The Case for Suspenders

~3-4 min read

In classic men’s style, trousers have a high waist and are worn at about the natural waist line, roughly at the navel. They are held in place with suspenders, also known as braces in the UK. During the Second World War, rationing resulted in trousers having a lower waist to save fabric, well below the navel. Also during WW2, belts became very fashionable because they were used in military uniforms. Belts are useful for carrying things as well as holding up trousers. After the war, the style changed to low-rise trousers held up with a belt and this is the style up to the modern day.

The Physics of Belts

While this combination may work for many, it is not great for everyone. Many these days are afflicted with “big gut small butt,” and for us, this combination does not work well. For us, the physics is all wrong. When the forces on the belt are resolved into their components, there is a part of the force pulling the trousers down rather than up. Throughout the day, we hike the trousers up, only to have them drag down again. And the belt can create a “muffin top” while trying to do its job.

Switching the belt for the more traditional suspenders, a number of things change. Now the forces go in the right direction, up rather than down. Trousers sit closer to the natural waist and, because there is no belt digging in, the “muffin top” is reduced. The trousers stay at the correct height, the cuff sits at the top of the foot, not dragging on the ground, and it is all more comfortable. Switching from a belt to suspenders is not as significant as cataract surgery, but it’s up there. Very liberating.

Two Style Types

There are generally two kinds of suspenders: clip-on and button. The clip-on style is more common and just clips onto the waistband. The more traditional style uses buttons to attach the suspenders to the trousers. The button version is more secure because clips can come loose, but both work well.

There are, of course, rules to be followed. Suspenders are considered “underwear” because their function is to keep clothing in place rather than to be seen. For some reason this rule doesn’t apply to belts, perhaps because belts can have other functions as well holding the trousers up. The way one dresses may have to change in order to cover the suspenders. Typically this is done with a sweater, waistcoat or jacket. If the shirt is worn untucked, the suspenders can be worn under the shirt.

Occasionally wearing suspenders becomes fashionable, and then it is more acceptable to let them be seen. There are episodes of the show Suits in which men are seen in the office wearing suspenders with their jackets off. Frequently though, they are violating another rule related to suspenders and belts. There are few things everyone agrees on, but one thing they do agree on is: Don’t wear suspenders and a belt at the same time. It’s unusual to see such universal agreement on a topic.

Having switched from belts to suspenders, it is difficult to imagine switching back.

Now we need to focus on bringing back high-waisted trousers, like in the good-old days.