Linen suits and braces/suspenders

[tim_horton]

On my last couple of MTM suits I'vegone with braces, and find them to be more comfortable than belts. I really like them, despite the odd glance when they are noticed (I work in a hospital so sometimes have to change in and out of a lab coat, etc.)

I have an OTR linen suit that I like a lot but the trousers have belt loops. I was toying with the idea of having the loops removed and adding buttons for braces - the rise is high enough to accomodate, even though the trousers weren't cut for braces.

My question is, do braces go with the somewhat more casual look of a linen suit? Or will it look out of place? My gut says it will be fine but I don't want to ruin a suit that I really like.

 

[F. Corbera]

If you keep your jacket on, do what you like.

If you take your jacket off, as you might do in the summer, or if you would ever wear the pants without the jacket, I would stick with the belt loops.

 

[tim_horton]



If you keep your jacket on, do what you like.
If you take your jacket off, as you might do in the summer, or if you would ever wear the pants without the jacket, I would stick with the belt loops.

Yeah, I usually make a point of keeping my jacket on so my question is kind of moot... But I guess it's nice to have the option of taking it off in a suit that's made for hot weather.

 

[RDiaz]

If the pants don't need a belt nor braces to stay in place, and you really like braces, I would have the loops removed. If you take your jacket off just take the braces off as well...

 

[lee_44106]

Why so married to a set of rules, such as no belt loops on pants worn with braces?

Linen is casual so what does it matter?

I'd just attach brace buttons on your linen pants and call it a day.


Take a look at the Armoury boys.....those guys are pretty high up on the SF-approved/worship pyramid. And you see them selling Liverano braces with....clips!

 

[GBR]

Stick as they were made.

 

[ShelterIslandMike]

I often wear braces and have never had the belt loops removed. Nor do I worry much about taking my jacket off if that situation arises. I wear braces because I'm particular about where my pants fall at the ankles and because I would rather not adjust my belt several times during a long day or evening. But that's just me - I like to feel comfortable and easy.

 

[tim_horton]



I'd just attach brace buttons on your linen pants and call it a day.

I will probably do that and try it out this summer... If I find I'm using the braces all the time and not taking the jacket off, I may ditch the loops. If I'm taking the jacket off a lot because of heat, I will go back to the belt.

 

[oldog/oldtrix]



If you take your jacket off, as you might do in the summer, or if you would ever wear the pants without the jacket, I would stick with the belt loops.

Maybe not quite what FC meant, but though the trousers to the large majority of my suits have side adjusters rather than belt loops and all are cut for braces, some do have belt loops. They are useful when wearing the suit more casually, as with an open necked dress or sport shirt or a knit pullover and when wearing the trousers separately. I have no problem also wearing such suits (here's one in linen) like this:

 

[Holdfast]

I also like linen suits to have both braces buttons and belt loops, despite usually preferring braces buttons & side adjusters in my other suits. If worn as a suit, I use the braces; the occasional glimpse of empty belt loops is hardly the end of the world. If I ever wear the trousers as a separte, I have the option to use a belt. And obviously, if using trousers as a separate with no jacket, I'd definitely use a belt. I don't think there's harm in having versatility in something as casual as a linen suit.

 

[rwaldron]

A linen suit with suspenders is a good southern look. It's very common to see suspenders down here, especially on a linen suit, because of the intended purpose - to wear in a warm situation, i.e. one where you might be sweating. As linen gets wet (from sweat) it gets heavy. Suspenders do a good job of holding these heavy sweaty pants up better than a belt would. Also the belt compresses the waistband to the waist, which can trap in heat. Also, I think it is perfectly acceptable to leave the belt loops on when worn with suspenders.

 

[SkinnyGoomba]

That's disgusting, I've worn plenty of linen in 100 degree heat without it soaking through.

 

[rwaldron]

That's disgusting, I've worn plenty of linen in 100 degree heat without it soaking through.

It not the heat, it's the humidity, and it's a realistic fact we live with down here. That's why we wear so much seersucker.

 

[RDiaz]

So the consensus is to leave belt loops where they are if the suit is casual?

What if it's a more formal, worsted wool suit? I usually remove belt loops on every suit, both casual and formal, but I'm wondering if I'm being paranoid...

 

[ter1413]

Remove loops if you really want braces...