A Look Into The History Of Suspenders For Men

Posted by Nick Johnson on July 24th, 2019

While the credit of inventing the first modern suspenders goes to Albert Thurston, suspenders were used as “gallus” in France. The modern suspenders for men were invented in 1820. No one knows when “gallus” was born in France. Silk ribbon was used for making the original suspenders and these were available in a wide range of colors and patterns. 

High waisted pants were in fashion at that time. These pants were too high for a belt to hold. Thurston used leather loops to attach suspenders to the pants. 

Travelling peddlers used to sell suspenders to Americans. We can say that suspenders for men were the first ready-to-wear item. 

Before the first world war, suspenders were more popular than belts. Soldiers used to wear yarn belts with their uniforms. When they were returning home after the war, they preferred belts over braces. With the availability of more lightweight clothing, belts almost replaced suspenders for men.   

Considering suspenders as risqué, a town in Long Island even tried to ban suspenders in 1938 allowing to be worn with a coat only. However, the ban was lifted after receiving complaints from residents. 

Back in the late 1920s, doctors used to recommend suspenders to patients having larger stomachs. 

Ralph Richardson, Humphery Bogart and many actors used to wear suspenders. 

Suspenders After World War II 

Suspenders stayed out of trend for decades. The first ready-to-wear item made its comeback in the pop-culture of the 1960s. You can see Malcolm MacDowell wearing suspenders in the movie A Clockwork Orange. British skinheads also adopted suspenders to attach to their blue jeans. Movies and TV shows in the late 1980s associated suspenders with wealth. 

Suspenders In The Modern Times 

Suspenders found no place in the wardrobes of men in the 1990s and early 2000s. However, the presence of suspenders did not go unnoticed in the Punk to Grunge scenes. Fonzworth Bentley and other hip-hop icons introduced and popularized suspenders in the pop-culture.

The preppy look was pushed in the early 20th century. This look was already a wardrobe and lifestyle inspiration for men in the late 1990s. Men with mustaches wearing suspenders were common in bars. 

Even when belts are more popular than suspenders, we cannot say that suspenders are not popular. Though men with age less than 50 prefer wearing belts, they are rediscovering the virtue of suspenders. They have started considering both comfort and sartorial perspectives of wearing suspenders. 

Why Should You Wear Suspenders? 

Suspenders provide comfort and ease of movement. The vertical lines can make you appear slimmer and taller. However, lots of men tend to avoid suspenders thinking that it can affect their looks. Wearing suspenders can draw a lot of attention, especially if you are a younger guy. This might make you feel uncomfortable. However, if you are a confident man, you can wear suspenders. We give you the following reasons for wearing men’s dress suspenders:

More Comfort 

A belt can make you tuck and re-tuck your shirt again and again. On the other hand, when you are wearing suspenders, your trousers are hanging from your shoulders. Your trousers are floating around your waist. Though you need some time to get used to, belts cannot provide the freedom of movement and comfort that are provided by suspenders.    

Vertical Lines 

The two vertical lines suspenders add to your torso are beneficial if you are a short guy or heavyset man. Suspenders can easily make you look taller and slimmer. 

General Nattiness 

First of all, there is an instant style point associated with suspenders. Secondly, suspenders give you an opportunity to accessorize your shirt in terms of pattern and color.    

Modern suspenders come in a wide range of color and style. You can easily shop men’s suspenders that are suitable for your personality.