tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27057772380921698322024-03-09T03:22:48.373-08:00Everything About BracesEverything you ever wanted to know about braces, aka suspenders, for trousers, pants, skirts, etc. This is our definitive guide for brace styles, materials, button placement, connection types, medical benefits, history, and more... all fully illustrated!Back to Braceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240649681320273191noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705777238092169832.post-6768173568497699962023-12-19T11:31:00.000-08:002024-01-16T10:30:48.386-08:00One night to go back in time to the 1940s<p>A number of years ago I went to a holiday Christmas party as part of my professional association. The theme was 1940s and the association encouraged people to wear clothes from that decade. People had to pay a nominal fee to go, so only those interested in the social gathering attended. It was nice to see that everyone came dressed up in vintage styles. Ladies wore dresses with puffed shoulders, and A-line skirts with blouses in floral prints, earth tone colors, and stripes. Men wore suits in tweed, vests, hats, and some even with high-waisted pants. While everyone was encouraged to dress up, it was not mandated, but most people did so.</p><p>I wore an earth-brown suit with high waisted pants, a white dress shirt and a vintage, wide tie. I wore a vintage pair of stripped, inverse-U tabs, Y-back braces to hold up my pants, with the colors on the stripes coordinating with the colors on my tie. My wife wore a vintage high-waisted skirt with a blouse.</p><p>When we arrived, we started mingling. I knew some people from my work place, but there were many others I did not know. </p><p>It was very warm in the hall, so most of the men were removing their suit jackets. I had also removed my suit jacket. </p><p>My wife and I were sitting down talking with two ladies. After exchanging greetings the conversation quickly turned to the 1940s, fashion, and eventually to my suspenders. One of the ladies commented that she liked that my suspenders had buttons, pointing to the exterior buttons on my waistline. This was better than the clips that all the other men in the room were wearing, she said. She had apparently been observing.</p><p>Yes, that’s the historically accurate way, I said, and more comfortable way to wear suspenders.</p><p>Do you wear suspenders often, the other lady asked?</p><p>He does, replied my wife, just like in the 1940s.<br /></p><p>I love the look and feel of suspenders, I continued. I wear them to the office every work day.</p><p>I like the style, said my wife, reaching in and running her fingers up and down the nearest brace strap.</p><p>Another lady joined in our conversation and asked about my brace tabs. She had not seen the inverse-U style before and politely asked how they worked.</p><p>I said that when I bend forward, the strap glides along the U. I demonstrated by bending forward. I then stood up straight and demonstrated how the strap glided back into alignment in the middle of the U. I explained that this allows the braces to adjust to my body movement and helps soften the pull on the buttons. </p><p>I sat down again. She politely asked to try shifting my brace strap left and right to see them in action, and I agreed. She pushed the strap left and right, observing how the tab shifted along and inverse-U. That’s very clever, she said, as she released the strap and it aligned into position. </p><p>She commented, I love your button suspenders; it’s so rare to see men wearing them. When I saw yours I had to find out more! </p><p>They are a nice vintage accessory, said by wife. These pants are made specifically for button suspenders, she continued. She prompted me to stand up and turn around, to show my back side. </p><p>Wow, the ladies explained as they admired my fish-tail back trousers - look how the pants are made for his suspenders! My wife slipped her fingers underneath the rear strap and followed the strap down towards the brace tab and then to the exterior buttons. She shifted her fingers left and right and explained how the brace tab moved in sync. Historically, all men wore button suspenders with these types of pants, she said.</p><p>That’s right, I said, as the three ladies stared at my back side. These are vintage, fish-tail back trousers that are very rare these days, I said.</p><p>It is a beautiful look, said one of the ladies, you are so dapper. In fact, you are probably the best dressed man in this room!</p><p>I think so, said my wife with a smile.</p><p>Thanks to you, I said smiling.</p><p>You can sit down again, one of the lady’s said.</p><p>I’m glad I could learn about button suspenders today, said another lady. She said her husband would not wear suspenders, but he may wear them with buttons.</p><p>The discussion drifted to another topic.<br /></p><p></p><p>***</p><p>At the end of the night, there was a door prize for the best dressed man and women, as voted by the attendees. The master of ceremonies asked for nominations and 3 men were cheered on and came to the front, including me. The ladies that we had talked with had spread the word and a large group cheered the loudest when it was my vote. One person shouted for me to turn around and show my back side. I did so, and that sealed the top spot for the men’s prize. </p><p>Next voting for the ladies happened. The crowd cheered for 3 ladies, eventually deciding on one of them. She was wearing a vintage knee-length, polka-dotted dress. </p><p>The two of us stood at the front as we accepted our knick-knack prizes. We posed for a photo, standing apart from each other and looking somewhat awkward. She must have detected this because while I was looking at the camera, she pulled back the closest suspender straps to her and held it as the photographer captured the moment. She then released the strap as it lightly snapped back.</p><p>Congratulations, she said. I love your suspenders with buttons. They are the perfect vintage accessory.</p><p>Thank you, I said. Congratulations to you as well on your vintage dress. She smiled.</p><p>We stepped off the front area and people turned back to mingling with each other. But the lady continued talking with me, as my wife joined us. The lady wanted to see my back side again, and slipped her finger underneath my rear strap to shift it and watch the brace tab move. </p><p>She asked if I had bought the suit specifically for this event or if I always wear vintage clothes. He loves wearing vintage clothes, replied my wife. He wears this to the office regularly, she said. </p><p>The lady smiled and said how much she loved the high-waisted pants with fish-tail back, the button suspenders, the shoes, … the whole style.</p><p>Thank you, I said. How about you, I asked, did you buy that dress just for tonight?</p><p>She sheepishly said yes, although she was adamant that she has other vintage skirts and dresses that she wears to the office. We had a lengthy conversation about suspenders and vintage clothes. She wanted to prove to me that she did have vintage clothes. She insisted we meet for lunch and we all wear vintage clothes. I was happy to do so.</p><p>When the day came for lunch, I decided to wear a grey suit with high-rise pants, a blue dress shirt, and a vintage tie. The pants were supported by inverse-V, Y-back braces with strips of grey, blue, red, and white.</p><p>We met at the restaurant. My wife wanted to wear the suspender trend too, so she wore a colorful high-waisted skirt with a nice blouse. The skirt had straps of the same fabric attached, and crossed at the back.</p><p>We met our new friend, who had decided to wear a pleated suit skirt with suspender straps, a blouse and a button up jacket with puffy shoulders.</p><p>We walked into the restaurant and before we sat down, we took off our suit jackets. The waitress complimented us on our suspenders and how much she appreciated the vintage styles. We all smiled. We had a wonderful lunch talking about various topics.<br /></p><p><i>Discussion time</i> :<br /></p><p>What's your holiday plans? Will braces be part of your outfit?<br /></p>Back to Braceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240649681320273191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705777238092169832.post-63241060207835675682023-10-20T09:08:00.003-07:002023-12-18T14:21:52.165-08:00National Suspenders Day 2023<div style="text-align: left;">Today is National Suspenders Day, a day to celebrate suspenders and braces! Have you been wearing them lately? I sure have! </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Today I’d like to share some of my current favourite pairs of vintage pants and the braces that I wear with them.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Vintage Brown Pants</b><br />A long time ago, I bought a fantastic pair of vintage, brown pants. However, I don’t think brown would go well with my other clothes, so I didn’t wear it much. But recent I’ve been wearing more brown colours. These pants are so comfortable. They have pleats and sit high on my waist – about 2 inches higher than my belly button. This requires that I wear braces with them, which the pants were historically worn with.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJqJOvlAILrGUaBycqIqm1HUzGG1nerprQcRcHiEsWU4NEchzbiqyDeReHsjQTmtwZoHLu3vUkH6LBPlUTBZSZwbxN3SOd8mDZSHSyxhPRr43fIQXUMuIuli1pfJ6pI3cm_mgL_52kdwVcp0q_NK4G55uqMy4tu-2eDdV-grp_hyRQw8eIHfGmNCFor-I/s1000/BrownPants1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="833" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJqJOvlAILrGUaBycqIqm1HUzGG1nerprQcRcHiEsWU4NEchzbiqyDeReHsjQTmtwZoHLu3vUkH6LBPlUTBZSZwbxN3SOd8mDZSHSyxhPRr43fIQXUMuIuli1pfJ6pI3cm_mgL_52kdwVcp0q_NK4G55uqMy4tu-2eDdV-grp_hyRQw8eIHfGmNCFor-I/w334-h400/BrownPants1.JPG" width="334" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage brown pants with thin braces<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The brace buttons are positioned above the main pleat and above the side seam, which slants forward slightly. This is very comfortable, and supports the pleat and seam, keeping the pant legs very clean.<br />The rear has two sets of buttons – one pair closer together for Y-back braces, and one pair farther apart for X-back braces. This gives options and is a nice touch. As the buttons are on the inside of the waistband, people don’t see the unused set of buttons.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I was recently wearing these pants with a vintage pair of thin, blue braces, with red stripes running down the side of the straps. The leather tabs are brown, which goes well with the transition to the brown pants. <br />My wife and I went on a date to a restaurant and then planned to walk in the nearby park. My wife prefers thinner braces, and when she saw me wearing this pair she said, “those are vintage pants and braces, I like them.” She ran her fingers up and down the front straps. The straps have lots of elastic stretch in them still, so they stretched out with the tension. She released them and the straps snapped back lightly onto my chest.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">“Vintage braces for vintage pants,” I said.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">She smiled and tugged on the straps again. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">“You know I like the thin ones,” she said.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITSdt1Ku1dB5B9x60BaZmq13kTtuZYc80hWHQ5uUf58sk2y71ThIVD7M7XaWuB_rfOURDuYFEc_SJjYdcAVGMGlipZElWJL2QKthBp3xUiycGAtreU3Zopr3o1BvsUCwQsRdWiE-v8WrOqu1od5_PCbqCV_M5HRLO5k8Ehk9C_E81D-5K6smESnYnS6vt/s1000/BrownPants2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="845" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITSdt1Ku1dB5B9x60BaZmq13kTtuZYc80hWHQ5uUf58sk2y71ThIVD7M7XaWuB_rfOURDuYFEc_SJjYdcAVGMGlipZElWJL2QKthBp3xUiycGAtreU3Zopr3o1BvsUCwQsRdWiE-v8WrOqu1od5_PCbqCV_M5HRLO5k8Ehk9C_E81D-5K6smESnYnS6vt/w338-h400/BrownPants2.JPG" width="338" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear shot of brown pants with braces<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">We had a wonderful dinner and then walked around the park, looking at the sunset. As we stood side by side, she had her hand on my back at my rear braces. She turned to face me and tugged on my front braces. </div><div style="text-align: left;">“I really love these braces,” she said, as she tugged on them again. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">“I’m glad you like them,” I responded, “I like them too.”</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Stripped Navy Pants</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Another favourite pair of vintage pants is navy with faint, thin stripes in a darker navy and off brown colours. Unless you are up close you can’t see the stripes in the fabric. The waistband sits very high – three inches above my belly button. The rear seam of the waistband is slightly separated, almost like a fishtail back, but without rising higher.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyrhJX-uGvUBsP-QitI3DWvBvzTyx2VxEsrvz2UIzasnDmPeDgx3daY-xZfgcBWt3JcLBmsqpAhkoKlLxC-RUeOKGatFSyoR6w22RuU-Sf_g1yUb4zOCG1SHTtLv_F_WroY9b3SctwPfSLwZ0qKauFBMG33CSIfrgqnEYHHHAuF0uwjayzKamZ4gW7Roo/s1000/VintagePants1c.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="796" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyrhJX-uGvUBsP-QitI3DWvBvzTyx2VxEsrvz2UIzasnDmPeDgx3daY-xZfgcBWt3JcLBmsqpAhkoKlLxC-RUeOKGatFSyoR6w22RuU-Sf_g1yUb4zOCG1SHTtLv_F_WroY9b3SctwPfSLwZ0qKauFBMG33CSIfrgqnEYHHHAuF0uwjayzKamZ4gW7Roo/s320/VintagePants1c.JPG" width="255" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rear waistband has a small gap<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The brace buttons are sewn on the inside of the waistband in the perfect locations: front buttons above the main pleat, which is reverse pleated (very vintage), and above the side seam. On the right hand side of the waistband, between the two brace tabs, there’s a small pocket for a waist-watch, which is very neat. The rear buttons are equally spaced at the back and, with the waist gap, allowing for the waistband to accommodate my breathing. The waistband expands and the brace tabs expand when I inhale. When I exhale, the brace straps ensure that my waistband stays in place. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSPlPBllKUKK-ERTmVS1kH67xMvGCJVFMSfj42uGPZgd77jlpMaFHfE0NdotZ-Qa4Tnqz4Bw58YuJeu07FhUIdJB0icYpUXH9IpLbJ8RMvVAY4vqfM-cGocjOP94mY79XrXrnwZpAfRO9Ps_glPX5sfChae8SaIUPZbybMJEqvGa6qf_j1Y3hgc8JUNIL/s1000/VintagePants1d.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="783" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSPlPBllKUKK-ERTmVS1kH67xMvGCJVFMSfj42uGPZgd77jlpMaFHfE0NdotZ-Qa4Tnqz4Bw58YuJeu07FhUIdJB0icYpUXH9IpLbJ8RMvVAY4vqfM-cGocjOP94mY79XrXrnwZpAfRO9Ps_glPX5sfChae8SaIUPZbybMJEqvGa6qf_j1Y3hgc8JUNIL/w314-h400/VintagePants1d.JPG" width="314" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stripped braces with vintage stripped pants<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div></div><div style="text-align: left;">The pockets of the pants are positioned at the side seam, so when I put my hands in them and I’m wearing a suit jacket, the jacket is pushed to the side and both front brace tabs are shown. My wife likes this look. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaY_BxblRa0uV2UBS7T7CbdNWFEHdm5J2EZqXwBw0cUYug1xesS0_7A8fQ3zOxibP62LZovcTcSZ-b2iHUNzsJUALsaYlH_ynnf5PteSUy1Ir5gmhnVbQeISZ-ClV8_ysGz-UOn1LaODSB_Ezb0IJrqPjAKMQb5lHMva3AhWkDDfbm-xpDb4LAT5GnhCS/s1000/VintagePants1b.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="779" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaY_BxblRa0uV2UBS7T7CbdNWFEHdm5J2EZqXwBw0cUYug1xesS0_7A8fQ3zOxibP62LZovcTcSZ-b2iHUNzsJUALsaYlH_ynnf5PteSUy1Ir5gmhnVbQeISZ-ClV8_ysGz-UOn1LaODSB_Ezb0IJrqPjAKMQb5lHMva3AhWkDDfbm-xpDb4LAT5GnhCS/w311-h400/VintagePants1b.JPG" width="311" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hands in my pockets<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As my waistband is suspended, there’s a small gap between my chest and waistband, which helps with air movement.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I like to wear vintage, stripped, V-back, inverse-V braces with these pants, as the stripes on the braces coordinate well with the stripes on the pant fabric. The braces are V-back, as they do not have the single strap at the rear, which Y-back braces have. This shows that this pair of braces is very old and vintage. The front brace tabs also show vintage signs as the centre tab is slightly longer than the side tab, allowing the brace straps to sit slightly to the side of my chest.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I usually wear a brown, tweed suit jacket that’s speckled. When my wife and I go out, I receive lots of compliments on this vintage look. