How do you wear braces best? Bretels.nl has everything lined up for you.

There are many questions to consider when wearing suspenders. How should they be worn for your body type? What is the best width for your figure? Where should the braces sit when you are standing? How do you place buttons in your pants? Consider emulating Jort Kelder’s style. Is it best to wear loops or clips on your pants? What color suspenders look best? For that reason, we have collected and answered all the questions.

You will find all the answers below, in our Bretels.nl lexicon.

We cover a variety of topics and provide answers below. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us by phone or email. We are here to help. Topics and questions covered in this piece include:

Table of contents:

• 1. Do I wear my suspenders with loops or with clips?
  • 1.1 Where do I place the buttons for the loops on my pants?
  • 1.2. Do I wear the buttons (for the loops) on the inside or outside of the trousers?
• 2. At what height do I wear the adjusters of my braces?
  • 2.1 What are setters
  • 2.2. What is the ideal height?
  • 2.3 Example
  • 2.4 Video
• 3. What color suspenders should I wear?
• 4. Can I wear my belt and suspenders at the same time?
• 5. Sizing
  • 5.1. What length should I purchase?
  • 5.2. Loops give an extra centimeter
  • 5.3. What width should I purchase?
• 6. The only rule: there are no rules

1. Do I wear suspenders with loops or with clips on my pants?

We advise to always wear the braces with loops (and therefore also with buttons, to attach the loops) on the trousers or pants. As you can see in the example below. If you prefer to wear them with clips, that is of course fine. Why is it better to wear loops than clips? We give you three reasons:

The looped variant is more interesting to look at, with more attention to detail
The loop version prevents your trousers from being pulled out of alignment at one point
The loop version prevents damage to your trousers due to the sharp edges on the clips

And in case you really don't want loops, no worries: with the brands Profuomo , Albert Thurston and Hein Strijker we always supply clips. So you can always choose how you prefer to wear the suspenders. In addition, we have various models that are only supplied with clips.

What type of braces do you want to purchase?

Black suspenders

Brown suspenders

Braces with clips

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1.2. Do I place the buttons on the inside or outside of the trouser waistband?

You can place the buttons for braces on both the inside and the outside of your trousers, but the inside is more common. Originally (a way back) the buttons were placed on the outside. But nowadays it is most common to place the buttons on the inside of the trouser band. See both examples below for an impression and then make your own choice

Example 1: Buttons on the inside of the trousers

Example 2: buttons on the outside of the trousers

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2. At what height do I wear the adjusters of my braces?

2.1 What are setters?

Adjusters are the sliders on the straps (often at chest height) used to adjust the length of the suspenders.

2.2 What is the ideal height for rackers?

There is no ideal height, because ideal is the height at which you find the suspenders most comfortable. But if you have to speak of an ideal height for the suspenders to wear, then it is between your navel and collarbone. Because what you do not want is for the suspenders - so to speak - to sit at the ear (on top of your shoulders) or hang against the trousers at the bottom of your stomach. There are many possibilities in between.

2.3. An example of the setters height

2.4 Summary:

• Ideally, you should wear braces on the straps between your navel and collarbone.
• There are many people who wear it lower. Just as there are many people who wear it higher. It's all possible.

2.5 Video: Adjusting the length

Watch the video below with an explanation of how to adjust the length using adjusters. Please note that our Roel wears a tailored trouser that is considerably higher-waisted than the waist, which is why the adjusters sit relatively high. With normal trousers, the adjusters sit a lot lower.

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3. What color suspenders should I wear?

If you are wondering what color braces to wear with what color shirt and pants, there are few rules. Braces wearers are free spirits, do what you like and what makes you feel good. If we may give a few suggestions, they are the following:

• The color of the leather (the loops on your trousers and the triangle on your back) is best matched to the color of your shoes. For brown loafers or brogues, look for brown leather in the suspenders. For black leather shoes, take suspenders with black colored leather. Colored leather types (such as white leather, pink leather, blue leather and green leather) can be worn with anything.
• The color of the suspender band is preferably not the same as that of the shirt, you would rather look for a contrast. But in harmony with the rest of your ensemble. For example, on a light blue shirt you do not wear light blue suspenders, but rather the dark blue variants.
• Oh yes, with a tuxedo you preferably wear (off) white suspenders.

Also take a look at our colored braces section for the colorful variants.

4. Can I wear a belt and suspenders at the same time?

No: never wear the belt and the suspenders at the same time. Unless you have an overdose of self-confidence and you like bad combinations :-).

Video: What are braces.

5. Sizing

5.1 What length should I purchase?

Many men wonder what length braces they can best wear. The answer to this is that on average this does not matter that much, unless you are a bit taller or thicker than average. In that case it is wise to buy the larger sizes and lengths. Often it remains a matter of trying (which size fits best and most comfortably). In our webshop you will find the following lengths:

• 110 cm (the original Mediterranean size, only a few Hein Strijkers carry this size)
• 115 cm (Wool & Water models)
• 117 cm (Hein Strijker and Albert Thurston)
• 120 cm (Profuomo, Michaelis and Henri Rouseau)
• 130 cm (Michaelis and Henri Rouseau)
• 150 cm+ Extra long suspenders (Daspartout)

For your convenience, we have created a table in which we roughly compare the different body lengths and postures with the length measurements. This is a rough indication, of course there are always exceptions. Are you in doubt? Feel free to call or email us for some additional text and explanation .

For example, this is Hendrik. He is 1.82 meters and weighs 73 kilos. He wears suspenders of 110 centimeters. Then you have a good idea where the clips are with this size.

5.2 Tip: Use loops to create an extra centimeter of length

If you are going to wear suspenders with loops, you will create an extra centimeter of length compared to wearing clips. That extra centimeter can be decisive in the doubtful cases. So if you are in doubt about whether they are long enough: use loops.

5.3 What width should I wear?

There are no rules for the width of the braces. However, it is good to realize that the thicker the model of the braces, the thicker you will look. So if you want to look slim, choose the narrower versions. In our webshop you will find the following widths:

• 2.5 cm (narrow)
• 3.4 to 3.6 cm (normal)
• 4.0 cm (nice and wide, Wall Street look)

6. The only rule: no rules.

Once upon a time, you hid your suspenders, a long time ago. They were practical things to hold up your pants and they were covered by a jacket or sweater. And worn by paupers and plebs. But times have changed. The suspender may be seen again. In fact. You no longer wear them to hold up your pants, but to say something with them. To tell your own story. Suspenders have become a statement, as a showcase of character. Wear them with your chest out and a big smile on your face. We support you with beautiful models.

And don't worry about any rules.

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