Suspenders...

[BAO]

Hello all,

Forgive me if this has been asked or is glaringly obvious but I searched and didn't find a direct post here addressing my question(s).

What is the principle of suspender selection? Is it the colour/pattern of the tie? The shirt or suit?

Should you wear solid coloured suspenders with patterned shirts (this seems the right choice) ? I am having two suits in solid colours made - mid grey and Navy and plan on wearing mostly white and pale blue shirts with the occasional pink. I'm thinking a conservative red/white polka suspenders would be a nice highlight. I don't plan on frequent disrobing of the jacket but oftentimes I do whiteboard sessions and want to wear the jacket if the room is getting hot or my client is clearly a dress down person and so the suspenders will be seen.

Any guidance on this would be appreciated as these suits will be the first occasion for my having to wear suspenders.

[Luca]

I suppose that insofar as suspenders are, at this time, something that certainly stands out (the sort of thing that dully dressed people call an affectation)in most locales, you might want to start with solid , conservatiely coloured suspenders and take it from there. Among other things, they will be more versatile with other suit/shirt combinations.

Navy blue and/or dark maroon cannot go far wrong.

[BAO]

Thanks Luca.

[rodes]

I can give you my perspective for I wear braces almost exclusively for nonsummer suits. All of mine are of dark solid colors, navy, gray, maroon or green. I try to keep them from showing, i.e. never leaving the office without a coat, but if they do I do not think a thing of it.

[BAO]

I can give you my perspective for I wear braces almost exclusively for nonsummer suits. All of mine are a dark solid colors, navy, gray, maroon or green. I try to keep them from showing, i.e. never leaving the office without a coat, but if they do I do not think a thing of it.

Thank you that - my follow on question is this - do you base your colour selection on the suit or shirt or tie or some combination therein? I'm just wondering if there's a 'standard' to follow or if it's 'to thine own self be true' in which case I would prefer to co-ordinate with the shirt and let there be a gentle contrast with the tie as this is how I like to choose shirt/tie combinations.

[davidhuh]

Thank you that - my follow on question is this - do you base your colour selection on the suit or shirt or tie or some combination therein? I'm just wondering if there's a 'standard' to follow...

Dear Bao,

traditionally, braces were well hidden under the coat or a waistcoat. This is why there is no standard to follow.

Today, we have Mr Larry King and mores have changed a fair bit. So I would generally recommend you choose your braces in colours that are easy to combine (navy, light blue, red and wine), and you avoid fancy designs.

Cheers, David

[hectorm]

Should you wear solid coloured suspenders with patterned shirts (this seems the right choice) ? I am having two suits in solid colours made - mid grey and Navy and plan on wearing mostly white and pale blue shirts with the occasional pink. I'm thinking a conservative red/white polka suspenders would be a nice highlight. I don't plan on frequent disrobing of the jacket but oftentimes I do whiteboard sessions and want to wear the jacket if the room is getting hot or my client is clearly a dress down person and so the suspenders will be seen.

Dear BAO,
If what you want is practical advice given the coordinates stated, then a pair of dark rich burgundy braces will be perfect for both your mid grey and navy suits worn with white, pale blue or pink shirts.
Whatever you do, please skip the "highlight" of red/white polka dots.

[BAO]

Dark burgundy suspenders it is then.

Many thanks gentlemen,
Bijan

[Luca]

Assuming that when you wear suspenders (braces, in British english, BTW) you typically wear black shoes/belt, why not go for black as a colour? Perhaps a bit lugubrious but it eschews the whole issue of 'matching'.

[rodes]

Generally, the color of my braces match the predominant color of the tie, and if not, the suit. I want them to look as functional and unobtrusive as possible. Braces, when seen, always make a statement that I would prefer not to make. However, if someone sees me without a coat they should think, "That explains why his suit trousers look sharp and have line", and not "He's trying to be Gordan Gekko".

[Mark Seitelman]

* * * What is the principle of suspender selection? Is it the colour/pattern of the tie? The shirt or suit? * * *

All of the above are correct.

The suspenders should complement either the tie, the shirt, or the suit.

