Mens Style Guide - Suspenders As A Fashion Statement

Suspenders have been used traditionally as a method by which pants are prevented from slipping down and are held in place. They are also normally worn with tuxedos to hold the tuxedo pants in the proper shoe topping position. Periodically over the past few years, suspenders have been utilized to make a fashion statement by both men and women. No matter what the intended use there are suspenders on the market today to fill the need.

Here are a few tips that will make the choosing of this accessory simpler and ensure that the suspenders reflect your casual, sporty or fashionable style.

Connection
How will the suspenders attach to your pants? There are many ways by which suspenders may be attached to the pants including buttons, hooks, snaps, clips and Perry clips. The button attaching suspenders require the pants to have a buttons on the waistband. If the pants have no buttons sew appropriately sized buttons to the waistband. You may want to opt for metal rivet style buttons that are clamped through the fabric of the waistband. Hooks attach to a belt and snaps simply snap onto belt loops. Clips are clipped onto the waistband whereas Perry clips fit onto belts.

Size Selection
Take your height and waist size into consideration when choosing suspenders. Measure from the front waistband, over the shoulder to the back waistband to get the approximate strap length you will require. Suspenders come in various lengths and are adjustable to fit. If the suspenders are advertised to be one size fits all be cautious since this is very often not the case for a comfortable fit.

Strap Width
Strap width varies from wide to 2 wide. The narrower straps are generally associated with the more fashionable suspenders.

Style
Corporate, casual, formal, designer, work, sport, and play; suspenders are available in a wide selection of styles. Each style is designed to perform a specific function. That function may be a simple as holding up pants or it may be to make a fashion statement. There are two strap styles called X and Y. This refers to how the straps appear from the back. Some cross in the back to form an X and others form a Y when the two shoulder straps are joined together into one strap to attach to pants.

Material
Suspenders are made in a variety of materials. Work suspenders may be leather or strong synthetic material whereas formal suspenders come in satin and other eye pleasing fabrics. The use of the suspenders determines the material they are made from.

Color
Suspenders are available in all colors. Fashion suspenders can be multi-colored, sequined and patterned whereas formal suspenders would most likely be non-patterned, solid colors chosen to match the color of the tux or suit they will be worn with. Suspenders are currently made to support causes such as pink for Breast Cancer Awareness.

Suspenders no longer just hold up pants. Suspenders are worn for fashionable fun and to show support for cause. This versatile accessory is a must in any mans wardrobe.