Braces with Slacks?

Queue · Dec 27, 2009

I am 24 and will be starting my first real job next week (I finished my Masters in July and worked retail from May through a couple weeks ago). As a Christmas gift my parents took me shopping for some professional clothes to add onto a rather small collection I have at present. I got a couple pairs of slacks, some beautiful shoes, a few ties, a couple button down shirts, a sweater and a truly beautiful pair of shoes. When I have had occasion to dress up, not much call to do so working at a mall, I have come to prefer braces over belts.

My question for you is a follows: would be appropriate to wear braces with these--or for that matter any--slacks assuming one also wears a waistcoat/sweater/&c to cover them up?

Thank you all in advance.

HoundstoothLuke · Dec 27, 2009

Entirely acceptable. I can't see any reason why it would be wrong to wear braces instead of a belt. Although my only advice would be to wear a waistcoat instead of a sweater when wearing braces, as it will be quite easier to be able to perform certain-ahem- bodily functions

.

MisterGrey · Dec 27, 2009

This is the one area where braces become a supreme disadvantage. I know from experience that it is rather uncomfortable and logistically awkward to use a public or workplace toilet while wearing braces.

Tomasso · Dec 27, 2009

MisterGrey said:
it is rather uncomfortable and logistically awkward to use a public or workplace toilet while wearing braces.

How so? [huh]

Carlisle Blues · Dec 27, 2009

MisterGrey said:
This is the one area where braces become a supreme disadvantage. I know from experience that it is rather uncomfortable and logistically awkward to use a public or workplace toilet while wearing braces.

worthlesswithoutpics

I do not understand your position.....[huh] [huh]

davestlouis · Dec 27, 2009

good grief, I see this thread going bad places...

Carlisle Blues · Dec 27, 2009

^^^

Oh lighten up....

Removal of braces seems to be a very simple operation. I do not understand the difficulty the poster has encountered.

davestlouis · Dec 27, 2009

only issue I see is if the floor's , ahem, wet, then they'll havea tendency to drag. To be fair, if the floor's wet, I'd look for another washroom anyway or just hold it.

Queue · Dec 27, 2009

I think the reply was more meant that having to remove a sweater then one's trousers is just a bit of a hassle when nature calls. That being said I've never found this much of a problem.

resortes805 · Dec 28, 2009

MisterGrey said:
This is the one area where braces become a supreme disadvantage. I know from experience that it is rather uncomfortable and logistically awkward to use a public or workplace toilet while wearing braces.

This is only a problem if you are wearing a vest; or worst, a pullover sweater. Then ya' gotta start removing garments to do your business.

JimWagner · Dec 28, 2009

Many stalls have coat hooks on the inside of the door. Just hang what you have to remove there. No problems. Yes, it takes an extra step or two, but it's just not that big of a deal. Gives you a chance to get everything straightened out again afterward.

Bugsy · Dec 28, 2009

Queue said:
I am 24 and will be starting my first real job next week (I finished my Masters in July and worked retail from May through a couple weeks ago). As a Christmas gift my parents took me shopping for some professional clothes to add onto a rather small collection I have at present. I got a couple pairs of slacks, some beautiful shoes, a few ties, a couple button down shirts, a sweater and a truly beautiful pair of shoes. When I have had occasion to dress up, not much call to do so working at a mall, I have come to prefer braces over belts.

My question for you is a follows: would be appropriate to wear braces with these--or for that matter any--slacks assuming one also wears a waistcoat/sweater/&c to cover them up?

Thank you all in advance.

As a matter of course these days, whenever I buy a pair of trousers, I always have the buttons added for braces so I can wear either those or a belt, depending on my mood. I much prefer braces. I think that's perfectly appropriate.

