Help me find buttoned suspender / braces pants.
December 21, 2011 11:04 AM Subscribe
Where can I find mens' trousers that have buttons for suspenders/braces?
I work in a semi-formal university environment. My wardrobe is typically a trouser or chino, button down shirt, and sport coat in the cooler months. Occasionally, a tie. I'd like to dabble in suspenders/braces, but I HATE the look of clip-on suspenders, so I need a pair or trousers that meets the following criteria...
- has buttons inside the waistband for suspenders
- preferably no belt loops, as they would be redundant
- versatile fabric (e.g. wool). No polyester.
- under US$100
Can't seem to scare anything up with the google. Anyone have a recommendation?
I work in a semi-formal university environment. My wardrobe is typically a trouser or chino, button down shirt, and sport coat in the cooler months. Occasionally, a tie. I'd like to dabble in suspenders/braces, but I HATE the look of clip-on suspenders, so I need a pair or trousers that meets the following criteria...
- has buttons inside the waistband for suspenders
- preferably no belt loops, as they would be redundant
- versatile fabric (e.g. wool). No polyester.
- under US$100
Can't seem to scare anything up with the google. Anyone have a recommendation?
If you buy trousers somewhere that they come un-hemmed and are hemmed in-house by the tailor, they can usually add the suspender buttons.
I suspect you can have them remove the belt loops, too, but it's not totally necessary—I have to quote here from one of my favorite movies, Billy Wilder's Ace in the Hole: "I've done a lot of lying in my time. I've lied to men who wear belts. I've lied to men who wear suspenders. But I'd never be so stupid as to lie to a man who wears both belt and suspenders."
posted by enn at 11:10 AM on December 21, 2011
I suspect you can have them remove the belt loops, too, but it's not totally necessary—I have to quote here from one of my favorite movies, Billy Wilder's Ace in the Hole: "I've done a lot of lying in my time. I've lied to men who wear belts. I've lied to men who wear suspenders. But I'd never be so stupid as to lie to a man who wears both belt and suspenders."
posted by enn at 11:10 AM on December 21, 2011
Seconding that a tailor or any dey cleaner / alterationist will easily (and cheaply) install them.
posted by rossination at 11:32 AM on December 21, 2011
posted by rossination at 11:32 AM on December 21, 2011
Best answer: Keep your eye on Sierra Trading Post for deals. Nothing is jumping out at me right now, but good deals on good quality clothing show up on there frequently. The Incotex brand in particular is very good. Hickey Freeman is good. Corbin can be good depending on the model. Avoid "Lauren" by Ralph Lauren, it's the cheaper line from RL and I don't believe they have suspender buttons. But regular line Polo would be good. Just google the brand name to find more info, or check someplace like styleforum.net. You'll likely need to have your tailor remove the belt loops.
Speaking of styleforum.net, their classified section would be another place to look. And if you are really patient, eBay is a good source too. Put This On put out a list of brands to lookout for on eBay.
posted by mullacc at 11:33 AM on December 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
Speaking of styleforum.net, their classified section would be another place to look. And if you are really patient, eBay is a good source too. Put This On put out a list of brands to lookout for on eBay.
posted by mullacc at 11:33 AM on December 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Since most men's pants are tailored for length, the tailor can also add suspender buttons. Or you can attach your own with logger buttons. Or you can buy suspenders with clamps instead of the ones that require buttons.
Shop Style
And if you're going for a dapper look, here's a great blog for styling with your suspenders, er braces.
Vauxhalls
Darcy Clothing
posted by shoesietart at 11:35 AM on December 21, 2011
Shop Style
And if you're going for a dapper look, here's a great blog for styling with your suspenders, er braces.
Vauxhalls
Darcy Clothing
posted by shoesietart at 11:35 AM on December 21, 2011
I think Jos A Bank and Lands End pants come with suspender buttons too, but you should call to check.
posted by mullacc at 11:39 AM on December 21, 2011
posted by mullacc at 11:39 AM on December 21, 2011
Sorry, I overlooked your comment re clip-ons.
posted by shoesietart at 11:41 AM on December 21, 2011
posted by shoesietart at 11:41 AM on December 21, 2011
I removed the belt loops and sewed suspender bottons onto a pair of pants myself. It took me maybe 1/2 - 2 hours, and was a perfect vegging in front of the TV activity. There are multiple Youtube videos showing you how to sew on buttons, it's no big deal. Just be sure to use nice strong thread (Gütermann is good stuff.)
posted by usonian at 12:41 PM on December 21, 2011
posted by usonian at 12:41 PM on December 21, 2011
Best answer: Most of the dress pants at Joe Banks all have these. The more casual one do not.
