Suits and Braces

Trousers were originally made to be worn with suspenders, which held them on the waist, not the hips, and that is where they look and hang best. No professionally dressed man would wear trousers that rested anywhere else. This is not an arbitrary gesture. Every man, no matter how thin, has a slight bulge in his stomach area. When trousers are worn on the waist, they pass smoothly over this bulge in an even drape. This bulge is very evident when a suit is worn. The flow of the suit is interrupted when a belt is worn, as the trouser material or the belt buckle bunches up at the waist. In addition, unless the trousers are perfectly tailored, they will constantly be slipping down (and constantly be pulled up). This constant adjusting also bunches up your dress shirt. These problems are easily solved by wearing braces with your suit.

 

Historically men have worn suits every day. By the fashion of the day, suit trousers were worn higher on the waist and held up by braces. This was a day to day look, not just for the office, but in the evenings and weekends. It was not until World War I that men started choosing a belt over braces.

 

Show your Personality

Braces allow you to show your personality when wearing a suit. In addition to the color and design of a tie, socks, and shirt, a pair of tasteful braces adds a special touch to an otherwise standard business suit. If you have interest in a sports team, or hobby for example, you can wear theme braces underneath your jacket. You are professional and clean, but able to display your personality when you take off your jacket. And you will take off your jacket to display your braces!

Women can wear braces with suits too...

Discussion time:

• Do you wear braces with your suits?
• What brace colors do you coordinate with your shirt and jacket?
• When wearing braces, are you hesitant to take off your jacket to show your personality and style?

Note: all photos are used solely for non-commercial use and to illustrate braces in fashion. No plagiarism is intended.

Why people wear braces - Part II

As mentioned in the previous post, there are a lot of reasons people wear braces and suspenders. Another reason people wear braces is for status appeal. Celebrities have been spotted wearing this stylish accessory, and not just recently!

The list of celebrities that wear suspenders include (this is not a complete list)...

In everyday life

Beyonce

Agyness Deyn

Drew Barrymore

Martha Ward

Rita Peluso

On the runway

Abbie Cornish

Kanye West

Charlotte Delal

Chloe Sevigny

Diane Kruger

Harry Shum Jr

Janet Jackson

Jessica Stam

Jetta John-Hartley

Josephine De La Baume

Kiero Richardson

Kristen Stewart

Lauren Lee Smith

Lee Yoon-Ji

Liv Tyler

Michele Riondino

Michelle Branch

Summer Glau

 In movies and tv shows

Bill Cosby

Rachel McAdams

Russell Brand

Ed Westwick

Olivia Wilde

Mischa Barton has been spotted sporting suspenders on numerous outfits:

On the cover of Elle:

Victoria Beckham

And it's not a recent trend. Marilyn Munroe wore braces:

Discussion time:

• So what about you? Will you wear braces or suspenders?
• Who do you think wore suspenders the best?

Adaptations of Braces

Braces were originally designed to hold up pants. As Alan Fusser states, “Trousers were originally made to be worn with suspenders, which held them on the waist, not the hips, and that is where they look and hang best.”

Braces were then attached to skirts, as they also need support.

In recent years, braces have also been added to other articles of clothing such as vests and skirts.

Or adaptations on the braces themselves. Such as 

• Wing-tips on the braces

• Fur braces

Regardless of where braces are used, more people should start wearing them!


Discussion time:

• Do you wear braces on other items of clothing, besides pants and skirts?

Note: all photos are used solely for non-commercial use and to illustrate braces in fashion. No plagiarism is intended.