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHu8qFI2s-ExhXMyJiYzsWVyrzXJD_WqfU7U7jYu-C0MNx4PLsubt4ifvR-zuqe92taxoR-H-3tRXLOoXEB5_aUSpmHaih8E2D5o80LNMgXnzUQj7YnPnGBAafiQ4eEamyWpfmLh-ROjKrRk2kOuo5ewdlxUeRppDFBRYe0cwj6mnjW3DjoWy3cy_soDzP/s1000/VintagePants1a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="865" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHu8qFI2s-ExhXMyJiYzsWVyrzXJD_WqfU7U7jYu-C0MNx4PLsubt4ifvR-zuqe92taxoR-H-3tRXLOoXEB5_aUSpmHaih8E2D5o80LNMgXnzUQj7YnPnGBAafiQ4eEamyWpfmLh-ROjKrRk2kOuo5ewdlxUeRppDFBRYe0cwj6mnjW3DjoWy3cy_soDzP/w346-h400/VintagePants1a.JPG" width="346" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the suit jacket on<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </div><div style="text-align: left;">One day we were out on the town and were stopped on the sidewalk. A young lady asked to look at my ‘fancy suspenders’, as she called them. She had never seen a pair like this before. I pointed out the V-back and compared it to the Y-back. I also unhooking the right, front brace tab from the buttons to show the longer leather piece. She was amazed. I hooked my brace tabs back on and proceeded to show her the watch-pocket and other features of the pants.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBvZYjveaMqM-6PCHA5fFLvCr1bMMCD6MMT8ykJGz81FrPQSdx9uNo9O1qNHN06JB_w8Mt_mdL4ZRZrGgunpFN29LFG__8KqQtapU0iRjdb_QGAO4djWgkcjtZCw0DyM0ZmaDAfsEyMW5N9QnqHvz7w3Ou-UQxZ1yeZgUvTc3UIQkSWyCKU7WsDiHvoFl/s1000/VintagePants1e.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="767" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBvZYjveaMqM-6PCHA5fFLvCr1bMMCD6MMT8ykJGz81FrPQSdx9uNo9O1qNHN06JB_w8Mt_mdL4ZRZrGgunpFN29LFG__8KqQtapU0iRjdb_QGAO4djWgkcjtZCw0DyM0ZmaDAfsEyMW5N9QnqHvz7w3Ou-UQxZ1yeZgUvTc3UIQkSWyCKU7WsDiHvoFl/w306-h400/VintagePants1e.JPG" width="306" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The center tab is longer than the side tab<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </div><div style="text-align: left;">You are so stylish, she said, as she asked for a photo with us. I smiled and agreed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> <br />After the photo, I had my hands in my pockets. She asked if she could pull a suspender strap. That was polite, as people simply grab hold and pull.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Sure, I said smiling, everyone loves to do that. I opened my jacket and she pulled back a strap, holding it for a moment, and then releasing it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Thank you, said the young lady, you’ve made my day! I love your look and your suspenders. I’m going to get a pair for myself.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">That would be awesome, I said.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">We smiled and my wife and I continued on our way.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Grey pants</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Another pair of my favourite vintage pants is solid, light grey, made of tweed fabric. The rise is high – above my belly button and the waistband is a bit large on me, so I’ve always worn this pair of pants with braces. I like to wear these pants with a multi-colored, stripped, Y-back braces or black, inverse-U tab, Y-back braces. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">As the fabric is thick, I wear this pair in the fall and winter months. I coordinate it with a navy or brown blazer. As I warm up inside, I remove the blazer and remain stylish.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ogKGJfop4tLcYTset-ZStCPzQizvmsE1dclCXKOm3vdlBvRhZjtP4ONCmmIpa-tjWMwTY8xxKh1wRCZuG5U4_s0PBGZX5sijviVfx84y9vkch-8TvbBrDJ9iwagwJfGhZWqk7JCtzYwjYWIBHImouaqW4RTffz_YxeHUorTrMRLj5dmAYf8tMhLM1rVv/s1000/GreyPants2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="782" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ogKGJfop4tLcYTset-ZStCPzQizvmsE1dclCXKOm3vdlBvRhZjtP4ONCmmIpa-tjWMwTY8xxKh1wRCZuG5U4_s0PBGZX5sijviVfx84y9vkch-8TvbBrDJ9iwagwJfGhZWqk7JCtzYwjYWIBHImouaqW4RTffz_YxeHUorTrMRLj5dmAYf8tMhLM1rVv/w313-h400/GreyPants2.JPG" width="313" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey, wool pants with stripped braces<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </div><div style="text-align: left;">One Thanksgiving dinner I wore these pants with inverse-V tab, stripped braces. As we sat down to eat, one of my brothers pulled back a front brace strap, watching the strap junction slide along the inverse-V tab. He let go and it snapped back, but landed off my shoulder. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">That’s enough, I said, as I positioned the strap back onto my shoulder. My wife walked by and pulled on my rear strap saying, I’m the only who can play with his suspenders!</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgnb8IvPOI7B_BhMPTIvFRtSdiOGKULdBH2rGyVszWyWb7fOymN_E3hii4d_bKP0mIBJeF7B3USsQACL5FvwoPRBXYzPafIvZuS3Va8jwML_ZtEw1NdPeKtapTf2HkXowy-LV4FIE4rO1zvM7EujIBWX_aDlh5hjk9EBTIL6a9P1CAnHDL_-B7WNZwLMaW/s1000/GreyPants1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="811" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgnb8IvPOI7B_BhMPTIvFRtSdiOGKULdBH2rGyVszWyWb7fOymN_E3hii4d_bKP0mIBJeF7B3USsQACL5FvwoPRBXYzPafIvZuS3Va8jwML_ZtEw1NdPeKtapTf2HkXowy-LV4FIE4rO1zvM7EujIBWX_aDlh5hjk9EBTIL6a9P1CAnHDL_-B7WNZwLMaW/w325-h400/GreyPants1.JPG" width="325" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear shot of stripped braces<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </div><div style="text-align: left;">After dinner, the larger waist helped with the large meal. My brother loosened his belt a notch. I took the moment to slide my thumb up and down my brace straps and smile as I said, these help with large meals too!</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">We laughed.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Light Blue Pants</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">And last but not least is a light-blue pair of Hollywood-waisted pants. The pants are made of 100% cotton and have an integrated belt loops in the waistband. I need to wear the pants with braces to support them at the right height. I sewed buttons on the outside of the pants. I love wearing this pair with my stripped blue braces as the colors go so well together.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Rt89gmCDPxNzHL9khqxofn-8cP_ZYQLzR_96LM17lhV-qrdVrhr51-H21qMsV5cnb3gGgmMz1H0v_1UTmqgTHkYJpaCmn0m8Gotr5fOejUPLFuNE6hUHooJtw0LOfkSrbPLHw9qgrhPnsZWDORTK__QBdmd-7gsP983wPW8GJGs2oeSwnpYP6beMIbZ_/s1000/BluePants1b.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="759" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Rt89gmCDPxNzHL9khqxofn-8cP_ZYQLzR_96LM17lhV-qrdVrhr51-H21qMsV5cnb3gGgmMz1H0v_1UTmqgTHkYJpaCmn0m8Gotr5fOejUPLFuNE6hUHooJtw0LOfkSrbPLHw9qgrhPnsZWDORTK__QBdmd-7gsP983wPW8GJGs2oeSwnpYP6beMIbZ_/w304-h400/BluePants1b.JPEG" width="304" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hollywood waisted blue pants with braces<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is an unusual pair of pants and I usually get a few heads turning, but that's fine. The buttons on the outside make a statement and signal a by-gone era.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqOEMXg9w1_z5hIJkA-LyqsfvE4Mbl_uKFs6GBcypawYyucIA8Qx8UvFi1Nipz1BRYAWDh8lGaa9hzWgnzzngQgx_8w13nd11JwE86cwKlw9cO7zwH2GZsUE5iS4DnudRq-Xz-suNzWrJkG4KDFc-N_Rk6XSeYOtdLg3eRdsrdj0-fzMLL4phH-ws-3mk/s1000/BluePants1a.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="774" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqOEMXg9w1_z5hIJkA-LyqsfvE4Mbl_uKFs6GBcypawYyucIA8Qx8UvFi1Nipz1BRYAWDh8lGaa9hzWgnzzngQgx_8w13nd11JwE86cwKlw9cO7zwH2GZsUE5iS4DnudRq-Xz-suNzWrJkG4KDFc-N_Rk6XSeYOtdLg3eRdsrdj0-fzMLL4phH-ws-3mk/w310-h400/BluePants1a.JPEG" width="310" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear shot of pants and braces<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What are some of your favourite outfits to wear with braces?<br /></div>Back to Braceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240649681320273191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705777238092169832.post-87284375560864119422023-08-11T10:01:00.001-07:002023-08-11T10:19:51.625-07:00Shailene Woodley and Iris Law's styles<p>The actress Shailene Woodley attended the Dior Spring Summer 2023 in Paris on September 27, 2022. She wore a fantastic outfit that I want to commemorate. </p><p>Her menswear inspired outfit features:</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>a button-up, polka dot blouse with layered ruffles across her bodice</li><li>high-waisted, beige pants that sit just below her rib cage</li><li>a Hollywood waist, with no belt loops or waistline to clutter up her waist</li><li>the rear of the pants features a fish-tail, v-notch back, held in place by her braces</li><li>navy Y-back braces attach to exterior brace buttons</li><li>a boater hat and pearl necklace</li></ul><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmX6XDarbzj5Y0cfOkrEs_nImWK8M1ylpggZb2qvgglRuWZDMEeXiJN4DL_st9dD3PTEPUlJxS-PUkyASKMJHITIhkfXBgKX7I71aq9CUqMAfZqLOJe6x8FAhZ5TciW8ESZWjqSSUUgykH0CIpEDOdUwqjlDIPKlLv_NMMOVv5xa5ENu2Jzzv7QPVtToF/s612/Shailene%20Woodley%201p%20Dior%20Sept%2027-22.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="408" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmX6XDarbzj5Y0cfOkrEs_nImWK8M1ylpggZb2qvgglRuWZDMEeXiJN4DL_st9dD3PTEPUlJxS-PUkyASKMJHITIhkfXBgKX7I71aq9CUqMAfZqLOJe6x8FAhZ5TciW8ESZWjqSSUUgykH0CIpEDOdUwqjlDIPKlLv_NMMOVv5xa5ENu2Jzzv7QPVtToF/w266-h400/Shailene%20Woodley%201p%20Dior%20Sept%2027-22.webp" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shailene Woodley's style<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />These are superb pants. Not only is the cut of the pants flattering, but they are made specifically to wear with braces. She looks fantastic! The braces make a statement, but not overpowering. The high-waisted pants accentuate her legs and make her look taller.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxVxteghjTKyfvbR_riblmDa4NBdFk7uu8kqUzJtnhakI2ZjcnGfRN--rBkxQC81JSlmjWLkwB5Gn-ATz0IAfonUqhB5UgrdyIy_K0_T6fTFvkUVtEh-9cKazjp1TXu86BK2gBjAaQhgdtqVumFH5dSUHeBz4d8D3vwUoe1ndnXqz0v6J14Hr3P88SOxl/s612/Shailene%20Woodley%201l%20Dior%20Sept%2027-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="407" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCxVxteghjTKyfvbR_riblmDa4NBdFk7uu8kqUzJtnhakI2ZjcnGfRN--rBkxQC81JSlmjWLkwB5Gn-ATz0IAfonUqhB5UgrdyIy_K0_T6fTFvkUVtEh-9cKazjp1TXu86BK2gBjAaQhgdtqVumFH5dSUHeBz4d8D3vwUoe1ndnXqz0v6J14Hr3P88SOxl/s320/Shailene%20Woodley%201l%20Dior%20Sept%2027-22.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close-up</td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79LqX_KEmbwhCwHDUY_ZMqp6SrK-MCQomVdiUFSE0yyN952awn2SenjdHldx_WBW0EWHgWN8NxnWhMq7xeQt-gNZ24v3Nye_gzzvxrq14eJMdg1febqXPI5QEaa-FDZWoMI68SpgcrUygleBFsSbPy06gHKm6G2jJShkEfH02NcMMfM5HcGsDQK28KMvl/s515/Shailene%20Woodley%201q%20Dior%20Sept%2027-22.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="292" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79LqX_KEmbwhCwHDUY_ZMqp6SrK-MCQomVdiUFSE0yyN952awn2SenjdHldx_WBW0EWHgWN8NxnWhMq7xeQt-gNZ24v3Nye_gzzvxrq14eJMdg1febqXPI5QEaa-FDZWoMI68SpgcrUygleBFsSbPy06gHKm6G2jJShkEfH02NcMMfM5HcGsDQK28KMvl/s320/Shailene%20Woodley%201q%20Dior%20Sept%2027-22.webp" width="181" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear shot<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div> <p></p><p>Iris Law also wore an identical pair of pants, with a light, stripped dress shirt. She opted to let her braces hang from her waist, which I think comes off as unpolished.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04e9YCWNKJpZxEK2_cwh-afsWW1hCTK7xA4mEf0BnD1VuuaYRoRcPnUr-gGPpI3teyx-8fjMlY6wMUO0X4jZPO6JINcft8ZJJiXaLZflmvDX2SMIAB_nzy-AuR9BDGtJ-UPINnH3GAqnmLmP2CdAKjOTRo5pM6etaOOmLNZT5GiaOCm76zzMzJUQL_Cpx/s1024/Iris%20Law%201d%20Dior%20Sept%2027-22.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="683" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04e9YCWNKJpZxEK2_cwh-afsWW1hCTK7xA4mEf0BnD1VuuaYRoRcPnUr-gGPpI3teyx-8fjMlY6wMUO0X4jZPO6JINcft8ZJJiXaLZflmvDX2SMIAB_nzy-AuR9BDGtJ-UPINnH3GAqnmLmP2CdAKjOTRo5pM6etaOOmLNZT5GiaOCm76zzMzJUQL_Cpx/s320/Iris%20Law%201d%20Dior%20Sept%2027-22.webp" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iris Law's style<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Who do you think wore this look better? Comment below!<br /></p>Back to Braceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240649681320273191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705777238092169832.post-52753870083688680702023-06-20T14:06:00.003-07:002023-06-20T14:10:19.932-07:00A Father’s Day Gift<p>I received this from a reader today and thought I'd share it with you:</p><p><br />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.</p><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p>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!</p><p>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!</p><p>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. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8_O7E7a2zjtyXwzCT-1BLk54X9XhQv8iFE4aDNq0Fd8DtLc1v0MJGw3yZY6Ainv6ccOVHERmCoqLPRhKqwNR0N1Vni2tHiYC0GrVSbadB3rOl1YFU0FRPQXUkYF5qdYZCJ7QqtwHdu7LquWUszjWLr-67d6mRPVCY91iGeNN5tIXXV2tUSjo83UAAOaE/s2240/GreyPants47a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2240" data-original-width="1920" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8_O7E7a2zjtyXwzCT-1BLk54X9XhQv8iFE4aDNq0Fd8DtLc1v0MJGw3yZY6Ainv6ccOVHERmCoqLPRhKqwNR0N1Vni2tHiYC0GrVSbadB3rOl1YFU0FRPQXUkYF5qdYZCJ7QqtwHdu7LquWUszjWLr-67d6mRPVCY91iGeNN5tIXXV2tUSjo83UAAOaE/w343-h400/GreyPants47a.jpg" width="343" /></a></div>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.<p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5guLkXdshvnMAI_LLMJeZN5ILnrj8Jb66FmFqePl2jAybEiUhqyPh_9z83VWt5RGMuvBRGvyHVETEiSveKOORCTeS90d8FpvdWGEqAvEj0auz2KVAjpcos5vpNG9QHZgQLA7snNnbbQEFz2ov4XiygxKArFLE5Ve-qOzFzLutfdMrBwBLpWqt-12K0mSm/s2240/GreyPants47c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2240" data-original-width="1920" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5guLkXdshvnMAI_LLMJeZN5ILnrj8Jb66FmFqePl2jAybEiUhqyPh_9z83VWt5RGMuvBRGvyHVETEiSveKOORCTeS90d8FpvdWGEqAvEj0auz2KVAjpcos5vpNG9QHZgQLA7snNnbbQEFz2ov4XiygxKArFLE5Ve-qOzFzLutfdMrBwBLpWqt-12K0mSm/w343-h400/GreyPants47c.jpg" width="343" /></a></div><br />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!<p></p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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. </p><p>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!</p><p> </p><p>Thank you for sharing, I’m so glad to help.<br /></p>Back to Braceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240649681320273191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705777238092169832.post-40130264599113547382022-09-21T10:08:00.005-07:002023-05-30T14:58:45.832-07:00Black High-Waisted Jeans with Braces<p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I recently went shopping </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">for
a new pair of jeans. One particular store had a wide selection of jeans in different colors and styles. I came across a pair of black jeans with the waist at or above my natural
waist. I tried them on and they fit well, so I decided to buy them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">At
the till, the store owner asked if I found what I was looking for.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, I said, I've been looking for jeans with a high waist. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">She smiled and said it is a classic look.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Exactly, I said. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">She continued by suggesting I could "go vintage" by wearing suspenders with them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, I said, that’s exactly what I will do! These jeans will need suspenders to hold them up at the high waist.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">That would look great, she said. She added that she would love to see me wear them the next time I'm around.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I agreed and walked out of the store with a smile on my face. It's nice to meet other people that also appreciate suspenders!</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I was thinking of my pair of braces that are brown with black and white stripes (see <a href="https://everythingaboutbraces.blogspot.com/2021/10/national-suspenders-day-2021.html">this post</a>). The black stripes would go well with the black jeans. The braces are very rugged and fit the lumberjack style. Some of my other braces could also go well.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">As I travelled home I had to decide where to place the buttons – <a href="https://everythingaboutbraces.blogspot.com/2021/09/brace-buttons-on-outside-or-inside-of.html" target="_blank">on the outside or inside of the waistband</a>.
After much thought over the next few days I concluded that as these are
rugged jeans, I would put the buttons on the <i>outside </i>of the waistband.
