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What are your thoughts on sock suspenders... ?

38K views 87 replies 36 participants last post by  Bog  
#1 ·
Sock suspenders are one of those delightful quaint old-fashioned items that all gentlemen wore until some years ago, but which have never disappeared from the menswear list - indeed, my grandfather who was an impeccable dresser wore them until the day he died in the late sixties. I am interested to know if any forum members wear them and what their thoughts are about them in this day and age - are they considered to be: totally eccentric, or an everyday essential, or for comedy acts only (think Eric Morecambe here!), or occasionally useful (for hiking socks etc) or a complete no-no? I have always had a bit of a problem keeping up my socks, especially short ones, but somehow cannot bring myself to wear sock suspenders despite the fact that they are never seen, but more importantly not to be found wearing them if I ever have to be carted off to hospital!
 
#2 ·
Just noticed this and thought I could comment. I wear sock suspenders nearly every day.. the only time i don't really bother is when its not practicable, such as when wearing plus fours etc.. and then i wear standard garters on my shooting hose.
I have worn sock suspenders for over 20 years and just hate the feel of socks if they aren't supported by sock suspenders.
Regards
 
#6 ·
Meaning what exactly??
Girly - adjective describing that what is female.

Man - self explanatory.

Wear - clothing or fashion.

Putting them all together - Girly-man Wear alludes to fashions for effeminate men. This is a new term that is reality-based and therefore needs to be said.

As for the socks suspenders themselves, I guess George Stephanopolous or Tucker Carlson would probably like some of these for Christmas :icon_smile_big:

M8
 
#9 ·
Sock suspenders or braces...

I had to wear them when in the USAF for training because the socks they issued you had no elastic and would fall down and you would be giged (issued a demerit) at inspection. This was many, many years ago. I'm not going to get into the issue of their being effeminate or not, but there really is no need for them today. The socks of today do not fall down because their construction has been bettered to prevent this. I wear OTC socks when I am suited up and to the calf for casual clothes, both wool and cotton. If your socks fall down, you don't need sock suspenders. You're just buying cheap socks! Socks of the quality sold by Ben Silver will not fall down.
 
#10 ·
I completely disagree that they are effeminate. However, as with all suspender/garter/brace style items there is, I'm sure, a certain frisson or connotation, just like there is with all manners of dressing up. Anyway, I do think that there's a little overkill in wearing them since, as dfloyd, says, there's just no need for them with modern socks. Still, if you enjoy them, why not, I say.
 
#12 ·
...but there really is no need for them today. The socks of today do not fall down because their construction has been bettered to prevent this...
Well this is the crux of the issue. What I am doing here is calling them on the carpet, the metrosexuals that is. Time for real men to STOP taking a back seat on these matters for the sake of PC peace.

... However, as with all suspender/garter/brace style items there is, I'm sure, a certain frisson or connotation...
Well this is my point. These are attention getting trifles. However, once the wearers of these items start imagining themselves as well-dressed and superior to others, then it's time to bring them back to reality. Call it war on the dandies and metrosexuals if you will.

While I find myself in agreement with many of M@8's posts, I am compelled to disagree on this one. Teddy Roosevelt wore them and he wasn't a girly-man. So paraphrasing Teddy, "Bully for sock garters!" (winks)
Oh c'mon, after all he had a name like Teddy, and liked to wrestle :icon_smile_big: All kidding aside, there was a time and place for these types of accoutrements. That time has passed. I know you see my point.

Cheers,

M8
 
#13 ·
Well this is my point. These are attention getting trifles. However, once the wearers of these items start imagining themselves as well-dressed and superior to others, then it's time to bring them back to reality. Call it war on the dandies and metrosexuals if you will.
Well now, M8, you can't deny people their trifles or the whole idea of fashion will be in trouble. Stitching on lapels, four-button cuffs, cufflinks, broguing on shoes, patterns on ties, it might be a little hard to draw the line! You've got to have a little allowance for people expressing themselves for style.
 
#14 · (Edited)
Well now, M8, you can't deny people their trifles or the whole idea of fashion will be in trouble. Stitching on lapels, four-button cuffs, cufflinks, broguing on shoes, patterns on ties, it might be a little hard to draw the line! You've got to have a little allowance for people expressing themselves for style.
Well sure, but when we get into statements of what constitutes the "the well-dressed", then it's time for a reality check. In fact that's what I am going to do here from now on, bring folks back to reality - at least when it concerns the sartorial. In other words, let's give the readers here a chance to appreciate that they may be taken for a fool when someone spots those sock suspenders of theirs.

