Suspenders have gotten a bad rap. I know this because, while researching information for this article, a friend of mine bluntly told me that no woman would ever give me the time of day if I wore them. Admittedly, I understand where he’s coming from. It’s undeniable that belts have taken over the world. What was once a universal staple in the West is now seen as old fashioned—something that silver-haired seniors strut around in for some unknown reason.
Belts, those simple straps of leather we all know and love, seemingly meet all our functional needs. They tighten at the waist and keep our pants from falling down—what more does a man need? Well, allow me to burst your bubble. Suspenders are much more than meets the eye. In this article, we’ll cover the pros of wearing suspenders, why they’re superior to belts in certain ways, how to wear them, and what kind of people would benefit from them the most.
Suspenders: What Are They Good For?
Suspenders, also known as "braces" by our British friends across the pond, are designed to hold up a man's trousers. They achieve this by allowing your pants to hang naturally from your shoulders, reducing pressure at the waist and allowing for greater freedom of movement. They also tend to drape better than belted pants, creating a fluid, elegant look.
If you’re underweight or overweight, suspenders can be a gamechanger. This becomes particularly true with age, as loss of muscle mass (known as sarcopenia), changes in fat distribution, and a rounded upper back can make it challenging for pants to fit snugly around your hips and waist, causing them to slip down. Suspenders offer a neat solution to this problem by supporting the weight of the pants from the shoulders instead of relying on waist tension.
Buttoned vs. Clip-on Suspenders
When you examine trousers made for suspenders, you'll notice they've got these cute little buttons tucked away inside the front and back of the waistband, arranged in pairs about 1.5 inches apart. Typically, suspender buttons are found on high rise trousers—the pleated ones without your standard belt loops. Unfortunately, it’s not so easy to find them these days, which is why you’re better off sewing them onto whatever you have. For most people, this works well enough.
However, it's worth noting that even if you choose this option, it won't hang as cleanly as a high-rise, which is designed specifically to sit at your natural waistline. If you're committed to getting the perfect fit, consider visiting a local shop that specializes in made-to-measure and bespoke garments—they'll craft a pair just for you.
For those without suspender buttons on their trousers, clip-on suspenders can be secured to the waist of the trouser as well. This is very common and convenient. However, some argue that they lack the visual appeal and secure hold of the more traditional option with leather button ends. We agree.
Some products like the ones we carry from JJ Suspenders, come with interchangeable clip and button attachments for maximum versatility. The straps come in three widths—skinny, classic, and formal—and have a Y-back design with leather detailing. Colors/patterns come in blue pinstripe, black paisley, grey seersucker, and more.
Suspender Styles: Y-Back, X-Back, & H-Back
There are two main suspender styles to consider. Y-back suspenders are the most popular, and these are the ones we sell. They attach at one point in the back and split into two straps at the top, forming a Y-shape against your back.
X-back suspenders, on the other hand, have two attachment points in the back, creating an X-shape.
The rarest style is the H-back suspender, mainly seen among firefighters, military personnel, and law enforcement. They have a single attachment point in the back and two parallel straps over the shoulders, forming an H-shape.
Suspender Sizing: How to Get the Proper Fit
You might think suspenders come in a range of sizes, but that’s rarely the case today. Most brands, such as JJ Suspenders, provide one-size-fits-all models that cater to a wide range of heights and body types. This works for the vast majority of people, but there are always outliers who may be wider or taller than your average bloke. No worries. There are brands who cater to this.
In the case of JJ, the straps have metal adjusters in the front that can be raised to tighten the slack, providing a comfortable fit whether you’re 5’2” or 6’2.” The back piece, or yolk, should now sit comfortably in-between your shoulder blades—not too tight or too loose. However, some may prefer the metal buckle positioned lower towards their waist. In such cases, having the straps adjusted by a tailor could be a better choice.
Suspenders: Form vs. Function
From a classic men’s style perspective, suspenders have always been discreet, never flaunted. This makes sense because historically they were designed for function, not fashion—hidden away behind a jacket or waistcoat. So, unless you’re Gordon Gekko in Wall Street, it’s not usually recommended.
So, why, you might ask, are there different colors and patterns if they're not meant to be seen? To that, I would respond with another question: "Why does underwear come in various colors and patterns?" Something to ponder.
In all seriousness, we at Anatoly's would never be so presumptuous as to dissuade you from showing off a beautiful pair of suspenders. And if we’re being honest, suspenders can be rather stylish on a man (or woman). Because when the drinks start flowing, sometimes you just want to cut loose.
Another apparent style faux paus is wearing suspenders alongside pants designed with belt loops, but it’s really not as big an issue as some make it out to be. Just take a look at Daniel Craig in No Time to Die, wearing baby blue suspenders underneath a desert tan corduroy jacket with belt looped trousers. In this case, there’s a functional purpose for it. Firstly, his pants are more on the casual side, given the environment he’s in. And secondly, he’s done away with the belt for the simple reason that it would restrict his movement. I don’t know about you, but when I’m being chased by armed goons, the last thing I want is a tight belt digging into my waist. So, this is a solid choice.
The problem arises when some poor schmuck decides it would be a good idea to combine a belt with his suspenders. There’s only one type of person that’s allowed to do that: and that’s a blue collar worker who needs a work belt to go along with his braces, either for tools or for extra support when he’s down on his hands and knees. For the rest of you, there’s no excuse for this tomfoolery.
Conclusion: Who Should Wear Suspenders?
Clearly, the majority of people don’t seem to have any issues with belts. They’re convenient, practical, and easy to put on. On top of that, most pants these days are simply designed to handle belts, and that’s been the case since the early 1900s. Ask a young person today if he has any suspenders in his wardrobe, and he’ll probably look at you with a blank stare. Even seniors, who are typically more attuned to the benefits of wearing suspenders, still hesitate to make the switch, even as their pants threaten to take matters into their own hands.
Here’s what I know: suspenders are amazing at what they do. They take pressure off your waist, especially if you have a large belly. They’re less likely to cause your tucked in shirt from bunching up, saving you the hassle of re-tucking it. And they’re a godsend for people who need extra mobility and comfort on the job. I encourage all of you reading to give suspenders a try. You have nothing to lose by doing so.
