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dr.butcher

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
In my quest for a belt-less existence I have been considering my options when it comes to jeans. I've seen people put buttons on the outside of the waistband and keep the belt loops and it looks fine, but suspenders and belt loops is a hard look to get right.

I recently saw one guy solve this problem but using (leather) suspenders that clipped onto the belt loops, making them an integral part of the suspenders. They looked like this:

Image


Can I get an opinion on this? Is it verging too close to hipster-dom? This is of course, only for very casual wear. And I'm not keen on leather suspenders to begin with, but they seem the only style with this type of attachment.

And building on this, what's the ideal way of attaching suspenders to jeans?
 
#2 ·
I love braces, but I'm not sure about this idea. Jeans aren't cut for them, and a belt makes more sense from that point of view. And, each to his own and so forth, but leather braces to me look a little bit...well, like a kind of S&M harness.

It would be a distinctive look if you could pull it off, but if a friend asked me about this idea, my inclination would be to dissuade them.
 
#3 ·
The hardware there, despite being functional, looks too fetishistic to me. I'd think that actually clipping things to the belt loops is the best way to draw attention to them.
I would erase this question by writing off jeans, but to answer it...I'd get the metal rivet type buttons that look like they belong.
https://www.duluthtrading.com/store/product/antique-gold-buttons-91150.aspx
Or overalls.
 
#4 ·
If you must wear braces with jeans and you don't want to look like an old hillbilly, then I suggest narrow clip on braces, (skinny braces) which are fashionable again, like the ones mods, rudeboys and skinheads wore in the 60s.

Button braces with jeans or hooks in the jeans' belt loops just looks wrong to me.

Image
 
#5 ·
Tempest said:
The hardware there, despite being functional, looks too fetishistic to me. I'd think that actually clipping things to the belt loops is the best way to draw attention to them.
I would erase this question by writing off jeans, but to answer it...I'd get the metal rivet type buttons that look like they belong.
https://www.duluthtrading.com/store/product/antique-gold-buttons-91150.aspx
Or overalls.
Click to expand...
Exactly what I thought.

I don't think that you can wear braces with jeans and look anything but a fool. Sorry. Clip-on braces instantly tag you as someone who doesn't know anything about clothes. Braces buttons on the inside would look foolish. The only way it can be done, I think, is with buttons--sturdy ones, and preferably metal--on the outside, in which case you instantly take on the urban lumberjack look. Which makes you a fool.
 
#7 ·
In considering my response to the OP's question regarding suspenders with blue jeans/belt loops, I am reminded of the advice provided in the movie Forrest Gump by the character Jenny to her young friend, as he came under attack at the hands of local bullies, "Run Forrest, run!" Putting in in my own words, 'Son, you are just looking for a fight!' :crazy:
 
#9 ·
forsbergacct2000 said:
I'll say it has the potential to make you look a fool, but if you are college age or younger, it might be doable.
Click to expand...
I've never been sure why it's OK to dress certain ways when younger and not OK when older. In this scenario, I would draw a comparison with Halloween. It's fine to dress up in costumes whilst in grade school, not so amusing once you're north of 50. But, at the end of the day, costumes are costumes.
 
#13 ·
In the West/Pacific Slope, people who work in the woods, fire fighters, loggers, etc., wear Carhart or other similar work pants with buttons and wide suspenders. The metal buttons that you set with a hammer are called batchelor buttons and are available in stores serving those who work in the woods. Filson carries work pants -- tin pants -- and heavy-duty suspenders, if one "might as well have the best."

I find jeans difficult to keep up, and so wear carhart work pants with suspenders when working in my studio. In the community where it is located I can wear those pants in public without appearing to be costumed. Two of my sons who work in forestry-related jobs are similarly attired when actually working. The son who works on a BLM fire crew wears waxed Filson double tin pants. These require suspenders. I have a pair of Filson waxed single layer tin pants which I wear in heavy brush when fishing or tramping through the woods.

You can add bachelor buttons to jeans, which might work with pants having a suffeciently high rise. Viewed theough my western refracted eyes, however, blue jeans, Levi's in particular, just don't look right worn with suspenders.

Hope this helps, or is at least mildly interesting.

Regards,
Gudron

PS: Long ago it seems to me that the LL Bean catalog carried Malone wool pants and heavy suspenders.
 
#14 ·
Younger people are more adventurous in their clothing; many of them look good in a much wider variety of attire.

Also, unless they are working in a bank, etc. many of them don't have to deal with business expectations, etc. When I was in college I wore Tshirts and jeans unless the winter weather forced sweatshirts, sweaters and jeans into the picture.

Again, because of my surroundings, there was a lot more freedom. Adults don't have that luxury; plus some clothing just looks out of place on adults - - similar to how some items that were okay to wear seventy years ago only look good on older people.

I'm 59; I can get away with wearing a tie someplace after work if I don't feel like changing; I'm not expected to be hip. A 30 year old guy being the only one in a coat and tie can totally out of place in many situations. (And unless it really matters, at 59, I don't care much about "fitting in" unless it's a business event.