M8
 
#15 ·
Martini,

You make very little sense, though. Do women wear anything alike sock suspenders? Or do young girls? Are you saying that they're like women's stockings somehow? I just don't get the rationale in calling them "girly".

It's conceivable that one might find a pair of socks with a very good color or pattern, very well-suited to a particular ensemble, or particularly comfortable, and that these particular socks may not be OTC and would benefit from the sock suspenders. It seems wholly in the traditions of manliness to, when faced with a practical problem, devise and utilize a mechanical solution -- which is precisely what these sock suspenders are. Aren't they?

I just don't see your logic.
Now, if they were hot pink with puppy polka-dots...
 
#16 ·
I can see it now. Next meeting I have, trying to secretly catch other people's trouser legs with my briggs umbrella to expose their illicit suspender-like fetish for all to see. :icon_smile_big:

Well sure, but when we get into statements of what constitutes the "the well-dressed", then it's time for a reality check. In fact that's what I am going to do here from now on, bring folks back to reality - at least when it concerns the sartorial. In other words, let's give the readers here a chance to appreciate that they may be taken for a fool when someone spots those sock suspenders of theirs.

M8
 
#17 ·
...You make very little sense, though.
Actually I make perfect sense. You will simply have to engage in some thought.

Do women wear anything alike sock suspenders? Or do young girls?
Uh, do men?

Are you saying that they're like women's stockings somehow?
Yes.

Now, if they were hot pink with puppy polka-dots...
:icon_smile_big: You mean like argyle socks? :icon_smile_big:

I can see it now. Next meeting I have, trying to secretly catch other people's trouser legs with my briggs umbrella to expose their illicit suspender-like fetish for all to see. :icon_smile_big:
That's the spirit Rossini :icon_smile_big:

Well, the thread did ask for my thoughts :icon_smile_big:

Go ahead, pile it on! Support your local girly-men.

Cheers,

M8
 
#18 ·
I don't want to exceed the boundaries of good taste so I won't go into detail, but just let me say that as a single man (and I pay the alimony to prove it) who at least attempts to stay active in the dating world, I can definitely think of times when I would not want to be seen in sock suspenders. In my neck of the woods I think I would probably suffer for it. And that's all I'm going to say about that. :icon_smile_big:

Cruiser
 
#19 · (Edited)
Martini, I was very happy to approach your position with a sincere curiosity. But as a result of your comments insinuating that I don't think, occurring simultaneously with your flippant dismissal of my honest and sobre questions, I no longer feel justified in treating you as if you were a gentleman.

You don't make any sense at all, Martini, because you say absolutely nothing of substance. You don't rate logical analysis - it's just too downright silly for that. So I'll ask the question that should've been obviously yours to answer from the start, and I will hope against all probability that you're actually capable of responding to it without an exasperatingly insipid cliche:

What exactly is girly about them?

Do try to keep in mind that it is the antithesis of manliness - that is, it is womanly, not manly - to substitute subjective, self-centered and unsubstantiated comments reeking of provincial simplicity for simple, rational, logical and civil discourse proceeding on the basis of factual statements.

How are they like womens' stockings in any way that OTC socks aren't?

And - care to share a picture of yourself at your best-dressed, Martini?

For the record, I don't own any sock suspenders, but I - in common, I imagine, with any sensible full-grown man - don't see how there could be anything so effeminate about them that those who wear them ought to be subjected to derision. If you really want to change how people regard them, Martini, then I'd suggest mature conversation instead of childish teasing. I'm open to any honest argument you can manage to write.

Far more objectionable than sock-suspenders, spats are becoming popular with a number of prominent rappers. I wonder how Martini might fare telling any of them how effeminate they are to him.
 
#20 ·
I don't want to exceed the boundaries of good taste so I won't go into detail, but just let me say that as a single man (and I pay the alimony to prove it) who at least attempts to stay active in the dating world, I can definitely think of times when I would not want to be seen in sock suspenders. In my neck of the woods I think I would probably suffer for it. And that's all I'm going to say about that. :icon_smile_big:
Cruiser
Agreed. I wear longsocks drom Pantherella and New & Longwood. They stay up without the need for support.
 
#21 ·
Lighten up Mr Silly. You may not agree with M8 but you can't deny him the right to draw a comparison between sock suspenders and women's suspenders if he wants!
 
