Kilts and Suspenders

[Tobus]

Unfortunately, since suspenders are not very popular anymore, most pants come standard with loops rather than suspender button holes so I'm limited with options.

A few minutes with a needle and thread can work wonders. It doesn't take any special knowledge or skill to sew on a button. Granted, this is a bit different than replacing a shirt button (since it takes much more stress). But still, it's pretty darn easy. So easy, in fact, that I find the idea laughable that clip-on braces are the only option just because the manufacturers don't install buttons.

Of course, if you like the clip-on type, that's cool. I personally think they have very weak holding power and look kinda cheesy. If you're really going for the "cool 1920s Irish guy" look, buttons are a must.

[O'Callaghan]

Interesting that, although it has been duly note that what Americans call suspenders are referred to as braces in the Queen's English, not one person has seen fit to point out that in the UK suspenders are what holds up ladies stockings. I think you call them garters. If any male members of the board wear those, I assume it is only in the privacy of their own home!

[TheOfficialBren]

Interesting that, although it has been duly note that what Americans call suspenders are referred to as braces in the Queen's English, not one person has seen fit to point out that in the UK suspenders are what holds up ladies stockings. I think you call them garters. If any male members of the board wear those, I assume it is only in the privacy of their own home!

Which is why when referring to those things that I tie on to hold my hose up I always say "garter ties."

Divided by a common language. Lol.

[Tobus]

Interesting that, although it has been duly note that what Americans call suspenders are referred to as braces in the Queen's English, not one person has seen fit to point out that in the UK suspenders are what holds up ladies stockings. I think you call them garters. If any male members of the board wear those, I assume it is only in the privacy of their own home!

Actually, it used to be quite common for men to wear those to hold their socks up. They are much the same as ladies' garters, with clips, but are worn below the knee. I have thought about wearing them, as I hate constantly pulling up my dress socks!

[Nathan]

Interesting that, although it has been duly note that what Americans call suspenders are referred to as braces in the Queen's English, not one person has seen fit to point out that in the UK suspenders are what holds up ladies stockings. I think you call them garters. If any male members of the board wear those, I assume it is only in the privacy of their own home!

My grandfather called suspenders braces, but when I was in school braces were used to straighten your teeth...

[ForresterModern]

In general those of us who "need" to wear suspenders/braces are those who are built of a shape that has no well defined waistline, where anything that would normally be held up by a belt has no particular defined hip to hang on, thus leaving ones chosen below waist wear to wander from navel downward to well below that part of our anatomy so many of us have cultivated in our midsection over the years ( I call my gut my "next of kin"). Suspenders become a necessity in holding up one's p@nts or kilt in that situation, but as I can personally attest a less than optimal one.

As regards the button vs clip variety discussion and kilts I have some personable experience and thoughts to share. The button style are indeed more classy and classic in appearance but somewhat less than optimally functional with kilts which have two separate overlapping front aprons to which one might attach buttons, leaving the other unbuttoned and thus unsupported apron to potentially slip downwards below one's "endowment". I have one kilt thus equipped and have personally suffered this difficulty. P@nts do not have this bi-layered weakness to deal with. I have considered trying one button on each left and right side to be sewn on both front and under apron to address this weakness but fear that there would be difficulties with respect to positioning them as the aprons need to move horizontally with respect to one another with the inevitable changes in waist size, making consistent location and relationship of the buttons to one another a bit of a variable problem.

Clip variety have the advantage of being able to hold both aprons together simultaneously regardless of changes in apron overlap with waistline changes. However they do suffer from problems with weakness and coming undone spontaneously at the most inopportune times, usually when one is bending over frequently or with other activities. Also some clips do not open wide enough to be able to accommodate the bulk of material present in the edge of the kilt waistband of not just one but two aprons particularly with the heavier weights of tartan such as 16 or 18 ounce material. And those that do open wide enough for those heavyweight materials may not clamp tight enough to provide adequate grip for the thinner waistbands of the aprons made of lesser weight tartans, particularly down in the 10-12 ounce tartan range. Additionally, those clamp may be of a design such that if they do come loose they may pull threads out of the waistband material thus potentially damaging the kilt aprons. Been ther done that with a pair of Scotweb made braces and one kilt.

Another consideration is how to attach ones sporran while wearing suspenders. If the waistline is not a problem then a standard sporran strap or chain should work. However, those of us with the aforementioned midriff endowment are left with the usual problem of the sporran and strap that wander beneath said endowment and bunching up of the aprons. Or taking the "belt plus suspenders" approach to life and using sporran hangers with the standard kilt belt overtop of the suspenders, not exactly the most elegant of looks with the kilt, and the weight of the sporran and contents adds the problem of pulling down the belt front below the above endowment as well. I once tried a potential solution to this problem made up of a pair of metal money clips with short sections of chain and sporran clips attached, the idea being that the money clips could be slid over one or both aprons and the sporran attached below with the clips. But then again the weight of the sporran pulls down on the front of the kilt too much, unless one does not load up the sporran with all one's stuff (which then leaves you with the problem of where to put all that stuff instead).

So I guess the problem is not inherently with the suspenders, just with the associated problems that arise with wearing them with the kilt, especially for those of us with greater endowments who would theoretically most benefit from using them in lieu of a kilt belt.

Just one man's opinion and experience. Of late I have given up on the suspenders in favor of "re-contouring" my body shape to make it more belt and sporran strap friendly and make suspenders less necessary, with at least some albeit limited success.

[neloon]

Interesting that, .. it has been duly noted that what Americans call suspenders are referred to as braces in the Queen's English

And, in Scots, they are "galluses".
Alan

[crsbryan]

After my first parade with a pipe band yesterday, I have placed my order for a pair of suspenders. (Clip braces for those who need clarity.)
I had heard the recommendation, but had not heard of suspenders with a kilt.
The kilt I was issued is just a wee bit wide, and a little short. Belted, I made it to the end of the parade without much southern movement, but just...
I doubt I'll need them with my casuals and properly fitted personal kilt. (Thanks, Rocky!) But for an almost-fits, I will enjoy the help.

[Chas]

I think braces are a sign of a badly fitting kilt. If they must be worn, in an emergency, then they should be hidden by a waistcoat. I say emergency, because I can move and restitch two buckles and one strap in 59 minutes.

Wearing them as a fashion statement, well, in the 1920s the Irish did not wear kilts.