Suspenders hold pants in place better than belts and are generally considered practical and professional. To wear them well, they will need to be tight enough not to slip over your shoulders and be in line with the other pieces of your outfit.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Put the Suspenders on
Step 1. Choose the right suspenders
For a professional setting, opt for those that clip to pants with buttons. They can intertwine in both Y and X behind the shoulders.
- Usually, the X-weave braces provide better support because they can be widened, but both styles allow them to be adjusted to suit the individual build.
- You can also opt for straps with buckles or clamps, which are generally considered less professional and less classy. They can also damage the fabric of your pants over time. However, if the pants do not have holes for the suspender buttons, you will need to use one of these styles.
Step 2. Attach the back of the suspenders to the back of the pants, centering the bands
- The junction of the suspenders (both Y and X) should be located on the center back of the pants.
- For Y-suspenders, the buckles should be attached to the trousers directly on the first two innermost belt loops.
- For X-suspenders, the buckles should be placed over the two innermost belt loops or farther apart so that they cover approximately 1/3 of the way down the back of the pants. If you move the braces further apart, you will have better support.
- Attaching the suspenders to your pants before putting them on will make everything easier.
Step 3. Put on your pants
High-waisted pants are considered best for suspenders, while low-waisted ones work best with belts and offer less belly support
Step 4. Don't put the belt on
Adding this accessory would be completely unnecessary.
Also, wearing the belt together with the suspenders is considered a faux pas in terms of style
Step 5. Cross the shoulder straps behind your back
- The X intersection should be in the center of the back or a little lower. Adjust the straps if the position is incorrect.
- The Y-intersection should fall on the upper center of the back. Keeping it too low will cause the shoulder straps to slip off your shoulders. Adjust the bands if necessary.
Step 6. Bring the shoulder straps to your torso
Whatever style you have chosen, they will have to fall directly on the chest in two straight and vertical lines.
The anterior ends will be more apart than the posterior ones
Step 7. Attach the suspenders to the front of the pants with buttons or clamps
Make sure the bands are the same distance from the center of the pants.
Adjust them further if needed. This way, the suspenders will be firm and make you comfortable
Part 2 of 3: Male Styles
Step 1. Keep them under your jacket or vest for a classy look
If you have to wear them for work or for a special occasion, hide them under your jacket.
- The suspenders were part of the underwear, and according to the rules, only wives could see them. Although this limit is now over, you can still hide them during business meetings and formal events.
- You can combine them with a suit or a shirt. The vest is optional, but you can add it to a suit for special occasions. Avoid it to go to the office. Give an extra touch of class by wearing classic leather shoes.
Step 2. Put some striped crepe suspenders over a collared shirt
For a relaxed but slightly formal look, wear patterned or colored suspenders without a jacket.
- The crinkled fabric suspenders are printed. The most common are striped ones.
- You can combine this look with formal linen trousers or khakis. You will get a semi-professional look.
- A classic shirt is preferable for this style, but if you want to give it a modern and casual touch, you can put a fitted sweater over the shirt and under the suspenders. Go for a neutral color, like brown or black, or a deep color, like burgundy or navy.
- Wear classic leather shoes for a professional look. Choose brown or black.
Step 3. Give a punk or hipster touch to the look with thin and colored suspenders, paired with a pair of jeans and sneakers
- This style actually recalls the skinhead subculture that developed among the young people of the London working class during the 1960s.
- Jeans and corduroy pants are better for this look, as they are more working class inspired.
- If you are wearing a shirt, do not button it completely and turn up the sleeves. You can experiment with both plaid prints and solid colors.
- Choose sneakers or Doctor Martens.
Step 4. For old-time charm, wear leather suspenders, paired with tweed trousers, a well-buttoned shirt and antique-style accessories
- Choose between the suspenders made entirely of leather, or a model with leather inserts.
- Tweed trousers are suitable for a retro style, so replace them with dark jeans when wearing suspenders.
- Complete the look with a chauffeur hat, bow tie, trench coat and leather shoes.
Part 3 of 3: Feminine Styles
Step 1. Pair them with a business suit and shirt
- This look is professional but original, because suspenders are usually not worn in this context by women.
- You don't necessarily need to add a jacket, but wear high-heeled or flat leather shoes.
- The shirt can have clean lines or be more feminine, perhaps characterized by details such as ruffles. If you opt for a patterned shirt, make sure it doesn't clash with suspenders.
Step 2. Match them with jeans
Add a t-shirt or top under the suspenders.
- This look is undoubtedly casual.
- You can add sneakers or ballet flats, while heels and sandals might look out of place. The idea is to create a jaunty and fresh look, perhaps a bit "tough".
Step 3. Pair with high-waisted shorts or navy shorts
Add a t-shirt or top under the suspenders.
- If you've opted for navy shorts, try wearing a red striped top.
- Have fun with footwear. This look is casual, but slightly more girly than the one with jeans. You can therefore put on wedges, sandals or ballet flats.
Step 4. Pair them with a skirt for a feminine outfit
Try to keep it simple.
- You could combine the color of the straps with that of the skirt to imitate a dungaree. This style gives a feminine and innocent touch to the look.
- Keep it simple: opt for a single pattern or two solid colors.
- Wear simple but cute shoes, such as flat sandals or spool heels or decorated ballet flats.
Step 5. As suspenders are traditionally considered masculine, remember to add feminine accessories
- Wear dangling earrings, a delicate necklace, rings or bracelets.
- The use of women's jewelry with men's braces creates an interesting and trendy contrast.
