[cufflink44]

Couldn't find this topic in the archives . . .

What are your thoughts, gentlemen, on brace/suspender buttons fastened to the outside rather than the inside of one's suit trousers? Vulgar and ostentatious? Perfectly proper? Stylish?

 

[Checkerboard 13]

Only my opinion, but I would say that unless you are plowing the south 40, I would have to go with choice number 1.

 

[amplifiedheat]

Is perfectly kosher with pants intended to be worn with a vest. One photo from Flusser comes to mind of Gary Cooper relaxing in shirtsleeves and exterior brace buttons.

 

[Bracemaker]

Traditionally they go on the inside, but in my experience with some trousers (usually lightweight) this can lead to the inside pulling up and therefore I put them on the outside to avoid this. By the way Amplified, is my avatar the picture of which you speak?

 

[GBR]

Perfectly normal and a reasonable choice

 

[amplifiedheat]

By the way Amplified, is my avatar the picture of which you speak?

Remarkably, yes. I believe exterior buttons are actually the older style, as it makes buttoning easier and makes no visible difference with a vest.

 

[Edinburgh Lad]

Perfectly normal and a reasonable choice

I agree that with a suit it should be buttons on the inside but for the casual trendy look I think buttons on the outside are a resonable choice and look great. Many of the jean manufactures like G-Start and VOI all have jeans with braces attached and buttons on the outside.

If you want to show off your braces, like we do in the UK, then the outside is the place at least for the casual and trendy look. If you are going to show off your braces it is a fashion statement anyway so why not make it a big statement and show the buttons as well.

I think this hiding braces under a jacket needs to be changed, "let the braces be seen"

 

[PinkPlaidSocks]

I like them either way. Just depends on context and your mood. Outside for stylish, inside for traditional/conservative. And I agree with Edinburgh Lad, what's the point of going the stylish route (buttons outside) if it's never going to be seen?

 

[Penang Lawyer]

My original Saville Row Tailor placed all the suspender buttons on the outsie of the trousers. That was when a vest was worn. Later on just the back buttons were on the outside. Being on the outside there was less irritation to body.

 

[Edinburgh Lad]

I agree with Edinburgh Lad, what's the point of going the stylish route (buttons outside) if it's never going to be seen?

Glad to hear someone else agrees with me, I always get slagged off for suggesting that braces should be seen and not hidden. I know the old-school say you should hide your braces but why? I wear mine all the time without jackets and get loads of good comments back from others. I mix and match them just like people mix and match shirt & ties. I even get comments in work if I turn up without my braces on!

So come on who else is up for breaking down this hide them taboo and start showing off their braces to the world. Any others out there up for giving their braces a show?

 

[Sean1982]

Perfectly proper.

Many of my vintage Savile Row three piece suits have them on the outside.

 

[Francisco D'Anconia]

Mine are all on the outside. The waistband of the trousers, especially around the back, is more comfortable with the buttons on the outside. Even on RTW suits, I have my tailor remove the belt loops and put the suspender buttons on the outside of the waistband.

 

[Edinburgh Lad]

Mine are all on the outside. The waistband of the trousers, especially around the back, is more comfortable with the buttons on the outside.QUOTE]

I would agree they are more comfortable on the outside and I think they look better as well for the more casual look, very trendy looking. Maybe business suit's on the inside.

Do you still hide your braces under your jacket or do you show them off with style?

I think we should have a survey to see how many people wear braces and like to show them off and how many still like to hide them. I bet a large nuber of people do actually wear braces but we don't get to know as they hide them under jackets and waistcoats.

Why make braces in so many different colours and pattens if they are going to be hidden.

Lets have a vote... Show them and be proud of them or Hide them away from view.