Benefits Of Suspenders: Not Just For The Tuxedo

Over the years, we've seen quite a few fashion trends come and go. Some have stood the test of time, others faded away almost as soon as they were introduced, and a few have gone through periodic ebbs and flows. Wearing a sport coat with jeans, for example, is now rather commonplace even though at first the trend was bound to turn heads. Parachute pants, on the other hand, have reserved their place as a mere footnote in the fashion world. We're just glad that tuxedos haven't changed too much since their introduction, and that no one up to this point has been crazy enough to attempt pairing a belt with one, because let's be honest. There is absolutely no way anyone could make that look cool, or even simply not ridiculous and out of place. While there is definitely a hard-line rule keeping belts off the table for tuxedos, the same can't be said for suspenders when it comes to suits, even though they are more associated with the tux these days. But depending on the type of suit (and especially the pants that come with it), suspenders—or braces—can make an excellent addition to your ensemble if you're looking for a subtle change to your wardrobe without going overboard.

For decades now, belts have been the far more common accessory to suits, but this wasn't always so. Prior to the 1940s, suspenders enjoyed more popularity as the dominant accessory meant to give extra support to trousers. However, because they were seen in many circles as a form of undergarment, they remained covered by waistcoats and suit jackets most of the time; wearing them on full display was still deemed to be a little too racy for the time. This is one of the reasons why belts, especially in America, remain the more popular item. But over

time, even though suspenders became the less common of the two accessories, they developed into yet another way to convey style with functionality. In the realm of tuxedos, they have seen an increase in popularity due to their sleeker look in contrast to the occasionally frumpy cummerbunds that are more common. As such, many professionals are rediscovering suspenders as a way to boost their style when it comes to custom suits as well.

In this article we'll discuss style tips, as well as the dos and don'ts, of both belts and suspenders, along with the pros and cons of each to keep your wardrobe stylish and versatile without too much extra effort.

--Suspenders--

Every gentleman should always keep at least one pair of suspenders in his wardrobe. They are particularly useful in pairings with tuxedos, as doing so will allow you to forego cummerbunds or even vests if you want to convey a more modern look to your ensemble. But before we get into why they're beneficial for suits as well, it's important to briefly cover the types of suspenders generally available.

--Types--

Two basic types of suspenders dominate the fashion market. One type is fastened to the trousers with buttons, while the other is hooked on with clips. The former type is almost always the most favorable, especially when it comes to suits and tuxedos. Most trousers are equipped with buttons on the inside specifically designed to fasten suspenders to the garments, thus keeping the connection points out of view. Clip types, on the other hand, simply clip on to the pants, and as far as

looking rather wonky as style is concerned, there's also a greater chance that they could come loose, so it's best to avoid this type. In the realms of both style and functionality, button suspenders will always win out.

--Suspender Pros--

One of the greatest aspects of suspenders is that it is superior to belts in their functional purpose. Suspenders tend to win over belts in this category because of the strong support they provide to your suit or tuxedo trousers. Since suspenders are designed to be worn over the shoulder and fastened securely to the inside of your pants, there is virtually no risk that your pants will end up falling off in a hilarious display of embarrassment, even when you're rocking it out on the dance floor of your best friend's wedding. From a style standpoint, they are also more versatile than belts, as they can be worn with both suits and tuxedos. In formal settings, subtlety tends to go a long way, so finding a pair of black suspenders should be easy, as they match with pretty much anything. But if you're willing to push the boundaries of your personal style, other patterns and colors are available as well. While the unspoken rule regarding belts is to make sure they always match your shoes, with suspenders you can get away with being a little more creative in your style selections, so long as you don't go too overboard with them.

Just like belts, suspenders can be worn with or without a jacket or vest, as the days when they were considered more or less of an undergarment are long gone. In spite of the tuxedo's rigid style codes, it is increasingly common these days to get away with wearing suspenders without the waistcoat, and it will also allow you to forego the cummerbund. There are varying opinions on whether or not to wear

suspenders and a cummerbund simultaneously, and we would argue that sometimes less is more. However, if you decide to wear a cummerbund with suspenders, just make sure that the suspenders go underneath it.

