I've seen the Mrs. in pantyhose (nice!) and I've seen her in stockings (still nice) but it's been a heck of alot of years since I've seen her in garters. You youngsters probably won't beleive this, but there was a time before pantyhose and stay-up thigh highs. Yes, back in the day when women actually wore "girdles" (and how many below the age of 50 have ever even seen a girdle, except maybe in a movie?), when stockings were called "nylons" and came in boxes and (as the Mrs. recalls) were sized by shoe size, the only way to keep on your "nylons" was with the girdle garters. Actually, garter belts were available but were usually reserved for teenagers. Also, young women were't allowed to wear "jet heels" or "nylons" until they were at least 16. Now, heck, my granddaughter (8) wears pantyhose! This all took place before the phrase, "...we've come along way, Baby!.." was being shouted from the roof tops.

It is great that in the years since the 60's, women have served in combat military positions, construction, professional sports and as firefighters--amongst many other previously male dominated careers. I propose that being freed from the constraints of a girdle may have had a bit to do with them entering previously traditional men's professions (it is predicted that within the next 5 years, female MDs will outnumber male MDs--way to go ladies!).

Fast forward to 2012 when Leg Avenue has been manufacturing stockings with an attatched garterbelt--in plus sizes no less. We ordered the black "plus size sheer stockings with attached garterbelt" as homage to the 1960's. Many other syles, colors and companies are also onboard. This particular set is available in a one size fits most and red and white colors. My Mrs. is border-line plus size (not to me, but to whoever does the sizing) and wears a size 12. Her thighs (which I was happy to measure for you) are 18.5" of pure heaven.

The sheer black stockings come up quite high on her thighs, making an adjustment to the length of the garters necessary (a quick zip of the sewing machine fixed that) but the lace garterbelt fit fine over her 38" hips. The material, 100% nylon, is very soft and seems that it will last through many wearings before self-destructing. Neither the Mrs. or I were irritated by the material (and yes, I actually did try them on...HEY...if Joe Namath could do it, so can I!).

I noticed that the belt lace, a swirl and flower design, is different than the garter design which is just flowery. This probably has something to do with the size of each piece. Both laces are equally soft and non-irritating. The garterbelt lace is 3.5" wide and each garter measures .75" X 8". There are no clips attaching the stockings to the garter, rather they are woven to each other. The non-sticking black lace band at the top of the stockings measures 2.5".

We could not find a size chart for stockings on EF or the Leg Avenue site, but Mrs. says there is quite a bit of stretch available and would definitely fit a much larger woman than she. She suggests that women her size or smaller opt for the one size fits most. She did not have any bagging or sagging around the ankles or knees. (But if she did, they still would have looked fine to me!)

Washing instructions on the package are to wash by hand in warm water and no chlorine bleach, drip dry.

Mrs. wore these stockings on several occasions with washing in-between. She does not do hand washing so she placed the pantyhose in a special back and tossed it in with a dark load. She did dry them by laying them on a terrycloth towel. She thinks that they snap back into shape with washing and look fresh as a daisy.

The Mrs. does not wear her skirts above the knee (but what nice gams she has so just as well no men are exposed...remember the bus driver? I still haven't gotten over that...). The tops of the stockings come quite high so a shorter skirt could easily be worn without worry of the stocking tops being seen...unless you like that!

This is a tough follow-up to write. I still like the way these look but the Mrs. isn't too keen on how they fit her anymore. She says that with washing and wearing they have stretched out quite a bit and now bag up around her knees. I think I should have ordered the regular one size instead of the plus.