Wearing Compression Stockings with a Suspender Belt

We have written this article in response to the number of queries we receive from both men and women along the lines of “My Compression Stockings fall down, how can I keep them in place” ?

Compression stockings are worn by both women and men for a variety of medical conditions. Whether it be to improve your blood flow, to reduce your chances of vein thrombosis, or to lessen the swelling and pain in your legs.

The issue many people face with wearing compression stockings is how to keep them securely held up. Unlike ‘normal’ stockings which can be held in place with a wide range of suspender belts, compression stockings are thicker (and therefore heavier) and may require additional support than your standard suspender belt can’t offer. The same problem is faced with support stockings (which tend to be slightly ‘lighter’ than full compression stockings but still thicker than a pair of Nylons).

** Support stockings for men can be expensive but women’s support stockings work just as well for a fraction of the price.

Getting the Best Suspender Belt for your Compression Stockings

There are special suspender belts for compression stockings that you can buy which consist of a band of elastic that goes around the waist with 4 suspender straps, but these are pretty basic and definitely not as attractive as a good solid suspender belt.

Suspender belts come in a variety of styles. Different shapes, sizes, straps, and clips make all the difference, particularly when it comes to offering support for your compression stockings. Choosing the right garter belt will save you the hassle of constantly having to adjust your stockings and clip them back into place. So what’s the best way to go about that?

Size

When deciding on a suspender belt, make sure to choose sizing based on your exact waist size. This will prevent the belt slipping down, especially for men who don’t have the hips to keep it in place. If you fall somewhere in between then opt for the smaller size rather than the larger size. I also advise opting for a wider belt. This will be far more comfortable and supportive to wear than a skimpy piece of lace that ‘hangs’ around the waist. These styles tend to come with plastic clips, not metal, which are unlikely to hold a compression or support stocking. Alternatively, a girdle or panty girdle offers even more support as these mould to the hips and bottom giving less opportunity to slide.

In terms of the correct size of your compression stockings, make sure you consider your height. Each individual product and supplier will have its own size chart, so please always check before you make a purchase. Stockings that are too short will pull on the belt causing discomfort and ‘slipping’. Ones that are too long can cause ‘sagging’ and may not give the compression in the right places. To select the correct compression stockings size, use can use these illustrations as a size guide.

Clips

The clips are essentially what will hold the two pieces together. As I have mentioned, compression stockings are heavier than your average pair of stockings and therefore require additional support to keep them held securely in place. While normal stockings will typically hold up just fine with your standard plastic clips, these may not be up to the challenge of keeping a pair of compression stockings held in place as they tend to have a thicker welt than day-to-day styles. My advice will always be to opt for suspender belts with sturdy metal clips as support and will offer a much stronger hold than flimsy plastic clips.

Straps

Thick straps are ‘heavier duty’ than thinner straps and are far more functional. As a result, they provide a better hold and are far less likely to twist. While thinner straps can often be considered more fashionable, it’s the thicker straps that are going to give you maximum comfort and security. I recommend straps that are over 19mm in width and where possible, opt for 6 or 8 strap suspender belts. This will spread the weight of the stockings across each strap.

For men
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. Suspender belts for men should have a maximum waist adjustment of approximately 2″. Don’t assume that all Mediums will fit the same or all XL’s will have the same waist measurement. All our products list the exact waist size under the description of each item.

My Recommendations:
In this article we have established that the best suspender belts for compression stockings will include:

• Choosing the exact waist size (opting for the smaller size if you fall somewhere in between).
• A Wider / Deep belt
• Sturdy Metal Clips
• Thicker Straps
• More straps (6 minimum)
• Less stretchy styles (for men)

I would advise something like this 8 strap suspender belt. which is ideal as it sits high on the waist and does not slip. It comes with solid metal clips and 8 thick straps for maximum support. Also available as a 6 strap.
Or if you prefer, we stock the same suspender belt but with 6 straps but with a plain front instead of lace. Each suspender belt comes in a choice of white, black, or nude with sizes ranging from 8 to 18.

Alternatively, this black panty girdle may be more to your liking – especially for male wearers as it will definitely hold everything in place. This comes with 6 x 2cm straps which provides a good firm hold. If black is not your colour of choice then this girdle is also available in red or white.

We hope this article has been helpful to anyone who needs to wear support or compression stockings. To any men who may find it initially embarrassing to wear women’s lingerie to keep their stockings in place, we advise that you give it a go, we think it will be worth it.