People tend to think of belts and braces (called suspenders by some Americans) as an either/or, personal choice sort of thing. Close, but not quite. Even though the vast majority of men wear belts, I doubt if a single one would describe belts as being ‘addictive.’ braces are a different story. So take warning; if you’re thinking about trying them for the first time, don’t experiment until you have enough socked away for several pairs, because you may not want to go back to belts.
When I say braces (or suspenders) are addictive, I’m not referring to the endless colors and patterns and themes they come in, although that can certainly add to their appeal. Neither am I referring to the fact that they have much more of a Sherman McCoy, ‘Master of the Universe’ look than belts will ever have.
No; braces are addictive for one main reason: giving you an all day long, hands-free, picture-perfect hang for your trousers. This of course is obvious to those of us who already wear them, but belt-wearers may not be aware (as I was not), that braces make your trousers immune to every pant-drooping activity there is:
-Thrusting your hands in and out of your pockets
-Bending over, sitting down, and getting up
-The simple act of walking
-Gravity itself
The first day I wore braces my hands keep going to my trouser waistline, a sheer reflex borne of years of having to pull my trousers up. I knew the braces would keep my pants from falling down; I just thought they’d need a little help from time to time. They don’t. The sensation of not having to adjust my trousers at all, for an entire day, was absolutely weird—albeit in a delightful way.
At the end of the day, belt versus braces still comes down to personal choice. If, however, you are going the expensive ready-made or custom suit route, it would be a shame to spend so much in pursuit of a perfect garment, only to settle for anything less than a perfect hang for your trousers. Trousers that bag up around your ankles can make a pricey suit look cheap. And if you’re wearing a vested suit, braces are really mandatory. I’d rather see an exposed patch of a man’s calf any day, when his legs are crossed, than see a belt buckle protruding from under a vest. Unless you’re consciously trying to affect a ‘Great Depression bank-robber’ look.
Just don't clip them on.
Words by Barry Pullen
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11 comments:
Braces are my clear choice if I'll be wearing a waistcoat (unfortunately seldom) or my jacket throughout the day, since they are considered underwear and not for public display. If your suit coat hangs on the back of your office door, as mine does most of the day, a belt is the answer, unless you want that Michael Douglas/Gordon Gecko look. If so, don't forget the heavy pomade....
Agreed, braces are king. Apart from trousers bagging around the ankles; if the length is correct they're never going to get too out of control, belt, braces or none.
I do find braces more comfortable and than belts and find them more effective than belts. I do not wear them exclusively, but do wear them in an office in which I remove my jacket. While they may have been considered underwear in the past, I don't think many still hold that view. Admittedly, wearing braces without a jacket does draw attention to the wearer and may result in unfavorable professional consequenes in certain work environments. I guess I am fortunate not to be in such a position.
Great sales pitch!
They're a bit hot for the summer wardrobe, but in winter there is no parallel.
I agree that it's worth to spend the money on one for each pair of trousers. You will gain in confidence and appeal. Take the jacket and waist coat off and, yes a few women will make comments. But you'll enjoy the benefits of those. Forget Gordon Geckko, you'll look great. Go for high waisted trousers though, and you'll look slimmer.
A girl in suspenders! What a sales' tecnique!
"NJS said...
A girl in suspenders! What a sales' tecnique!"
If she really was wearing suspenders (British English) it certainly would would be an unusual sales technique!
that is: technique
Roger - I'm not sure that it's that unusual. Maybe not in suspenders but certainly models in bathing suits are used to great advantage, draped over the merchandise at the Boat Show!
As the tall and lean type, I have to say: suspenders(braces) are infinitely superior to belts for one reason. I always have to make a belt tighter to make my pants stay, and it eventually gets uncomfortable and yet it still never keeps my pants up.
@John: As the short & tubby type the same goes for me: belts always seem to shift downwards underneath my overhanging tummy.
Braces are the only way to overcome this. That, and the endless variations possible in cloths, patterns, colouring...
I only don't understand the aversion to clips. I have both, the leather strap type, and the clippy kind.
It seems a bit like trying to insist on travelling by steam train, while so many modern alternatives are available.
Clips can slip, and can damage the material.
They also look déclassé, as they are associated with overweight men who use them to hold up their jeans. (I also associate them with loggers, but I have respect for those hardworking men.)
Any one of those reasons is enough for me to avoid clip-on suspenders; YMMV.
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