Not understanding it or wishing it wasn't so doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
 
#15 ·
Gurdon said:
In the West/Pacific Slope, people who work in the woods, fire fighters, loggers, etc., wear Carhart or other similar work pants with buttons and wide suspenders. The metal buttons that you set with a hammer are called batchelor buttons and are available in stores serving those who work in the woods. Filson carries work pants -- tin pants -- and heavy-duty suspenders, if one "might as well have the best."

I find jeans difficult to keep up, and so wear carhart work pants with suspenders when working in my studio. In the community where it is located I can wear those pants in public without appearing to be costumed. Two of my sons who work in forestry-related jobs are similarly attired when actually working. The son who works on a BLM fire crew wears waxed Filson double tin pants. These require suspenders. I have a pair of Filson waxed single layer tin pants which I wear in heavy brush when fishing or tramping through the woods.

You can add bachelor buttons to jeans, which might work with pants having a suffeciently high rise. Viewed theough my western refracted eyes, however, blue jeans, Levi's in particular, just don't look right worn with suspenders.

Hope this helps, or is at least mildly interesting.

Regards,
Gudron

PS: Long ago it seems to me that the LL Bean catalog carried Malone wool pants and heavy suspenders.
Click to expand...
Why would you wear Carhartt work pants if you're in a studio as opposed to outside cutting trees or fixing roads or landscaping or the like? If these are the trousers I'm thinking of, they are made from canvas and near bulletproof. It sounds as if you might be a fan of the urban lumberjack look.
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
I tried to find a good picture online, but this is the closest I could find. Not the best example, but not too bad either.

Image


The guy I saw actually managed to pull them off, which is the only reason that I even thought about the prospect.

Il Signor Crispone said:
I love braces, but I'm not sure about this idea. Jeans aren't cut for them, and a belt makes more sense from that point of view. And, each to his own and so forth, but leather braces to me look a little bit...well, like a kind of S&M harness.

It would be a distinctive look if you could pull it off, but if a friend asked me about this idea, my inclination would be to dissuade them.
Click to expand...
Yes, I have to agree they do tend to lean in this direction. Which is why the connection at the back is important. For example, I could not even consider these:

Image


That metal ring screams BDSM

Tempest, thanks for the metal rivet suggestion, did not think of that.

Earl I think I might try that. Though I worry about the contrast between the heavy denim and flimsy braces.

32rollandrock said:
Exactly what I thought.

I don't think that you can wear braces with jeans and look anything but a fool. Sorry. Clip-on braces instantly tag you as someone who doesn't know anything about clothes. Braces buttons on the inside would look foolish. The only way it can be done, I think, is with buttons--sturdy ones, and preferably metal--on the outside, in which case you instantly take on the urban lumberjack look. Which makes you a fool.
Click to expand...
Approving of clip-on braces is one thing, but it's hard to say these days that wearing them tags you as someone who doesn't know anything about clothes. They are ubiquitous these days and on some of the best dressed men you'll see. I've considered their pros and cons at length and could make an argument for wearing them with a business suit, but that's probably for another thread.

eagle2250 said:
In considering my response to the OP's question regarding suspenders with blue jeans/belt loops, I am reminded of the advice provided in the movie Forrest Gump by the character Jenny to her young friend, as he came under attack at the hands of local bullies, "Run Forrest, run!" Putting in in my own words, 'Son, you are just looking for a fight!' :crazy:
Click to expand...
Better slip my brass knuckles in my jeans pocket then.

32rollandrock said:
I've never been sure why it's OK to dress certain ways when younger and not OK when older. In this scenario, I would draw a comparison with Halloween. It's fine to dress up in costumes whilst in grade school, not so amusing once you're north of 50. But, at the end of the day, costumes are costumes.
Click to expand...
Because they young are forgiven certain foolishness -es that the old(er) cannot get away with.

StephenRG said:
How about jeans with side tabs?
Click to expand...
I did notice that Richard Anderson has a denim suit advertised on his website, I wonder what Saville Row denim would look like. Might very well have side tabs, but the picture on the website only showed a jacket.

Image


Gurdon that was very interesting information, particularly as it is all new to me.
 
#18 · (Edited)
Reply to 32rolland rock's question

It's messy work and I want to be comfortable. Carhart pants have a high rise and are comfortble to move around in as compared to Levi's. I have one pair that are just for painting I wear them when working and change out of them when done. They wear well and last through many washings.

I like and have, since the mid 1960's, worn mostly work shirts and Levi's when I not at my office where I wore adult clothing -- suits or a jacket and tie.

But, maybe I am a lumberjack wannabe, I do wear White's boots. And I know most of the words to the Monty Python lumberjack song. But, on the other hand, I don't wear dresses and hang around in bars.

Of course now that I am retired and living in a semi rural setting I hardly ever get to wear a jacket and tie, let alone a suit.

Regards,
Gurdon
 
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