Looking for a pair of suspenders to add to your wardrobe? This guide will tell you everything you need to know.
Okay, let’s start by figuring out why and when you’d want to wear suspenders.
If you prefer reading, read on!
Suspenders vs. Belts
Suspenders have been around since the early 1800s. Like any other fashion accessory, they’re subject to trends, and I don’t think they’re going to replace belts anytime soon.
But if you think about it, suspenders make a lot of sense. I’m no physicist, but if the goal is to keep your pants up, and gravity is pulling them down, suspenders are an extremely logical solution (compared to belts).
suit | tie | suspenders | sunglasses (similar) | shoes | bag
This is especially true if you’ve ever worn pants that are a little loose around the waist. Extra material bunches up under your belt, which isn’t comfortable, and your pants droop throughout the day.
Of course, just because suspenders are a more logical solution than belts doesn’t mean you’re going to wear them all the time.
In fact, I wear belts more often than suspenders, just because I don’t “dress up” very often.
For me it comes down to dress code. If I’m wearing a casual outfit, such as jeans and a t-shirt, I wear a belt because suspenders would look a little weird.
But if I’m dressing up (like if I’m wearing a suit), I try to avoid belts. I much prefer the comfort and aesthetic of side adjusters or suspenders.
Going beltless with suits is especially great for shorter men because it eliminates a horizontal line that cuts you in half visually. This elongates your legs and makes you look a little taller.
So I make sure all of my trousers come with side adjusters and/or suspender buttons.
If you own trousers that have belt loops and don’t have suspender buttons, you can add buttons and remove the loops yourself or at the tailor for just a few dollars.
Some suspenders even come with an extra set of buttons that you (or your tailor) can sew into your pants.
Choosing the Right Suspenders
Okay, we know that suspenders are a great way to keep your pants up, especially for formal outfits. Let’s talk about how to wear them.
There are really only two things to consider: the size of your suspenders and the color (or style).
Suspenders Sizes
Suspenders come in different lengths and widths. Most suspenders are around 46″ long, and they’re pretty much always adjustable.
So most guys don’t need to worry about length.
The other component of suspenders sizing is the width. The standard width of 1 3/8 inches is just fine for most body types.
If you’re a bigger guy or want a more conservative look, you can definitely rock wider suspenders (up two inches wide).
Similarly, if you’re a super thin guy or want a more fashion forward look, you can wear thinner suspenders, but I wouldn’t go any thinner than one inch, because that’s getting into overly trendy territory (plus you sacrifice comfort and functionality).
But for most guys, the standard length and width is just fine.
Suspenders Colors, Patterns and Fabrics
Just like pocket squares, suspenders don’t need to exactly match your shirt, suit or tie.
In fact, the color or pattern of your suspenders is even less important than that of your pocket square because they’re not visible under your jacket.
Of course, your jacket will sometimes come off, so let’s talk a little bit about choosing colors and patterns for your suspenders.
Solid Colors Always Work
Just like with ties, darker colors and solid colors are more formal than lighter colors and patterns.
A safe bet is to go with solid color suspenders that are darker than your shirt. So if you’re wearing a dark blue suit and light blue shirt, navy blue suspenders are a great choice.
In fact, a pair of solid navy suspenders is an extremely versatile choice for almost any wardrobe.
You get bonus points if your suspenders work well with the rest of your outfit by picking up or complimenting a secondary color.
For example, the gold hardware on my suspenders compliment the gold details in my tie and watch.
The Details
Now, there is one part of your suspenders that should match the rest of your outfit: the leather.
Assuming you aren’t wearing clip-on suspenders (which is generally frowned upon by the more discerning gentleman), you should pay attention to the ends of your braces.
Quick side note about clip-ons: I personally wouldn’t wear them because I think button suspenders are much more elegant and comfortable, and it’s so easy to sew in the buttons. But hey, that’s just my opinion, and you should do what you want!
Just like with belts, you want to try to match your leathers. So if the ends of your suspenders are brown leather, your shoes should also be brown leather.
Some guys draw a “hard line” in the sand about this so called “rule”, but I say just try your best to avoid clashing.
It’s not the end of the world if your shoes don’t match your suspender ends perfectly.
Questions About Suspenders
Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about men’s suspenders:
What is the purpose of wearing suspenders?
Suspenders hold your pants up; they serve the same purpose as a belt.
What are the rules of suspenders?
Make sure they’re the right length for your body. Make sure the color either matches or compliments the rest of your outfit. Make sure the leather trim matches your shoes.
Why are suspenders called suspenders?
Suspenders are called suspenders because they “suspend” your pants, meaning they stop them from falling down.
Do suspenders improve posture?
Since poor posture can lead to suspenders becoming loose and falling off your shoulders, suspenders can improve your posture (or serve as a reminder to pay attention to your posture).
Is it cool to wear suspenders?
Yes, suspenders are cool! But they’re not good for every type of outfit or situation. Follow the guidelines in this article, and you’ll look great wearing suspenders.
Do suspenders work better than a belt?
It’s really a matter of preference. Logically, suspenders make a lot of sense, and many people find them more comfortable than belts.
Suspenders work better than belts on men with larger bellies.
Are suspenders formal?
In general, yes, suspenders are formal. You can buy more casual suspenders, like leather suspenders, and wear them with casual or smart casual outfits.
But suspenders are most often worn with dressier outfits.
Final Thoughts
For me, suspenders are kind of like shirttail garters: I’m not going to wear them everyday, but every now and then, I’m extremely glad that I have a couple of pairs on hand.
