How to Wear Suspenders - The Ultimate Guide

The suspender material chosen is really dependent on where they are intended to be worn. For example, are you going to work, a wedding, or out to eat? This is the crucial difference between chosing delicate silks or tough leather.

While suspenders come in a plethora of fabrics, the most important distinction to be made is the difference between elastic materials and all other varieties.

Elastic suspenders are adjustable to any body type or composition as well as height. They usually are the most affordable and they tend to come in fashionable prints, patterns, and colors. Because they are bold, they can be casual and worn with jeans or khakis, though the plain, neutral colors work well with a business motif.

Non-elastic suspenders are either considered rugged, like leather, or fancy, like silk. Do understand, however, that each of types also contain elastic fabric, below the rear cross patch, or they would seriously lack flexibility.

Leather gives off a hint of being a rebel. It tends to be a little less adjustable, but length adjusters help with that.

Besides wearing leather suspenders to channel your inner cowboy, the dashing accessories are also donned along with business suits, creating a clever, classy look. Just be sure to coordinate your belt replacement with a pair of shiny leather shoes.

More sophisticated fabrics, such as jacquard or silk are even less adjustable, but again, length adjusters take care of the issue. Worn with formal wear, they project an image that is beyond sophisticated.

Out-of-the-ordinary materials, such as cotton, Oxford, non-stretch polypropylene, linen, and Grosgrain, match the similar fabrics found in casual wear, and they shouldn’t be paired with other styles of clothing.

While both closures have been popular throughout the years, we here at Armoniia have noticed a huge upswing in the number of customers that prefer clip-on suspenders. They are modern, easy to work with, and not as damaging to dress pants as they first appear. That’s because our clip-on suspenders come with a plastic safeguard to protect your waistband.

The best part of clip-on suspenders is that they are simple to get on, wear all day, and remove. Just think of how much extra work it takes to sew buttons on all the pants of the men in a party of ten or more.

Some people believe it comes down to simplicity versus tradition. However, clip-on suspenders are just as acceptable for both business and formal wear as button-ons.

Button-on suspenders are quite elegant and look great for any event, but one must not forget the tedium of adding buttons to each pair of pants in the closet. They are exquisite to look at, but they are no more debonair than clip-ons, which are attached with much more ease.

Many stores and brands actually offer only one child-sized and one adult-sized set of suspenders each, leaving the customer with no other options. But, when it comes to suspenders men know there certainly is no one size fits all. That is why Armoniia is proud to offer five different sizes ranging from the smallest baby to the largest adult. That means longer suspenders men in your wedding party can feel comfortable in, even if they’re tall, will match the ring bearer with no problems.

There are so many ways to rock suspenders. Of course, how you wear them depends on the look you are going for. Just be sure that the choice of suspenders matches the formality of the occasion (or lack of it).

a. For a suave, everyday outfit, match suspenders exactly to the pants for an outfit that simply flows.

b. Try either clip-on or button-on suspenders with a jacket and tie for extra extravagance. You could even relax, or cool off, by removing your jacket and still appear boardroom ready.

c. Try suspenders with a bowtie and fedora to dress up a pair of skinny or slim jeans and a striped button-down shirt.

d. Of course, with suspenders wedding days are a must! Of course, wedding suspenders are a staple nowdays!

One thing to remember is that it is redundant to wear suspenders with a belt, so don’t ever make that mistake. After all, they serve the same function. Even if your suspenders are for show only, it is still a fashion faux pas to wear them side-by-side.

There are two different ways to put suspenders on, and both are quite simple. You could clip or button them to the back of the pants, put the pants on, and then fasten them in front. The alternative is to fasten all buttons or attach all clips and put them on. It just depends on your preference and whichever you find more convenient.

With suspenders how to adjust them can be an easy task, especially if the material is elastic. Just remember to buy a size that is big enough, fully extended, tip to tip, since suspenders can only be adjusted to smaller sizes.

For suspenders that are non-elastic, an adjuster will be required. These are small devices that make it possible to shorten the dashing accessories.

There three different types of adjusters. There is the slide adjuster, which is a loop through which fabric is pulled through. The most common are metal, though there is a plastic variety that is mostly for going through airport security without any hassle.

Then, there is the clamp adjuster, which is most common. It flips open and slides up the suspenders, allowing you to shorten them. When they are the perfect length, simply press the adjuster down to close it.

Finally, leather suspenders usually have buckle adjusters. They operate in the same manner as a belt buckle, ironically.

What is the difference between these two terms? Well, it all depends on who you ask.

Usually, if you refer to suspenders as “braces,” you are either well-versed in men’s fashion, or simply a British gent. So, some say it is just a British term while “suspenders” mean the same thing in American English.

On the other hand, others refer to button-on suspenders as “braces,” while the term “suspenders” is defined as trouser holders that use clips. This meaning is becoming antiquated, however.

Suspenders came to fruition in France during the 1700s. Men attached pieces of ribbon to their trousers' buttonholes in order to keep the pants from slipping off. They were well-hidden because they were thought of as undergarments.

Around 1820, Albert Thurston, a British designer, manufactured what is considered to be the first modern set of suspenders. Men's trousers at that point in time were very high-waisted, and belts were not yet considered more than a decoration. Suspenders were a necessity.

By the early 1900s, suspenders began to fade in prominence as the belt became more functional and took center stage. Only recently have suspenders made a comeback due to the rise in sartorial styles seen in the last decade.