Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I want to know about suspenders (braces) and I'm going for a male look. How 'trendy' are they currently? Is there any difference between men's and women's suspenders? Should I buy the ones fitted for my biological gender? Are they seen more as men's attire or androgynous attire? What's the general fashion advice about H Y X suspender backs. How can I wear suspenders to make my shoulders look wider and my hip narrower? Would two straight lines only contrast with my curves more?

Even if you don't have any advice on how to masculinize with suspenders, but do know how to feminize with suspenders speak up!

I always thought they were like underwear, you should not see them.  They are worn under a suit coat, unless you're a farmer.

clip ends  Iccky, buttons only.  clip end suspenders are equivalent to a clip-on tie.

It seems the rules for how to wear suspenders depends on if you are in a formal or casual situation. Formal environments call for suspenders to be hidden, the button ends kind, worn without the belt and the style and color are not important. With Casual wear all those rules are  thrown out the window. Casually worn suspenders tend to be highly visible as a fashion statement, clip ends, can worn with belts, and can be very colorful depending on the wearers preference.

I know some guys who wear them as a style thing for swing dancing, but other than that I don't see them worn alone much.

fashion statement

This is a fashion statement, and most other fashion statements look equally absurd.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7r4zo28E_R0/TbvFWWoZ86I/AAAAAAAADRI/Vrx7C26qofY/s400/princess-beatrice-wearing-her-royal-wedding-hat.jpg (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7r4zo28E_R0/TbvFWWoZ86I/AAAAAAAADRI/Vrx7C26qofY/s400/princess-beatrice-wearing-her-royal-wedding-hat.jpg)

Bonus points for the eyes that scream "CRAZY' halfway around the world.

I wear suspenders all the time. I've got quite a collection...

And yes, it depends on the context of the outfit. I've got a pair of black button ons that are for formal occasions if I feel like wearing them, but then I also have a plethora of crazy colored ones for casual wear. I usually wear them off my shoulders though.

They're actually pretty in fashion now, from what I've seen. Always go for skinny ones over the standard size though, if you're fashion conscious.

Quote from: Lee on April 30, 2011, 11:21:47 AM
I know some guys who wear them as a style thing for swing dancing, but other than that I don't see them worn alone much.

This... swing dancing and ska shows.  Other than that, the only time I see guys brazenly walking around in suspenders is with shaved heads, white (or camo) t-shirts, baggy blue jeans, and combat boots.  It's a political statement rather than a fashion statement, and I don't think it's a political movement you want to be a part of.

Yeah I haven't seen many suspenders worn alone either. The few times I had, they were worn by girls. The sight of a young women wearing a Y back suspender yesterday is what brought this topic into my head.


...I don't think old fashion suspenders look as crazy as trying to look like a cream colored sailor scout or wedding peach look.

Yeah I really don't want to be part of the skinhead statement. Don't really think I'd fit in though since I'm asian.

Not unless you are going to take them bowling.

Camper Van Beethoven-Take the Skinheads Bowling-The Attic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1UgeOKN1DE#)

Just don't try to buy any in the UK - you'll end up with these instead:

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fthumbs2.ebaystatic.com%2Fm%2FmLwHRYAEXs_xSODP47voQLg%2F140.jpg&hash=651aba5162e8fc600708062c572cfcf633069109)

We call the keep-your-trousers-up kind "braces" over here :). I think they look good on men, I've worn some paisley ones myself before now.

Quote from: TreyLeeGamer on April 30, 2011, 10:57:24 AM
I want to know about suspenders (braces) and I'm going for a male look.

I did put braces in ()'s, but yeah not going for those. The differences between the UK and US wording never fails to amuse me like the pants and trousers example.

I'm mostly concern about what suspenders will do for my shoulder hip waist ratio. I think they will make me look taller, and either make my shoulders look wider (do want) or make my curves more obvious (do not want).

Maybe it's the area I live in, but the only young people I see wearing suspenders are metro guys and fashionable girls. Never skinheads.

It probably depends on how you wear them too. Obviously wearing them with army boots and camo makes a different statement than with v necks and converse.

