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Suspender Belts for Men – Why Men Wear Suspender / Garter Belts
Suspender Belt Advice for Men / Male Wearers
I have written this brief guide because from the amount of emails and telephone enquiries we receive from men, that some advice is needed when it comes to styles and sizing.
Suspender / Garter Belts made specifically for male wearers are very rare and certainly not available in the mainstream markets yet. The cutting pattern would be need to be changed with some reduction in the hip measurements, whereas for women additional inches are required to accommodate hips as they are wider than a mans.
So given that a man probably needs to buy from a selection sized specifically for ladies –
What should a male wearer look for to get the best possible fit?
- For men, it is better to go for the less stretchy styles and those with less adjustment that will sit tighter on your waist. Some of our styles for instance have waist sizes with up to 4″ stretch per size which are probably better avoided without hips to help hold them in place.
- Thick straps are better because they’re less likely twist and they provide a better hold.
- Suspender girdles and panty girdles are good because you get more coverage, therefore more support.
- Choose sizing by exact waist size and if between sizes go for the smaller.
- A wider belt or girdle like some of the vintage / retro style lingerie shown below is also more comfortable to wear and more supportive than a skimpy piece of lace that ‘hangs’ around the waist.
- When selecting stockings to go with your garter belt, avoid buying ‘regular’ sized stockings, choose from a range that offer a variety of sizes and make sure you get the correct size for your height. If you wear stockings that are too short, they will pull on the belt.
Below are some of the suggestions we have made to male wearers in the past and received excellent feedback on, all can be found in the Swanky Pins Shop:
Why do men wear suspender belts?
There are a number of reasons why men choose to wear a suspender belt – some are covered in much more detail in our article on Cross-dressers and the relating comments, but the main reasons seem to be as follows:
For men who need to wear compression stockings. A good number of calls we get are from men, or their wives, asking for advice on a good suspender belt to keep compression stockings in place. We would suggest going with all of the above advice, plus you need to make sure you get something with sturdy metal clips as these stockings tend to have a thicker welt than ‘normal’ styles. Flimsy plastic is unlikely to hold them secure. We have a more in depth article on this subject here: Wearing a Suspender Belt with Compression Stockings
Men Prefer Women’s Lingerie. Many men like the feel of women’s lingerie next to their skin and in contrast to non-supportive and uncomfortable boxer shorts, a pair of ladies knickers feel silky & soft, sexy and comfortable.
Secrecy. Many men are ‘secret thrill seekers’ and seem to love the thought that they are wearing a suspender belt, stockings and lacy knickers in public under their ‘male clothes’ and nobody knows.
Cross-dressing. Even in this day and age, cross dressers are still seen by some as ‘deviant’, but the reality is it’s more a form of self expression, comfort and just ‘being themselves’. Some are born with, or develop as a youngster, a strong feminine side and dressing as a women seems a part of their ‘natural self’. A surprising number are ‘normal’ men in stable relationships who simply love to wear women’s clothes.
Sexual/Fetish. Surprisingly enough, it seems that this is the least likely reason that men wear stockings, suspender belts or other types of women’s lingerie.
Research, plus many of the comments on our post about cross-dressing, shows that the majority of male wearers are heterosexual, a lot of them being married with kids – some hide the fact from friends and family because they fear being ‘classified’, others have ‘come-out’ publicly and wear lingerie daily or dress fully as a female when and where they choose.
Girdles, corsets and deep suspender belts are worn by men as they help achieve a more feminine shape which will make dresses and outer clothing fit better.
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25 comments on “Suspender Belts for Men – Why Men Wear Suspender / Garter Belts”
Christine Davies
Hi,
My husband has to wear light support stockings due to a medical condition but we cannot get them to stay up,even hoidups.I have been searching everywhere for something not too feminine looking for him to hold them up.This site appears to have ticked all the boxes.
Thank you so much.
angie
I wore stockings and garterbelt under my business wear for decades. I used a wide (very important) garterbelt with six straps, with the rear straps well to the back for good support of my stockings. I wore light beige or nude stockings with normal men’s socks over them. I liked to wear my stockings all the way up my legs ans so used a short strap garterbelt. The gentle massage of the stockings on my thighs and motion of the straps as I moved about was just wonderful. I don’t believe I was ever detected, but remember one time when I was giving a presentation when a garter came loose with what seemed to me like a cannon shot. ASAP I went to the mens room for repair.
Michael browning
I love to wear my pink stockings with lace top and pink suspender belt with my pink satin panties with sheath I like to do allmy household chores like this sometimes I put on my pink satin nightie and sit in the back garden it just feels loveley the feel of satin on my skin and being outside is a real delight I also wear them under my normal clothes when shopping
John
I love to match my stockings with a nice pair of sheer panties or a thong always feels and looks so good,I wear high heels also when I have the opportunity looks amazing with my sheer Baby Doll.