#22 ·
Martini, I was very happy to approach your position with a sincere curiosity. But as a result of your comments insinuating that I don't think, occurring simultaneously with your flippant dismissal of my honest and sobre questions, I no longer feel justified in treating you as if you were a gentleman.

You don't make any sense at all, Martini, because you say absolutely nothing of substance. You don't rate logical analysis - it's just too downright silly for that. So I'll ask the question that should've been obviously yours to answer from the start, and I will hope against all probability that you're actually capable of responding to it without an exasperatingly insipid cliche:

What exactly is girly about them?

Do try to keep in mind that it is the antithesis of manliness - that is, it is womanly, not manly - to substitute subjective, self-centered and unsubstantiated comments reeking of provincial simplicity for simple, rational, logical and civil discourse proceeding on the basis of factual statements.

How are they like womens' stockings in any way that OTC socks aren't?

And - care to share a picture of yourself at your best-dressed, Martini?

For the record, I don't own any sock suspenders, but I - in common, I imagine, with any sensible full-grown man - don't see how there could be anything so effeminate about them that those who wear them ought to be subjected to derision. If you really want to change how people regard them, Martini, then I'd suggest mature conversation instead of childish teasing. I'm open to any honest argument you can manage to write.

Far more objectionable than sock-suspenders, spats are becoming popular with a number of prominent rappers. I wonder how Martini might fare telling any of them how effeminate they are to him.
He's just having a little fun. While I can see where you can find his comments insulting, take them with a grain of salt and relax(cognac anyone?). As far as the answer to the OP, with socks providers like pantherella that make over the calf socks, I don't think there's any reason to wear sock suspenders, personally. My socks stay up without them(curse of the big calf).
 
#23 ·
I don't want to exceed the boundaries of good taste so I won't go into detail, but just let me say that as a single man (and I pay the alimony to prove it) who at least attempts to stay active in the dating world, I can definitely think of times when I would not want to be seen in sock suspenders. In my neck of the woods I think I would probably suffer for it. And that's all I'm going to say about that. :icon_smile_big:

Cruiser
Real men of the world, unite!

Agreed. I wear longsocks drom Pantherella and New & Longwood. They stay up without the need for support.
And there you have it.

Lighten up Mr Silly. You may not agree with M8 but you can't deny him the right to draw a comparison between sock suspenders and women's suspenders if he wants!
He is rather "silly". Eh?

He's just having a little fun. While I can see where you can find his comments insulting, take them with a grain of salt and relax(cognac anyone?). As far as the answer to the OP, with socks providers like pantherella that make over the calf socks, I don't think there's any reason to wear sock suspenders, personally. My socks stay up without them(curse of the big calf).
That's the spirit. The over-the-calf socks I think are appropriate for suits, dinner jacket, etc.

Cheers,

M8
 
#24 ·
Martini, I was very happy to approach your position with a sincere curiosity. But as a result of your comments insinuating that I don't think, occurring simultaneously with your flippant dismissal of my honest and sobre questions, I no longer feel justified in treating you as if you were a gentleman.

You don't make any sense at all, Martini, because you say absolutely nothing of substance. You don't rate logical analysis - it's just too downright silly for that. So I'll ask the question that should've been obviously yours to answer from the start, and I will hope against all probability that you're actually capable of responding to it without an exasperatingly insipid cliche:

What exactly is girly about them?

Do try to keep in mind that it is the antithesis of manliness - that is, it is womanly, not manly - to substitute subjective, self-centered and unsubstantiated comments reeking of provincial simplicity for simple, rational, logical and civil discourse proceeding on the basis of factual statements.

How are they like womens' stockings in any way that OTC socks aren't?

And - care to share a picture of yourself at your best-dressed, Martini?

For the record, I don't own any sock suspenders, but I - in common, I imagine, with any sensible full-grown man - don't see how there could be anything so effeminate about them that those who wear them ought to be subjected to derision. If you really want to change how people regard them, Martini, then I'd suggest mature conversation instead of childish teasing. I'm open to any honest argument you can manage to write.

Far more objectionable than sock-suspenders, spats are becoming popular with a number of prominent rappers. I wonder how Martini might fare telling any of them how effeminate they are to him.
How are spats objectionable? They're very useful when it is cold outside. Granted, I do not own a pair, but I plan to soon, as the temperature has been steadily dropping.