Adding the buttons is trivial; most dry cleaners can add them for a few bucks to any pair of pants. If you want no belt loops you will probably have to have them removed. Again, just a few bucks at a dry cleaner or get yourself a seam ripper and have at it..
posted by caddis at 1:27 PM on December 21, 2011
Adding the buttons is trivial; most dry cleaners can add them for a few bucks to any pair of pants. If you want no belt loops you will probably have to have them removed. Again, just a few bucks at a dry cleaner or get yourself a seam ripper and have at it..
posted by caddis at 1:27 PM on December 21, 2011
Best answer: If you're anywhere near a Men's Wearhouse, they will add buttons for suspenders/braces for you if you ask.
posted by brianogilvie at 2:24 PM on December 21, 2011
posted by brianogilvie at 2:24 PM on December 21, 2011
I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "dabbling" in suspenders. While I decry how much of men's clothing talk is centered around what is "proper", I must say that properly, trousers for wear with suspenders are a bit different from those for wear with a belt (and let's not even get into side tabs).
So really, what do you mean by "dabbling"? I suspect the answer that will serve you best is what others have said, that the buttons can be easily installed. You mentioned that you'd like trousers without belt loops because that would be redundant, which at least means your "dabbling" will be that some trousers are for belts and some are for suspenders rather than having some overlap. Unfortunately, depending on the particular trouser, removing the belt loops might not look so great. And I'd say wearing suspenders with trousers having belt loops looks odd — not wrong like also including a belt, but odd. (This from a man whose shirts almost all have convertible cuffs, but that's considerably more subtle.)
So unless you happen to be a very lucky and skilled thrifter, that might make your best bet having trousers made for you. And if you manage to find quality in that arena at under $100 a pop, let me know.
posted by cardioid at 7:19 PM on December 21, 2011
So really, what do you mean by "dabbling"? I suspect the answer that will serve you best is what others have said, that the buttons can be easily installed. You mentioned that you'd like trousers without belt loops because that would be redundant, which at least means your "dabbling" will be that some trousers are for belts and some are for suspenders rather than having some overlap. Unfortunately, depending on the particular trouser, removing the belt loops might not look so great. And I'd say wearing suspenders with trousers having belt loops looks odd — not wrong like also including a belt, but odd. (This from a man whose shirts almost all have convertible cuffs, but that's considerably more subtle.)
So unless you happen to be a very lucky and skilled thrifter, that might make your best bet having trousers made for you. And if you manage to find quality in that arena at under $100 a pop, let me know.
posted by cardioid at 7:19 PM on December 21, 2011
The last time I bought trousers at Nordstrom, they didn't charge extra for the suspender buttons.
posted by Bruce H. at 8:05 PM on December 21, 2011
posted by Bruce H. at 8:05 PM on December 21, 2011
My SO has worn braces/suspenders for over ten years, and also dislikes the look of snap-on braces. He sews buttons into all of his trousers, formal or casual.
posted by jb at 9:56 PM on December 21, 2011
posted by jb at 9:56 PM on December 21, 2011
I've never bought a pair of pants with the buttons for braces already there.
Back in the 80s, when such things were acceptable in the workplace, I took my pants to a tailor, who sewed them in.
As a Gentleman, you should have a tailor you trust for tasks such as these.
posted by Argyle at 10:24 PM on December 21, 2011
Back in the 80s, when such things were acceptable in the workplace, I took my pants to a tailor, who sewed them in.
As a Gentleman, you should have a tailor you trust for tasks such as these.
posted by Argyle at 10:24 PM on December 21, 2011
Best answer: Yeah ... trivial ... learn how to sew a button and remove the belt hoops with a seam ripper, or don't, as you choose.
Paying someone to do this is up there with paying someone to check your oil level or polish your shoes.
posted by jannw at 3:26 AM on December 22, 2011
Paying someone to do this is up there with paying someone to check your oil level or polish your shoes.
posted by jannw at 3:26 AM on December 22, 2011
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I'd just look for pants you like and have the buttons added later.
posted by bswinburn at 11:06 AM on December 21, 2011 [3 favorites]