A wedding is a special moment in every woman's life. During the preparations, most attention is usually given to the venue, dress, music, or food. However, the wedding itself is also associated with many traditional rituals that, regardless of our belief in superstitions, have become firmly embedded in Polish culture. One of these is the bride's obligation to wear a wedding garter. Nowadays, it serves a purely aesthetic purpose, but the variety of available designs and styles means it’s worth considering which wedding garter to choose to match the effect you want to achieve before purchasing.
Why do we wear a garter?
Although garters are now mainly associated with weddings and prom nights, their history actually dates back to the Middle Ages. Back then, they primarily served a practical function – stockings, which were an essential part of every outfit, were made from less elastic materials. As a result, they often slipped down the legs and caused discomfort. To prevent this, garters were introduced, equipped with special buckles to hold the stockings in place all day long.
Today, garters are mainly used at proms and weddings. In both cases, they are meant to bring luck and success. If you’re wondering which wedding garter works best, it’s worth considering a few important factors.
White, or maybe blue? What color wedding garter is traditional?
Traditionally, the wedding garter should be white – or possibly beige or ecru. It used to symbolize the bride’s purity and was meant to bring happiness in marriage. Nowadays, more and more women choose a blue garter to also have “something blue,” fulfilling another superstition.
It was once believed that the garter would ensure the newlyweds a good, harmonious, and satisfying married life. The blue color was said to represent the husband’s fidelity. That’s why many women, when wondering which wedding garter is best, ultimately decide on practical white-and-blue garters.
Style – should the garter match the dress?
When it comes to types of garters, the market now offers a wide variety of models. But before choosing one, it’s worth thinking about which garter will best suit your dress.
Although it’s a piece of clothing that is theoretically invisible, due to its popularity it is often showcased during wedding photo sessions. Therefore, you should choose a garter style that complements the entire look.
The most popular models are definitely lace garters – they are decorative, don’t irritate the skin, and are made from elastic material. You can also find garters that match the style of the dress – for example, a delicate embroidered garter works great with a boho dress, while a thin silk one perfectly complements a glamour-style gown.
When choosing a garter, you should also pay attention to its size – although they are generally universal due to their elasticity, you should check whether a particular model slips down the leg. After all, no bride would want to be searching for her garter on the dance floor.
A few words about tradition
Although most women focus primarily on aesthetics when choosing a wedding garter, it’s also worth remembering a few traditions closely connected to this piece of clothing.
First of all, remember that the garter is worn on the left leg, the one closer to the heart, symbolizing love and affection. It’s best to wear it just above the knee so it doesn’t slip down. Additionally, tradition says the bride should not remove the garter until the wedding night. Then, the groom must remove the garter without using his hands – if he succeeds, the couple can expect enduring passion and desire in their relationship.
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