I think they look good on men

So did Susan Sarandon in Bull Durham.

Quote from: TreyLeeGamer on April 30, 2011, 11:35:56 AM
Yeah I really don't want to be part of the skinhead statement. Don't really think I'd fit in though since I'm asian.

So it may not be politically correct, but that statement (as well as Padma's pictorial elucidation of trans-Atlantic undergarments) just gave me a badly needed laugh... thank you!  :laugh:

Just as there are language differences, there are definitely regional differences.  My experience that I mentioned above was here in Denver, but it could be very different wherever you are!  My opinion is that you find out how it is in your area and then do what makes you happy.  If you get comments or stares that make you uncomfortable, then stop.  Otherwise, be yourself.  :)

Quote from: JungianZoe on April 30, 2011, 12:16:24 PM
My experience that I mentioned above was here in Denver

Really?  I've never noticed anyone like that.

Quote from: Lee on April 30, 2011, 12:22:38 PM
Really?  I've never noticed anyone like that.

Definitely was around the time I graduated high school (like 15 years ago).  Now that you mention it, I don't see it much anymore... OMG, how time flies.  :laugh: 

I'm happy to bring some laughter into your day.

I believe that the places I live and frequent are very accepting of various fashions so I'm not too worried. Of course I'm in college right now which might explain things.  I'm leaning to the Y back suspenders since I think they'd make my shoulders look wider. I don't really know if they will though.

I went to a ska festival the other day, lots of bovver boys - who always wore braces as well as Ben Sherman shirts, rolled up jeans and Doc Martins.

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.london60sweek.co.uk%2FImages%2F1969%2520skinheads.jpg&hash=07a90bafd5cb169972407afa52b68eddc5804d21)

And of course the Doctor now wears braces (and shirt and boots and rolled up jeans - he's a bovver boy in a bow tie)

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F27.media.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lbfllnLMIF1qeyvp7o1_500.jpg&hash=4c27e78022e25ad19868b5a333a21ef3864ca6cd)

I have a pink and black pair and matching tie - with a black shirt, ready for dancin'

Quote from: tekla on April 30, 2011, 11:31:46 AM
fashion statement

This is a fashion statement, and most other fashion statements look equally absurd.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7r4zo28E_R0/TbvFWWoZ86I/AAAAAAAADRI/Vrx7C26qofY/s400/princess-beatrice-wearing-her-royal-wedding-hat.jpg (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7r4zo28E_R0/TbvFWWoZ86I/AAAAAAAADRI/Vrx7C26qofY/s400/princess-beatrice-wearing-her-royal-wedding-hat.jpg)

Bonus points for the eyes that scream "CRAZY' halfway around the world.

Well, she is inbred.

I wear suspenders (formally and casually) and can sort of give you my opinions and insights into them. Keep in mind that my fashion sense is a bit more 1890s than 1950s or modern day. Formally I wear dress pants with button-in Y back suspenders (black) under a vest or jacket. Wearing the same pair casually I may wear them off the shoulders, or over a dress shirt. I always sew my buttons into the inside of my waistband, never the outside. Necessity required I buy another pair recently, and I decided to go for some gray clip-on X back. I wore them casually under a T-shirt -- which I don't recommend, if you're anything but flat they will accentuate the difference between your chest and stomach. I also wore them more formally under a vest. I saw a guy wearing clip-on X backs with just a dress shirt, and he looked perfectly fine for the event. While I prefer the Y back, I mostly see men wearing X backs. I would tend to think an H back would be a big no-no.

Yeah, leave H-backs to lederhosen, not in casual use.

Must admit my first reaction was the same as Padma's.   I never wore them myself,  belts are a lot more practical I think.
The British Police apparently fixed the bovver boys by confiscating their braces and their belts. (they wore both) Hard to fight and hold your trousers up at the same time! :laugh:
Karen.

Quote from: justmeinoz on May 04, 2011, 12:16:05 AM
The British Police apparently fixed the bovver boys by confiscating their braces and their belts.

I just got an image of police neutering their captives, and I must admit... I laughed.  :eusa_dance: