night.
- Where it sits. A belt that sits at your natural waist holds best and smooths under a fitted dress. A narrower belt that sits on the hip is lighter and more minimal.
- Size by the brand's chart. Measure your waist where the belt will actually sit and use the brand's size guide. A belt that's too loose slides down and the stockings go with it.
- Hardware. Metal clips with a rubber nub grip the stocking top more securely than all-plastic clips.
How to put on a garter belt: step by step
- Put the belt on first. Hook it closed in front where you can see the fastening, then turn it so the hooks sit at your back and the straps hang evenly down the front and sides.
- Let the straps out. Loosen every strap before you start. It's easier to shorten a strap after it's clipped than to fight a short one.
- Roll on the first stocking. Gather it down to the toe, point your foot in, and unroll it up your leg to mid-thigh. Rolling instead of tugging protects the top band and prevents snags. If it has a back seam, keep the seam straight up the back of your leg.
- Clip the front strap. Open the clip by sliding the rubber nub out of the metal loop. Put the nub under the stocking's top band (on the skin side), then slide the metal loop over it from the outside and pull down until the nub locks into the narrow end. Clip into the reinforced top band, not the thin leg fabric.
- Clip the side and back straps. Repeat on the side strap (if your belt has six), then reach around for the back strap. The back one takes practice. Sitting on the edge of the bed makes it easier.
- Repeat on the other leg.
- Adjust. Stand up and shorten or lengthen each strap so the stocking lies smooth with no sag. Leave a little slack: the straps should be taut, not tight. Many people keep the back straps slightly longer than the front so they can sit and bend comfortably.
- Underwear goes on last. Put it on over the belt and straps (see below). Then do a sit test in front of a mirror to check that nothing shows under your hem.
Underwear: over or under the belt?
Over the belt is the practical choice. If your underwear goes on after the belt and straps, you can take it off to use the restroom without unclipping a single strap. That's why it's the traditional order.
Under the belt can give a slightly smoother line under a very fitted dress, and you'll see it in photos because it shows off the belt. It's a style choice, not a mistake. It just means unclipping for every bathroom trip, which isn't ideal at a restaurant. Either way, a thong or a brief with narrow sides avoids bulk where the belt sits.
Wearing a garter belt under a dress
- Choose a midi or a dress with some structure. A below-the-knee hem keeps the clips hidden when you sit. The City Goddess Faux Leather Cut-Out Sheath Midi (Goddiva) is a good example: it's thick enough that clips don't show through. It was $38 on last check, in black, sizes 4–10.
- Do the sit test. Sit down in front of a mirror. If the clips or stocking tops peek out below your hem, pick a longer dress or switch to stay-ups.
- Watch thin, clingy fabric. Clips can show through thin jersey or satin. A wide, smooth waist belt lies flatter than a strappy one under a bodycon.
- Going shorter? Our thigh highs + mini dress guide covers the styling when some of the band is meant to show.
The belts (VienneMilano, verified in stock)
1. VIP Captivate Garter Belt: the lowest-priced pick ($39.95)
The VIP Captivate Garter Belt has an art deco feel: geometric panels with shimmering Lurex embroidery, a strappy center with sparkling diamantes, and gold-colored hardware. It's the most "evening" of the three. It was $39.95 on last check, in Small through 1XL (1XS sold out).
Wear it: under a black sheath for an anniversary dinner, with sheer black stockings.
2. Juliette Floral Lace Panel Garter Belt: the easiest first belt ($49.95)
The Juliette Floral Lace Panel Garter Belt has wide bands of stretch lace, floral lace trim with scalloped edges, gold clips, and four adjustable straps. Four straps means fewer clips to learn on night one. It was $49.95 on last check, in Classic Black, Small through Large.
Wear it: your first garter-belt date night, under a midi.
3. Swirl Floral Lace Garter Belt: the widest size run ($49.95)
The Swirl Floral Lace Garter Belt pairs soft two-tone lace and scalloped edges with a mesh back panel that smooths the silhouette. Stretch lace and microfiber elastics keep it comfortable, and the straps are adjustable. It was $49.95 on last check, with every size in stock, 1XS through 1XL.
Wear it: a long evening when comfort matters as much as the look.
Want six straps for the most secure hold? The Fiamma Lace Garter Belt (Dita Von Teese for VienneMilano) has six adjustable straps with gold-tone hardware, dotted mesh, and floral lace. It was $49.95 on last check, Black 1XS–L.
The stockings to clip on
- LUANA Sheer Stockings for Garter Belts: made in Italy, silky and seamless, with an invisible reinforced toe and no grip band ("requires garter belt to stay up"). $23.95 on last check, Classic Black in Small, Large, and 1XL through 3XL.
- RAFFAELLA Back Seam Stockings for Garter Belts: the vintage option, with a back seam and satiny finish, made in Italy. $26.95 on last check, Classic Black in Small and 1XL through 3XL (Large sold out).
