7 Comments

A reader sent an email sharing this story. "When I entered the US Coast Guard academy in 1957 I was issued a set of garters for men’s socks. One was red (worn on the left leg) to remind us that red was port and one was green (worn on the right leg) to remind us that green was starboard."

Would that help you remember?

Expand full comment

And every Boy Scout in the world in summer dress outfit also wears garters to keep the knee socks in place. I still have mine someplace. And we Scot's still have them too!

Expand full comment

Aye yes, Jim, thank you for those additions. I didn't think the Scouts wore the clip garters, just bands at the sock tops with the hems folded over. As for the Scots, aren't those on the outside of the socks, not the sock suspender style?

Expand full comment

Not the suspender type the band type. The Scot's also fold over the top so only the flashes show. Same for scouts.

Expand full comment

I recall wearing a garter belt once I was old enough to wear stockings -- my father always wore garters for his sox when he dressed up (we thought they were so funny!) -- & my son wore the garters for his hockey sox when he was younger! We had generations of garter wearers!!

Expand full comment

Yes, I too remember wearing a garter belt for stockings. And seeing my father clip up his socks every day before he left for work. And I can still hear my mother say, "pull up your socks" when my knee socks sagged. Thanks for sharing.

Expand full comment

Yes! I remember wearing a garter belt to hold up my awesome cable knit stockings(?) under my purple plaid mini dress in the 5th grade (with loafers!). I think that was the first and last time. I guess it made an impression on me :-)

Expand full comment