Suspenders

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    Learn More About Suspenders

    Suspenders are helping hands for wayward trousers and give you the confidence that you’ll never be caught with your pants down. Suspenders have been around since the 18th century but were considered a risqué undergarment until the 1930s, when men pushed for their acceptance as a sensible, fashion-forward alternative to belts. Today, a pair of suspenders speaks to your elevated fashion sense and adds visual interest to your outfit in both formal and casual settings.

    Suspenders come in different widths, styles, and materials and fall roughly into two categories— casual and formal.


    Formal suspenders typically include:


    • Y-back designs
    • Wide straps (about 1 1/2-inches)
    • Button fasteners


    Casual suspenders often include:


    • X-back designs
    • Standard straps (1-inch wide)
    • Skinny straps (3/4-inches or less)
    • Clip fasteners


    Apart from often having slimmer strap widths, women’s suspenders aren’t that different from men’s suspenders. Unlike men’s dress pants, women’s dress pants are tailored to curve around the waist, allowing women’s suspenders to be primarily a fashion accessory, while men’s suspenders focus on function and adding that extra helping hand.

    If the thought of wearing suspenders leaves your palms sweaty, here are a few simple steps to help you look your best:


    1. Fasten the suspenders to the back of your pants before putting your pants on to save you from twisting around backwards to attach them when you’re already dressed.
    2. Flip the straps over your shoulders, ensuring they are flat against your body.
    3. Align the middle of the X or Y shape with the center of your back.
    4. Secure the suspenders to your waistband and then tighten them for maximum comfort. Clip suspenders have fasteners that attach directly to your waistband, while button suspenders loop around buttons sewn inside your waistband.
    5. Soak up the compliments and let your confidence soar.

    To determine the size of suspenders you need, start with a tailor’s tape or a piece of string. Trace the path one suspender band would take, back to front. For X-back designs, start from your back waistline, up and over the opposite shoulder, and straight down to your front waistline. For Y-back designs, use the same technique but add about one inch. No matter what style of suspenders you choose, nearly all of them are adjustable, so don’t worry if your measurements aren’t perfect. Etsy sellers also offer measuring advice and tips in their listing details, or you can reach out with a message.

    While many people follow the tradition of matching your shoes to your suspenders, feel free to pair them with other accessories to discover your own style. On Etsy, you can explore many possibilities for styling your suspenders with other pieces:


    • Like fine wine and cheese, a bow tie and suspenders are the perfect complement to each other for that wedding or black tie event.
    • Try some skinny leather suspenders over a warm fall sweater while you indulge in that first sip of your pumpkin spice latte.
    • Jumping behind the bar at a speakeasy? Roll up those sleeves and try suspenders over a dapper waistcoat.
    • Live out your 1920s fantasy by combining your suspenders with a bowler hat or a wool newsboy cap to turn heads at the next cocktail costume party.

    As a loose rule, suspenders generally aren’t worn with belts. Combining the two can be seen as unnecessary and redundant. For those who wish to go against the grain, you can wear loop suspenders and a belt together for a distinctly Western feel. Loop suspenders connect directly to your belt and will move around less when you’re up in the saddle and kicking up the dirt. Giddyup!