They would accentuate the brace tabs and point back to when men wore
braces while working on the railroad. I removed the belt loops and sewed on the brace buttons. Here's the style that I wore that day:</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBhWQSMH4zxo3uTaG3Gjv4dhtb5mJaxoVtN-MjZjo_HrQt9xeBFoEGMR3U2Vvqi3wOZBqqOL5O-VeRiwoGSj9FILDUQL6jBkTMZ7atmbs-sRN4SiSKJY6Fz2mvtfVSVUdG1sZIBgaCG6iSRvKAyPluOpWtwN3AzvxhVDvYKklHbdKBSy9IwgZACDW4xw/s1223/BlackJeans1a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1223" data-original-width="935" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBhWQSMH4zxo3uTaG3Gjv4dhtb5mJaxoVtN-MjZjo_HrQt9xeBFoEGMR3U2Vvqi3wOZBqqOL5O-VeRiwoGSj9FILDUQL6jBkTMZ7atmbs-sRN4SiSKJY6Fz2mvtfVSVUdG1sZIBgaCG6iSRvKAyPluOpWtwN3AzvxhVDvYKklHbdKBSy9IwgZACDW4xw/w306-h400/BlackJeans1a.JPG" width="306" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stripped inverse-V tab braces<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWgr-MEVlKQdoCq3f5ldAelu1nFckvqmG4dtq6erF1VTsC51SkZEd1-ioENBrGUYnAvBBHw5CM_e0cp3-tLE0aoAt5y1U9oil1Q5P41Cw2IZd5HrekmtIXpFxxUGFds2688RcZER-ZhAFyW1RcnhM6E45w1sjtnyIKR7EGvwHTrbS-0e8ofCOWzTuyg/s1238/BlakcJeans1b.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1238" data-original-width="938" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWgr-MEVlKQdoCq3f5ldAelu1nFckvqmG4dtq6erF1VTsC51SkZEd1-ioENBrGUYnAvBBHw5CM_e0cp3-tLE0aoAt5y1U9oil1Q5P41Cw2IZd5HrekmtIXpFxxUGFds2688RcZER-ZhAFyW1RcnhM6E45w1sjtnyIKR7EGvwHTrbS-0e8ofCOWzTuyg/w303-h400/BlakcJeans1b.JPG" width="303" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear shot of stripped Y-back braces<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I remembered the James Jeans with braces
from CourtShop that were popular a few years ago. These jeans are also high-waisted and have
buttons on the outside for Y-back braces. The fish-tail back is a nice touch.<br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaRr81yq8EyHi41acR7sXd0b12CT2ZEGZI7fUBCx0UTK76X6WJyRq-wZpkycZlvd9lJgujcRaOlSVoUdoNDqUVVtqVDXnOBmqVHerkMKyZSoIqGBS9vYtiO6u79d_ZXUCkPGVWSFc2hK4XL9qJU5DdPaJT1UweSBK7kykIadMPDijRjtjk_lV2L8oL8w=s752" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="532" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaRr81yq8EyHi41acR7sXd0b12CT2ZEGZI7fUBCx0UTK76X6WJyRq-wZpkycZlvd9lJgujcRaOlSVoUdoNDqUVVtqVDXnOBmqVHerkMKyZSoIqGBS9vYtiO6u79d_ZXUCkPGVWSFc2hK4XL9qJU5DdPaJT1UweSBK7kykIadMPDijRjtjk_lV2L8oL8w=w453-h640" width="453" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtshop James Jeans with braces<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">A few days after I had sewn on the buttons, a couple came over for dinner. I was wearing the black jeans, blue stripped braces, and a green t-shirt. The husband immediately commented, "cool suspenders!"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Thanks!" </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I replied, smiling. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">His wife saw me a few minutes later and said, "I like your suspenders. We should get you a pair of suspenders babe," looking at her husband. He had a slim build and his pants sagged, so it was a good suggestion.<br /></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I smiled, "they are very comfortable and look great," I said.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Where did you get your jeans?" she asked.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I mentioned the store and she continued, "and you got the suspenders there too?" she asked.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">"No," I replied, "I got them from a thrift store." I continued, "these jeans didn't originally have suspender buttons - I sewed them on myself."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Oh, I see," she replied. "I really like them! I love your lumberjack, worker look."<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Thanks, that's the look I was going for," I said beaming.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Well, you nailed it with the button suspenders," she said.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Yes, they do make the look," I replied.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">We carried on with our dinner and had a pleasant evening.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">***<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">A week later we were visiting other friends and as we came in I took off my cardigan. I was wearing my black jeans with stripped braces, and they were displayed proudly.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The lady of the house commented, "I love your suspenders. Look," she motioned to her husband, "he has the proper attachments with buttons. You look fantastic!"<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Thank you," I replied.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">***</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">A few months later I was back in the clothing store, searching for something, and I was wearing my black pants with stripped braces. The lady came up to compliment me on my braces. She said she liked how my suspenders fit with my jeans. I told her I bought them here a few months ago, and on her recommendation, to have buttons installed for braces. She remembered and smiled. She said she liked the look. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Every time I wear these jeans I receive compliments. It's great!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Discussion time:</b> <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Have you been wearing braces recently?<br /></span></p>Back to Braceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240649681320273191noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705777238092169832.post-14083723046693031382022-09-15T13:15:00.001-07:002022-09-15T22:20:32.143-07:00Swing dancing tales<p>A female friend discovered that I loved braces and shared this with me: </p><p>~~~ <br /></p><p>I love swing dancing. I’ve been dancing for many years and going to a certain hall for some time. As a lady I love dressing up in vintage styles, particularly from the 1940s. I dream of dancing with a male partner that also wears vintage clothes – a tweed suit jacket, high-waisted trousers with suspenders, and classy, vintage shoes!</p><p>Well, my dream came true one night. I went to the dance hall wearing a floral, pleated skirt and a light pink blouse with puffy sleeves, along with a knitted sweater.</p><p>I had come alone, so I was dancing with another single dancer at the time. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed another couple. I had not seen them come in, but they were both dressed in classic swing style: the lady was wearing a beautiful, vintage dress hemmed just below the knee. The man was wearing an earth-brown suit with a beige, stripped dress shirt, and a vintage, wide tie.</p><p>After a few dances, I thanked my dance partner and headed off to take a break on the side. This allowed me to observe this couple. They were decent dancers, but it was their choice of clothing that I admired most. The male dancer had his jacket button undone - his suit pants were high waisted, but didn't have a belt, and looked fantastic.</p><p>This couple also took a break and moved off the dance floor, close to where I was sitting. I decided to meet them. I walk up and introduce myself, “Hi, I’m Jillian,” I said.</p><p>“Hello,” they reply in unison returning the introduction and their names.</p><p>“This is a nice place to dance,” the lady says, still catching her breath. “Sorry, I haven’t danced in a long time, I forgot how much exercise is involved in swing dancing; I’m out of breath!”</p><p>“That’s alright, catch your breath,” I respond. “I like this place too. They play classic swing music and there’s lots of dance partners. I love that you came dressed in vintage styles - it makes swing dancing so much more enjoyable! Your skirt and blouse are lovely and fit the era,” I say.</p><p>“Thank you,” she replies. “I love that era too. The clothes were so cute!”</p><p>I turn to the man, “And I love your brown suit too. Your tie is especially vintage!” I exclaim.</p><p>“Thank you,” says the man proudly, running his thumb down his tie. “I like the 1940s decade as well.”<br />The man removes his suit jacket, feeling the warmth in the room. This reveals his high-waist pants are held up by suspenders. They are stripped brown, with thin navy and white strips that pair with his tie.</p><p>“Would you mind if I have the next dance?” I ask the lady, wanting to talk to him about his style and his suspenders.</p><p>“Sure, go for it. You can teach him a step or two!” says the lady as she receives his suit jacket.</p><p>We walk onto the dance floor. “I love your vintage style,” I say with a big smile, “and you are wearing suspenders! They are perfect for swing dancing! So dapper and classic.”</p><p>“Yes, they are,” says the man, smiling. “I call them braces as they attach to my pants with buttons,” he says, moving his fingers to his waist and flipping over the waistband to show where the buttons are attached to the braces.</p><p>“Alright,” I say, reaching out and resting my hands on his chest. “Suspenders, braces, whatever you call them; they go perfect with your high-waisted pants!” </p><p>“Thank you,” replies the man. “They do a great job of keeping my pants securely in place. The alternative would be clips and those would snap off with all the movement of swing dancing.” While he’s talking, I tuck my fingers beneath his straps and lightly pull them towards me. With a smile I release my fingers and his straps lightly snap back to his chest. </p><p>He blushes and responds, “That’s the downside of wearing braces - everyone likes to snap them.”</p><p>“It is fun,” I say. “But I’ll restrain myself.”</p><p>“Thank you,” says the man.</p><p>“I don’t see men wearing braces every day, so forgive me for being fascinated with them. It’s so rare to see people wearing vintage clothing these days. I love your look. Your stripped braces go perfectly with your brown pants and tie – it’s all so stylish!”</p><p>“Thank you,” beams the man.</p><p>I place my right hand on his back as the next dance song starts. I feel his brace buttons on the outside of his pants, and tap the buttons with my fingers. These buttons are on the outside of his waistband.<br /></p><p>“Your pants are floating on air, suspended by your braces,” I say looking at his waistline.</p><p>“That’s right,” replies the man. “Braces are designed to be worn with a looser waistline and that makes the pants comfortable to wear, especially when swing dancing.”</p><p>We join in to the music and begin swing dancing in slow step.</p><p>“Do you wear braces often?” I continue.</p><p>“Almost every day.”</p><p>“Wow, that’s uncommon! You must really love them.”</p><p>“Yes, I do. They’ve become part of my personal style. I couldn’t go a day wearing dress pants without braces. I love the classic men’s styles.”</p><p>“I agree. That era was so stylish. If you wear dress pants every day you must work in an office,” I say as we pick up the pace of our dance moves.</p><p>“Yes. I work in an office, spending my day sitting at a desk so my pants need to be comfortable when I’m sitting,” replies the man. “But when I stand up and walk, my pants need to stay in place as well.”</p><p>“And that’s where your suspenders, I mean, braces come in,” I say.</p><p>“Exactly,” smiles the man.</p><p>“Well, you look fantastic. Braces are much more distinguished than a belt.”</p><p>“I totally agree,” replies the man.</p><p>My hand intentionally nudges his rear brace strap as I spin behind him. He smiles. I love his braces.</p><p>We continue dancing for several more songs and then decide to take a break. We start to head off the dance floor from the centre, but it’s quite crowded and finding a path is challenging. He heads in one direct while holding my hand. About halfway along I’m losing my grip on his hand. In desperation I reach out and grab on to his rear brace strap. He stops and looks behind to inquire. I motion to continue but remain holding his rear brace strap. I maneuver off the dance floor holding his hand but also hanging onto his rear brace strap.</p><p>“Thank you for helping me out of there,” I say when we are off the dance floor, “I thought I was going to lose your lead and not get out!”</p><p>“No worries,” replies the man. “Would you like to wipe your brow?” he asks, reaching into his pocket and offering his clean handkerchief.</p><p>“Wow, yes, thank you,” I stammer. “Your vintage style keeps getting better! Vintage tie, braces, handkerchief!”</p><p>“Thank you,” replies the man. </p><p>“You know, women can wear suspenders too,” I declare.</p><p>“You’re right,” says the man as we head towards his dance partner.</p><p>“You’ve inspired me to get some braces for my high-waisted pencil skirt for next week’s dance,” I say. “I’ll need to buy a pair of button suspenders and sew buttons on the waistband, like you have,” pointing to his waistline.<br /></p><p>“That would be lovely,” says the man.</p><p>“What’s that?” asks his lady friend joining the conversation.</p><p>“We were just talking about how women can also wear suspenders,” says the man.</p><p>“Yes,” said the lady, “I’m wearing suspenders right now,” she says with a smile.</p><p>“What?” we both say in unison as we stare at her. She’s wearing a knee-length dress, nothing requiring shoulder straps. She laughs as she lifts her dress hem to reveal her stockings attached to garters.</p><p>“Those are nice garter suspenders,” I say.</p><p>The man agrees, “yes, women also need to hold up their stockings just as much as men need suspenders to hold up their pants!”</p><p>“Yes, we all need suspenders!” I say as I reach out and pull on one of the man’s straps.</p><p></p><p>“Hey, that’s enough!” remarks the man.</p><p>“You’re just so snappy,” I say sheepishly.</p><p>“Just you wait until I snap one of your suspenders next week,” says the man to me.</p><p>“You wouldn’t dare!” I exclaim.</p><p>We all laugh. “Are you ready to dance again?” asks the lady as the man grabs a drink of water.</p><p>“Absolutely,” says the man. And that is what they did.</p><p>At the end of the night we say good bye and confirm to meet again next week. <br /></p><p>~~~</p><p>The next following week the three of us return. We arrive at opening, eager to dance. The weather is warm and the man has left his suit jacket at home this time. He is wearing a grey suit with high-rise pants and stripped burgundy and white stripped braces over a blue dress shirt and dark tie. His female friend is wearing a floral dress. I’m wear my high-waisted brown skirt with stripped braces over a pastel blouse.</p><p>“You look great,” I say as we wait outside for the doors to open.</p><p>“As do you,” the man says. “I love your braces!”</p><p>“Thanks,” I say, putting my thumbs underneath the straps and sliding them down. “They take some getting used to. I’m not sure where the straps should lie – over my breasts or around them?”</p><p>“I think around,” says the lady, “similar to how the straps curve around a man’s chest.”</p><p>“I agree,” smiles the man, puffing out his chest.</p><p>“I'll try that,” I say shifting my straps to the side. “You two dance first; I’ll wait.”</p><p>After several songs, I feel a slight tug on my rear brace strap at my shoulder. </p><p>“Would you like to dance?” the man asks.</p><p>“Hey,” I reply jumping up. “Yes! Let’s dance.” I return the nod by flicking my finger across his brace strap as I rush past him onto the dance floor.</p><p>Off we go, dancing the night away wearing braces. The man dances with his friend and me throughout the evening, getting very little downtime, but he doesn’t seem to mind. He has learned some new dance steps and is full committing himself.</p><p>As the announcement for the final song comes on, the lady graciously lets me have the last dance with him. We get into starting position and I put my hand on his back. I feel a dangling piece of leather. I move my hand up and realize that it’s part of his braces, which have partially come detached.</p><p>“You’ve had a vigorous dancing session tonight. How are you holding up?” I ask.</p><p>“I’m doing great,” he responds.</p><p>“I’m glad to hear. Just like your braces are hanging in there?”</p><p>“Exactly,” he replies.</p><p>“Sorry to tell you though, but one of your brace attachments at the back has, um, come detached,” I say pulling and releasing the dangling brace tab. It twangs back into place with a snap. “I think you popped a button,” I say.</p><p>“Oh, I didn’t notice it with all the dancing tonight. Let’s finish this last song before inspecting,” he quickly replies as the song has already started.</p><p>We dance the last song and the dangling leather piece flutters around his back during our movements. At the end of the song we walk off the dance floor and rejoin the other lady.</p><p>“We had a vigorous dance session tonight,” I say pointing to the man’s rear brace tab.</p><p>“That’s right, it was intense,” says the man. He reaches around to feel the dangling rear brace tab and the lack of a corresponding button on his waistline.</p><p>“What happened?” asks the lady noticing the man’s arms behind his back.</p><p>“I popped a brace button,” he says.</p><p>“Was she snapping your braces again?” smirks the lady. “It must have just happened,” she continues, as she inspects his waistline, “as I didn’t notice anything during our last dance. And I had my hand on your back while dancing so I would have felt a loose leather piece flapping around.”</p><p>“Yeah, I didn’t notice it either until Julian pointed it out. That’s ok, these things happen, it’s only a button,” says the man.</p><p>“And buttons can be easily replaced,” I say. “I could sew on a replacement for you?” I ask.</p><p>“That would be appreciated,” replies the man sliding his fingers along his front brace straps to adjust them.</p><p>“Alright, having learned how to sew brace buttons to my skirt, I’m happy to sew on a button for you,” I say, tapping my buttons. “Let’s meet up this week. We can also practice our dance steps.” I say as we walk out of the hall into the cool evening air. </p><p>We breathe in and take a moment to relax before heading our separate ways.<br /><br /></p>Back to Braceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240649681320273191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705777238092169832.post-24804438892215843622022-06-22T13:26:00.003-07:002023-05-30T15:11:34.505-07:00 “Help, I’m fit but my pants don’t stay up!”<p>This was the statement a new friend made recently to me. He was in his late 30s and reasonably fit – he exercised regularly and ate well, and he didn’t have a pot belly. He has an office job that requires him to wear dress pants, and sometimes a suit jacket or blazer. He said he had spent his whole life wearing a belt with his dress pants. But the belt cut into his abdomen all day when he sat. His belt had to be tight around his waist to keep his pants at the right height. When he stood up or walked around, he was constantly adjusting and pulling up his pants. There must be a better way, he gripped.</p><p>There is, I said! I recommended he buy a pair of dress pants that were snug at the waistline when he was sitting, and then loose when standing. The waistband should be snug, not tight, I emphasized. Also, the waistline must go up to his natural waist – where his belly button was. He said he’d give it a try, but asked how the pants would stay at that height. </p><p>I gave a big smile; that’s where braces come in! He was hesitant, but I persisted. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGpW2ru-QI-sovxoRX2xwdXA2aU4r3rZMBpa_aAepa4m-VFNwCHOfQ34cuijjeo8Ch0Z0So4Is6WJHOc2t4-_lQXy56gaXXU7b-5nCSvYqOrD0LBkcPS1cIU3rwNDhV1tFPWuHcZ1RLQoWBE43LSMqBKdHaEPByvb_zn0FQTeZT8F1DZjg7UqOy1jtg/s700/Ad%20PioneerSuspenders1929b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="390" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGpW2ru-QI-sovxoRX2xwdXA2aU4r3rZMBpa_aAepa4m-VFNwCHOfQ34cuijjeo8Ch0Z0So4Is6WJHOc2t4-_lQXy56gaXXU7b-5nCSvYqOrD0LBkcPS1cIU3rwNDhV1tFPWuHcZ1RLQoWBE43LSMqBKdHaEPByvb_zn0FQTeZT8F1DZjg7UqOy1jtg/w223-h400/Ad%20PioneerSuspenders1929b.jpg" width="223" /></a></div><p> </p><p>Pants were originally designed to be supported with braces, not a belt. Brace tabs attach at specific places along the waistline to support your pants perfectly. And I said, he’ll solve the constant adjusting and pulling of his waistline throughout the day. In fact, the braces do the pulling to keep your pants in place. I recommended he visit a tailor or seamstress to get the buttons sewn onto the waistline, and directed him to my blog post on the topic. I stressed that he must wear braces with buttons instead of clip-on suspenders. This is very important as braces with buttons will give him the needed support, clips will not.