Should One Wear Braces?

When is it appropriate to wear braces?

Whenever you're wearing trousers that you don't want to fall down.

Eons ago I used to wear em 1/2" style like these geezers....but that's probably not the kind of braces yer referring to.

I think they are best worn with suits (and almost required for semi- and full formal dress).

Adopt the FDR policy: braces should be functional, but not necessarily visible.

Originally Posted by AlanC

Click to expand...

Whenever you're wearing trousers that you don't want to fall down.

Originally Posted by Margaret

Click to expand...

Adopt the FDR policy: braces should be functional, but not necessarily visible.
Haha. So bad, but so good.

Originally Posted by kcgreg

Click to expand...

When is it appropriate to wear braces?

suspenders are like tattoos. if you have to ask someone's opinion, they're not for you.

Originally Posted by matadorpoeta

Click to expand...

suspenders are like tattoos. if you have to ask someone's opinion, they're not for you.

I used to wear braces even with short sleeve shirts in Europe. Having been settled in New Zealand now for over seven years - I sort of stopped wearing them and of course having learnt alot from the forum here, I thought it was appropriate to find out exactly when we should wear them, whether it was fashionable etc. So in short - you are right. I'll put mine on straight away.

Whatever I'd say, Get Smart would say it better.
That's what braces are to me, anyway.

I'm considering wearing some with my three piece suit since it lacks belt loops or side adjustment buttons/buckles. But then again, it may not feel right since it's cut with a slightly lower rise than a traditional trouser. I agree with whoopee about them being necessary for formal wear, however you have to make sure they button in. Don't use those gaudy clip-on ones, they never seem to fit right. I did at my prom back in high school, and ended up removing them ten minutes in since the straps slipped out of my vest so often. I had adjusted them properly and everything, so I have no idea why they refused to cooperate. It was like wearing a bra with a tank top to me.

I wear them most of the time. I'm wearing them now. I even have a pair of khakis with suspender buttons. (American suspenders) I would not wear them with a short-sleeve shirt unless it was a t-shirt and I was trying to affect the look of a manual laborer (dare I say--farmer?) from a different century.

Is it ok to wear braces with chinos and a shirt? My chinos only have belt loops so i would have to clip the brace onto the chinos.
Is this a faux pas?

Never with a belt or a cummerbund. Otherwise when every they are needed to keep your trousers from falling down.

Also remember the metal hinges should be below chest height to avoid blinding people - I can remember my dad telling me that.

Originally Posted by AlanC

Click to expand...

Whenever you're wearing trousers that you don't want to fall down.

... unless you are already wearing a belt. (There's nothing sillier than the belt & braces approach!)

white tie or dinner jacket ... you gotta!

There's one kind of braces that doesn't get much press but can be pretty spiffy if you do it right ... what I'll call Lumberman's Braces. They're heavy-duty and most typically bright red, and can look great with work clothes. ... here's what I mean: http://www.filson.com/product/index....entPage=family