I guess it’s the ultimate form of relaxation for a cross-dresser to be able to feel so femme even for a few hours and spend time around the house in fabulous feminine lingerie.
Nigella
Michael, i know just how you feel, i too love to do my housework in my lingerie, the feeling of wearing my white girdle with brown seamed stockings and heels is absolutly fabulous, perhaps we could dress together, i would love to see you in your pink lingerie darling.xx
Angie
I’m a lifetime wearer of stockings under my business clothes. I wear nude or light beige stockings and normal men’s socks over the stockings. Why do I wear a garterbelt? Quite simply to hold my stockings up nice and snug.
Lucy latex
I love stockings and have owned a couple suspender belts before and have now discovered pantie girdles. I recently bought my first one and love the greening so much I now want more, and now I have found this site I will be shopping here next year.
John
Good to hear Lucy. I’ve never tried a panty girdle sounds so perfect.
John
Thanks to Debbie for posting my pics much appreciated.
John Hartley
I’ve worn stockings and suspenders for years , I used to keep it to myself but now most of my friends know, I’ve even moved to basques too, but most days now I wear panties and a bra , I even wear a transparent top so people can see my bra straps.
Jon
I’d love to try some stockings and a belt but have no idea how my wife would react. She has joked about me wearing her underwear a few times now but I think it’s just that. A joke. I have no idea how to approach this.
Harriet
I’ve found that wearing a Basque with attached suspenders avoids the problem of not having hips. The type available from suppliers of male lingerie is best for wearing under business clothes as there are no breast issues.
Colin Whitbread
I have been wearing Stockings, suspender belts, girdles, bras and panties for years, often under my work clothes, its such a sensational feeling and although l don’t advertise the fact, if someone notices, then so be it. Most of my male friends know what l wear and don’t have a problem with it, often coming shopping with me and choosing items for me. Some of my friends enjoy see me getting dressed in lingerie and love to feel the items once l’m wearing them, especially my panties. Its a great feeling and l love it. How many other guys like seeing their male friends in sexy lingerie, a lot more than you think and most of them would also like to wear it.
Sandy
I love to wear 6 Strap Garter belt and stockings, and a nice underwire Bra and cute panties when I travel. Getting caught and searched by TSA at the Airport is always so exciting. Especially when they realize I am wearing womens lingerie under my business clothing. Once I was invited into the little room with 2 agents and asked to remove my outer clothing so they could search and inspect me more thoroughly. Of course I followed orders, and was standing in the inspection room in my stockings, garter belt and bra and panties… I was bright Red with embarrassment (so were my Bra and Panties).
geo69k
I have worn 6/8 (even a 10) strap suspender belts since my darling wife asked me to dress for her when we were both 19, the feel of thigh high stockings stapped to the suspender clasps rubbing your legs is simply divine. I was caught out once when I had to appear in court as a witness, and of course the guards asked me to pass through the metal detector door which went off, blush, but I explained that I had to wear a suspender belt to hold up my surgical stockings, she looked at me and smiled but I was allowed through after she used a hand-held device which gave off a couple of quiet beeps in the corner. I was cleared to go to court…..
angie
What a great site! I wear stockings and garters very simply because I love wearing them. I fasten my stockings very snugly with a deep (very important) six or eight strap belt with the rear strap well to the back for good support all around. The gentle thigh massage from my stockings as I move about, and tiny motion of my straps are totally refreshing. I can also feel the wonderful tension in my straps. For some time, I went with a lovely woman who encouraged me. We had fantastic sex with explosive climax with both of us wearing, and our stockings sliding over eachother.
Darrell
I conversed with a lovely lady for years that encouraged wearing lingerie we had a very very close relationship she had me wearing pantyhose as a base layer with Rago 6 strap garter belt, girdle and stockings over them I was amazed how easy and sensuous the open bottom girdle stockings and garter belt slid over the pantyhose. I am quite heterosexual but I love the looks and feel of nylons of any kind.
W knowles
Nice to find a company who understands men who like the feeling of ladies underwear.
Ulf from Sweden
Lingerie obsession
I’m a crossdresser who is totally obsessed by female lingerie. Or actually, it’s more than an obsession. I’m a lingerie addict. They say that drug addiction is hard to leave. But that is nothing compared to lingerie addiction. Once you have got struck by a lingerie addiction then you will be chained to it for the rest of your life. Impossible to leave. And why should you leave? Much better to surrender and enjoy the full charms of lingerie.
I have made several purchases from Swanky Pins. I think that Swanky Pins is a true Gold Mine for lovers of sexy lingerie. Especially when it comes to suspender belts. They have a wide selection of truly wonderful suspender belts.
I love wearing lingerie. I love the feeling of a tight suspender belt clinging around my hips and having the garter straps to give perfect stretch to my nylon stockings. To complete this I also have a tight brassiere embracing my chest, the cups filled with fake tits.