</p><p></p><p>He agreed to give the larger-waisted pants with braces a try. I could tell he was hesitant, but he was fed up with his belt and ready to solve his problem of his pants slipping down all day. </p><p></p><p>A few weeks later we met for lunch. He was blown away by the results. He said he followed my recommendations exactly. With the help of his wife, they searched vintage stores and found a vintage pair of navy dress pants with a looser, and higher waistline. The pants came up to his belly button. He said the pants only stayed up if he inhaled and didn’t move; he was keen on getting braces attached. He made sure to check the tightness around the waist when sitting down. He took the pants to a seamstress, who followed the directions for placement of the buttons along the waistband. She even removed the belt loops on the waistband, he said.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-45HT-f65ZxQQTwy9zd2K0feJJayNnBXqLhlofNozryXhS1EfQDINFgAtMCa4Amzrhc8RxB8LLF89vryCLAS98RRvZTtoD2gLOUTKIELYLXXrosr16h5BwyGmperaopVePZlkSiZDzFSm692XUJ4koFt6VnvN-TKjuVClp1NNRcXhRsR6Lud0UWAhg/s594/BWBraces38.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-45HT-f65ZxQQTwy9zd2K0feJJayNnBXqLhlofNozryXhS1EfQDINFgAtMCa4Amzrhc8RxB8LLF89vryCLAS98RRvZTtoD2gLOUTKIELYLXXrosr16h5BwyGmperaopVePZlkSiZDzFSm692XUJ4koFt6VnvN-TKjuVClp1NNRcXhRsR6Lud0UWAhg/s320/BWBraces38.jpg" width="250" /></a> </p><p>While he waited for the seamstress, his wife bought him a nice pair of stripped navy, grey and white button braces. His wife was eager to see how the braces fit with the high-waisted pants. </p><p>He picked up the pants from the seamstress a few days later. When he got home he attached the braces to the pants and wore them around home that evening. His wife loved the look and he felt very good wearing the pants. This gave him confidence to wear them to the office the following day.</p><p>In the morning, he put on the high waisted dress pants with braces and a blazer. It was a warm spring day. When he arrived at the office his colleagues noticed that he was more at ease and complimented him on his style. His pants were flattering as they were high waisted and didn't bunch around his ankles. Eventually his colleagues asked for his secret, and he took off his blazer midway through the morning to reveal his braces. His peers loved the vintage style. He said the ladies especially commented on his braces. They said he looked taller, more confident, and more at ease. </p><p>He kept his blazer off for the rest of the day. His braces were very comfortable, whether he was sitting at his desk or standing and walking around. He could breathe normally, without having a constrained belt around his waist. A few times he caught himself reaching to adjust his pants when he stood up, but then thumbed his brace buttons and was thankful they were doing their function.</p><p>At lunch, he received more praise from bystanders as he walked outside the office without a jacket. He recalled one lady stopping him on the sidewalk to say that she loved his braces and pants. She turned to the man walking with her and asked him to start wearing suspenders!</p><p>At the end of his work day he went home and gave his wife a hug and kiss. She smiled as she lightly tugged on his straps. She asked how he felt wearing the braces all day. He said he loved them. The suspenders were so comfortable and he didn't have to adjust his pants once. It was the first time in years.</p><p>She smiled and said she liked seeing him comfortable. She was excited, as she was thinking of buying him a few more pairs in different colors. </p><p>He’s now a firm believer and plans to wear braces with high waisted pants on all his dress pants.</p><p><b>Discussion time:</b></p><p>Have you seen anyone wearing braces around your office or workplace?<br /></p>Back to Braceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240649681320273191noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705777238092169832.post-86820807850449453702021-12-06T12:17:00.001-08:002022-03-07T10:44:34.673-08:00Tales of Brace-wearing (Part 3)<p>Remember the man working in a corporate office from Tales of Brace-wearing <a href="https://everythingaboutbraces.blogspot.com/2019/06/tales-of-brace-wearer.html" target="_blank">Part 1</a> and <a href="https://everythingaboutbraces.blogspot.com/2021/05/tales-of-brace-wearing-part-2.html" target="_blank">Part 2</a>? We rejoin him about a week later.</p><p>Mid-morning the man was working in the office when two female colleagues knock on his door. They are excited and ask to show off their outfits.</p><p>“Sure,” says the man, “I have some time.”</p><p>“We love your braces so we did some shopping and put together these styles,” says the first lady. “As you can see, I’m wearing high-waisted, grey pants with burgundy braces and this white blouse.”</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYSEBjzrd_fG92cFTndPBwF8-POquw9OHQbTuZnL-F1hMIfogwvfpMXyw8QlXEoQXHDCXrgXfSaaFjQ-yi57JWg9IoKJawFgNumVRG7Si4TxrPsd159WcHp2Hb74kLcjisizxv9vZFjka9FvHBLjsD_LWOIQqQGQ1CkyJqYqC4G9S63q3CFqMhwsEc1Q=s450" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="300" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYSEBjzrd_fG92cFTndPBwF8-POquw9OHQbTuZnL-F1hMIfogwvfpMXyw8QlXEoQXHDCXrgXfSaaFjQ-yi57JWg9IoKJawFgNumVRG7Si4TxrPsd159WcHp2Hb74kLcjisizxv9vZFjka9FvHBLjsD_LWOIQqQGQ1CkyJqYqC4G9S63q3CFqMhwsEc1Q=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A similar style by Lena Horschek's collection<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>“Fantastic,” says the man. “That’s a classy outfit.”</p><p>“And I’m wearing a high-waisted pencil navy skirt with brown braces and this red blouse,” says the second lady.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3fu38ixgASxir8C4usUBYMePBVs0z6OQagzIHDDX5tPdNLqGC7J2Ty2iFmdWc5m5-V5JWBse1SSirArR_1Q4dfFe2a1QxqKKIkUkOQFCBRP4MfiGr2vDquTZheL7OipJlNsLPo-lfmbu6l2ovgzlvYlowR_LLQmkjt2fsyV8HR62hXuw5SwwHAO53BQ=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1759" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3fu38ixgASxir8C4usUBYMePBVs0z6OQagzIHDDX5tPdNLqGC7J2Ty2iFmdWc5m5-V5JWBse1SSirArR_1Q4dfFe2a1QxqKKIkUkOQFCBRP4MfiGr2vDquTZheL7OipJlNsLPo-lfmbu6l2ovgzlvYlowR_LLQmkjt2fsyV8HR62hXuw5SwwHAO53BQ=w550-h640" width="550" /></a></div><p>“Equally fantastic,” says the man. “The browns go well with the pastels.”</p><p>“Thank you,” reply the ladies.</p><p>“And I’m wearing high-rise grey pants with green braces with this white dress shirt,” says the man.”</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTQRDMQFHIBU8vNbDKfl9fOmucXI-FWqfJV-vWnvdO61QtpChSdNWnn_HX087jIdFgWe84606vp1Z6ejaGDoy77BKAEm10rxm2K3TAUpdnqEjTbmRi3lnzV65Xeqb57gueHPHjoMf2pot-gsB1Ljor438Jf8a9b2wVuW7dgKjbeUWw5P8vYpxpDg1JvQ=s441" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="300" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTQRDMQFHIBU8vNbDKfl9fOmucXI-FWqfJV-vWnvdO61QtpChSdNWnn_HX087jIdFgWe84606vp1Z6ejaGDoy77BKAEm10rxm2K3TAUpdnqEjTbmRi3lnzV65Xeqb57gueHPHjoMf2pot-gsB1Ljor438Jf8a9b2wVuW7dgKjbeUWw5P8vYpxpDg1JvQ=w436-h640" width="436" /></a></div><p></p><p>“So dapper,” says the first lady.</p><p>“Each of us have different colors and our different personalities displayed here, but we are all wearing braces,” says the man.</p><p>“That’s right,” says the second lady.</p><p>“I can’t get over how comfortable the braces are,” says the first lady. “Whether I’m sitting or standing, they comfortably rest there.”</p><p>The man smiled and said, “you’ve been converted to brace-wearing! You’ll wear braces for the rest of your life!”</p><p>“Yes!” says both ladies.</p><p>“Do you mind if we take a picture?” asks the second lady.</p><p>“Not at all, that would be great,” says the man.</p><p>And that’s how it came that a photo of the three co-workers wearing braces was taken.<br /><br /></p>Back to Braceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240649681320273191noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705777238092169832.post-91330622685261980262021-10-20T08:16:00.006-07:002022-03-03T11:02:42.960-08:00National Suspenders Day 2021<p>Today we celebrate National Suspenders Day. Not that I don’t celebrate suspenders every day, but it’s nice to be recognized as a national day, whatever nation that is! </p><p>It’s time to reflect on braces over the past year. The pandemic has seen many people shift their style to more casual, as they work from home. The term “Zoom fashion” has appeared – business casual from the waist up, and sweatpants or leggings from the waist down. Clothes are to be comfortable.<br /></p><p>Over the past few months I’ve also taken to wearing more casual clothes. Currently, my go-to jeans are a pair of rich denim, high-waisted, regular fit jeans. My wife's first reaction was, “grandpa pants”, as they are baggy. The waist rises to my natural waistline, and does not stay up without the help of braces. Keeping with the farmer look, I have a pair of wide, stripped, X-back braces that coordinate well with the ruggedness of the jeans. The brace straps are wide with 3 stripes in the middle: black, red, and black. I have not worn wide brace straps before - these are 2 inches wide. I can see why lumberjacks and farmers wear thicker straps as they are more comfortable with lots of bending and twisting.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTndh_aGXxwWB4O2VepOk6FhjLdxgd0YfqnM6ysSfTFEb2VZgIEtHr831zF0ytZ_mNxU8cuBm5j6KVvjG578aY4mam4ZwXSo2qoISL59GFD6-k8YlNEKZ4JQTvAoJZTTESBaViMfJBjWR/s1000/Jeans1a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="764" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTndh_aGXxwWB4O2VepOk6FhjLdxgd0YfqnM6ysSfTFEb2VZgIEtHr831zF0ytZ_mNxU8cuBm5j6KVvjG578aY4mam4ZwXSo2qoISL59GFD6-k8YlNEKZ4JQTvAoJZTTESBaViMfJBjWR/w305-h400/Jeans1a.JPG" width="305" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lumber-jack stripped braces with jeans<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tvLVeKNSDhP1de9ctYMlX_LdBcdvdzvG4QLkgcip92mVSfzaOQZw7DLobB9XaDMTMvlM54RC-uyb5kY4wXF-hHmeUyrkIHOe4WLTJs2uBwbRAHsIow9mJBI1OlfRwfi2BOVPYJ0HScGK/s1000/Jeans1d.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="747" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tvLVeKNSDhP1de9ctYMlX_LdBcdvdzvG4QLkgcip92mVSfzaOQZw7DLobB9XaDMTMvlM54RC-uyb5kY4wXF-hHmeUyrkIHOe4WLTJs2uBwbRAHsIow9mJBI1OlfRwfi2BOVPYJ0HScGK/w299-h400/Jeans1d.JPG" width="299" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeans without the cardigan<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><p></p>And the back is X-back style which provides excellent support above each pant leg. The wide spacing of the rear buttons is very helpful in keeping my jeans in place.<br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxuSz8aTz_fPamwDpIwh3ICreq2bouo6gJrfMjuyAkBZpXp4UDO8_w6lZvJBext2HGtaTwjWENNamK5ZWxid1NxHTC9dKHZpGjdRUZX1_uw9ce_mZTHMHuHZ3B-CYGm7kNqjPfHJymacU/s1000/Jeans1c.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxuSz8aTz_fPamwDpIwh3ICreq2bouo6gJrfMjuyAkBZpXp4UDO8_w6lZvJBext2HGtaTwjWENNamK5ZWxid1NxHTC9dKHZpGjdRUZX1_uw9ce_mZTHMHuHZ3B-CYGm7kNqjPfHJymacU/w320-h400/Jeans1c.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">X-back style on my lumber-jack braces</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I’ve worn this style around town and seen similar men wear high waisted jeans with suspenders. The styles of the 1980s are coming back: loose fitting jeans, bell bottoms, and over-sized sweaters and jackets, and this fits into that style. </p><p></p><p>I was at the grocery store yesterday wearing these clothes. My cardigan was unbuttoned and open, allowing my stripped braces to be displayed. A nice lady stopped me and said, “Hi sir, it’s nice to see you are wearing suspenders to hold up your pants. I wish more young men would wear suspenders to keep their pants from looking scruffy. You look great!”</p><p>“Thank you,” I replied, “Suspenders do a great job of holding up my pants,” as I slid my fingers along the straps. "I need suspenders to support these baggy pants."<br /></p><p>“Enjoy them,” she said with a smile, and we continued on our way.</p><p>Happy National Suspender Day!</p>Back to Braceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240649681320273191noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705777238092169832.post-27508069112645437722021-09-28T10:30:00.007-07:002022-09-16T08:47:07.935-07:00Brace Buttons on the Outside or Inside of the Waistband?<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Once you’ve decided to wear braces with buttons, the next step is to determine whether the buttons should go on the <i>inside </i>of the waistband or on the <i>outside</i>. It's a significant decision with pros and cons.But first, how did we get here?<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1sUI5qBaX6Q7Fl82-GL7JA0VG8nzXVcw9J5bXJtIMjGiKyZz0ZmRS9_3sNflwpeJAotEwjRW5X9uosTZS-hlOC6qi4wcrtZ0ss9gGdLK-N5FaCo-uykR-0ryRmFeSXcJUZxi6ipkzxYR/s1600/CaryCooper2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1sUI5qBaX6Q7Fl82-GL7JA0VG8nzXVcw9J5bXJtIMjGiKyZz0ZmRS9_3sNflwpeJAotEwjRW5X9uosTZS-hlOC6qi4wcrtZ0ss9gGdLK-N5FaCo-uykR-0ryRmFeSXcJUZxi6ipkzxYR/w619-h640/CaryCooper2.jpg" width="619" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gary Cooper has brace buttons on the outside of his waistband<br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Buttons were historically sewn on the outside as it was easier to sew completely through the fabric, and the buttons were generally kept behind a vest, at least at the front. At the rear, the vest would rise slightly and you generally saw the rear brace tabs peaking out and attached to buttons on the outside of the waistband.<br /><br />After World War II men turned to belts over braces. As men shed vests, the buttons migrated to the
inside, for reasons no one completely knows. Some say it was to hide the buttons as they were thought of to be part of your undergarments. I don't buy that as buttons are on display on suit jackets, pants, and many other garments. There's nothing wrong with seeing buttons on clothing, so why hide brace buttons?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">My theory from looking at countless historical photos of people wearing braces - men and women, and young and old - is that when the pants or skirt had belt loops, the brace buttons went on the inside. When the pants or skirt had no belt loops, the brace buttons generally went on the outside of the waistband.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The problem with moving the buttons to the inside is that they lost some of the functionality: enter the dreaded rollover.</span></p><p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><b>The terrible waistband roll-over</b><br /></span>
</p><div><span style="font-family: arial;">
When
sewing buttons on the inside, if the button thread does not go all
the way through the waistline the braces will pull up the inside of the
waistline, separating from the outside<b> </b>of the waistline. The
inside lining of the waistline rises, but not the outside lining of the
waistline. This looks terrible and is what's called the<b> roll-over</b>:</span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">
</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSuKnSTPQ7d0o25L51TvTvYKKN6LvQ57rIfn17UWbMKYfbrxc0ltBZuTpsG4CiFiJQjlZE6BrpNBVDotTObB_hjgfhYmI9LrQRKPROxyhe7qTSKLGqaHuIh_c9ZJS5oclgCczVkJYwm90-/s1600/Rollover.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSuKnSTPQ7d0o25L51TvTvYKKN6LvQ57rIfn17UWbMKYfbrxc0ltBZuTpsG4CiFiJQjlZE6BrpNBVDotTObB_hjgfhYmI9LrQRKPROxyhe7qTSKLGqaHuIh_c9ZJS5oclgCczVkJYwm90-/w320-h317/Rollover.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Roll-over of the waistline</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: arial;"></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">
</span><div>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
The braces still hold up the pants, but this looks very sloppy. It shows poor workmanship for whoever sewed the buttons on.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
To
avoid the rollover, make sure the button threads are sewn <i>almost </i>completely
through the waistline - make sure the lining is secured to the button. It may also
help to put the button on the upper portion of the waistline to minimize the separation. Pants from the first part of last century have brace buttons lined at the top of the waistline to also avoid this problem.<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
Or you may
consider sewing completely <i>through </i>the pants using the same color
thread as the pant material, but this can appear as poor workmanship and should be avoided where possible.<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />
Alternatively, get acquainted with where buttons were put when braces were first invented: on the <b>outside </b>of the waistband.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4WXcPg29wcB2oo6tLU_-N8nhaW3cSqVcZl4C5cOXO7MiB_UNLPGrs7G5QS30nn8rBFY8YVec3zQRemy8dcalOPSK8GpbxfN8n6CIVFonTO2w8enbJG7w_QJy9RGclCD_KApUn0HL7mwQ/s624/BWPhoto84.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="585" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4WXcPg29wcB2oo6tLU_-N8nhaW3cSqVcZl4C5cOXO7MiB_UNLPGrs7G5QS30nn8rBFY8YVec3zQRemy8dcalOPSK8GpbxfN8n6CIVFonTO2w8enbJG7w_QJy9RGclCD_KApUn0HL7mwQ/w375-h400/BWPhoto84.jpg" width="375" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Buttons on the outside of the waistband of this man in this vintage photograph</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> </span></div><div>
<span style="font-family: arial;"></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p>
</p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Advantages of wearing buttons on the outside</b></span><br /><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The advantages of wearing buttons on the outside are the additional style and design choices from having buttons on display. While it may not be appropriate for a traditional business suit, you can wear colored buttons to accent the waistline and braces on different outfits. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgu0mKHHUbU04dm5luOeFMY_0uGOA5OzZo3gvv4n66sZzejMwvQ9t-ayV6gYNXRWnOE6LmC1yNRVI2YtQvMwwq5xmI3LU__tyFY6yLviSlzi_Ws26fDIBvq2cFdiBaXhZ0VCOJjSbFimr/s320/CelebClaraBows6b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="234" data-original-width="320" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgu0mKHHUbU04dm5luOeFMY_0uGOA5OzZo3gvv4n66sZzejMwvQ9t-ayV6gYNXRWnOE6LmC1yNRVI2YtQvMwwq5xmI3LU__tyFY6yLviSlzi_Ws26fDIBvq2cFdiBaXhZ0VCOJjSbFimr/w400-h293/CelebClaraBows6b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Clara Bows wears braces with accented, exterior buttons on her high waist shorts</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The other advantage of having exterior buttons is at the rear. As you bend forward, buttons on the outside allow your brace tabs to follow your spine and support your pants at the rear. Buttons sewn on the inside would pull on the waistline, as it creates a tangent from your spine. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In addition, when wearing a vest, buttons sewn on the outside allow the vest to slide down the brace tab and onto the pants, whereas the vest can get stopped up when it slides down on buttons sewn on the inside.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I’ve read that buttons on the inside add pressure to the waist and can hurt. I think the waistband is too tight in these cases, and braces are not necessary. In fact, pants worn with braces should be about 1 inch looser then your standard waist measurement to allow them to actually suspend your pants!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Disadvantages of wearing buttons on the outside</b><br /><br />There are disadvantages: buttons can catch on things, such as the backs of chairs. If a button were to pop off, it would catapult outward and could hurt bystanders. They also look more vintage, which may be exactly the look you are going for!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXwZHSi3kyl-QUmMoC6YymHPWVovsZeYocFR4rAojlT9PaWXxiNafxIMkX4HdrlxJMHKI84Ggxsv_GTLgsVxpCtMiHDv3oFG5KgsWJ52_FO3J2j7G2QDMy8MVcAysOIKr-F_mC3YE27KC/s835/CelebKirstenBell14.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="835" data-original-width="700" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXwZHSi3kyl-QUmMoC6YymHPWVovsZeYocFR4rAojlT9PaWXxiNafxIMkX4HdrlxJMHKI84Ggxsv_GTLgsVxpCtMiHDv3oFG5KgsWJ52_FO3J2j7G2QDMy8MVcAysOIKr-F_mC3YE27KC/w335-h400/CelebKirstenBell14.jpg" width="335" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Kirsten Bell wearing vintage braces (with buttons on the outside)</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />Furthermore, if you want to wear pants with both Y-back and X-back braces, it is best to have different button placement for each to accommodate the Y and X anchors. This means that you need <i>four </i>buttons on the rear waistline. When these four buttons are on the outside, two buttons will be unused. This looks unpolished; like having empty belt loops when wearing braces. Therefore, if you plan to wear both Y-back and X-back braces at different button placements, it's recommended to put the buttons on the inside.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The other disadvantage to having buttons on the outside is that they should all be the same <i>type</i> of button. If by chance, you lose a button or two and can't find exact replicas, it would be best to remove the remaining buttons on the outside and sew them all on the inside to <i>not </i>show off your miss-matched buttons - unless you don't mind that look. A pair of my work jeans has a whole collection of random, miss-matched buttons sewn on the inside, and nobody knows except for me!</span><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Buttons on the inside and outside?</b><br /><br />In case you are thinking about it, it's <b>totally acceptable to have your front buttons different from your rear buttons</b> – or vice versa. I’ve even seen the front inner buttons be on the inside and the front side buttons be on the outside! Now that’s changing it up.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It's quite common to have the front buttons sewn into the <i>inside</i> of the waistband, and the rear buttons sewn onto the <i>outside</i>
