A GUIDE TO WEARING SUSPENDERS (2024)

FAQs

What are the rules for wearing suspenders? ›

When you have them on, your suspenders should fall in a straight line down from your shoulder to your waist. To put button-on suspenders on your trousers, start in the back. Once you've buttoned them on, put your trousers on, pull the suspenders over your shoulders and button them in place in the front.

You should never, ever wear suspenders with a belt. If your trousers have belt loops, that's ok as long as there is no belt. Wearing suspenders as well as a belt is considered to be bad form. So: belt loops = ok, belt = not ok.

Just because suspenders are usually worn with pants doesn't mean they always have to be worn that way. Attach them to a pair of shorts and wear with a T-shirt. Or wear your trendy suspenders with a comfortable jean skirt, black fabric skirt or patterned skirt of any length.

We advise wearing your suspender straps under your knickers for a more seamless look. If you have gone for a frillier suspender style like our Annastasia suspender or the Nelia suspender, we would recommend wearing the straps over the knickers – this way you won't cover up any of the gorgeous frill detailing.

Metal clasps were invented in 1894 so that suspenders could be clipped on rather than buttoned, meaning that pants no longer had to come with buttons sewn in the waist, as they commonly did at the time. Suspenders fell out of favor in the early 20th century, when lower-sitting pants no longer required them.

Is there a way to wear suspenders that will flatter my figure rather than accentuate my big waist? There isn't much a fat guy can do to flatter his figure. It's more a case of damage control. But suspenders actually do make a lot of sense for portly or obese men, men whose actual waists are bigger than their hips.

How Tight Should Suspenders be? Your braces should never hang loose. However, they should sit snugly over your shoulders but not too tight. Remember the purpose of wearing braces is to hold your trousers up in a comfortable position and so the length of the trouser leg sits smartly above your shoe.

Suspenders, also known as braces, have been proven to improve posture, increase blood flow to your internal organs, improve circulation to your legs and feet, and reduce back pain, all while keeping your pants from falling down.

So, the answer is a BIG Yes! Suspenders with jeans look super-hot. If you are still not sure, wear them with jeans and go out and watch as the ladies drool over you.

Suspenders in the workplace are also a great way to express your style and personality; depending on the look you're going for, they can help you look more serious, authoritative, playful, or creative. Suspenders are incredibly versatile, and can be worn on different occasions and with different styles of suits.

What kind of shirt to wear with suspenders? ›

The kind of shirts that always work with suspenders are love sleeved button-up collared shirts; you can never go wrong with that selection. Sweaters are alright as long as they're a thin fabric; thick, puffy sweaters with suspenders will look strained and uncomfortable. Sweatshirts with suspenders are a definite no-go.

Quality braces, also known as suspenders or galluses, will not only keep trousers in place but can also make heavier men look distinguished and eliminate the need for a belt (which visually cuts the body in half).

All day long, your belt is compressing your intestines and other organs. Wearing suspenders allows you to wear looser-fitting pants without worrying that you'll be hiking them up all day.

It's also important to know that it is never advised to wear both a belt and suspenders at the same time. No matter what attachments you're using.

Jeans are the perfect pairing for your suspenders.

Slip into your favorite pair of denim jeans so you can stay casual and comfy. Add a plain tee for a minimalist look or a graphic tee to show off your fun side. Dark-wash jeans make this look a bit more polished, while light-wash jeans give a more laid-back vibe.

Many business people, newscasters (such as Larry King in the United States) and professionals such as lawyers also still wear suspenders. Narrow, clip-on style suspenders are also a typical part of skinhead, and to a lesser extent, punk fashion.

In American English, suspenders is the word used for a pair of straps worn over the shoulders for holding up the trousers. Both braces and suspenders are plural nouns.

Suspenders are practical. Suspenders are one of my favorite accessories for well dressed men. Yet WHY do less than 1% of men wear them regularly?

Should suspenders match your suit, shirt, and tie? The general rule to remember when choosing suspenders is that they should always be darker than your shirt. This is why navy suspenders look so good with a pale blue or white shirt, and why you shouldn't wear pale grey suspenders with a burgundy or black shirt!