There used to be a "rule" that the leather endings should match or complement your shoes. This is similar to the "rule" of matching the belt to the shoes. (E.g., mid brown belt and dark brown shoes) Some suspenders solve this issue with either white leather or braided cloth endings. I personally do not feel that you have to match.

It is preferable to leave on your coat. Suspenders are not meant to be seen. Many people associate braces with either an eccentric, millionaire, or pretentious pretender.

As for the "Larry King" look, it has been good for Mr. King. He has made it his signature. (E.g., Walter Winchell and his beaten-up fedora). I don't like this look, but if Mr. King were to do an interview in a coat, I would not recognize him.

I prefer solid suspenders. Stripes are my second choice. The most conservative choices are solids and stripes.

I used to like the Trafalgar silk braces showing scenes, such as Botticelli's Venus or a fox hunting scene. They are beautifully made. But, they beg to be seen. I still have a few limited editions. However I do not wear them since I do not like making my appearance a point of conversation.

Good luck.

[hectorm]

I used to like the Trafalgar silk braces showing scenes, such as Botticelli's Venus or a fox hunting scene. They are beautifully made. But, they beg to be seen. I still have a few limited editions. However I do not wear them since I do not like making my appearance a point of conversation.

Mark:
interesting that you brought up the topic of illustrated Trafalgar silk braces in this thread. They have always generated (at least in me) ambivalent feelings. On one hand they are truly a work of art, woven -not printed- in early XIX century looms and with high quality tasteful designs. On the other hand... well...something in me rejects the sole idea of wearing them.
If you have some limited editions that are sold out (and you have the original boxes) you might be seating on a mine of gold since I hear they are considered collector items.

[BAO]

Thank you gentlemen so much. Wonderful guidance here. It's funny you mention the Trafalgar scene braces as I went ahead and ordered the Tempus Fugit pair. One of my favorite Pink Floyd songs is 'Time'. I think I'm going to get a waistcoat for one of my suits and with that will be worn the Tempus.

[Mark Seitelman]

* * *

Mark:
interesting that you brought up the topic of illustrated Trafalgar silk braces in this thread. They have always generated (at least in me) ambivalent feelings. On one hand they are truly a work of art, woven -not printed- in early XIX century looms and with high quality tasteful designs. On the other hand... well...something in me rejects the sole idea of wearing them.
If you have some limited editions that are sold out (and you have the original boxes) you might be seating on a mine of gold since I hear they are considered collector items.

Agreed.

The limited edition braces are truly beautiful. Not only is the embroidery more complex and richer, but the cloth braces have a backing for a more substantial feel. In comparison, the regular Trafalgar braces (e.g., the fox hunt, the football game, the flapper, etc.) have no backing. Therefore, the "regular" silk braces are a bit limp.

The limited editions also have more elaborate leather endings.

I have a couple of limited editions, and although I have never worn them, I am reluctant to part with them. I feel that that I shall not see their like again.

[VRaivio]

Hello all,

Forgive me if this has been asked or is glaringly obvious but I searched and didn't find a direct post here addressing my question(s).

What is the principle of suspender selection? Is it the colour/pattern of the tie? The shirt or suit?

Should you wear solid coloured suspenders with patterned shirts (this seems the right choice) ? I am having two suits in solid colours made - mid grey and Navy and plan on wearing mostly white and pale blue shirts with the occasional pink. I'm thinking a conservative red/white polka suspenders would be a nice highlight. I don't plan on frequent disrobing of the jacket but oftentimes I do whiteboard sessions and want to wear the jacket if the room is getting hot or my client is clearly a dress down person and so the suspenders will be seen.

Any guidance on this would be appreciated as these suits will be the first occasion for my having to wear suspenders.

Well, do choose suspenders with leather ends of the same colour as your shoes. This little bit isn't very important if you keep the jacket closed at all times and the ends will never be seen. They are, after all, undergarments. If you really like a sort of Gordon Gekko aura, suspenders in the same colour as the shirt, tie, suit or 'kerchief won't be wrong. I've a penchant for purple suspenders as it's my favourite colour, too rarely seen and more so in nature. Again, it's an undergarment so your contemplations may just be over-analyzing.