# Garter Belts as Fashion Richard Nicoll Uses Stocking Hardware as Fashion Detail By Elsa Blaine | Published 2009-02-25 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/london-fashin-week-richard-nicoll-garter References: [style](http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/F2009RTW-RNIC?viewall=true) Garter belt fasteners held together Richard Nicoll’s futuristic collection for Fall 2009. The watery-hued fashion had [sexy stockings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/elevated-luxury-tights) positioned on blouses, shirts and even some unusual eye-shades. The lingerie detail acted as both an accessory and as a functional element. [Tiny bows enhanced the clips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/belt-handle) on the front of a white pantsuit, a skirt panel and at the elbow of a sheer sleeve, the fasteners actually joined upper to lower portions. The pieces reflect the lingerie worn on the outside of your clothes trend, but this time it’s only the hardware and not the delicates being revealed. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.7/10 - Popularity: 68% | Activity: 34% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Hip Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/hipfashion) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Lingerie Hardware as Fashion Detail:** Using garter belts and lingerie hardware as fashion detail in clothing designs. - **Lingerie-inspired Clothing:** Designing clothing with lingerie-inspired elements and details. - **Functional Fashion:** Incorporating functional elements into fashion designs for added value. ### Who This Affects Most - **Fashion:** Fashion designers can incorporate lingerie-inspired elements into their clothing lines to create unique designs and stand out in the market. - **Lingerie:** Lingerie companies can expand their product offerings by creating pieces that are meant to be worn as clothing, blurring the lines between lingerie and fashion. - **Accessories:** Accessory designers can create fashionable and functional pieces that incorporate lingerie hardware as part of the design, such as belt buckles or clasps on purses and bags. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Studded Belt-Made Dynamic Jackets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/replica-suit.md) - [Politically-Inspired Runway Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selkies-the-libertine-collection.md) - [Body Artwork-Inspired Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/body-tattoo.md) - [Experimental Fall Wardrobe](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/khaotique-noir.md) - [Sustainably-Focused Experimental Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/upcycled-fashion-collection.md) - [Fragrance-Integrated Fashion Accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bright-crystal.md) - [Minimally Elegant Fall-Ready Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/studio-nicholson-1.md) - [Pattern-Heavy Fashion Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/needles-new-collection.md) - [High-Fashion Press-On Nails](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/prabal-gurung-x-kiss.md)