Suspenders - the most versatile accessory?

Yes! Perhaps the most versatile of accessories is definitely suspenders, also known as braces. Suspenders work equally well for both formal and casual wear, adding style, color, or a relaxed vibe to outfits as needed, while always telling something about the wearer.

In its simplicity, the purpose of suspenders is to keep the wearer's pants up comfortably, but nowadays suspenders can also be used purely as a detail accessory, even when the garment doesn't actually need them to stay up.

A centuries-old invention

The history of suspenders dates back to a time before belts made their breakthrough in fashion. Namely, the first inventions that only remotely resemble the suspenders used today can be traced back to 18th century France. At that time, suspenders were essentially just pieces of ribbon attached to the buttonholes of trousers to keep them up. The use of suspenders was then comparable to underwear, and even until around the 20th century, it was absolutely inappropriate to wear or display suspenders visibly in public.

The current appearance of suspenders emerged in the early 1820s when the renowned British suspender manufacturer Albert Thurston developed them specifically to be worn with the high-waisted trousers that were popular at the time. Stylish trousers were so high back then that they couldn't even be worn with a belt. 

Albert's suspenders were also the first to use leather patches for attachment. Their suspenders were made from tightly felted boxcloth wool in an H-pattern, followed by the X-pattern which eventually evolved into the modern Y-pattern, which remains the most popular style of men's braces today. All of the aforementioned styles can still be found on the market.

Certainly very familiar to people of all ages, the clip or quick-attach mechanism for suspenders was developed in 1894 so that suspenders could be used with clothes that did not have button attachments sewn in.

In the early 1900s, the great popularity of suspenders slightly declined because with the then-popular low-waisted trousers, suspenders were no longer necessary. However, suspenders did not completely fall into oblivion, and many doctors even recommended their use. After 1970, suspenders once again became popular among dressers, and unisex models also began to appear on the market.  Gradually after this, fashion magazines reported how fashion-conscious young people let suspenders hang freely at the side of their pants, without actually wearing them over their shoulders. And thus, suspenders finally found their place as a detail in dressing and an accessory that belongs and is meant to be seen! Nowadays, suspenders come in many materials, widths, patterns, and colors. Surely everyone can find one they like. 

The use of suspenders

There are two different attachment methods used for suspenders: quick-attach and button-attach. The button-attach method is more classic and formal, requiring buttons on the pants to which the suspenders are attached. Nowadays, pants with pre-installed buttons for suspenders are rarely sold, so you need to sew them on yourself or have a tailor do it, or alternatively, choose removable buttons that attach with clips and can be switched between pants as needed.

A faster way to attach suspenders is with quick-release clips. Quick-release does not require buttons and is really easy to use with any pants.

As a rule, suspenders come with some kind of adjustment option, meaning their length can be adjusted to fit perfectly. There are, of course, certain models of suspenders, such as custom-made leather straps, whose length cannot be adjusted. The boutique's suspenders are all Y-shaped and come in regular or extra-long sizes, each with an adjustment option. Attachment options include both button and quick-release fastenings, with some pieces featuring both.

Suspenders are suitable for practically all types of pants. They work with both dress pants and light summer trousers, or even paired with shorts. Suspenders are also an easy accessory for a bit of playful fun. Colorful and narrow suspenders work best in summer attire when they are not hidden under other clothing but can shine on top, such as when worn with a white t-shirt and linen pants. 

If you wish, you can also add colorful suspenders to your formal attire. For example, orange suspenders under a blue suit are a stunning detail that occasionally peeks out but isn't visible all the time. On the other hand, a more subdued ensemble is also stylish, and black suspenders with a black suit, for instance, give the outfit a certain elegance.

Suspenders in outfits

When acquiring your first suspenders, it is especially worth considering their versatility—how to make one pair of suspenders fit as many situations and outfits as possible. For example, black or brown suspenders are always stylish yet understated and look elegant even with a suit. Similarly, gray or blue suspenders are easy to combine with many outfits and color combinations. Colorful suspenders, on the other hand, bring freshness to dark attire and are perfect for lighter summer wear or as a fun detail at a party. Tip! You can easily match bolder suspenders to many outfits by pairing them with, for instance, a scarf in the same shade.

With colorful suspenders, it is often advisable to avoid multi-colored shirts with bold and large patterns to prevent the overall look from becoming too chaotic. Of course, with a patterned shirt, simpler black or white suspenders might work very well.

Choose high-quality suspenders

There are as many differences in the quality of suspenders as there are manufacturers, so pay special attention to the craftsmanship when choosing straps. For example, check whether the attachment pieces are genuine leather or faux leather. Also, test the stiffness of the quick-release clips.  if they feel loose when new, they will probably become even looser with use to the point that they no longer stay on properly. It's also worth testing the elasticity of the suspenders' elastic band, as poor-quality elastic will loosen over time and make the suspenders unusable. Good elastic is dense and stretchy. 

At Saarnin's boutique, you will find a wide selection of high-quality suspenders handcrafted in Italy. Bruclen's suspenders feature a stunning array of colors, leather pieces, and numerous details that leave a lasting impression and captivate you.