I just watched this film (Jimmy Stewart <33) and I was laughing very hard at the end where he lifted his trousers! I was just wondering, did everyone back then wear garters still or was it just meant to be funny? (BTW, Garters remind me of that scene from Twelfth Night where Malvolio criss-crosses his.)
I'm in love with Jimmy Stewart and I'm gonna find a guy just like him and marry him. <3
Yes, people still wore garters in the 1930s. I don't know if everyone did, but they were fairly common. Socks today are made with a bit of elastic in the tops to keep them up; at that time, they did not. If someone, man or woman, wanted to keep their socks/stockings/nylons from sliding down to their ankles, they wore garters. You are right in that it looks a little odd to modern audiences.
Yes! Poor Malvolio! Criss-crossing his garters because he thinks Olivia is turned on by that!
Hey folks,
It is with a slight bit of embarrassment that I admit that I wore garters in the 1950s and into the early 1960s. ljspin is completely correct about sock being a bit more floppy back then. I can remember when in junior high school I was all dressed up for a dance later that evening when a girlfriend's father, Mr. Beard, noticed me pulling my socks up. He asked me why I did not simply use garters to hold them up. Garters? Suspecting he was pulling my leg, I said I never heard of men using garters. "Really?" says he. He then proceeded to lift his pant legs and show me his. Wow! There were no floppy socks there. His socks were held up fully and smooth as can be. I asked him where you buy such things, and he told me I could buy them at Melman's Men's Store a few blocks down the street. Mr. Beard was not finished with me at that point, however. Mr. Beard went up to his bedroom and brought a brand new pair of garters down to give me as my first pair. Feeling a bit foolish at first, I put them on, hooked them to my socks, and dropped my pant legs. Just one look at my great looking smooth socks as I walked was all it took for me to get beyond any further embarrassment.
I continued using garters for nearly 15 years until men socks really did become a lot better at staying up by themselves. Mr. Beard has been gone for some time, but his giving me my first pair of garters will always be one of the many fond memories I have of him. And for those who are wondering, no, I did not wear garters with shorts.
Best wishes,
Dave Wile
Cute story, Dave. :)
shareMy husband still wears them!
He's military and he wears them to keep his shirt tails neatly tucked in. They drive airports and security screening personnel nuts. lol
Always the officiant, never the bride.
http://www.WithThisKissITheeWed.com
My maternal grandfather wore them in the 1950s. Also, nowadays on cold winter days I wear them to hold up some thick, trimmed leg warmers I use from the calf down. It makes a huge difference in warmth.
It is better to be kind than to be clever or good looking. -- Derek