of the waistband. This is stylish, but also has a functional aspect
from simple physics. When a person is standing up, their back is
straight, like a vertical, straight line. When they bend their torso
forward, this creates a curvature along the spin. The further the bend,
the more curved the spin.<br />
<br />
When buttons on sewn on the <i>inside </i>of the waistband, the
waistband tends to stay straight and drift apart from where the brace
tabs are - that is, the waistband does not remain flush. It's a slight
separation between the shirt and waistband. In physics, this is a
tangent that follows the curvature but remains a straight line.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
When buttons are sewn on the <i>outside </i>of the waistband, the brace tabs maintain the flush effect with the shirt. The brace tabs
overlay the waistband and keep it along your spine.<br />
<br />
</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rxrkJehcfz7xFm_qxMQsrnZGzuLD-YtNSgLpsgriVX9wgV0FbnOQZAXJoM-c5BcWhNzyKbM2pNaNz7ms_uw9CyGW-sC0pH1exFjEVCTYhFsqKVQ764AXynAEkc8LjeTPNV-K-BnS4zT0/s1600/BWPhoto31b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="254" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rxrkJehcfz7xFm_qxMQsrnZGzuLD-YtNSgLpsgriVX9wgV0FbnOQZAXJoM-c5BcWhNzyKbM2pNaNz7ms_uw9CyGW-sC0pH1exFjEVCTYhFsqKVQ764AXynAEkc8LjeTPNV-K-BnS4zT0/s320/BWPhoto31b.jpg" width="305" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This man's rear braces are attached on the outside of the <br />
waistband and pull the pant fabric when he bends forward</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>My personal preference</b><br /><br />When I started wearing braces I hid the buttons on the inside of the waistband. This was partly because that’s what I saw and hadn’t researched the history of braces at that point. I then came across the “Hollywood waist” where there’s no waistband on the pants – the fabric goes all the way up to the waist. This style looked very interesting and implied that the vertical line could go from head to toe with minimal breaks. I saw a lot of these pants with the buttons on the outside of the waistband. The more I wore pants with braces, the more I came to enjoy the style and the throwback to when every man wore braces. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Over time and the more I learned about the history of braces, I have grown to appreciate having my rear buttons on the outside of my waistband. </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
Buttons used to be sewn on the outside and
that's more of a vintage vibe, which I prefer. </span></span></span>This gives an accent of color and shows off how the braces attach to my pants. When people see that I'm wearing braces, one of their first questions is how the braces attach to the waistline. I state it's with buttons and then turn around to show them!</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-OAc2V590Izd5hezebZqQKx1QvlcoaJrlDlZ3GuQ6ceaT5E0c4i4zSX4E678g8_7Yhb46zM2yDMZBgpVG0wyhRV0eXvizaAsrq6SyxaublO1z57JPMI9W3IsfJNn-ti9E407Dh3hZCyi/s521/IMG_1523.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-OAc2V590Izd5hezebZqQKx1QvlcoaJrlDlZ3GuQ6ceaT5E0c4i4zSX4E678g8_7Yhb46zM2yDMZBgpVG0wyhRV0eXvizaAsrq6SyxaublO1z57JPMI9W3IsfJNn-ti9E407Dh3hZCyi/s320/IMG_1523.JPG" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My current preference is to highlight the rear brace buttons<br />on the outside of the waistband<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I quite like seeing buttons on the outside of the waistline, even if I can't see mine at the rear when wearing braces. It's an
opportunity to use buttons that are more decorative and unique. The
details of the brace tabs next to the waistline, with a button showing
is quite spectacular.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I'll leave the decision up to you whether
to put your buttons on the outside or inside of the waistline.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: arial;">My
current preference is for both! The buttons at the front are sewn on
the inside to keep a polished look, and then the rear buttons are on the
outside to allow the brace tabs to be flush with the back, better
support the waistband, and to highlight the rear buttons! That said, I do have quite a few pairs of pants with front and rear buttons on the outside, or pants with front and rear buttons on the inside of the waistband..<br /></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In conclusion, where you put your brace buttons is up to you and your style. If you have many pants, do a combination of both!</span></span></p>Back to Braceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240649681320273191noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705777238092169832.post-50273022606408243212021-05-21T14:57:00.008-07:002023-08-14T11:54:37.617-07:00Braces in the Summer<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">With summer around the corner, comes warm weather and a challenge to stay cool. You want your clothes to be airy and breathable: this is not the time for skin-tight pants! Even if your pants are roomy, the problem can be at the waist – when you tighten a belt. This is exactly where braces are perfect for achieving summer coolness – in both senses of the word! </span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br />When pants are loose at the waistline and pant legs it allows air to flow and circulate hotter air up and cooler air in. In order to maintain the pants at your desired height, braces should be used. With looser pants, the pants should actually be suspend by braces. That is, the pants would simply fall down when braces are not worn as well.</span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizU06Luw-0auz1wsERHXlmZmuwxwezou73KMJfOJp6ZjOduSR96I5nuZgL4zjhcR2UdBbLy277UuUPUbQODf4TZphm-qAMmxlPn0Ukzn5MtCJNKqxJH7Ee2DVkEwjmCsYbxAIB5ASRLUvP/s1600/BluePantsBk.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="554" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizU06Luw-0auz1wsERHXlmZmuwxwezou73KMJfOJp6ZjOduSR96I5nuZgL4zjhcR2UdBbLy277UuUPUbQODf4TZphm-qAMmxlPn0Ukzn5MtCJNKqxJH7Ee2DVkEwjmCsYbxAIB5ASRLUvP/s400/BluePantsBk.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Stripped navy braces with dress pants for a more casual look</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;">
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /><span style="font-size: small;">In addition, while you may <i>want </i>to wear t-shirt and shorts all the time, this may not be appropriate for all occasions. Take a wedding, for example. It’s generally not appropriate to wear shorts (although there are some exceptions), so a man must wear pants. However, he can be stylish and functional by wearing looser fitting, high-waisted, vintage pants supported by braces. Braces add a formal touch to your outfit and allow you to express your personality.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br />Or take an example from the corporate environment. It is generally not appropriate to wear shorts to the office, so pants are a necessity for men or women. Here again, you can be stylish and functional by wearing looser fitting, high-waisted, vintage pants supported by braces. Braces add a sophisticated touch and express your personality. This style looks great on both men and women.</span></span></span><br />
</p><p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAa3HebzhMLkV-XJ3l5ttg8FYTUd6K28fThqZoRoQWVqkqauIBg4VknB-dYPEaNZyZ8dbkHRFAuI1CP94Z8t-AtX7G4MMqjTt2u38geBVMpDSGo_0H39wBM1V5ojh8wm0rszHc2cTUU1TJ/s480/CheckeredPants2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="391" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAa3HebzhMLkV-XJ3l5ttg8FYTUd6K28fThqZoRoQWVqkqauIBg4VknB-dYPEaNZyZ8dbkHRFAuI1CP94Z8t-AtX7G4MMqjTt2u38geBVMpDSGo_0H39wBM1V5ojh8wm0rszHc2cTUU1TJ/s320/CheckeredPants2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">High-rise checkered pants with braces</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRUH6bBF35wt_MbiP5zexU4nRkNvWhXOXwvBIr_nw_tvTQODvNOF56Noc6wQJER7CJXRFsB2pb1tYM8V6S50SOVZUBTkqoHpJzht-xweA_XrAobndLirs3UsrtQM2nK73ca1jaE6yXSUO/s846/StaudClothingNavyPants1ba.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="418" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRUH6bBF35wt_MbiP5zexU4nRkNvWhXOXwvBIr_nw_tvTQODvNOF56Noc6wQJER7CJXRFsB2pb1tYM8V6S50SOVZUBTkqoHpJzht-xweA_XrAobndLirs3UsrtQM2nK73ca1jaE6yXSUO/w317-h640/StaudClothingNavyPants1ba.jpg" width="317" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">High-rise pants with braces by Staud Clothing - perfect for the office</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">From personal experience, I can attest to the fact that pants with air flow are superior to tighter pants on hot summer days. This can only be achieved with the help of braces. It’s a win-win - braces complement the outfit and provide air to move - style and function at the same time! </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">In addition, people recognize the effort I’ve put in to my personal, vintage style. They comment that the high-waisted pants coordinate well with the braces. Or they reminisce about growing up with a similar style.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>On a Spring day this week I wore a </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span>blue dress shirt with </span></span>beige
pants for a business meeting. The pants are roomier at the waist, which helped keep me cool.<br /></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxPf2JCSKHbV1TDUq6cM6eH9ZmZ5Z60ukJzTLbG-lV-XICdW9QPM8tHBoZYalvNufSjHKWAIvtiizBZRpWcn_bazhQYII_saznfi2kepIwe1mQseVku90LTN3PCynewpCIvuXLdH4VKsU/s600/Beige1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="406" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxPf2JCSKHbV1TDUq6cM6eH9ZmZ5Z60ukJzTLbG-lV-XICdW9QPM8tHBoZYalvNufSjHKWAIvtiizBZRpWcn_bazhQYII_saznfi2kepIwe1mQseVku90LTN3PCynewpCIvuXLdH4VKsU/w271-h400/Beige1.JPG" width="271" /></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFsPCPOYoTZRaxKOT-m9giChot968cZKYQSmh4GJD2pA8wdMKW2guvuKPsVc4PKm2cEjzm7r5eHL9lTrsrya5kjRo3LpM0phVTd3x5s2ApG_Y1BtIkjWA6dlnhyIXUUfS95ChNBh01c9dz/s600/Beige2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="516" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFsPCPOYoTZRaxKOT-m9giChot968cZKYQSmh4GJD2pA8wdMKW2guvuKPsVc4PKm2cEjzm7r5eHL9lTrsrya5kjRo3LpM0phVTd3x5s2ApG_Y1BtIkjWA6dlnhyIXUUfS95ChNBh01c9dz/s320/Beige2.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beige pants with burgundy braces<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The meeting went well and I was very comfortable, all the while displaying my burgundy braces. I said goodbye and left the meeting. As I was
leaving the coffee shop, I walked past a young lady who interrupted me to say, "Nice
suspenders!" nodding her head in approval. I smiled and thanked her. It's so nice to receive compliments on my braces and style. I will be wearing this style again.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">On another occasion, I wore a pair of brown, high-waisted pants with braces. I chose a thin pair of Y-back, blue braces with inverse V-tabs. My pants are light-weight and floated as t</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">he braces are also very light. I think this is why men historically wore thinner, light-weight braces in the summer. While thicker braces straps may be more secure, I don't always need them when the pants are light-weight and I want air movement.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Are you heading to a wedding or the corporate function this summer? Wear braces for comfort and style. I’d love to hear your experience and what people’s comments are on your style.</span></span>Back to Braceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240649681320273191noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705777238092169832.post-17620683903293850872021-05-12T13:22:00.003-07:002021-05-12T13:22:54.702-07:00Tales of Brace-wearing (Part 2)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ccXGeqp4aYPQSHWo0Aa7AAvaiNZU4AEfJ5HgU4jiVHh-gzyZvtUSrP9iyG8DBvvzdaZw0EFYV6gPe8hdwitUTuId7HqodLHSH1CT7Mj90X3pK_xu1xwID2sGsN7s2tYw5M873IlJy70i/s901/SuitPants5Fr.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="602" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ccXGeqp4aYPQSHWo0Aa7AAvaiNZU4AEfJ5HgU4jiVHh-gzyZvtUSrP9iyG8DBvvzdaZw0EFYV6gPe8hdwitUTuId7HqodLHSH1CT7Mj90X3pK_xu1xwID2sGsN7s2tYw5M873IlJy70i/s320/SuitPants5Fr.jpg" /></a></div><p>Remember the man working in a corporate office from "<a href="https://everythingaboutbraces.blogspot.com/2019/06/tales-of-brace-wearer.html" target="_blank">Tales of Brace-wearing (Part 1)</a>"? </p><p>We rejoin him as he visits an elderly lady and her adult son at a business meeting. </p><p>The man knocks on the door and is greeted by the son, “Welcome, glad you could come out to us rather than us going to your office today.”</p><p>“My pleasure,” says the man.</p><p>“May I take your coat?” asks the adult son.</p><p>“Sure,” replies the man.</p><p>“I can also take your suit jacket, if you’d like - my mother likes to keep the temperature toasty in here,” says the son.</p><p>“Sure,” replies the man as his mother walks up.</p><p>“Welcome to my home,” says the elderly lady smiling. “Thank you for coming to me. I must say, you are well dressed in your high-rise pants and braces. I haven’t seen those in years! That is so lovely.”</p><p>“Thank you, I find them very comfortable and love the nostalgia of braces,” says the man.</p><p> “As do I,” says the lady. “I grew up when all boys and men wore braces with their pants. Nobody thought twice about it; braces were commonplace.”</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkl_75qHgAfPMtZGWSXjtl0KCwddJ4C2L17wiUNk9oHATkgbzlw6lpkEoYG_TD3zflGndi-q5WyDZ7LvwEnrzYGMBMtXk519e2rWuMMkLieUsZeFfUZjxQ60OW6inmZLAtioOBKew8JGOZ/s711/Errol+Flynn.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="564" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkl_75qHgAfPMtZGWSXjtl0KCwddJ4C2L17wiUNk9oHATkgbzlw6lpkEoYG_TD3zflGndi-q5WyDZ7LvwEnrzYGMBMtXk519e2rWuMMkLieUsZeFfUZjxQ60OW6inmZLAtioOBKew8JGOZ/w318-h400/Errol+Flynn.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Errol Flynn wearing braces<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>“I’d love to have grown up in that era,” says the man.</p><p> “Well, here we are. At least you can wear clothing from that era. I see you are wearing braces with buttons, not clips,” said the lady. “That’s the correct way to wear braces. How did you find pants with brace buttons? Do they still make them?”</p><p>“Oh I didn’t,” replied the man. “I found these pants at a thrift store and sewed the buttons on.”</p><p>“I see”, says the lady, “and you know something about button placement - above the main pleat and on the side. You’ve done your research. I used to be a seamstress back in my day. Can I see the rear of the pants?”</p><p>The man turns around to reveal his back side.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsCc9sChtg2ghEnOpSkDFB_5of_kop16BXyxUK64CgFsDCaBrFU24YjSFgWaOQBC2ttULcUjGxuB6i7pxxoCW4h_xXZAdhQmVxt0iTRglaSeFMLUz4KU5dCrU0TY4Z8Xc1OjLJY2LwbdP/s845/V-Notch+trousers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="845" data-original-width="564" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsCc9sChtg2ghEnOpSkDFB_5of_kop16BXyxUK64CgFsDCaBrFU24YjSFgWaOQBC2ttULcUjGxuB6i7pxxoCW4h_xXZAdhQmVxt0iTRglaSeFMLUz4KU5dCrU0TY4Z8Xc1OjLJY2LwbdP/w268-h400/V-Notch+trousers.jpg" width="268" /></a><br /></p><p>“Beautiful,” says the lady. “I see the rear buttons are attached on the outside of the waistband, but the front ones are on the inside. Why the difference?”</p><p>“Two reasons,” replies the man. “First, I like the look of the brace tabs overlaying the buttons, on top of the waistband. As you commented, its a beautiful look! Secondly a practical reason: when buttons were sewn into the inside, the waistband had multiple layers and the pull of the button would cause the waistband to separate internally. So I decided to sew them on the outside to keep the brace tab flush with the waistband.”</p><p>“Yes, the rollover effect,” says the lady. “That’s why I would sew all the buttons on the outside of the waistband.”</p><p>“Oh yes, I forgot you were a seamstress,” says the man.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojNFqun9_eS3GFtQul6u7mfTvjKrpQ6_u4UxckPmsivTidMLG96CSjWSOlCMjRMHmo2q_9IMETjzqcVix27pv33DIO-mm_WWGAJhJVaeOihBkNy1IDhCcyP0d7U5vpcDJcwpcZBXzYTFj/s394/BWbraces12.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="199" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojNFqun9_eS3GFtQul6u7mfTvjKrpQ6_u4UxckPmsivTidMLG96CSjWSOlCMjRMHmo2q_9IMETjzqcVix27pv33DIO-mm_WWGAJhJVaeOihBkNy1IDhCcyP0d7U5vpcDJcwpcZBXzYTFj/w203-h400/BWbraces12.jpg" width="203" /></a>“Yes, I’ve sewn my fair share of brace buttons in my day,” says the lady. </p><p>“I’m so glad some young people these days are getting back to the classics of style. Some people call it vintage, but that’s what I grew up with and familiar with. You look so dashing in your braces – keep wearing them!”</p><p>“Thank you, I will!” says the man.</p><p>The lady continued, “some people think braces should not be shown in public. I don’t know where that came from because back in my day braces were worn and shown. It was commonplace to see men in dress shirts and braces without a jacket or waistcoat, especially in hot, summer months. Men had a jacket for meetings, for instance, but took it off around the office or at home.”</p><p></p><p>“That’s interesting to hear,” said the man. “I’ve heard conflicting advice that braces should not be seen, but then why have interesting designs and patterns on the braces? It’s comforting to hear it from you.” </p><p>“You’re welcome,” replied the lady. “Don’t think twice about wearing braces in public – more young people should. I enjoy the different styles and patterns of braces like you said,” says the lady.</p><p>“Thanks,” says the man.</p><p>“We could probably continue talking about style and braces all day, let’s move on to why you came today,” says the lady.</p><p>“Absolutely,” says the man, as he smiles and strides across the room in his high-waist pants and braces.</p>Back to Braceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240649681320273191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705777238092169832.post-30519799040641971862020-11-13T09:09:00.016-08:002021-12-20T15:19:57.086-08:00Waistlines are trending up<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_klx4dDrl7maRrIZPxzyBwXbg_6b9Lq7VeUZH7vC5t-wWnllZZM7vYrOHQXonKZL4GLk9rlZuH6qhuO6LAW4VUTYRWpDCf4rXBGPUl1PHWhTVslas-5VUbIdDfoI1tHDEDPwyhVXK3e2/s879/BlackPants257a.