How to Choose Suspenders

Accessorize your wardrobe with stylish suspenders.

The metal clasp suspender was first patented in the United States by Roth in 1894. Since that time, suspenders, also called braces, have come in and out of favor on the fashion scene for men and women. In the 1940s, women used suspenders, originally made of lace and ribbons, to hold up nylon stockings. Nowadays, suspenders come in a wide range of colors, materials, designs and prices. Learn what to look for when purchasing the stylish accessory item to complement your wardrobe.

Instructions

1. Decide what pants you're going to wear with the suspenders. To wear the button down suspenders, pants must have a button on the inside waist band, called button-flaps, to fasten the suspenders. For pants that don't have button-flaps, choose clamp or clip-on suspenders or get them adapted for button suspenders.

2. Look for the best suspender size to fit your body type. Consider your waist size in proportion to your height when shopping for suspenders. Suspenders are made in different sizes and have adjustable straps. Keep your measurements in mind when purchasing suspenders.

3. Build a suspender wardrobe around foundation colors, such as navy, black, tan and gray, which coordinate with your suits. Match your suspenders in colors complementary to your pants or tie.

4. Consider how often you will wear your suspenders and to what occasions. For everyday use, choose a comfortable, durable pair of suspenders, such as leather, which attach easily and are meant to last a long time. When attending formal events, wear button-on suspenders in silk or designer patterns to complement your tuxedo or dressy attire.

5. Try on different styles of braces. Most popular are the ones with the Y-shape and X-shape in back to keep the straps together. If you wish to keep your suspenders separate, you can purchase two individual suspenders. Pick the style you feel most comfortable wearing.

6. Decide how much money you want to spend. Braces come in a variety of styles and materials and range in price from inexpensive to upper end. Casual wear clip-on elastic or fabric suspenders can start at $14. Formal leather braces begin at $35, and can be as much as $195 or more for limited edition, collectible silk braces.

7. Get comfortable with how the different strap widths, textures and types feel by trying on a wide variety of suspenders. Materials used to make straps range from synthetic rayon to woolen boxcloth and pure silk. Learn your preference for width, length, elasticity and appearance before purchasing.

Tips & Warnings

• Select a pair of suspenders with plastic fasteners for air travel to avoid the necessity of removing metal ones to pass airport security.

• Pregnant women may choose maternity suspenders worn under tops and shorts, which are designed to fasten on the side of the hips.

• Buy extra long suspenders for those over 6 feet, 4 inches tall.

References

• Manuel Lisa Party of the Montana Brigade of the American Mountain Men; Some Thoughts on Belts, Sashes & Suspenders; Gene Hickman
• MensSuitGuide.com: Mens Suspenders
• Men's Wearhouse: How to Choose Braces (Suspenders)
• Suspendease.com: Suspenders For Women
• ATailoredSuit.com: Men's Suspenders : Why and How to Wear Braces With Trousers
• FancyWeddingAttire.com: Suspenders: The Key to Better-Fitting Trousers
• Holdup Suspender.com: Maternity Holdups

Resources

• TrafalgarStore.com.: History of Trafalgar Limited Edition Braces