This creates a great feeling of well-being. I simply love this. I want to enjoy this as much as possible. And I really do. Since ten years ago I’m a full-time crossdresser, being constantly dressed in lingerie. (I don’t even own any male underwear.) I wear lingerie every day, from early morning until late evening. And not only that, I also wear lingerie at night. I sleep in lingerie and a silky night-gown. So I’m actually a 24/7 crossdresser. I have no intention of giving that up.
Yes, wearing lingerie makes me feel good. But of course, I don’t deny that there is also a sexual dimension to my lingerie addiction. Wearing lingerie stimulates me to experience sexual pleasures several times a day. Luckily, my sexual “capacity” is rather high, which allows me to enjoy sex for hours every day. Most of it by self-satisfaction.
I enclose some pictures from my latest Swanky Pins purchase.
spoozo
Right now, this guy is wearing a twelve (12) strap short strap garterbelt with gray opera length stockings. The stockings come all the way up to my crotch. I love the gentle thigh massage from my stockings and the tiny motion of my straps as I move about.
luisaannmarroquin
I Love wearing Sexy Lingerie for the Look and How it feels. I’ve been doing this for 15 years be hind closed doors. I Dress Up all the way from Top to Bottom. I like doing things the right way not partially. You know Bra, Realistic Breast Forms, Panties, Garter Belt, Stockings, Skirt n Top, Make Up, Perfume, Jewelry, Pumps. I haven’t let anyone see me yet. Have wanted to and when I set something up I cancel. What would be the Best Advise for me stop cancelling and Follow through with it? Help? My Fear is Rejection or Being Laughed at. I have started wearing Lingerie more lately at home during my free time. I Also have noticed I have more Female Clothing than Male. Thanks for letting me Share. LOL
maseratijack
I am so pleased I have found this site and utterly surprised I haven’t found it before. I too have a fetish for stockings, lingerie and foundationwear and girdles. Started when I saw my mother wriggling into her girdle and stockings when I was a teenager, I was an avid watcher of her getting dressed and undressed all through my teens. The constraining nature of her underwear fascinated me and although she pretended not to notice my interest, some years later she explained she knew exactly why I used to watch. Now 40 odd years later I am totally blessed with having a supportive wife of nearly 30 years who understands and indulges my fetish. We have developed into a very happy relationship where she ‘humiliates’ and teases me for being a man dressed up in ladies underwear, the frisson of her making me feel embarrassed simply enhances the turn-on. Over the past couple of years she has introduced her best friend into our ‘secret’ and now I often have to spend an entire weekend dressed up in front of her and my wife as they tease me for being the ‘dressed up sissy in a girdle’ when she comes to stay. Those occasions involve much more than is appropriate to detail on this site. To add, when not parading around at home in suspenders and a girdle, I run my own business with several employees and frequently have to attend site meetings with my workmen and customers, underdressed in a girdle or corselette with stockings under a business suit or site workwear. If anyone would like to know more I will be pleased to share. Thanks again to the hosts of this excellent website.
ULF
The question in this blog is why men wear suspender belts. Of course, it might be for several reasons, but in the end it all comes down to one common issue: sex. Basically, men wear suspender belts for a sexual reason. This is true not only for suspender belts, but for all female lingerie. Men wear bras and knickers and nylon stockings for the same reason.
I’m single. I’ve been single all my life. This has made me become reduced to self-satisfaction and temporary lovers. And that is not at all bad. On the contrary, it’s the best way of having sex. Any man has two hands (Miss Right and Miss Left), always ready to please him whenever he wants to. Every day, many times a day. No complaints about headaches or periods or whatever. They’re always there for you. So I consider myself lucky, to be pleased any time I wish.
This time my new entries have been:
1. 6 Strap Suspender Belt in Lace and Power Mesh, in colour beige.
2. Retro Style Plain Suspender Belt with 8 Straps, also in colour beige.
I enclose some pictures so you can see me in those belts. I particularly like the 6 Strap belt in lace and power mesh. The front section of the belt is shorter than the rest of the belt, allowing my lovers (men and women) easy access to what’s below the belt.
I appreciate the sizing guides at Swanky Pins. They’re always accurate. I have never failed to get the right size when I buy my girdles and suspender belts. They always fit like a second skin.
So, I’m quite pleased with my purchases from Swanky Pins. I’ll be sure to return.
David
Hi…..where you from?…..
Shanie
I wear stockings and garters almost each day. My wife has me dressed in stockings and heels always after I come n from the office. My legs are shave and I use lotion to keep the smooth. I enjoy the feelings and the looks of sheer or shiny stockings. I wear them for me as well as my wife’s enjoyment
Shanie
I too enjoy wearing silky nylon stockings with a garter belt or girdle with garters. Being a male that’s 6’1” I get to enjoy the feeling of the straps on my legs as I walk around. I wear heels and a skirt with the stockings and girdle around the house to cook in and always while resting I have worn my stockings to the store with small heels and shorts on and have gotten some looks !!But mainly some nice comments about my long legs in shiny stockings. I just love the shiny and oil shine finish