To be most precise, you can measure the distance from the back (center) of your pants' waistband over your right shoulder to the front of your waistband, about 3-4 inches to the right of your zipper. Better Than Belts offers suspenders in three sizes.

How do I choose the right suspenders? ›

While subtle changes can dramatically impact your entire look, the easiest rule-of -thumb to remember that suspender style happens on a scale: the skinnier the suspender, the more casual the look, while at the wider end of the spectrum, they become classic and even formal.

According to the bon ton of classic elegance, the suspenders should always be hidden, under the vest or under the jacket; so, from this point of view, the width may have importance!

Is it wrong to wear braces (sometimes known as suspenders in America) when the trousers have belt loops? The simple answer is no, it is not a major faux pas to wear braces when the trousers have belt loops.

Khakis are super versatile. Like a piece of Danish Mid-century furniture, they provide both form and function. Appropriate for most professional needs but also a great alternative to jeans, they are a comfortable closet staple. Paired with suspenders, they have become a wedding attire favorite.

At the core, they are simply fabric worn over your shoulders to help hold your pants up from the front and the back. Unlike a belt, which cinches your pants tight around your waist to keep trousers from falling, suspenders merely hold them in place.

The Invention of Suspenders

Suspenders for men first hit the fashion scene in the 1700s in France, and like HIKERS™, they were originally made to be worn as an undergarment. In fact, it wasn't until the 1930s that men started pushing the norm and wearing them over their shirts.

Suspenders and Shirts:

The matching of suspenders and shirts is very much akin to matching ties and shirts. If you're wearing a solid, neutral colored shirt, you can pretty much wear any suspenders you want. If you're going with bold-colored suspenders, you can choose a neutral, complementary, or contrasting color.

The suspenders should be put on first, followed by the cumme*rbund on top. As far as suspenders colors go, black is always an option. If you're wearing a colored cumme*rbund (pink, purple, green, etc.), the suspenders can match your bow tie and cumme*rbund. Suspenders can be worn with a cumme*rbund.

The sexes also agreed on suspenders, which both genders disliked, ascribing a lowly 32% approval rating to them. And we agree. Don't do suspenders gentlemen.

Wearing suspenders with a suit is an instant upgrade to any look. It's perfect for co*cktails, weddings, and semi-formal events. Keep them towards the 1.5-inch size, and make sure they are button-ons, as clips can look a little gauche.

When should men wear suspenders? ›

Weddings and Formal Events

Formal occasions (especially if you're wearing tuxedo pants) are when suspenders are most commonly utilized. When you're donning suspenders in these situations, you'll almost always want to go with the traditional 1.5” width.

They should be placed so that on the backside of the waistband, they are located about 1" either side of the center-back seam - meaning they're 2" apart - and 1" or so below the top of the waistband. In front, hide them inside the waistband about 1" down from the top and 2" apart.

Is it wrong to wear braces (sometimes known as suspenders in America) when the trousers have belt loops? The simple answer is no, it is not a major faux pas to wear braces when the trousers have belt loops.

One thing to note about the undergarment suspenders is that because they do clip to your pants, you can't tuck your shirt in over them, so you will need to either wear an untucked shirt or an untucked sweater. A final note: Pretty much any suspender can be worn as an undergarment suspender.

Though you might think of suspenders as a formal accessory, you can absolutely add them to casual outfits.

The kind of shirts that always work with suspenders are love sleeved button-up collared shirts; you can never go wrong with that selection. Sweaters are alright as long as they're a thin fabric; thick, puffy sweaters with suspenders will look strained and uncomfortable. Sweatshirts with suspenders are a definite no-go.

By the early 20th century, suspenders fell out of fashion as men's pants started riding lower and belts took over.

Not to overstate things, but suspenders are quite possibly the best masculine style accessory of all time. They're functional, yet decorative. They add visual interest to any outfit, and they come in both formal and casual styles.

Let's just say that not only are suspenders in style in 2020, they are one of the most versatile accessories to have in any wardrobe. Guys and gals of all ages and sizes can find numerous styles of button-on suspenders and suspenders with clip attachments to wear with tried-and-true and trendy outfits.