Suspender Buttons: Inside or Outside?

Archéologue · Jul 14, 2008

I have read conflicting information on the web about the placement of
suspender buttons. Those of you who wear button suspenders should
know which is correct. Are they sewn on the inside or the outside of the waist.
I would imagine they would chafe if placed on the inside, but once source
says they should be sewn on the inside, and the suspenders attached there.
Mike

Tomasso · Jul 14, 2008

I've always had them placed on the inside and have never experienced any discomfort.

anon` · Jul 14, 2008

Both are correct, and outside is the older option.

As I understand it, they used to all be outside, as a rule. This was in an era when all men wore waistcoats and one's braces were never sighted. The button, therefore, did not serve to break up the line of the waist and all was well.

As waistcoats began to decline in popularity and it became acceptable to go without one, brace buttons began to migrate to the inside of the waistband, presumably to clear up the look a bit. It is also my understanding that this happened first with the rear pair of buttons--something about catching them on the seat of a car when they were on the outside.

I now own five vintage suits, all of which came with brace buttons and all of which are installed inside the waistband. The trousers that go with my dinner jacket, however, have the forward buttons on the outside, and I believe the rear buttons are on the inside.

dhermann1 · Jul 14, 2008

I've never had a problem with the buttons on the inside. You don't feel them at all. The only trousers I've had with the buttons on the putside were my vintage tuxes.

John in Covina · Jul 14, 2008

I think I have seen inside in front and outside in back on some pants.

Heavy work pants seem to have them on the outside more often.

Not-Bogart13 · Jul 14, 2008

Inside is more versatile, I would think. I was expecting it to be uncomfortable (and it's easy for me to get uncomfortable), but I did not notice them at all.

DerMann · Jul 15, 2008

Just gonna throw in my tuppence, even though most of it has been said.

Braces were always considered underwear, and as such were not seen. Originally the leather ends of braces were covered by waistcoats. As the waistcoat started disappearing from suits, the buttons were moved inside to hide the braces a bit better. Probably more complex that that, but it has all been said before.

When I sewed buttons for braces onto three pair of my trousers, I noticed that the waistband would flop over and the button would be pulled up to the point where it is almost horizontal. This is with the buttons on the inside of the waistband. I tried placing them higher and lower, but it always seemed to flop over. Braces might be a tad tight. I'll try sewing them on the outside next time to see if that helps (logically, it should flop inward, thus not producing an unsightly spot of white). Maybe these trousers just can't work with braces [huh]

anon` · Jul 15, 2008

DerMann said:
When I sewed buttons for braces onto three pair of my trousers, I noticed that the waistband would flop over and the button would be pulled up to the point where it is almost horizontal. This is with the buttons on the inside of the waistband. I tried placing them higher and lower, but it always seemed to flop over. Braces might be a tad tight. I'll try sewing them on the outside next time to see if that helps (logically, it should flop inward, thus not producing an unsightly spot of white). Maybe these trousers just can't work with braces [huh]

I've got a couple pairs of (modern) trousers that do this, and a couple others that don't (also modern). I've often wondered about this, particularly since none of my vintage trousers display similar behaviour. I've always written it down to construction: the older trousers seem to have a more substantial waistband.

Let us know how this goes--I'd be interested to know why, myself.

Archéologue · Jul 15, 2008

I should add to my original post that these are button
suspenders with the small, woven, loop ends rather than
with the leather things. They will be for informal wear.

http://www.rainbowconnection.com/product_info.php/products_id/663

Mike

Baron Kurtz · Jul 15, 2008

DerMann said:
When I sewed buttons for braces onto three pair of my trousers, I noticed that the waistband would flop over and the button would be pulled up to the point where it is almost horizontal. This is with the buttons on the inside of the waistband. I tried placing them higher and lower, but it always seemed to flop over. Braces might be a tad tight. I'll try sewing them on the outside next time to see if that helps (logically, it should flop inward, thus not producing an unsightly spot of white). Maybe these trousers just can't work with braces [huh]

Did you make sure to sew the thread right through to the outside of the trousers fabric?

I remember a discussion from a while back which highlighted many modern trousers only attaching the apron by stitching towards the top of the apron. My (vintage) trousers feature stitching towards the top and bottom of the apron, thus preventing the upwards drag you describe.

bk

charlie farley · Jul 15, 2008

Not-Bogart13 said:
Inside is more versatile, I would think. I was expecting it to be uncomfortable (and it's easy for me to get uncomfortable), but I did not notice them at all.

.
That's a cracker of a lid your wearing in your photo.I like the colour

aliados · Jul 15, 2008

I wear 'em on the outside, but the only slacks with which I used suspenders are loose enough that (a) they need suspenders, and (b) there's plenty of room for the buttons! On tighter slacks, I remove the buttons, because yes, they are annoying!

adamjaskie · Jul 16, 2008

I have two pair of trousers that came with suspender buttons, both fairly mainstream (Lands End and Jos. A. Bank) companies, and both sets are on the inside. They came this way, I didn't ask to have them added. Actually, the Lands End pants I didn't order, they were my fathers, and he didn't want them anymore (navy suit he almost never wore, so he gave the suit to me.) He doesn't have any suspenders, so I assume he didn't special order suspender buttons.

I haven't worn suspenders with them yet, though. One of these days I will pick up a set.

Maguire · Jul 16, 2008

I've noticed my pants tend to have that annoying hike up problem when i wear them with suspenders, yet if i loosen the suspenders a bit they end up too loose. Another thing is i notice that suspenders have a tendency (both outside, inside and clip on) to make your shirt sort of ruffle up towards the bottom leaving the shirt protruding outwards towards the bottom, giving the appearance of a huge gut where it doesn't exist. Is this just the pants and shirt or are the suspenders to blame for being too tight?

I always figured wearing suspenders on the inside was simply a result of the increased popularity of using a belt and one can't wear a belt with suspender buttons in the way, i imagine.

Hemingway Jones · Jul 16, 2008

You can wear a belt with suspender buttons on the outside. It's done all of the time. Pants riding up with properly fitting suspenders is a function of the pants not being tailored harmoniously with their use; high, almost ultra high, rise pants being more condusive toward staying in place and comfortable with braces.

John in Covina · Jul 16, 2008

I am one of those guys that winds up with shirts becoming untucked over time, but when wearing suspenders it seems to take longer for the shirt to untuck itself. I am also long in the body shaped so I usually have to set most braces closer to being "all let out" in their adjustment.

David Conwill · Jul 16, 2008

This thread has inspired me.

I'm going to sew buttons on the insides of my work pants. That way I won't be tempted to wear a belt in the garage and potentially scratch my fenders.

Now, I just need a set of mechanic-grade suspenders.

-Dave

Not-Bogart13 · Jul 16, 2008

charlie farley said:
.
That's a cracker of a lid your wearing in your photo.I like the colour

Thank you sir! That's one of JohnnyPhi's NOS Adam's. A nice cream color, and the ribbon plays with you eyes a bit - is it tan or salmon or ???

Ethan Bentley · Feb 14, 2009

All mine are on the inside - I've only ever had discomfort with one pair. But these I believed had been added at a later date.

Has anyone ever heard any rules about a man having / suspender straps to showing?

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