The London Lounge

A Washington Post column today had this link to a product offered (by bizarre coincidence) by the same Oregon haberdashery that vends Greek fisherman's caps in the New Yorker, that I dug up for Elton the other day in the "Your Questions" forum:

Has anyone ever worn--or even heard of--these things? Four elastic straps to clip your shirt tails to your socks. I can see how they would keep the shirt tucked in, and perhaps the (presumably over-the-calf) socks up, but what would those straps under tension be doing to the line of your trousers when you moved around? Not too comfortable either, I should think.

Any experience here? Curiouser and curiouser.

Either:

the shirt tails are mighty long OR
Socks are long OR
these hideous things are VERY long.

Either way I see little sensible use for them.

Never seen or heard of these silly things.

What has me concerned, is that one of those things will snap off and slap you in the rear.

Also with all the movement ones does during the day I'd think the straps might stretch or even tear the shirt and socks.

I was never a fan of sock garters for that very reason. Always over the calf for me.

Best Regards,

Cufflink79

No experience, but standard military stuff, especially in the US. Lots of strange stuff in the military...

Actually have worn these. Standard with Air Force formal (and semi-formal) wear. Give the impression of a perfectly-pressed near-stiff shirt front while keeping up the socks--pretty interesting idea really, but not too terribly comfortable. Biggest problem is actually if you have them tight enough to be doing their job, they stand up like a frame inside your trousers. Can make for quite an interesting look.

I am actually a fan of normal (sock) garters...

I wear these every day, and have done so for several years. Helps keep my shirt tucked in while sitting most of the day. I have never had them tear my shirts or socks or slap me on the rear as envisioned by earlier responses.

Thanks to all for your responses. I learned long ago that many unfamiliar things have unsuspected virtues, so I'm glad to know that shirt garters continue to have their adherents. I suspect I will myself leave them untried, however . . . .

Not certain about that, but I do hate having my shirt coming part way untucked. I remember photos of the DoW's shirts with a tab on the shirt placket with a buttonhole--presumably for a corresponding button on the inside front of the trouser waistband. That might be worth a try.

Hello there. The item is known as Shirt Stays and come in 3 different types.. There is the stirrup fitting which has 2 clips that clip to your shirt tails and a stirrup fitting under your foot. Or the 4 strap style.. 4 individual straps that clip to shirt tails and socks..
Thirdly, the 2 grip or Y style.. 2 shirt grips and one sock grip..

I know all about this because I stock them in my store..

Thank you
Regards
Fogey Unlimited

Cufflink79 wrote:What has me concerned, is that one of those things will snap off and slap you in the rear.

Loughing out loud (all by myself...)

couch wrote:what would those straps under tension be doing to the line of your trousers when you moved around?

Couch, you worry about what they would do to the line of your trousers and not about what they would do to your wellbeing?

Not to YOU, because you already decided to leave them untried, but I'd say have your socks over the calves, have your shirt tails long enough (that usually does it to have the shirt stay pretty well tucked in), trouser rise high enough (helps, too!) and go through the day without worrying about them... I see no tragedy in looking like you have actually WORN your clothes by late afternoon, rather than just stepped out of the box
The object of dress is WEARING one's clothes, not WORRYING about them.

Costi wrote:

couch wrote:what would those straps under tension be doing to the line of your trousers when you moved around?

Couch, you worry about what they would do to the line of your trousers and not about what they would do to your wellbeing?

I also said, "Not too comfortable either, I should think." Understatement intentional.

Costi wrote:The object of dress is WEARING one's clothes, not WORRYING about them.

We are in complete agreement!

I knew we were in agreement, Couch, I just couldn't help smiling to your half-curios, half-humorous musings on the topic