Did you know that when men first started wearing suspenders, they weren't usually visible, being considered an item of underwear? Times have changed and suspenders have become an important accessory in men's clothing, and if you haven't yet incorporated these extremely versatile accessories into your wardrobe, you can find out why they are the perfect alternative to regular trouser belts.
The history of braces
The first suspenders appeared in the 18th century in France, being basically strips of ribbon attached to the buttonholes of trousers. Benjamin Franklin is said to have worn suspenders, a fact unattested by historians for the simple reason that suspenders were considered underwear at the time, never being visible in public. The situation changed only in 1938, when a town in Long Island, NY, tried to ban men from wearing suspenders without a coat on top, the act being considered "indecent clothing". The ban was later lifted, under pressure from residents.
In the early 1820s, English designer Albert Thurston began manufacturing the first modern suspenders as we know them today. The trousers worn by men at the time were high-waisted, too high to use any type of belt. Thurston's suspenders attached to the trousers by leather loops at the ends, a design that has survived to this day.
Although World War I led to a decline in their popularity, as men began to wear belts with their military uniforms, suspenders were still common in men's attire in the 1920s and 1930s. After this period of decline, the end of World War II brought suspenders back into the spotlight, due to a return to the classic cut of high-waisted trousers, but they never regained their previous popularity. Today, UK dress codes have kept the wearing of suspenders at men's formal suits.
Discover the Tudor Tailor collection by men's suspenders and match them to made-to-measure suits elegant or casual outfits.
Function and construction types
Suspenders are a classic alternative to belts, being designed to support the pants. In addition, they are much more comfortable than belts because they do not tighten around the waist and do not alter the natural shape of the pants. In addition, their length is adjustable, so you can fit the pants to your natural waist.
The original designs of suspenders were made from a tightly woven, non-stretchy fabric (known as "boxcloth"). Modern versions of suspenders are made from a variety of materials, from synthetic fabrics to leather, wool, and silk.
The back of the first models of suspenders for trousers was joined in the shape of the letter H, later being replaced with models that have the back in the shape of the letter X, which then finally took the shape of the letter Y. All models are available today, but those in the shape of the letter H are very rare, being used only on uniforms for utilitarian purposes.
The ends of the suspenders have leather ends that attach to buttons on the inside of the waistband of the pants, or clips that attach to the top of the waistband. Although clip-on suspenders are more versatile, and can be worn with pants that do not have buttons for their attachment, over time they can damage the fabric of the pants and are considered less elegant than those with leather ends.
To properly secure the suspenders, first attach the back of the suspenders to the pants. Then put on the pants, passing the suspenders over your shoulders to adjust the length and securing the front at the desired height using the metal tabs attached to the front of the suspenders. The front suspenders should be placed across your chest perfectly parallel to each other and attached to the waistband of your pants so that they are perpendicular to it.
Useful tips when choosing to wear suspenders
Suspenders for trousers are extremely versatile and are suitable for both casual suits for men, as well as for men's business suits or ceremonial outfits. What is important to know is that it is not the suspenders that set the tone of an outfit, but the outfit will determine the type of suspenders. Suspenders for trousers are indicated for an elegant ceremonial outfit, for which a belt is not recommended at all. For comfort, choose suspenders with a width between 3 and 4 cm, thinner versions being indicated if you want to achieve a more elegant look.
When worn with a tuxedo, suspenders should not be visible in any way, serving only to hold up the pants. Choose a pair of white or black silk suspenders with silk or leather ends for fastening, avoiding clip-on suspenders.
Suspenders have a lengthening effect, being suitable for high-waisted trousers, the perfect combination that creates the illusion of height for shorter people. The comfort provided by suspenders is increased in the summer, unlike belts, having the advantage of allowing air circulation between the shirt and the waistband of the trousers.
Belts draw attention to the waist, while suspenders draw attention to the chest and shoulders, which is an added benefit for larger men. Never wear suspenders with a belt, it is a basic style rule that should never be broken. If you choose to wear men's suits in 3 pieces, ditch the belt in favor of suspenders, which worn under the vest will keep the outfit vertical.
While belts attract attention when they are not perfectly matched to the shoes, suspenders are usually hidden by the jacket, making them an ideal choice if you don't want to waste time thinking about the details.
If you're a beginner, choose a pair of monochromatic suspenders if you're used to wearing ties with various patterns and prints. Opt for a pair of solid-colored suspenders in blue or brown if you want them to be easy to match with almost any color.
The general rule is simple: the color of the suspenders should be chosen in contrast to the color of the shirt, or in a complementary color, so that there is a clear demarcation between them. Suspenders with various patterns can be matched in a common or complementary color with the pants or tie.
To choose men's suit accessories essentials for your wardrobe, contact us, enter the Tudor Tailor online store or come to the Tudor Tailor showrooms in Bucharest, Iași, Cluj and Timisoara to benefit from free clothing advice.