A Father’s Day Gift

I received this from a reader today and thought I'd share it with you:

My husband has mentioned a few times to me (his wife) that his pants kept slipping down. He was more annoyed about it than grumbling to me. While he’s not obese, he is a large man. I decided to help his pants from falling down, once and for all.

I turned to the internet and found suspenders as the solution. At first I opposed them. They are not a current trend. But over the next few days I couldn’t help but think how handsome he would be wearing suspenders. I asked a few of my girlfriends, and they agreed that suspenders has this vintage, classic look, and it would solve his pants problem. 

I went back online and looked at old photographs of men wearing suspenders. I decided that he would wear vintage suspenders that had buttons on the pants, not clips. I would get him a new pair of pants that would be at his waist and have the suspenders hold the pants up. 

It took some time to find a suitable pair of pants, as most waistlines for men’s pants are below the waist. I eventually found a pair of brown pants and sewed buttons into the outside of the waistband. I removed the belt loops so he would not be tempted to use both a belt and suspenders!

My next challenge was to find a nice pair of suspenders. I looked at thrift shops and online.  Most online ones were on the higher range of what I wanted to spend. I eventually found a pair of “Y-back” suspenders with button attachments. I liked the colors that I also got 2 children’s pairs for our 2 boys. I bought new brown pants for our boys as well, and sewed buttons into their pants to go with their new button suspenders. I was now ready for Father’s Day!

The kids and I wrapped my husband’s pants and suspenders. On the morning of Father’s Day our family had made plans to go for lunch at a restaurant with our relatives. Before we left, the boys and I presented him with the gift. He opened it and was somewhat surprised. But our boys encouraged him to wear them. He went into the other room, put on a button-down shirt and the pants. He came out with the suspenders loose on his shoulders. I helped him adjust the suspenders, so the pants sat comfortably at his waist. 

He was unsure at first of the high position of the pants waist, but he was willing to try it. He breathed in and out and his pants didn’t fall. He smiled and thanked me for the gift. He put his hands in his pockets and felt the suspenders react by pulling back on his waistline.

They are very stylish, I said, as I slipped my fingers underneath his front strap and looked at them as he stood there. I like how they attach with buttons.

He agreed and sat down on the couch. He instantly felt relief as his stomach did not have a belt restricting his midsection. He stood up as his hands instinctively reached down to his suspender buttons, and the braces pulled up his pants and did the work for him.

He quickly came around (faster than I did) and was excited to wear the pants to the restaurant. That’s when I surprised our boys with their gifts. I pulled out 2 boxes and presented them. They tore open the wrapping to find their own pair of pants with button suspenders attached. They were thrilled, as they would be just like dad!

They ran to their room to get dress shirts. I came into the room as they were putting their shirts on. They stepped into the pants and pulled up the suspender straps. I helped them adjust the straps. As I did, the younger boy pulled back his older brother’s rear suspender strap, letting it snap back into place with a thump. His brother cringed and immediately pulled his brother’s front suspender strap and released it. They laughed and quickly learned that it’s better not to snap each other’s suspenders.

The boys slid their fingers along the front of their own suspenders, inspecting them as they did. They loved them and I did too! I asked them to stand up straight along with their dad, and I captured a picture.

We went to the restaurant and the 3 of them received many compliments from family members and bystanders on their button suspenders and brown pants. They looked sharp and so dapper. 

I’m so happy I found this blog with all of its helpful tips and suggestions. Button suspenders have now become a regular style in our home!

 

Thank you for sharing, I’m so glad to help.