CAN I WEAR SUSPENDERS TO A PARTY?
Q
I was gifted a lovely pair of suspenders. My question is: Can I wear them to a party?
A
Suspenders, or braces as it’s called in the UK, have had an interesting history. It is typical today to see a person wearing a belt with particular emphasis being paid to the colour of the leather strap and the buckle. Although the belts have a more recent history compared to suspenders or braces, it is largely seen as the practical accessory to hold the trousers in their place whilst adding a bit of personal style – with plentiful choice in buckles and straps.
Belts, in essence, are more decorative than offering the actual practicality of keeping the trousers in place around the waistline compared to braces.
Belts can cut the silhouette horizontally usually cinching the waistband of trousers if tied too tightly. Braces offers a more vertically streamlined silhouette which is considered more aesthetic and doesn’t bunch the waistband of the trousers.
There had been a revivalist attitude towards wearing braces when Michael Douglas playing Gordon Gekko in Wall Street was seen flaunting them when he had his jacket off. The momentum lasted for a decade before belts came back in with trousers being worn extremely low waisted.
Lately the Italian way of dressing in a thoughtful careless elegance yet appearing effortless has made inroads into the minds of people looking for sartorial inspiration. High waisted trousers worn with pleated trousers ending with a tapered leg are kept in place wearing suspenders or braces. People are often then seen wearing a Fedora Hat and vintage glasses effortlessly walking the streets or by the beach under the blue sky against the blue sea in a carefree manner.
To be more daring is to wear the thinner strapped braces casually over chinos or denim. For more formal occasions, a slightly thicker strapped pair of braces is recommended.
Braces do present a more dapper look with your casual ensemble but yet lends considerable sartorial support to be worn for white-tie events.