--Suspender Cons--

Perhaps the biggest drawback to wearing suspenders is the extra time it might take to fasten them properly, at least as opposed to a belt, which can be fastened within seconds. If you're in a hurry, you're more likely to put on suspenders the wrong way, adjust them improperly, or wear them too low or too high. The other major concern with suspenders is that some people find them uncomfortable to wear, especially since they are designed to be worn over the shoulders. If they're not adjusted properly, they do have a tendency to rumple your shirts and even feel like they're weighing your shoulders down. This drawback, however, can usually be avoided by taking the time to adjust the suspenders accordingly.

As far as style is concerned, suspenders are also limited in their scope of use, usually restricted to mostly formal attire in this day and age. While acceptable to wear with suits and tuxedos, they're not too popular for casual outings or pairings with jeans or khakis. For the latter types of trousers, the belt is definitely the preferred accessory.

On a final note, we want to reiterate that suspenders should never be worn with a belt simultaneously. While it is acceptable to wear suspenders with a pair of trousers that have belt loops, it is best to limit this practice to pants that go with a full suit, and even then, you do have the ability to get trousers made without loops if

you intend to wear your suit exclusively with suspenders. Doing so will give your custom suit a sleeker, more modern and uniform appearance.

--Belts--

Since the 1940s, the belt has been the preferred accessory for menswear, barring the tuxedo of course. And since belts were not considered to be lumped in at all with undergarments as suspenders were for a time, there was nothing wrong with wearing them on full display. Both stylish and functional, belts fulfill the same role that suspenders had up to that point and still do to this day. Due to their ease of putting them on, endless variations in style, and versatility between casual and formal wear, belts to this day remain more popular than suspenders.

--Belt Pros--

Unlike suspenders, belts are much easier to fasten properly. If you're late and rushing out the door, you can be wearing a belt fastened at the correct notch before you even step foot into your car. If you value brevity and punctuality above all else, belts are certainly the way to go.

Versatility is another selling point. Belts can be worn with practically anything, from formal suits and khakis to more casual wear such as shorts and jeans. Wearing a formal belt with a pair of jeans won't necessarily look out of place, and certainly not to any untrained eyes. Adjusting them to the proper size is also an easier task than it is with suspenders; simply move the notch to the left or right and fasten through the loops on your trousers. Just make sure that in formal settings, the belt matches the color of your shoes to the best of your abilities.

Since belts don't require any buttons for fastening, there is no chance that a belt will come loose spontaneously. When suspenders are repeatedly fastened to the buttons on the inside of a pair of trousers, the thread holding the buttons in place can weaken over time, thereby increasing the chance that one of the pieces might fail. When you wear a belt, you're not wearing down the inside buttons at all.

--Belt Cons--

But belts do have some drawbacks in comparison to their suspender counterparts. On occasion, especially if your pants are not fitted properly, belts can cause your shirt to bunch up over time, especially when you're moving around a lot. An easy way to avoid this, of course, is to make sure that your pants are tailored to your body as best as they can be. Since belts have fixed notches as opposed to adjustable straps, it may be hard to find a happy medium or that sweet spot in terms of how tight or loose you want it to be. If the belt is too tight, you might be uncomfortable all night, while if it's too loose, you risk having your pants sag down too much. When shopping for belts, it helps to be a little more precise as opposed to suspenders that usually have a little more wiggle room.

As far as style goes, it's important to note that belts should only be worn with pants equipped with belt loops, hence why they are never worn with tuxedos. If you have a custom suit with pants that don't have loops, you'll be limited to suspenders or foregoing any support whatsoever. In this case, it's imperative that your pants are fitted properly to avoid any dance floor mishaps.

--Final Notes--

No matter your style preferences and support needs, Enzo Custom has got you covered. In addition to custom tailored suits, we offer belts, suspenders, and a handful of other accessories to completely round out your formal attire. Step into one of our showrooms today for a private appointment, or speak with one of our expert clothiers through our offered virtual consultations.