Trousers with side adjustors and brace buttons

[Kent Wang]

Is it some kind of faux pas to have both features?

If not, can I then wear these trousers without any braces and just using the side adjusters?

 

[A Y]

I've been told by my English tailor that you normally have one or the other, but some people request both.

If a pair of trousers are cut with a fishback, then braces are really preferred, though sidetabs will work also in that case. The pants for one of my suits was cut this way, but there was a mixup and the pants had sidetabs, but they forgot to sew on the brace buttons, so I wore it for a few months with sidetabs until I could get the buttons put on. It worked fine, though the line of the trousers were much better with braces.

--Andre

 

[Manton]

I've never heard that side tabs and brace buttons are a faux pas. It surprises me that a tailor would say so.

 

[alliswell]

Brace buttons on the outside of the waistband or the inside?

Edit: medwards beat me to my second thought. Isn't the point of braces that the waistband isn't tight at all, and the point of adjusters to alter the tightness of a tight waistband?

 

[medwards]

Originally Posted by Manton

I've never heard that side tabs and brace buttons are a faux pas. It surprises me that a tailor would say so.

No, but trousers to be worn with braces should be cut differently than those to be self-supporting at the waist.

 

[texas_jack]

My St. Andrews suit has both.

 

[Holdfast]

I used to be a belt guy but now I request both side adjusters & braces buttons on suits I order. This was after finding out how nice it was to have both options available on a few RTW suits I own.

I tend to wear them with braces during the day for work, but if I'm going out at night wearing the suit, I can rely on the side adjusters alone because it looks nicer without braces if you take your jacket off in a bar or whatever.

Yeah, I can be pretty shallow sometimes. So sue me.

 

[Manton]

Originally Posted by medwards

No, but trousers to be worn with braces should be cut differently than those to be self-supporting at the waist.

Looser, but the shape can be the same.

I get a rear strap with high back trousers, and side straps with straight waistband trousers. The idea is not so much function (they do nothing) I just like the way they look, and dislike the total absense of any detailing.

 

[medwards]

Originally Posted by Manton

Looser, but the shape can be the same.

Yes, though I understand that there are some gentlemen who need a higher back trouser for their braces to fit properly. For these individuals, adding extension tabs in the back might be advisable as well as just having brace buttons as well as side tabs.

Originally Posted by Manton

I get a rear strap with high back trousers, and side straps with straight waistband trousers. The idea is not so much function (they do nothing) I just like the way they look, and dislike the total absense of any detailing.

In terms of your personal preference, do I understand you to mean that your trousers are cut for -- and held up by --braces but that you have side tabs added for ornamental purposes? That is, in fact, what I do. Of course, there are some who take the opposite approach, which is to have their trousers self-supporting...but add the brace buttons for insurance if they lose weight or believe they will be engaged in somewhat vigorous activity.

 

[Film Noir Buff]

Originally Posted by Andre Yew

I've been told by my English tailor that you normally have one or the other, but some people request both. If a pair of trousers are cut with a fishback, then braces are really preferred, though sidetabs will work also in that case. The pants for one of my suits was cut this way, but there was a mixup and the pants had sidetabs, but they forgot to sew on the brace buttons, so I wore it for a few months with sidetabs until I could get the buttons put on. It worked fine, though the line of the trousers were much better with braces. --Andre
Wait, you wore your High, English back trousers with no braces? I dont think theres a problem with regularly waisted pants with both the D-ring side adusters and/or daks style side tabe AND suspender buttons. I am not quite sure what exactly is meant by Medwards when he says ...but trousers to be worn with braces should be cut differently than those to be self-supporting at the waist. My reading may be confused. If it means that pants like Mr. Wang's should be cut to be worn with suspenders and when worn without them on the same spot on the waist, the side straps should be pulled or buttoned more snuggly, then I agree. I suppose there could be a difference in cut depending on how you like to wear your pants but then why would you put the suspender buttons in?

 

[medwards]

Originally Posted by Film Noir Buff

I am not quite sure what exactly is meant by Medwards when he says ...but trousers to be worn with braces should be cut differently than those to be self-supporting at the waist.

Trousers that are to be supported by braces should properly be supported by one's shoulders, not one's waist. Consequently, the waist should be ample and free enough to allow this to occur. Self-supporting trousers need to be snug enough at the waist to keep from falling down.

 

[aportnoy]

Right or wrong, all my bespoke suit trousers have side adjusters and I wear them with braces.

 

[Film Noir Buff]

Originally Posted by medwards

Trousers that are to be supported by braces should properly be supported by one's shoulders, not one's waist. Consequently, the waist should be ample and free enough to allow this to occur. Self-supporting trousers need to be snug enough at the waist to keep from falling down.
Hi, sorry, I think I wasnt quite sure what you meant. This could be so, i never considered them to be different to that extent. Of course because it is custom, you can do whatever you like with trousers. I personally wear them in roughly the same spot with or without braces and just hike the tabs in tightly. I think if you wear heavy goods like 14+ ozs, looser pants may slide down a little no matter how tightly you pull the side straps. You might thus need to pull your pants up from time to time but this seems like small price to pay to have the option of wearing your pants either way.

 

[Recoil]

RLPL suits and pants come with buttons and side tabs, for whatever that is worth. LOL.

 

[voxsartoria]

Originally Posted by medwards

In terms of your personal preference, do I understand you to mean that your trousers are cut for -- and held up by --braces but that you have side tabs added for ornamental purposes? That is, in fact, what I do.

This is what I do as well. I confess, however, that I am inconsistent with using braces (particularly since I have only recently considered getting vests with my suits). I more often go braceless, and it is a fact that I really have to winch in the side adjustors...not at all optimal, but I do not feel it affects appearence as much as comfort.

- B