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="879" data-original-width="352" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_klx4dDrl7maRrIZPxzyBwXbg_6b9Lq7VeUZH7vC5t-wWnllZZM7vYrOHQXonKZL4GLk9rlZuH6qhuO6LAW4VUTYRWpDCf4rXBGPUl1PHWhTVslas-5VUbIdDfoI1tHDEDPwyhVXK3e2/w160-h400/BlackPants257a.jpg" width="160" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pants with suspenders<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Have you noticed? Waistlines on pants and skirts are rising. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Over the past 10 or so years, waistlines lay below the belly button - at or just above the hip bone. The next generation of young kids coming up is looking to differentiate themselves from the previous generation, and one way they are doing this is by wearing pants and skirts higher on their waist. Designers are happy to oblige. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitvFnbdWptn7FtFaWEHBgasrmFtYLrxrBXwqm7zS9R57U_x8GJQ4cdYrivDqED2JJbCRG11OsxkibU4h0l_Ynq666oUMgf33lLvoPWQBoIXkVMgjxGrKbV3umS_N7_v6DsZOi5XclOIFl/s1000/BlackPants217e.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitvFnbdWptn7FtFaWEHBgasrmFtYLrxrBXwqm7zS9R57U_x8GJQ4cdYrivDqED2JJbCRG11OsxkibU4h0l_Ynq666oUMgf33lLvoPWQBoIXkVMgjxGrKbV3umS_N7_v6DsZOi5XclOIFl/w266-h400/BlackPants217e.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pinstripe pants with braces<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is a natural cycle, moving from low-rise pants to high-rise. This is occurring in different styles of clothes, including office wear, casual wear, and sportswear. Dress pants have risen and taper to the ankle. Jeans and cotton pants have high rises. Yoga pants sit higher on the waist. The placement of skirt waists are higher than 2 years ago.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmZwunL2SUPW8TYVWBm3O-9xTSrEw6WpaWcmTts5YdsRJf_3zEcJhsE0H897yCC9KWMuwsQ2WWl5fP5KZ3LtkBGNQwd1RlqqM9p_EsoyDMYAW5q8MLUU3hxZKrbdrT4NK-R79aqR7rJog/s509/BlackSkirt47e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="509" data-original-width="338" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmZwunL2SUPW8TYVWBm3O-9xTSrEw6WpaWcmTts5YdsRJf_3zEcJhsE0H897yCC9KWMuwsQ2WWl5fP5KZ3LtkBGNQwd1RlqqM9p_EsoyDMYAW5q8MLUU3hxZKrbdrT4NK-R79aqR7rJog/s320/BlackSkirt47e.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBki2nwlJodhiKmJnJmSrfEanBwXVBkjS0OjyvTzgrpwJWMVitnfMbTOYs809Mo001Ar_wDFYi9i7cR0RLscwXh2j8UIxV-sdn3XhGqUg8fsqL0KaE-alSzTheB4IMvqungN5humbSsmF/s490/BlackSkirt36.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="490" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBki2nwlJodhiKmJnJmSrfEanBwXVBkjS0OjyvTzgrpwJWMVitnfMbTOYs809Mo001Ar_wDFYi9i7cR0RLscwXh2j8UIxV-sdn3XhGqUg8fsqL0KaE-alSzTheB4IMvqungN5humbSsmF/s320/BlackSkirt36.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skirts with braces<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span> </p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">All of these different styles recognize the value in smoothing over the midsection. You can be underweight or overweight and take advantage of a waistline sitting above your waist. High-rise pants lengthen the legs as there’s more vertical fabric to fool the eye.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVtNI2KJB0iyKGEevn1_8Lldj7rU05aHqX2QpBH7SM3Ey7gxo9vYZF9Q6b5R-KB0tddlWjFzMnaONVuJKp90AbpDQsIw_Fon29cKOKflxmqIPCHFPgDuuveYUciewgCObq5OjqetfvV3M/s1125/Jeans215d.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVtNI2KJB0iyKGEevn1_8Lldj7rU05aHqX2QpBH7SM3Ey7gxo9vYZF9Q6b5R-KB0tddlWjFzMnaONVuJKp90AbpDQsIw_Fon29cKOKflxmqIPCHFPgDuuveYUciewgCObq5OjqetfvV3M/w266-h400/Jeans215d.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High-rise jeans with suspenders<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">As someone who’s worn high-rise pants for a long time, I welcome this trend. High-rise pants and skirts are the first stage before wearing braces. As waistlines rise, people will look to keep their pants at those heights, and that's where they will be re-accustomed to the art of wearing braces. I foresee braces becoming more prevalent in society.<br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfODsTWNAyCVEG5itQYrX28SFeAeAY5JreFny6Gkucgmr8v-HqNmy9FGJZ3tU6Tf0hUQsRz5de0zjzrKHzJePBw880009GVbMlcUDVEDg8lShyphenhyphenZ9IFm9xnT77mlOqUEzIZeRpomNROIaH/s564/SnapBraces.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfODsTWNAyCVEG5itQYrX28SFeAeAY5JreFny6Gkucgmr8v-HqNmy9FGJZ3tU6Tf0hUQsRz5de0zjzrKHzJePBw880009GVbMlcUDVEDg8lShyphenhyphenZ9IFm9xnT77mlOqUEzIZeRpomNROIaH/w400-h400/SnapBraces.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lady loves that braces have come back!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Diane Kruger at the </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Polo Ralph Lauren Children’s Fashion Show in August 2015 took her comfy wide-leg pants to a whole new level by wearing braces. In fact, the <a href="https://www.popsugar.com/fashion/Diane-Kruger-Wide-Leg-Pants-Suspenders-38041907" target="_blank">commentator mentions</a> that "suspenders <br />are the ultimate menswear-inspired accessory and may be the little extra your outfit is missing."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMU5aWMbTbGMNxVjviMT_UcUkMr7GUjSwgUtwAVFjdpVh7eVVgmgr3hLFaTCRGpyv4qZpdbrb9WtSHD0S2gjy0j0LQE6wZH1W8GoMZLJzYKCXEVmDGCN_Gimm0OI_JihVf_gXKnDAppOqN/s1600/CelebDianeKruger9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMU5aWMbTbGMNxVjviMT_UcUkMr7GUjSwgUtwAVFjdpVh7eVVgmgr3hLFaTCRGpyv4qZpdbrb9WtSHD0S2gjy0j0LQE6wZH1W8GoMZLJzYKCXEVmDGCN_Gimm0OI_JihVf_gXKnDAppOqN/w320-h400/CelebDianeKruger9.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s a fantastic style and I’m glad to see it coming!<br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QXdyb5XVbOS16Z4X39W8DHFCWjH9i0Hh9lIYFFspyS73VkYijW6sBYjHczWfnpFWnqsXsVxkQwCB1BlGZ6UjDeL1NPVC-SJeBsqSngFTCAC2zeidlLpYpHNAgVm1uaGZq6nuofjTxk_W/s2048/Jeans261d.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QXdyb5XVbOS16Z4X39W8DHFCWjH9i0Hh9lIYFFspyS73VkYijW6sBYjHczWfnpFWnqsXsVxkQwCB1BlGZ6UjDeL1NPVC-SJeBsqSngFTCAC2zeidlLpYpHNAgVm1uaGZq6nuofjTxk_W/w360-h640/Jeans261d.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The serious face for seriously comfortable braces<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Questions:</b><br />1. Have you seen people wearing high-rise pants more often these days?<br />2. Have you worn high-rise pants or skirt recently?</span></p>Back to Braceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240649681320273191noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705777238092169832.post-61969086944909559242020-10-20T13:54:00.120-07:002022-05-18T10:49:15.715-07:00 Reflections on Wearing Braces: National Suspenders Day 2020<p>Today is National Suspenders Day. I’d like to share some current reflections on braces. I’ve been intentionally wearing braces for over 20 years now, starting in my early 20s. I’ve <a href="https://everythingaboutbraces.blogspot.com/2012/06/what-braces-does-backtobraces-wear.html">written before about how I got started</a>, and why I wear them. Essentially, I wear braces for their both their comfort and functionality – they allow my pants to be loose-fitting and as such, are held in place with braces.</p><p>I wear braces almost every day, even while working from home. I’ve found it helps my mind get into work mode when I dress as I would for the office. I’m sitting at a desk for most of the day, and the loose waistline allows me to breathe in and out without having a restricted belt around my midsection. It is so comfortable. And when I stand up, my waistline stays at its proper place.</p><p>As I reflect on this, braces are the perfect complement to the clothes I wear for work. They allow me to display my personality through different colors and styles, add a vintage aspect, and are a distinctive yet understated accessory. I've branched out from only black and navy suits and pants to browns and greys as well. This also allows me to coordinate different colors of braces. When people notice my braces they comment that the look is so dapper and classic. I take it as a genuine compliment on my style. I enjoy these conversations!</p><p>I've discovered that people appreciate in particular when I wear the color brown. Most men these days only wear navy or black suits, not brown. As a result, when I wear brown, I stand out. Brown is not worn that much anymore, so when people see me wearing brown, they appreciate it. I recently bought a pair of brown braces that matches my brown pants. The braces are Y-back inverse-V braces very similar to the gentlemen below:<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AK-vpWDdgx03T8h4vWZbj8Yww6EG0AwOiD399yn6rai4l18OUp5xNYIVO2_Gs5wKv6c3_iwNhyphenhyphensJKTGrFDbwgBakAbu7efUHidgkvyiGDUFKJJgG7GK-yzEEeuL-gaLrLCiFFwz3kVSu/s500/AdPioneerSuspenders1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="393" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AK-vpWDdgx03T8h4vWZbj8Yww6EG0AwOiD399yn6rai4l18OUp5xNYIVO2_Gs5wKv6c3_iwNhyphenhyphensJKTGrFDbwgBakAbu7efUHidgkvyiGDUFKJJgG7GK-yzEEeuL-gaLrLCiFFwz3kVSu/w315-h400/AdPioneerSuspenders1.jpg" width="315" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ad for Pioneer braces - transport me into these beautiful high-rise pants and braces!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>I was looking recently at vintage photographs, in particular men wearing braces in the photographs. I noticed that their front brace tabs were quite spread out. I did some more perusing of old photographs and noticed that the placement was usually quite wide: one button directly above the <b>main pleat </b>(which is what I’ve always advocated), and the other button directly above the <b>side seam</b> of the pants. Here's some examples:<br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FMogJWhol_TYr6BM3Vwn12VZgO_1IWUA5RvtKJLcbeAoPQifxiwMEDDV9UmPo4v0-4ol6LN20B0De7symH7lfRgfnsyQpi3hPUpAlTb0AwmeEAurUlIcXIwrbh4UhyphenhyphenAPwqIcwreBNXj9/s557/BWbraces5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="382" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FMogJWhol_TYr6BM3Vwn12VZgO_1IWUA5RvtKJLcbeAoPQifxiwMEDDV9UmPo4v0-4ol6LN20B0De7symH7lfRgfnsyQpi3hPUpAlTb0AwmeEAurUlIcXIwrbh4UhyphenhyphenAPwqIcwreBNXj9/s320/BWbraces5.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exterior outer buttons are at the side seam<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6j6qdt3YqbSOlxY3Nn_-Z1reXvtDea7V1S5k1mRDA9CC-24Cqnfir5lG0tvgtUm2B5jSkRl1zlmR3F6xHZZNZywPZGymk9q-aiqzUUNdUYOxliv2W6YfHQ3PXkUeWbQbtf0XoqjmZMO-H/s400/BWPhoto74.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6j6qdt3YqbSOlxY3Nn_-Z1reXvtDea7V1S5k1mRDA9CC-24Cqnfir5lG0tvgtUm2B5jSkRl1zlmR3F6xHZZNZywPZGymk9q-aiqzUUNdUYOxliv2W6YfHQ3PXkUeWbQbtf0XoqjmZMO-H/s320/BWPhoto74.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exterior outer buttons are at the side seam</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnoekWbr4pNjKBZRypnZ3cgOuzqkq_WXqMLmfXojM20p52-P4xpGSU-JmSYhA11J1bgsH5LuayKoEMsF6dVTzxHdh8MKwv475syEvUEtUHiOxv0CJSAyuywZE97Kr31d4XxEMwMZL1zJa/s2048/BWPhotoSamKaye1a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1781" data-original-width="2048" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnoekWbr4pNjKBZRypnZ3cgOuzqkq_WXqMLmfXojM20p52-P4xpGSU-JmSYhA11J1bgsH5LuayKoEMsF6dVTzxHdh8MKwv475syEvUEtUHiOxv0CJSAyuywZE97Kr31d4XxEMwMZL1zJa/w400-h348/BWPhotoSamKaye1a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The man wearing the hat has his outer button above the side seam<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>When I inspected my button placement I noticed that the distance between the main pleat and side seam was another inch or so past my usual spacing of 3.5 inches. I was curious and wanted to try out this more vintage button placement. I sewed buttons directly above the side pant seam and attached my braces. </p><p>On the particular pair of braces I chose, the brace tabs fanned out very nicely (see photo below). The waistline did not bulge but rather floated gently with the support of the spread-out brace tabs. I felt the outer brace tabs tug gently throughout the day, which kept my side seam straight. This was more noticeable when I sat down and felt a slight tug at the side seams.<br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgmZlJRisg64TzsKEAkXzVSra3_qHDcCdZxGQGv4mHaKhbPHhjkBRNcg_dzFH66JLprn7MPkq-95y2tZKtY7OG9p7Ez9AyTCzZhR4xWcRCvya-FfdKm6Zv8GjaOkGFa2uezC1lZ9jNkgH/s2048/Span1a.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1602" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgmZlJRisg64TzsKEAkXzVSra3_qHDcCdZxGQGv4mHaKhbPHhjkBRNcg_dzFH66JLprn7MPkq-95y2tZKtY7OG9p7Ez9AyTCzZhR4xWcRCvya-FfdKm6Zv8GjaOkGFa2uezC1lZ9jNkgH/w313-h400/Span1a.jpg" width="313" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The side seam on the left and <br />main pleat on the right<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>I have an ordinary build - my waistline is not overly large, so spanning the main seam and side seam with the brace tabs works well. But I realize brace tabs come in different sizes and have different spacing, so it may not work on narrower tabs.</p><p>I decided to wear this pair of pants to a family dinner recently. I matched the high-rise pants with the stripped Y-back braces, a blue dress shirt, and a knitted burgundy cardigan for warmth. Travelling there I was comfortable, but once I got inside the home it started to warm up; especially in the kitchen with the oven heat. I took off my cardigan and displayed my stripped braces and high-rise pants. People noticed, but things carried on, as everyone knows that I wear my pants with braces.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83hl3WSnMG6fqltZ9nyXlkIzN_I1_PEmSWxDlDwnaPHzTqJQA_LXAOAi-500fRYiHAV3FpZpNjZMUumYB7Mjhr4NCu8iGTD9CexLekc5rQTUoBmM6-TTxt54GA2x8qEjv_CMa46D87wPE/s1000/Span2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="730" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83hl3WSnMG6fqltZ9nyXlkIzN_I1_PEmSWxDlDwnaPHzTqJQA_LXAOAi-500fRYiHAV3FpZpNjZMUumYB7Mjhr4NCu8iGTD9CexLekc5rQTUoBmM6-TTxt54GA2x8qEjv_CMa46D87wPE/s320/Span2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the front<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>I had to get up from the table a few times, and every time I stood up my braces were there to hold my pants in place. As I rose and bent forward I noticed that the outer brace buttons tugged my side seam more than the the previous button position. It was reassuring to me as it reminded me that my brace tabs were keeping the side seam straight and taut.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEZWv6bjnRXj4GRwd08_P9GrrLoi2WucjiAAFXlOMt3YbqeDmBki9mS3-SmuRT9vONis6tRDIT_8jE5Ys3dz1vajpHTdf1dk2VCel7okVkav3DH5L3b6hmcrdnHpHzpBhcyqlpiQnnmsv/s1000/Span3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="758" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEZWv6bjnRXj4GRwd08_P9GrrLoi2WucjiAAFXlOMt3YbqeDmBki9mS3-SmuRT9vONis6tRDIT_8jE5Ys3dz1vajpHTdf1dk2VCel7okVkav3DH5L3b6hmcrdnHpHzpBhcyqlpiQnnmsv/s320/Span3.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the rear<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>I enjoyed the dinner and the rest of the evening without thinking about my pants. It wasn’t until it was time to leave that I put the cardigan back on. Reflecting back, this must have been how men wore suit jackets and cardigans in the 1920s to 40’s. They would take off their outer layer when they got inside, and then put it back on when it was time to go out. Men had their braces shown and it was commonplace to see braces around the home or office. In fact, it added to the man's whole outfit with stylish colors and designs. <br /></p><p>As I take a look at what people are wearing these days, I notice that vintage styles are returning. I’m glad to be contributing my part by wearing braces! I plan on wearing braces for the rest of my life.<br /></p>Back to Braceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240649681320273191noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705777238092169832.post-47893990642153250102020-10-02T16:09:00.019-07:002023-10-19T17:55:09.180-07:00 Being Recognized from my Personal Style <p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I was walking down the sidewalk recently, waiting for time to pass as my take-out order was in process. I had just left work and was still wearing a pair of high-waisted, teal pants with inverse-V maroon braces and a short-sleeve dress shirt. Someone called out, “Hey there!” I looked up with curiosity.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">“We saw you from up the block and agreed that you dressed like someone we know. As you got closer we realized it was, in fact, you! Your style is so distinct with your high-waisted pants and suspenders,” said my friend. I thanked them and we carried on the conversation.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zzgQgGO4CADaMwN7y0L1H_PwOwPGopbNK7zyN5a70GVCBXpPLYIhNYzYofyMU2dRzbVvNvBuaHDuiDujD2DbaGNB4H8syjbOchP49VSLPQIeeuNijmjEQD4Fizik-QNs4IAHvx4-qGag/s800/TealPants1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="610" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zzgQgGO4CADaMwN7y0L1H_PwOwPGopbNK7zyN5a70GVCBXpPLYIhNYzYofyMU2dRzbVvNvBuaHDuiDujD2DbaGNB4H8syjbOchP49VSLPQIeeuNijmjEQD4Fizik-QNs4IAHvx4-qGag/w305-h400/TealPants1.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My personal style<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">My friend's comment got me thinking about my personal style. I’ve been developing my style to include more higher-waist pants - always with braces.The waistline should be roomy enough that when I sit down, my stomach is not constricted. This means the waistline would slip down, if it not for the braces. When I'm standing, the larger waistline allows air circulation and keep me cool in the summer months.<br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For those of us that wear braces, people connect braces with our personal style, which I think is great. Braces are an excellent way to show your personal style as there's so many colors, designs, and styles.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My style has developed into what could be called Vintage Professor Style. Think of classic Ivy League style back in the 1930s such as:<br /></span></span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">a suit jacket with a different colored pair of pants – either a light-colored jacket with dark pants or grey pants with a dark jacket</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If a jacket is not worn, then knitted vest and cardigan</span></span>s are commonly worn in the colder months<br /></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">the colors are usually browns, greens, and greys</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">tweed is prevalent but also corduroy</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">designs are houndstooth and stripes - being simple and classic</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">the fit is slightly over sized and roomy, suit jackets are boxy and broad<br /></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">pants sit at the natural waist (high-rise) and supported by braces</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">ties or bow-ties are </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">sometimes </span></span>worn<br /></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">a leather folio or gusseted briefcase accompanies the look</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">suede shoes, heavy brogues, or dressy boots are common</span></span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Above all else, though, the look needs to appear as if it was thrown together at the last minute, without much thought. It’s a classic style that people adore, as many movies have characters worn in this style: think Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones, Cary Grant, or Jimmy Stewart to name a few.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I think this style is classic and professional, yet able to transition from work to casual by removing the suit jacket and wearing a cardigan. Or simply wearing the dress shirt with pants and braces.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I like the cover of The Country Gentleman from August 18, 1923. It shows a young lady attempting to convince the older gentleman to try a belt instead of braces. He refuses the belt and reattaches his right brace tab. I agree with him, a belt would not be comfortable or suitable for his high-rise pants. In fact, it appears his waistline doesn't even have belt loops to accommodate a belt. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Like the gentleman, I'll stick with my trusty braces.</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKh0ftD2T9lEhsC-D-fiWuV562YVjZVhRl6DJU42MW58ZbkRWR7Xzk35wTk3NQw_RJPirQfHZnYGZQxSyfj7dgIPNaX2D4oZ-qrks03o4Gm3tN8pE7rKup8toA1iy-4H4HvL1A60VH-_42/s676/Country+Gentleman+Agricultural+by+Remsberg+Inc.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="533" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKh0ftD2T9lEhsC-D-fiWuV562YVjZVhRl6DJU42MW58ZbkRWR7Xzk35wTk3NQw_RJPirQfHZnYGZQxSyfj7dgIPNaX2D4oZ-qrks03o4Gm3tN8pE7rKup8toA1iy-4H4HvL1A60VH-_42/w504-h640/Country+Gentleman+Agricultural+by+Remsberg+Inc.png" width="504" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Some people say that my style is "old man" or "old school", as I wear high-waist pants with braces, a dress shirt, and a cardigan - like what the old man above would have worn! I'll accept this description, as it references back to a time when men had high style standards. And this style is so comfortable. I'll bet if any of the critics tried the style for a few days they'd fall in love with it as well.</span></span></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">People do appreciate your personal style. If that includes braces, that's great!<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">How would you describe your personal style? </span></span></span></span></p>Back to Braceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240649681320273191noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705777238092169832.post-44469661314074892982020-08-11T09:55:00.003-07:002023-10-19T17:52:31.500-07:00The importance of the position of the rear junction<span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif">Brace straps cross over (X-style) or come together (Y-style) on the wearer's back. The place that they come together is referred to as the rear junction and it's one of the most important components of wearing braces, but not often considered. This post highlights different positioning and provides recommendations for you to enjoy brace wearing all the more.</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOG8xunGjDtN_QFh7WwgebV0Hy7D1o6R3ZFvKcqQVurxwFGilx0mGnX1aemJPCQKi-uWjLETgEcGinmDVxld2461Yw77v0P9HOv3Ijc09bZxJiIouTBVY26ukrIkb0km61V_kxaZgjtopg/s1600/BlackPants226c1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOG8xunGjDtN_QFh7WwgebV0Hy7D1o6R3ZFvKcqQVurxwFGilx0mGnX1aemJPCQKi-uWjLETgEcGinmDVxld2461Yw77v0P9HOv3Ijc09bZxJiIouTBVY26ukrIkb0km61V_kxaZgjtopg/s320/BlackPants226c1.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The rear junction</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">The rear junction can either be fixed or movable. A fixed junction is more secure and is common on higher-end, luxury braces. A movable junction allows the wearer to shift the junction higher or lower on the torso to adapt the straps to the person's body.<br />
