Panty girdles are basically a support panty with the addition of garters. The number of garter straps varies depending on the product. The standard number of garter straps is four, but can increase to six, eight, even twelve. The more garter straps, the more support available to hold up the stocking legs. More straps also means more design sophistication and a sexier look.

Support panties appear larger than regular panties. This is because, in order to do their job right, they require more material for complete coverage. Panty girdles may be made of a variety of support materials, most often Lycra spandex, or a combination of nylon and Lycra. The addition of nylon offers more lightness, ability to breathe, and thus comfort.

Special Features of Panty Girdles

Panty girdles are excellent at supporting for a number of reasons. For one, their panty feature prevents the girdle from riding up on the wearer--a common complaint of girdle users, especially plus-sized wearers. A girdle that continually rides up is a frustration that can spoil your whole evening. In contrast, the natural immobility of the panty girdle makes it a highly dependable support garment, keeping you worry-free while you wear it.

This, combined with built-in garter straps to keep stockings pulled high and tight, makes the panty girdle an all-in-one control panel. In addition, the large surface area of the panty girdle allows for a variety of extra comfort and support features. These may include mesh areas for breathing and extra stretch, criss-crossing bands for shaping power, and strategically placed spandex panels or boning for heavy-duty support.