How to wear suspenders?

Paul Stuart

I love suspenders and have been using them on and off since i was about 10 years old, I think they are a fun accessory that can impact your style and make it even more individual. Recently Brooke, my wife started using some of my suspenders (which BTW looked really cool) and that inspired me to write this post.
Historically the Suspenders were used for about 300 years but the modern type we all know was invented in 1822 by Albert Thurston and just almost any other item they were created with a specific purpose which was to hold up one's trousers and also keep the shirt in place. But after WWI (again this horrible war had such an impact on the fashion world...its crazy) the belt took over that specific job and since than the suspenders come in and out of fashion. In traditional fashion and old school books the suspenders (which BTW are called Braces in the UK), were actually considered to be an underwear worn under a vest and not shown,  they were meant to be worn with high waist trousers and buttoned to the inside or outside waistband (when buttoned they are more secure and less likely to damage the pants fabric) and absolutely without a belt!(Since both serves the same purpose there is no need to double up...) while the clip-on version was used only for working uniform. 

Over the years modern life and fashion styles had their share of influences, pants styles become more fitted and hugging the waist while the actual waistband drooped to around the hip rather the physical waist (generally nowadays they don't even have the buttons for the suspenders anyway which made the clip on versions more popular and useful) turning suspenders into a style accessory rather than a necessity while different class groups used them as a staple item of their style, whether be it the upper class wall-street guy  who wears a wide buttoned suspenders over a light blue spread collar dress shirt and gold cuff links, the gangster type man who has them under his pimp suit or the the British punk skinhead who wears a thinner (around 1") clipped on version in colors and patterns.

All that leads to the big question of - 
HOW SHOULD YOU WERE SUSPENDERS?
In short my answer is simply it's up to you! Don't be afraid to use
them and add a shot of color and edge to your style. I started this blog with the intention of inspiring you to dress while creating your own style which means use what ever is out there and make it your own, yes there are dress codes that you can follow (which BTW is fine as long as you are comfortable with it) but that does not mean that you can't be creative. So whether you need the suspenders to flatter your business or black tie suits or to funk up your casual look here are few options and suggestions to inspire your style:
Business wall street style or black tie! The classic wide suspenders buttoned into the pants with no belt, choose a bold pattern or color to make a statement:

Punk rock skinhead inspired! skinnier versions worn with jeans and Dr. Martens over a T and your tattoos....

The preppy Dandy! - Mix a load print suspenders with a bow tie and/or a beret.

The casual cool man with an eye for a style, here there are no rules, wear them over a buttoned down shirt, mix colors and patterns, add a hat which is always a great complimentary to suspenders....

on suspenders.com you will find  nice variety

Oh BTW.....do be shy of just let them hang on your waist!