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After having been asked numerous times about my braces I thought I do a little write up about my lengthy endeavour of finding the right ones.
Standing at 6 foot 7 inches finding properly fitting clothes is always an arduousness for me. Being tall was the reason that drove me towards MTM and eventually bespoke clothing and for that I am somewhat thankful. I'd probably enrobe myself in less than elegant garments if I were able to find everything off the rack.
Recently I bid farewell to all belt loops on future suit commissions and instead decided to go with side tabs. To not lose the perfect trouser break whenever I rise from a chair and to not having to constantly readjust my waistline I also get buttons attached on the inside. Wearing braces not only solves all the aforementioned issues but they also allow me to get my waistband cut a little wider thus more comfort.
Sadly though it is a pain in the Gesäß to find suspenders cut for lengthy giants such as myself. The obvious choice when it comes to braces would be the British with Albert Thurston, quick research also led me to a Dutch web shop called Dutch Dandy aka. Hosentraegerplatz. Thurstons have a length of 115cm, Dutch Dandy offers 110-117cm as well as 130cm at 50% surcharge. I measured myself and I need at least 128cm in some trousers even more, mind you I am 200cm. I don't know how the morbidly obese do it, since they'd require extra length braces, too.
Not willing to pay 90€ for something that is essentially an undergarment meaning it is to never be seen in public anyway, I looked further.
Then I stumbled upon the web presence of Hosentraegerwelt. Their web presence or pricing not nearly as nice as the other above-quoted but it is no geocities either. It's pretty straight forward. In case you didn't get it until now Hosentraeger is simply the German word for braces. (Hose=Trousers, Träger=supporter)
They sell a myriad of products from shirt garters over suspender up to tacky elastic belts and tasteless ties. In their FAQ they claim that all of their 6000 different types of braces are manufactured in Germany in the small town of Halberstadt. Haven't been there but it seems quite nice.
All their braces are fully customizable, meaning you can change the elasticity of the ribbon, the choice and colour of the fixture, clips or flaps, and the leather and metal parts.
Sadly they don't offer Boxcloth suspenders but rather a woven synthetic material on all their braces. But since they are cheap as chips (15€-20€) I figured I give them a shot.
I choose a dark blue pair in Y configuration (16€), 35mm in width, with a stronger band (+2€), silver adjusters with teeth behidn the band (+1€),black leather flaps and a length of 140cm (+1,50€). Price point 20,50€.
http://www.hosentraegerwelt.de/Herr...-zum-Knoepfen/Hosentraeger-2669-826-1017.html
They shipped within one day to me (I happen to also live in Germany).
Unboxing:
Picture of the silver adjusters with the teeth on the back side 1€ surcharge
+ The length is perfect
+ 35mm width is the maximum my dainty body can tolerate; 41mm (Albert Thurston) is too wide, skinny 20-25mm looks hipsterish.
+ They are well made and they were shipped lightning quick.
+ The band is just the right amount of stretchy, neither too heavy nor too thick...
- ...however it is not as soft as felt or box cloth
- The leather flaps are not nearly as nice as those with Thurston and Dutch Dandy. The construction is different (simpler, see unboxing pictures) and thus not as flexible as the ones with the competition. I had to attach two more buttons in the back of my trousers to fit with the flaps so that they wouldn't bow weirdly. No biggie but I will inquire if they will offer a third attachment option in the near future.
I have no affiliation with Hosentraegerwelt.
Cheers
Standing at 6 foot 7 inches finding properly fitting clothes is always an arduousness for me. Being tall was the reason that drove me towards MTM and eventually bespoke clothing and for that I am somewhat thankful. I'd probably enrobe myself in less than elegant garments if I were able to find everything off the rack.
Recently I bid farewell to all belt loops on future suit commissions and instead decided to go with side tabs. To not lose the perfect trouser break whenever I rise from a chair and to not having to constantly readjust my waistline I also get buttons attached on the inside. Wearing braces not only solves all the aforementioned issues but they also allow me to get my waistband cut a little wider thus more comfort.
Source: Hein Strijker
Sadly though it is a pain in the Gesäß to find suspenders cut for lengthy giants such as myself. The obvious choice when it comes to braces would be the British with Albert Thurston, quick research also led me to a Dutch web shop called Dutch Dandy aka. Hosentraegerplatz. Thurstons have a length of 115cm, Dutch Dandy offers 110-117cm as well as 130cm at 50% surcharge. I measured myself and I need at least 128cm in some trousers even more, mind you I am 200cm. I don't know how the morbidly obese do it, since they'd require extra length braces, too.
Not willing to pay 90€ for something that is essentially an undergarment meaning it is to never be seen in public anyway, I looked further.
My braces from the German military were simply to country to be worn with anything but riding breeches.
Then I stumbled upon the web presence of Hosentraegerwelt. Their web presence or pricing not nearly as nice as the other above-quoted but it is no geocities either. It's pretty straight forward. In case you didn't get it until now Hosentraeger is simply the German word for braces. (Hose=Trousers, Träger=supporter)
They sell a myriad of products from shirt garters over suspender up to tacky elastic belts and tasteless ties. In their FAQ they claim that all of their 6000 different types of braces are manufactured in Germany in the small town of Halberstadt. Haven't been there but it seems quite nice.
All their braces are fully customizable, meaning you can change the elasticity of the ribbon, the choice and colour of the fixture, clips or flaps, and the leather and metal parts.
Sadly they don't offer Boxcloth suspenders but rather a woven synthetic material on all their braces. But since they are cheap as chips (15€-20€) I figured I give them a shot.
I choose a dark blue pair in Y configuration (16€), 35mm in width, with a stronger band (+2€), silver adjusters with teeth behidn the band (+1€),black leather flaps and a length of 140cm (+1,50€). Price point 20,50€.
http://www.hosentraegerwelt.de/Herr...-zum-Knoepfen/Hosentraeger-2669-826-1017.html
They shipped within one day to me (I happen to also live in Germany).
Unboxing:
Picture of the silver adjusters with the teeth on the back side 1€ surcharge
Here they are in action:
Review:
Review:
+ The length is perfect
+ 35mm width is the maximum my dainty body can tolerate; 41mm (Albert Thurston) is too wide, skinny 20-25mm looks hipsterish.
+ They are well made and they were shipped lightning quick.
+ The band is just the right amount of stretchy, neither too heavy nor too thick...
- ...however it is not as soft as felt or box cloth
- The leather flaps are not nearly as nice as those with Thurston and Dutch Dandy. The construction is different (simpler, see unboxing pictures) and thus not as flexible as the ones with the competition. I had to attach two more buttons in the back of my trousers to fit with the flaps so that they wouldn't bow weirdly. No biggie but I will inquire if they will offer a third attachment option in the near future.
Final verdict:
They are not as luxurious as Thurstons and James Bond never wore them, but they perform the exact task I was looking for. They are well made, affordable and look good. I will purchase again.
I have no affiliation with Hosentraegerwelt.
Cheers
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