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Why is the rear junction placement important? Because straps slip off shoulders when the junction is too low. The higher the junction, the closer together the straps are as they run over the shoulders, and the less frequent they slip off. But you don't want the junction to be too high, that it's at your neck (see photo below). This causes the straps to curve around your neck rather than the shoulder blades.</span><br />
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</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPC5lBk2OUQS9cHxgFZYLhopyNcnY-xAK1Y7ZMgUBS-U8dxuLBoz-obLl7tJ819Wv0FpJNnXgoXbWucuY1dwjdM91UTYdnJE7iQGTl-rc01H0Xpc_o3u5PlzOyZSlR8EAQyGFF2tncv-S/s1600/BlackPants193b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="752" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPC5lBk2OUQS9cHxgFZYLhopyNcnY-xAK1Y7ZMgUBS-U8dxuLBoz-obLl7tJ819Wv0FpJNnXgoXbWucuY1dwjdM91UTYdnJE7iQGTl-rc01H0Xpc_o3u5PlzOyZSlR8EAQyGFF2tncv-S/s320/BlackPants193b.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Rear junction is too high</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">
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</span></b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><b>The optimal positioning of the rear junction is such that the straps curve along your shoulder blades</b> as they run down your shoulders. This allows your shoulders to move freely while minimizing the possibility of the straps slipping of your shoul</span>ders.</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDs7KuOwE8z1aRPQPlNyZD6TB-ntF5Zl1hqs0A_qZaxoF7Fxi38KDAttENuQkd9t7Z0MrW2div3yZJTzeUDqKGUmJFjNdBkvfsR1ybV74YVfy6ZGu8ccYwmd5o3a0gwgh1z6IQQ9tCsRZx/s1600/CreamPants1c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="943" data-original-width="570" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDs7KuOwE8z1aRPQPlNyZD6TB-ntF5Zl1hqs0A_qZaxoF7Fxi38KDAttENuQkd9t7Z0MrW2div3yZJTzeUDqKGUmJFjNdBkvfsR1ybV74YVfy6ZGu8ccYwmd5o3a0gwgh1z6IQQ9tCsRZx/s400/CreamPants1c.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The placement of the rear junction is a tad low<br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpMZo9nfsFoAUTN6WXhamk8CGKumMBzlWpbcgmvdsVc4z6ITt5dUbq5Tsp6aEjhUQd-vUFem6tpRt8iq-GyZhWGoYpCPJV2EJVVVDpkRjztsRK2Q-gb6F4br7AM2JQv4osnpCZn91Y2eF/s1600/Jeans4bBk.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="264" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpMZo9nfsFoAUTN6WXhamk8CGKumMBzlWpbcgmvdsVc4z6ITt5dUbq5Tsp6aEjhUQd-vUFem6tpRt8iq-GyZhWGoYpCPJV2EJVVVDpkRjztsRK2Q-gb6F4br7AM2JQv4osnpCZn91Y2eF/s400/Jeans4bBk.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The placement of the rear junction is too low</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGHOmIQmqZTQBRj9IWxxnQYCkuSu1Y7Y8dXXHrIRyUGplqfvCD8O7s2DFiFnouiMIdAugnEOmkyKZXKoUNTW6p_grmWvAsx0Zmr4THcE6qMYfUMmRgxob0Hr_60sa3-ANYvAWuGfwnIf_/s1600/Jeans89d.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="570" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGHOmIQmqZTQBRj9IWxxnQYCkuSu1Y7Y8dXXHrIRyUGplqfvCD8O7s2DFiFnouiMIdAugnEOmkyKZXKoUNTW6p_grmWvAsx0Zmr4THcE6qMYfUMmRgxob0Hr_60sa3-ANYvAWuGfwnIf_/s640/Jeans89d.jpg" width="363" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Perfect positioning of the rear junction<br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_TjR8X72dtdl-XZAgWPta4t9opYw98RDTd6ll7VUfbHtlw3u9I-eWpCP1mXWIi1Eed77nlrcNAKGRPh_RXxO9b-4ZVQZdKgO2128Tf-5Moxt9lMH5w6zoO5ZpnA5QX5b0F7TQ6n3GPdx/s1600/Jeans135d.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_TjR8X72dtdl-XZAgWPta4t9opYw98RDTd6ll7VUfbHtlw3u9I-eWpCP1mXWIi1Eed77nlrcNAKGRPh_RXxO9b-4ZVQZdKgO2128Tf-5Moxt9lMH5w6zoO5ZpnA5QX5b0F7TQ6n3GPdx/s320/Jeans135d.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Perfect positioning of the rear junction</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif">The alternative is </span><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif">no rear junction. That is, two straps that simply run from the front
of your pants to the back, never connecting at the rear to each other, such as this pair of braces:</span></span></span></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQmh8MdhUtbs4Y4M6F715TFXTLXzWzFK_8L_coQm8qTOoVcv9cDW4SgWOyQZMQD5VqcFgkOYA8gEO3MpI3592uX-YSk0G-8U2NZu3SNVJJRsKeAOih0XGZj4LQ0ODWzk1BGrpugxEDv5K/s1600/BrownPants10b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="469" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQmh8MdhUtbs4Y4M6F715TFXTLXzWzFK_8L_coQm8qTOoVcv9cDW4SgWOyQZMQD5VqcFgkOYA8gEO3MpI3592uX-YSk0G-8U2NZu3SNVJJRsKeAOih0XGZj4LQ0ODWzk1BGrpugxEDv5K/s320/BrownPants10b.jpg" width="225" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmQVUAJS3iuN5rhqmdcXCryxQ0JGWgX7ZvV2CneL73tlbG8Xp4y8WV79fLArSK9AgVFAt8toW16qxycZG3QJeIJ2u5R2W0BHVV7ADpyVnv8Kl52B6fPc6BI93bTt8nymPrbPz92of1O-l/s1600/BrownPants10c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="495" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmQVUAJS3iuN5rhqmdcXCryxQ0JGWgX7ZvV2CneL73tlbG8Xp4y8WV79fLArSK9AgVFAt8toW16qxycZG3QJeIJ2u5R2W0BHVV7ADpyVnv8Kl52B6fPc6BI93bTt8nymPrbPz92of1O-l/s320/BrownPants10c.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><p>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif">While this may be possible, it is not recommended. The straps can easily slip off the shoulders and the shoulder blades have to contend with the strap when the shoulder moves forward.<br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif"> </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VV2zj8vw2f3r6ELvQUf_GNwIiNbds8_uNttPMi9qu_kQpV3f_4CXFEYbqMpS3J9rhiQopeQRQSWIrxCCZIo6JeZ4mKEwCMwY4na_g92oCgSqNYl1_wZeKC44Qr-njkW5XsmlYWrSirJA/s1600/CelebJenniferLopez2a.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VV2zj8vw2f3r6ELvQUf_GNwIiNbds8_uNttPMi9qu_kQpV3f_4CXFEYbqMpS3J9rhiQopeQRQSWIrxCCZIo6JeZ4mKEwCMwY4na_g92oCgSqNYl1_wZeKC44Qr-njkW5XsmlYWrSirJA/s640/CelebJenniferLopez2a.jpg" width="320" /></a><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif">I came across some video clips of Jennifer Lopez talling on the "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIAVKhDWsSY" target="_blank">The Elvis Duran Z100 Morning Show</a>" and “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmGcLiWYM3s" target="_blank">HOT 97</a>” on April 9, 2019 in New York City. </span><br />
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif">Jennifer is wearing a simple white tank top with high-rise black pants. The pants have button-on black braces attached, giving a classic and stylish look. The high-rise pants sit above her waistline, allowing the braces to support them. </span><br />
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<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif">I think this is a great outfit and don’t want to critique it. I couldn’t help notice as I watched the videos that Jennifer adjusted her brace straps twice during the 15 minute session. In the second clip, she adjusts her straps once (potentially more when not on camera). This tells me that either the rear junction of the braces is too low relative to her shoulders, or the straps simply run up and down her shoulders, not crossing in the back. We don’t see the rear view of the braces, so we will never know. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif"> </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif"> </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif"> </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif"> </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif"> </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif">If the straps cross at the back and the rear junction is fixed, her seamstress could sew excess fabric from the pants onto her waistband, thereby extending the rear brace tabs higher. This was a common solution in decades ago. Here's a photo for illustration:<br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeo2TZCQN7eEXohsTjpPqGN8_xtC15U5kp2PMBbg_DQzpH1uZ2pxYKZVvDITK636QiZ4ArsU2B1c7QTSHisUQX5QRKKrkUo_WbL_G4XyEHrHRA28REjKjHtzc9wO8xhBJ7iU5GpcUbE46JsbIG9NY2bIubxQxb8FIL6d7Lt_tGaqC0ccdUMx_raP1c7xRr/s734/BraceTabs3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="734" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeo2TZCQN7eEXohsTjpPqGN8_xtC15U5kp2PMBbg_DQzpH1uZ2pxYKZVvDITK636QiZ4ArsU2B1c7QTSHisUQX5QRKKrkUo_WbL_G4XyEHrHRA28REjKjHtzc9wO8xhBJ7iU5GpcUbE46JsbIG9NY2bIubxQxb8FIL6d7Lt_tGaqC0ccdUMx_raP1c7xRr/s320/BraceTabs3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pant fabric can be used to extend the brace tabs higher<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif"><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">
<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif">Looking at how close the placement of the buttons is on the waistline (basically next to each other and not spread apart), I think the braces simply run parallel over the shoulders - identical to the brown pants shown above. As stylish as it may be, the straps have a tendency to slip off the shoulders. And this is what was occurring to Jennifer’s straps during the interviews. </span><br />
<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif"><br />On another interview with the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_VzAap2vl0" target="_blank">Breakfast Club</a>, we notice that her left suspender strap is twisted. This helps keep it in place, but as someone comments “Her left suspender is bugging my OCD”, “Me too! She fiddled with it at one point, but then it was still twisted.” It's not natural to have a twisted suspender strap or for the straps to slip off.<br /><br />Jennifer’s stylist has some options: cross the straps in the back, or otherwise connect them potentially as an H-style, or tighten the straps. By making these adjustments Jennifer would comfortably wear the braces without having to tinker and adjust them throughout the day.</span><br />
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<b><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif">Discussion: </span></b><br />
<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif">1. Have you worn braces that slipped off your shoulders during the day?</span><br />
<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif">2. Have you worn parallel braces?</span><br />
<span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif">3. Where do you prefer to have the rear junction?</span></span></span><span face=""arial", "helvetica", sans-serif"><br /></span></p>Back to Braceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240649681320273191noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705777238092169832.post-68065214457913634282020-05-07T14:06:00.014-07:002023-11-23T09:42:03.256-08:00Popped brace buttons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUojNc5Ppu5BgSOsDFNJPtOpmuthj7QxkdDLEpgx-0HfwpW2STNUWaW2b6CKXhJYQ-WuPwLQkq87eYtVvhMID4hhifvfPAva4lsdYqgG7YWr5hAQPwyQb6dHshCVE2psFlHiwfq1dCPdi-/s1600/Popoff7.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUojNc5Ppu5BgSOsDFNJPtOpmuthj7QxkdDLEpgx-0HfwpW2STNUWaW2b6CKXhJYQ-WuPwLQkq87eYtVvhMID4hhifvfPAva4lsdYqgG7YWr5hAQPwyQb6dHshCVE2psFlHiwfq1dCPdi-/s200/Popoff7.jpg" width="188" /></a></div>
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Let's admit it: buttons pop off. It could be the button holding your waistline closed on your pants or skirt, buttons on your shirt or dress, or, as we are focusing here, brace buttons.<br />
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Brace buttons carry significant responsibility: to keep your pants up. You rely on them to do their role all the time. In fact, you probably don't think about the importance of their role until it's not there, that is, when the button is not there.<br />
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Contrary to
belief, <b>buttons popping off is not poor design</b>. In fact, they are to protect the braces. Would you rather have your braces break and be irreparable, or have a button pop off and simply replace the button? I think you'd agree that its easier to replace the button than the braces. There is an important principal of using cheaper replaceable parts (buttons) to minimize damage to more valuable parts (braces). Thus, by allowing buttons to pop off under significant
stress this saves the brace loop and ultimately the braces. I
would rather have a popped button than a broken button hole on
the brace loop or broken braces.<br />
<br />
One
of the primary advantages argued by those in favor of clip-on
suspenders is that buttons pop off and need time to sew them back on, whereas once a clip snaps
off, it can be easily reattached. While this is true, it misses the point
of that buttons are much more securely attached to the pants than a clip and the style benefits of buttons. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIgMJhisYF9czdjbv8wezFpg3t4uObv9f2MnPUseh883H8K4xRyBSWprrJ-Q02Xu0XdMLVfdpAtqyesRyPmDerX9jg2UNCjA3Z1Po0HcBQ3QZd7DhLhCtdj4l-Pz2B14Ln_QzhG2YbS5v/s1600/PoppedSusp2a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="471" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuIgMJhisYF9czdjbv8wezFpg3t4uObv9f2MnPUseh883H8K4xRyBSWprrJ-Q02Xu0XdMLVfdpAtqyesRyPmDerX9jg2UNCjA3Z1Po0HcBQ3QZd7DhLhCtdj4l-Pz2B14Ln_QzhG2YbS5v/s320/PoppedSusp2a.jpg" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easy come, easy go: Clip-ons are easy to attach, and easy to snap off</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Buttons become detached for one of two reasons:<br />
1. the button is pulled beyond it's capacity, and the thread capacity, and it gives way<br />
2. the button is not under pressure, rather the button threads simply wear out over time resulting in the button slipping off<br />
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Let's look further at these 2 reasons.<br />
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<b>1. Buttons under pressure</b><br />
Given enough pull on the braces, buttons will pop off under sufficient strain. In <a href="http://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/video/news-footage/2011-128" target="_blank">West of Hot Dog (1924)</a> a comedy with Stan Laurel, Stan is on way to collect an inheritance in the small town of Hot Dog when he is robbed by a gang of highwaymen. He's asked at gunpoint to come out of the carriage, which Stan signals he'll happily do by exiting the opposite side of the carriage - in order to make his getaway. Stan turns to exit, with his braces as the only thing available to restrain him. The highwaymen grabs the rear brace straps and pulls as Stan pushes forward. The camera angle shows Stan's rear braces pop off under the strain: <br />
<br /><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxhGpaYx3phwDguly1dY3CMQ9JnH4wycMWzWmgBmU2pETlyJW7m5e6VRQHBDLQAQn5D15t23hYyFC7lAlkFkeL-BTYn0hwv7Dwr93Fq-S5ULIo-ZLVM4ruVUDYVxzviZKH-R85z9XdCEW/s408/Popoff.gif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="408" height="349" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxhGpaYx3phwDguly1dY3CMQ9JnH4wycMWzWmgBmU2pETlyJW7m5e6VRQHBDLQAQn5D15t23hYyFC7lAlkFkeL-BTYn0hwv7Dwr93Fq-S5ULIo-ZLVM4ruVUDYVxzviZKH-R85z9XdCEW/w400-h349/Popoff.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear buttons popping off under the strain<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stan falls forward, but the braces restrain him. The highwayman pulls the braces and Stan exits the carriage towards the highwayman.<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> Stan's braces no longer hold up his pants and the remainder of the scene shows in comical fashion what happens when Stan raises his hands for the gunman.</span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Notice that the brace tab button holes on his braces are
still intact. All Stan needs is two new buttons to be sewn on to his pants and he can use his braces
again. Also notice the durability of the left button - only popping off
after significant pressure. So unless someone has the braces in their
firm grip and pulling them with all their might, braces generally do not
pop-off. </span><br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Clip-on suspenders snap off all the time and would need to be
constantly attached, which is annoying - your pants are not held up when
your suspender clips keep snapping off! The fact is, <b>clip-on suspenders would have snapped off a lot sooner than the buttons popped off</b> in this case. Therefore, use buttons.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjul75_W8I2Qi_Qu6I6dzX1GXCzp-CMSutXYCXV102Ivsq7g7qXRa6vowJux48vvAcJoUo8A_mNDuUifiZ_Pmn7wxfWdDeg4oR7eEaWvP6_ElH9GtFnJ9fR_NcB30farGgXE2aygR_kUR6m/s1600/Jeans117b.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjul75_W8I2Qi_Qu6I6dzX1GXCzp-CMSutXYCXV102Ivsq7g7qXRa6vowJux48vvAcJoUo8A_mNDuUifiZ_Pmn7wxfWdDeg4oR7eEaWvP6_ElH9GtFnJ9fR_NcB30farGgXE2aygR_kUR6m/s640/Jeans117b.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Testing if any buttons will pop off</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Brace thread</b><br />
Ensuring buttons stay attached can partially be addressed by using a strong thread. But balance is needed when determining the strength of
the button threads to anchor braces – too strong and the brace strap
will break from pressure resulting in the braces not being usable, too
weak and the button threads will be constantly failing and buttons
popping-off, resulting in the need to sew on buttons. Therefore, use