As for the discussion about going to the bathroom, what's to worry about?? You remove your jacket or sweater, slip the braces from your shoulders (you don't even have to unfasten them from you trousers), do your thing, and put yourself back together. It's not like you're going to the toilet every fifteen minutes either. I wear braces all the time with waistcoats, sweaters, suits, etc. No problem at all. As a matter of fact, I admire that you're even considering wearing braces to work. Congratulations; you show incredible taste. :eusa_clap

And BTW, good luck on the new job.
Best,
Roy

HoundstoothLuke · Dec 28, 2009

resortes805 said:
This is only a problem if you are wearing a vest; or worst, a pullover sweater. Then ya' gotta start removing garments to do your business.

That's what I meant. The hassle of removing several different layers when you really need to go!

Carlisle Blues · Dec 28, 2009

Bugsy said:
As a matter of course these days, whenever I buy a pair of trousers, I always have the buttons added for braces so I can wear either those or a belt, depending on my mood. I much prefer braces.

And BTW, good luck on the new job.
Best,
Roy

I do the same....

scotrace · Dec 28, 2009

I'm wondering at the origins of the question. Curiosity: Why would you question the appropriateness of wearing braces with your trousers?

Queue · Dec 28, 2009

scotrace said:
I'm wondering at the origins of the question. Curiosity: Why would you question the appropriateness of wearing braces with your trousers?

For Christmas my parents took me shopping for some work-type clothes because I'm somewhat lacking in that respect. I was saying to them that I wanted to get buttons put on my slacks for braces and was informed that braces were more appropriate with a suit (I think my dad said 'when one's wearing a jacket') and were more or less inappropriate on slacks. This didn't make much sense to me so I came here to ask.

dnjan · Dec 28, 2009

Assuming that the weather eventually warms, and also assuming that one works in a non-airconditioned building:

If standard attire is shirt and slacks (no jacket), would braces be acceptable (since they will be visible)?

Feraud · Dec 28, 2009

Queue said:
For Christmas my parents took me shopping for some work-type clothes because I'm somewhat lacking in that respect. I was saying to them that I wanted to get buttons put on my slacks for braces and was informed that braces were more appropriate with a suit (I think my dad said 'when one's wearing a jacket') and were more or less inappropriate on slacks. This didn't make much sense to me so I came here to ask.

I don't think braces are inappropriate with slacks or considered an undergarment that should not be seen.

A better question to consider is are they acceptable at your workplace? Consider your place of employment and their dress code. Dress accordingly, proper, and professional. You are there to work and not express your personal style.

Methuselah · Dec 28, 2009

I'd say yes, as they are far more comfortable than braces, form follows function.

You'll cop some flack from ignorant co-workers though, but you will if you had braces on show with suit trousers too.

Look at it as character building, and after a couple of days braces will be accepted as part of your 'look', so go for it I say!

Torpedo · Dec 28, 2009

Methuselah said:
I'd say yes, as they are far more comfortable than braces, form follows function.

You'll cop some flack from ignorant co-workers though, but you will if you had braces on show with suit trousers too.

Look at it as character building, and after a couple of days braces will be accepted as part of your 'look', so go for it I say!

I am more or less at his stage now. I have begun to wear braces this winter, both with suits and with odd trousers. Up to now, I only use them under a waistcoat, which I do not remove, but, depending on the waistcoat's cut, the braces are partly visible, at the shoulder area, so people has begun to notice and remark upon; also, if I undo the waistcoat buttons (which sometimes I have to do, because the office is sometimes too heated) the braces show occassionally.

So, I guess when warmer temperatures arrive and I have to discard waistcoats, my wearing of braces will not be so "shocking".

Braces with Slacks?

Familiar Face

Familiar Face

Practically Family

Incurably Addicted

My Mail is Forwarded Here

Practically Family

My Mail is Forwarded Here

Practically Family

Familiar Face

Call Me a Cab

Practically Family

One Too Many

Familiar Face

My Mail is Forwarded Here

Head Bartender

Familiar Face

One Too Many

One of the Regulars

One Too Many

Similar threads

Log in

Forum statistics