- Prefer stay-ups with a belt as backup? The REGINA Sheer Thigh Highs are 15 denier with a 3.5-inch silicone band, made in Italy. $20.95 on last check, Classic Black in Small, Large, and 1XL through 3XL.
Budget math: VIP Captivate + LUANA = $63.90. Juliette or Swirl + LUANA = $73.90. Juliette or Swirl + RAFFAELLA = $76.90.
Garter sets: the all-in-one option
If you'd rather not coordinate separate pieces, a garter set builds the straps in.
- Black Eyelash Lace Garter Teddy Set (AMIClubwear): an eyelash-lace teddy with built-in garters, sold as a 2-piece set with a matching thong. It's the lowest-priced way to try the look at $19.99 on last check, in Black S, M, and L. Best for an at-home date night.
- Colette Garter Chemise (HauteFlair): a floral jacquard mesh chemise with padded underwire cups, a lace overlay, strappy garters, and a matching G-string. $50.70 on last check, in Black S–XL. Code LACES takes 10% off at HauteFlair.
Clip either one to the LUANA stockings above. For more after-dinner pieces, see what to wear for a sexy, affordable date night.
Quick pick
| If you want… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The lowest-priced belt | VIP Captivate ($39.95) | Art deco sparkle, S–1XL |
| Your first belt | Juliette ($49.95) | Four straps, fewer clips to learn |
| The widest size run | Swirl ($49.95) | 1XS–1XL, mesh back panel |
| The most secure hold | Fiamma ($49.95) | Six straps |
| Everything in one piece | Eyelash Lace Garter Teddy ($19.99) or Colette Chemise ($50.70) | Garters built in |
FAQ
How do you wear a garter belt with thigh highs?
Fasten the belt at your natural waist or high hip, roll on stockings made for garter belts, and clip each strap to the stocking's top band, front clips first, then the back. Adjust the straps so the stockings lie smooth with a little slack, then put your underwear on over the belt.
Does a garter belt go over or under underwear?
Most people wear the garter belt under their underwear, so the underwear goes on last. That way you can take your underwear off to use the restroom without unclipping the stockings. Wearing it the other way is a style choice, but you'll have to unclip every time.
How do you attach stockings to a garter belt?
Open the clip by sliding the rubber nub out of the metal loop. Place the nub under the stocking's top band, slide the loop over it from the outside, and pull down until the nub locks in the narrow end. Always clip into the reinforced top band.
Can you wear stay-up thigh highs with a garter belt?
Yes. Stay-ups with a silicone band clip to a garter belt the same way stockings do. The belt adds security for a long night, and the silicone grip is a backup.
Can you wear a garter belt without stockings?
You can wear one as a decorative piece, but it won't do anything. The straps need stockings to hold. For date night, pair it with sheer stockings so the belt has a job.
How many straps should a garter belt have?
Four straps are fine for dinner and easiest for beginners. Six straps spread the pull more evenly and hold better if you'll be dancing or out for hours.
Will a garter belt show under a dress?
Usually not under a midi or a dress in a structured fabric. Clips can show through thin, clingy fabric or peek out below a short hem when you sit, so do a sit test in the mirror before you leave.
What size garter belt should I get?
Measure your waist where the belt will sit and use the brand's size chart. A belt that's too loose will slide down and take the stockings with it.
How does buying from Laces work?
Laces Evening Wear is a lookbook, not a store. Open the product page on Laces, then check out on the brand's site (VienneMilano for the belts and stockings, AMIClubwear or HauteFlair for the garter sets, Goddiva for the dress). Sizes, shipping, and returns are handled by the brand.
Shop the edit (verified in stock 2026-09-28 10:30 AM CT)
- VIP Captivate Garter Belt (VienneMilano): $39.95, S–1XL
- Juliette Floral Lace Panel Garter Belt (VienneMilano): $49.95, Classic Black S–L
- Swirl Floral Lace Garter Belt (VienneMilano): $49.95, 1XS–1XL (all sizes)
- Fiamma Lace Garter Belt (VienneMilano): $49.95, Black 1XS–L
- LUANA Sheer Stockings for Garter Belts (VienneMilano): $23.95, Classic Black S, L, 1XL–3XL
- RAFFAELLA Back Seam Stockings for Garter Belts (VienneMilano): $26.95, Classic Black S, 1XL–3XL
- REGINA Sheer Thigh Highs (VienneMilano): $20.95, Classic Black S, L, 1XL–3XL
- Black Eyelash Lace Garter Teddy Set (AMIClubwear): $19.99, Black S–L
- Colette Garter Chemise (HauteFlair): $50.70, Black S–XL
- City Goddess Faux Leather Cut-Out Sheath Midi (Goddiva): $38, Black 4–10
Related: Thigh highs vs stockings vs stay-ups · Thigh highs with a mini dress · Sexy, affordable date night · The sexy little black dress under $60
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