Brace/Suspender and crotch discomfort

[CrimmyS]

I've started wearing Y (button) and holster (clip) braces casually for the last 6 weeks or so. My only other experience with them was a few years ago with bespoke pants, very infrequently.

I've noticed enough discomfort in my crotch area to be distracting. Gets worse any time I bend or sit, and squatting can be very uncomfortable. Need to pull pants down upon standing.

When I ease the tension it helps, but doesn't remedy it. And the braces slip off my shoulders very easily.

Specifically in the mirror it seems like there's more tension on the back, and it's pulling my pants up against my crotch.

Is this just how it is for some guys? Is it related to the way the pants are made (lower waisted pants)? Or related to the braces?

For reference I'm typically wearing jeans with stretch, and the braces have stretch too. My nicer pair of silk dress braces and dress pants (and preciously bespoke pants) also have this crotch issue.

 

[ValidusLA]

I am going to assume you are wearing low or mid low rise trousers?

Sounds like the braces are pulling trousers up above the rise they are cut to and becoming uncomfortable.

Shouldn't be an issue with mid-high or high rise trousers.

 

[CrimmyS]

there we go, that was the word I was looking for.

Yes, probably low to mid rise.

I guess I don't quite understand how high rise would help though, if lengthening the straps doesn't.

 

[ValidusLA]

Braces by definition should be snug. They should be keeping your trousers up - so they will be pulling them up to some degree.

Before I accepted the superiority of midhigh and high rise trousers, I had many pairs made in mid and even low rise. I have never had braces feel comfortable and lie in position with midlow or low rise trousers.

 

[maxalex]

LBJ on a recorded phone call to trouser maker Joe Haggar:

“Now, another thing: the crotch, down where your nuts hang, is always a little too tight. So when you make them up, give me a inch that I can let out there, because they cut me. They're just like riding a wire fence.”

I’m no LBJ, but in my experience more room in the crotch will make braces more comfortable.

 

[CrimmyS]

Thanks.



Glad to hear higher rise pants work better for some. Personally I don't see how rise itself matters though. Since you can just lengthen the straps. Wherever the rise is, the tension must come from either the pants being heavy enough to keep the straps in place, or the pants being pulled against something (muh sack).



Maybe there's another component to high rise pants that alleviates this a little? Maybe it's just the design of the crotch? Maybe my anatomy just sits a weird way?



I did notice that with the clip holsters, everything felt much more comfortable. Maybe because the tension is partially placed on the side, instead of directly along the crotch.



Unfortunately, I like traditional Y ones because they support the front of the pants. I have different proportions from lifting and my waist is always a little loose compared to the thighs, especially when I'm cutting.