Of course, I know some guys who wear them all the time and absolutely love them. Either way, it’s probably a good idea to have a pair in your arsenal.
Questions? Comments? Leave them below!
I am 90, and wear both suspenders and a belt. Why?
Because suspenders work better in holding up pants, but more important a belt lets you carry your iPhone and a security device, (to get help if you are sick, fall, get mugged or to report a fire).
Many workman use both because the belt carries their tools and the suspenders are supportive and more efficient in keep up your pants.
Hi Brock, Just wondering if you had any tips/style advice with regard to the heigh of the 2 metal tabs on the front part of the suspenders. I’ve seen people wear them at all heights (you’ve worn them near the collar height) so I was curious if there are any rules associated with what height to wear them? Appreciate the article and your response.
Bud, wear those suspenders with that casual t shirt n jeans. Function not fashion. =D
Great article. I just started to wear braces (UK) after seeing a couple of other guys in work wearing them. They just feel so good and the look and style is great, the number of positive comments you get is amazing. When other guys comment how hot you look, you know you have hit the right style.
Great that you are enjoying wearing braces – I love the comfort and the style, but find I get negative comments from my males mates, but the ladies love them! I still feel nervous showing them without a jacket in public.
Hi Mate,
I found a lot of my friends like the look and stylr, maybe because a couple of other guys wear braces too so I didn’t get any negative comments. Just keep wearing them if you like the comfirt& style.
Get that jacket off too and show them off. A lot of other guys like the look but say thry don’t think they could pull off the look. They don’t know until they have tried themselves. Offer to get a mate to try them on and see what they think.
Where did you buy those suspenders? I’ve looked everywhere for ones like that with the gold clips and light leather, but they are nowhere to be found. Thanks!
Albert Thurston….your welcome
I have thought about trying a pair of braces (I am British), for some years, and indeed remember my Dad saying that when I reached his age (I think he was about 40) I would both appreciate and need braces. I had always believed that they should be kept hidden, which was a bit of an impossibility, so never bought any. That was until last month, when my 19 year old son came down to breakfast one day wearing a pair. I made no comment until he went to go off to work, when I asked if he had forgotten his jacket. He asked why he would need a jacket on such a sunny day and it dawned that he had no embarrassment at being seen in public wearing braces. I tactfully told him that braces were meant to be covered, but his reply ” Why?” stumped me.
The next day I bought my first pair of braces, and I confess that I absolutely love them – they are so comfortable and efficient at keeping my pants where they should be! Cannot believe what I have been missing. Dad really did (and still does) know best.
Brock, you are absolutely correct in relating how much better suspenders/braces help with the image of less-tall men and not excluding taller men either.
The fact that they ensure a consistent placement of the trousers waistband on the waist area of the wearer allows the trouser legs to hang straighter and more consistent above the shoe. With a weight enhanced hem or cuffs men wearing suspenders/braces can achieve a picture perfect look of strong, long legs throughout the day. It works with both tall or short men.
Belted trousers tend to droop no matter what. It seems to me belts were more intended for securing outdoor gear on the waistband ala military style (with swords and pistols). Otherwise belts seem to work best only with 1940’s Hollywood trousers which do not have waistbands. The excess fabric on top of the belt (unlike current trousers with belt loops at the top of very rigid waistbands) help with generating friction that prevents trousers drooping.
Unfortunately due to over reliance on fashion (belts on very low rise trousers) and seemingly inability to decide for themselves, most men these days are slowly resembling the following [intended] joke character:
http://pm1.narvii.com/6364/94ec0cf1cc7459a2a8733022f3dff9a857e9353c_hq.jpg
Great piece. I just flat love the look of suspenders and the fact that they make more sense is a bonus. (NPR did a piece on them & for a variety of reasons they make sense.) I work on Capitol Hill where style is ridiculously important and my suspenders (with buttons, thank you) have only gotten compliments. Never going back to belts.
Great article… It was very suspenseful, thanks!!
Would never wear clip on suspenders. Strong post, great to see another blogger being pro-suspender!
I’ve been wondering about suspenders, particularly since i’ve lost weight – i’m 5″4″ or 5″5″ (depending on the day it seems, LOL) and between 125-140 lbs (health issues, i’ve bounced up and now working my way back to 125-130lbs where I want to be) and with nicer shirts and even jeans and a nice shirt, the belt doesn’t do right for me as Brandon described…. i’ve been experimenting with belt colors and widths for my look and i have a color palette done for me based on my skin/eye/hair/whatever color and coordinate around that and I know when something doesn’t look right on me – (including shapes/sizes of things for me).
And accessories were recommended for someone like me, and so I kept wondering about suspenders but was simply not sure how to go about them. So this is great – I just don’t know where to go look/try/shop for them – it’s a whole new world for me.
BTW, that outfit was a great look for you and cool on the distilery for your photo shoot.
So yes, i’d like to try them out and work them into my wardrobe which i’m slowly working on ($$$ is something i’m not used to spending on clothing, but i’m learning). I’m not often in a situation where I have to dress up so much as dress casual.
In your article about shorter guys who are also stout, you recommended suspenders. I bought a cheaper pair of clip on suspenders to try it out. And now I’m hooked.
Ironically, I’ve lost nearly 15 pounds over the past few month and the suspenders have become more helpful as I’m in-between pants sizes. Belts are uncomfortable in that situation because I have to crank the belt too tight to hold up my pants. Suspenders? They are perfect.
Now that you’ve got me hooked, I think I will stick with suspenders even as I become less stout. Thank you so much for the recommendation, Brock. I really appreciate it.