a stronger thread weight and strength for sewing on brace buttons.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="700" height="579" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWFCP3Q9AuBt-K2SjOODSeaf4YJjwgEd9_RLmF_aUZuRcfQCk5SMDW12cl5nkUNOpsCiwcyFzGvuZr-3ZJwFLMb8vXUi-tmehxGphTVr9owJhRML_U2elRdqIPGq_cd8TAVd-IGweKdeD/w640-h579/DenimSkirt3a1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This brace button is separating from the waistline as the thread is lengthened. The button is about to pop off due to poor quality brace thread<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /></div>
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<b>2. Button threads wearing out</b><br />
Similar to other fabrics, thread can wear out over time, especially with constant use. It's also very thin and can be ground down. As a result, there can be a slow tearing of the thread that eventually releases the button. Sometimes this is quick and sometimes it's a very slow process. </div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I remember observing a man in a suit with his jacket off one summer day. He was wearing Y-back braces. His rear brace tabs were about an inch from the top of his waistline, as the braces were hanging on by a few strands of thread (similar to the photo of the lady above). It would only be a matter of time before those threads would give way and the buttons would not be secured to the waistline.<br />
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<br />
I used to think that brace buttons <i>always </i>became detached from strain or when pulled. Maybe it's because that's what I saw in movies and comics. I've come to learn from wearing braces for many years that this is not always the case - sometimes it's simply that the threads wear out.<br />
<br />
Case on point, I was working at a professional office a while back. I was wearing a brown pair of dress pants with stripped blue, inverse U-tab braces and a dress shirt. I had taken my suit jacket off for the day (as was customary). I went throughout my day with my braces on display and didn't think anything of it. The pants were securely attached and held in place by my braces - or so I thought.<br />
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Late in the afternoon I was walking down the hallway when a considerate lady stopped me to ask if my pants felt secure. I replied, "yes, thanks to my braces," lightly tugging on my straps. She clarified that she meant the <i>rear </i>of my pants.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUn83wz-YN2o5nhJzzr69ew0hMTNzW6MKXxOd-1TMfrp0TLoTXpTw2kZxSRDhEaYWWQINd2wOSPnn1aOhoAF31JRXLa_gW_NX6VhWnGNTO6geRaWPO64bO3Ow_Ztx3IiCk2Ufasdt-YRY/s1600/BrownPantsPopped.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="898" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUn83wz-YN2o5nhJzzr69ew0hMTNzW6MKXxOd-1TMfrp0TLoTXpTw2kZxSRDhEaYWWQINd2wOSPnn1aOhoAF31JRXLa_gW_NX6VhWnGNTO6geRaWPO64bO3Ow_Ztx3IiCk2Ufasdt-YRY/s400/BrownPantsPopped.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A popped button on the rear inverse-U tab braces</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
"Do you know that one of your attachments is disconnected at the back?" I was shocked and instinctively reached back with my hand to confirm it was true. One side of my inverse U-tab had slid all the way up and the rear strap was only anchored by one button. I hadn't felt the change in tension at any point during the day!</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
"Oh no, you're right. I've popped a brace button," I said, feeling self-conscious and blushing. </div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She smiled and said, "Don't worry, that can happen with any button. Buttons are easy to sew on. I bet you can sew another one on easily."</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Yes, I'll have to do that," I replied. <br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She continued on by stating how much she liked that I wear braces. "Your braces are so stylish and befitting of you. You look very dapper and professional. I hope you don't stop wearing braces because one button popped off?"</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"No, definitely not," I replied. I thanked her and forced a smile.<br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While one button was detached and provided no support, I still felt secure and confident that my pants would stay where they should be, which is something you can't say for those wearing belts.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On another occasion in the winter, I was wearing jeans, a t-shirt, sweater, and jacket outside in the snow. As I was walking along I felt my front right strap lose tension. I didn't stop as I figured the button had popped off and slipped down my pants and into my boot, as it was sewn on the inside of the waistband. Unfortunately, when I got inside to inspect, the inner button had popped off. But I couldn't find it when I shook my pants and looked in my boot. It must have pulled above the waistline and when it popped off, it fell outside the pants rather than inside. As the button was white and had fallen in white snow, I couldn't find it. I sewed another button on to replace the lost one and I was good to go.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the summer time, with all the snow melted, I was walking along the same path with a friend. She pointed and said, there's a button. Is that one of your suspender buttons?</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I looked down and picked up the white button.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, I said, slipping it into my pocket. That button popped off my pants in the wintertime and I couldn't find it in the snow.</div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like your button suspenders, she said. </div><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I agreed.<br /></div><p>
</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><br />
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">In conclusion, don't be too concerned about buttons popping off - it's a right of passage for us wearing braces.</span></span></p>Back to Braceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240649681320273191noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705777238092169832.post-76881292145658506002020-02-17T14:37:00.006-08:002023-01-20T16:16:50.931-08:00Time to bring back the classicsDo you look at old photographs and magically insert yourself into the scene, such as this one...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW81rMC4bp4cJgB4NHvioVrirc7uQXAhpkmk4so3aeX5W6K58FEvIWYn9C4vv3wtidKtYU-ATUStMDGOwhELMqU5vYf72SLbUor1BwmUoo5oYH_eH4oG_i6o5ss-5QTDU8rUD_41iFG10-/s1600/BW+Photo+1928+Paris+Men+strolling.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="891" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW81rMC4bp4cJgB4NHvioVrirc7uQXAhpkmk4so3aeX5W6K58FEvIWYn9C4vv3wtidKtYU-ATUStMDGOwhELMqU5vYf72SLbUor1BwmUoo5oYH_eH4oG_i6o5ss-5QTDU8rUD_41iFG10-/s640/BW+Photo+1928+Paris+Men+strolling.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Men strolling down the sidewalk in Paris, 1928</td></tr>
</tbody></table><p>I'd love to join in with these men as they stroll down the sidewalk in 1928, all wearing high-waisted pants with braces. The photo's description says it was during a heatwave in 1928 - I'd be walking around without a suit jacket as well.<br />
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Do you imagine a time when people put thought into how they dressed, even on the weekend? Back when men wore suits, and women wore dresses regularly. Some people refer to this as the Golden age of mens style.<br />
<br />
While I’d love to be transported into that bygone era. I realize that life was challenging back then and things we take for granted today were unheard of back then. I’d like to focus on the fashion aspect of the bygone era, rather than the troubles.<br />
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Here's a photo I could see myself in:<br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFirKQM9ML3vrB8igf0ocKLGkxnSL3ghXMc9iIzJCfoNlzfq1-AZAlyYvC0YYNbCHCIEjenBQPB_TNz5VFSORWyWcNxbvlhKuFKtOPlGwznFxRvhBNoTsAaz7kUbNFEif1DhbuITAN-QV/s1600/BWPhoto145.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="748" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFirKQM9ML3vrB8igf0ocKLGkxnSL3ghXMc9iIzJCfoNlzfq1-AZAlyYvC0YYNbCHCIEjenBQPB_TNz5VFSORWyWcNxbvlhKuFKtOPlGwznFxRvhBNoTsAaz7kUbNFEif1DhbuITAN-QV/s400/BWPhoto145.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo of a new family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Even at home the man is wearing a suit. He's conveniently pulled back his suit jacket to reveal his braces supporting his high-rise pants. Notice the proper placement of the buttons - above the center pleat and then to the side above the pocket. The inverse-U tab appears a bit stretched, but works well to support his pants over the front waistline.<br />
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<br />
Women wore dresses or high-waisted skirts. Stockings were worn over their legs and held in place with suspenders (also called garters) which sometimes needed adjusting.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHA4C7qQLWmEpoeY6rumGz0vG2LsnA9vb9UTRfcQUccq9_-beTYM_Kcpj85kzOK4xtqOmq-Tk716dMqFgGrRATU9mdvKZ-vPbJCFfMcXCI8bEEn5Z03Ue_9Hp_N0w09vCUmEyN4ewEk2ND/s1600/Fixgarter.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="361" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHA4C7qQLWmEpoeY6rumGz0vG2LsnA9vb9UTRfcQUccq9_-beTYM_Kcpj85kzOK4xtqOmq-Tk716dMqFgGrRATU9mdvKZ-vPbJCFfMcXCI8bEEn5Z03Ue_9Hp_N0w09vCUmEyN4ewEk2ND/s400/Fixgarter.jpg" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adjusting the suspenders</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Men always wore suits, even at home. When the man came home, he would take off his hat (another stylish accessory now forgotten), remove his suit jacket, and carry on with his day. No one would think twice about seeing his high-waisted pants held up with braces. It was totally acceptable to have the braces visible. In fact, it was appreciated, as the pants lengthened his appearance, did not drag on the ground, or get torn at the hem.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjd2GJYY_yHVotax5EAOTADYg4cgayoocMkIMAwcxlF8ZIK-NGO4POZPOuFDrn81C7F1sho6ILXrPe3sYx-oNNbsInRr8J9RDlH_r5I5Gf0u5A5ztQ-NTZvkwdnL_XUXxyFg2OZv4WrfJ/s1600/BWPhoto7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="594" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjd2GJYY_yHVotax5EAOTADYg4cgayoocMkIMAwcxlF8ZIK-NGO4POZPOuFDrn81C7F1sho6ILXrPe3sYx-oNNbsInRr8J9RDlH_r5I5Gf0u5A5ztQ-NTZvkwdnL_XUXxyFg2OZv4WrfJ/s400/BWPhoto7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A father reading with his son. His suit jacket is off and he looks very comfortable</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Both men and women understood that suspenders were an essential accessory - for holding up pants and for holding up stockings. High-waisted pants, skirts, and stockings were secured by braces. No decent individual would expect anything less; they were effective and comfortable. Braces proliferated the everyday scene in the home and at the office.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-bhsXA7OFWtmyKSPBG2yRNiHMpY5zN6fxxz5XbwAbuQ2r921QJual_YUWt6_hB0JNej1HYGZedko2YAzljwt9feB2_HLq1ErscgyNh76tI7wfupOwl4aW6F6WxSnpE1WaF0sFSPyUfBU/s1600/BWbraces23b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="343" data-original-width="377" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-bhsXA7OFWtmyKSPBG2yRNiHMpY5zN6fxxz5XbwAbuQ2r921QJual_YUWt6_hB0JNej1HYGZedko2YAzljwt9feB2_HLq1ErscgyNh76tI7wfupOwl4aW6F6WxSnpE1WaF0sFSPyUfBU/s400/BWbraces23b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At home: the man's suit jacket is off, sleeves rolled-up, and his braces are totally acceptable</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table><p>
</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKyG83lpwIBcMg4vTcjRY4za2FNvHWBGqun6RzDWMWf4Pyf_6JPrmk7nhDVlbKjuR1rIeyDhfemr3sF2s2DMR1Lj4fOzSZqKc7xy93TZjxp26QUoHxIHM5ao09irZXkwnJvdpXW_8uTNHz/s1600/BWPhoto136.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="490" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKyG83lpwIBcMg4vTcjRY4za2FNvHWBGqun6RzDWMWf4Pyf_6JPrmk7nhDVlbKjuR1rIeyDhfemr3sF2s2DMR1Lj4fOzSZqKc7xy93TZjxp26QUoHxIHM5ao09irZXkwnJvdpXW_8uTNHz/s400/BWPhoto136.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the office: every man's suit jacket is off and it's acceptable to show their braces</td></tr>
</tbody></table><p>If you walked into any office building, you would not be surprised to see the majority of men wearing braces. Braces would be quietly doing their part, keeping mens pants looking respectable and dapper.</p><p>This was before the days of throw-away fashion. People bought quality clothing and reused them over and over – or handed them down repeatedly. As such, some clothes could be loose, requiring braces to keep the lower-half of the outfit in place. People expected braces to be worn to fill this need.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Besides looking at old photographs, there are certain communities and events that celebrate fashion from the past. There are annual tweed rides in major cities. Or take <a href="https://www.goodwood.com/motorsport/goodwood-revival/plan-your-day/vintage-style/" target="_blank">Goodwood Revival festival</a> in England. In addition to racing cars and planes, there’s also the style aspect. People dress in vintage styles, with plenty of braces and high-waisted skirts around. At 2019's festival, the winner of the Best Dressed Competition in the men's category wore a 1940's civilian style of grey, high-rise pants with stripped braces on a blue shirt and a vintage, red tie and grey hat:<br />
</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B2b62-FDPw2/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvh4R6v2J2RDHbi-ScdPRmWOrz2pKA_atUXQI_iDmjIKN9hNdMgv3MrBAr8k6vN3jQIN-rbzO1599vgSLE9Lj7aj70-RPkceAE8uuucFJJuaoxMuKmNlf77hvTwMy1SsuHrARO9_IgALh/s320/GoodwoodStyle1.png" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course he won - he looks like he stepped out of the 1940's!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><p></p><p>For those who appreciate an era when men wore braces, and hats were commonplace, these events are a welcomed reprieve from modern life.<br />
<br />
<b>Discussion</b><br />
</p><ul>
<li>Have you attended events with vintage themes?</li>
<li>Do you wear clothes that are styled from a bygone era?</li>
</ul>
Back to Braceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240649681320273191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705777238092169832.post-13974483589900192812019-11-18T11:05:00.008-08:002024-02-12T16:28:32.948-08:00The Comical side of Suspenders and BracesSuspender straps can be made out of various materials, including boxcloth, cloth, and elastic. Most suspenders used by the general public are made of elastic material. This flexibility is needed when bending, leaning, and shifting throughout the day. However, stretch has its downside: it snaps and gets caught in things. As such, suspenders and braces can be used for humor and comical relief. How many vintage films have you seen where someone snaps a strap to inflict pain on their culprit? Or when a suspender button pops off and their pants fall down.<br />
<br />
Here are some examples I’ve come across where braces help get a laugh.<br />
<br />
<b>Tintin in "The Crab with the Golden Claws"</b><br />
<br />
After crashing their plane in the middle of the Sahara desert, Tintin and Captain Haddock set off to find civilization. The beating sun causes them to strip their layers of clothing, with Haddock revealing that he is wearing a pair of Y-back braces. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlpy2X008Qq6KsxeUzaz_8TRYTbzgU4LNBdZN7gGlCgSLJR8y01B3NMYZz122qNhgHOWo0fEjnzONrKi2iPHXv9K4pMqXphUcpPuPGOITjSVX9XtfthPhdW1Bx1PIHU6HQLLNYBie3z39/s1600/CaptainHaddock.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlpy2X008Qq6KsxeUzaz_8TRYTbzgU4LNBdZN7gGlCgSLJR8y01B3NMYZz122qNhgHOWo0fEjnzONrKi2iPHXv9K4pMqXphUcpPuPGOITjSVX9XtfthPhdW1Bx1PIHU6HQLLNYBie3z39/s320/CaptainHaddock.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captain Haddock wears black braces</td></tr>
</tbody></table><p></p><p>The heat eventually gets to Haddock, and he suffers a heat stroke.
Haddock imagines Tintin as a bottle of champagne and starts wrestling him to the ground. During the skirmish Haddock’s front braces surprisingly pop off. Haddock comes to his senses for a moment, but then sees a mirage and makes a dash for it. With his front buttons popped off, this leaves his braces dangling behind him. Snowy the dog dashes off in pursuit of Haddock. The closest thing Snowy can grab to slow Haddock down are his flapping braces, which Snowy does.<br />
</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2Nw3lt3P-LRwyljebZnoT74JLC9sPc094FgN9KaNKZjbqz7EM5K-G76Btf20_DsuEP7_nSFvKG8NfpH11j78onQ1d0sEZl9eJgzaiYCWly38j59LpStLbv06pDqfXme7Rdhe8k8dlR2j/s1600/TintinMovie+Haddock.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="630" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2Nw3lt3P-LRwyljebZnoT74JLC9sPc094FgN9KaNKZjbqz7EM5K-G76Btf20_DsuEP7_nSFvKG8NfpH11j78onQ1d0sEZl9eJgzaiYCWly38j59LpStLbv06pDqfXme7Rdhe8k8dlR2j/s400/TintinMovie+Haddock.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: black;">Snowy trying to slow down Haddock</span><u><br /></u></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
But it’s futile. The rear brace buttons pop off, Haddock tumbles over, and Snowy receives the full impact of the snapped braces in his face. Ouch! Now Haddock has to wander through the desert with pants that sag down.<br />
<br />
<b>Laurel and Hardy in "Bacon Grabbers"</b><br />
<br />
Classic comedians, Stan and Oliver, are trying to enter a house through the second floor using a ladder, but it doesn’t quite reach the top. Oliver decides to elevate the ladder up to his waist, so Stan can reach the second floor. While wrestling and juggling of the ladder, the ladder ends up sit on Oliver’s waistline, on top of his brace buttons. As with Tintin, Oliver’s front brace buttons conveniently pop off very quickly from the strain. While Stan is being obstructed with a dust broom, Oliver’s braces are now behind him. However, his jacket is still on, which would inhibit the straps from falling below the waistline. But for the sake of the joke, the straps are now dangling below.<br />
<br />
<br />
A curious dog comes out of nowhere and starts tugging on Oliver’s dangling brace straps. However, the rear buttons are remarkable strong and remain attached to the pants, unlike the front ones – but that’s all for the gag. Oliver is left holding up the ladder and holding up his pants, which are being dragged down by the dog’s grip on his braces. All for the comical moment.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6G1wMos1PhHspjSIVlQMKFs1ujhq-vstFAhUhY_XMySSGbM5JSjjlXfNb4KvPGtQOXd0MHmdXrCp0o2vHP9MTE7NfgbCZyFWgB1-SJP_oFxtMnS8rtyNpqpGqegyTRbw8RCbW7-g6ZGaF/s1600/LaurelHardy1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="303" data-original-width="400" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6G1wMos1PhHspjSIVlQMKFs1ujhq-vstFAhUhY_XMySSGbM5JSjjlXfNb4KvPGtQOXd0MHmdXrCp0o2vHP9MTE7NfgbCZyFWgB1-SJP_oFxtMnS8rtyNpqpGqegyTRbw8RCbW7-g6ZGaF/s400/LaurelHardy1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A dog finds Oliver's dangling braces</td></tr>
</tbody></table><p>
<br />
These two comical moments are the norm - braces pop off and the loose straps used for the ensuing gag. The next is unlike the first two.<br />
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<br />
<b>Ginger Rogers in "Monkey Business"</b> <br />
<br />
In this 1952 movie Cary Grant plays Dr. Barnaby Fulton, a research chemist trying to discover the fountain of youth. He is under the supervision of Oliver Oxley. Barnaby’s wife, Edwina Fulton, is played by Ginger Rogers. Barnaby accidentally digests a dose which temporarily causes him to act like a teenager. After recovering, Barnaby is quick to retest his theory of the mixture and Edwina willingly joins along. Barnaby’s boss, Oliver is also very curious to see the results and wants to watch. That sets the scene for Barnaby, Edwina, and Oliver together in the laboratory with all eyes on Edwina. She takes the mixture, but doesn’t react immediately. Barnaby and Oliver begin discussing if it will take effect or not.<br />
<br />
Stepping back, Oliver Oxley is a middle-aged man with a large midsection. Similar to Oliver <i>Hardy</i> above, he is wearing a customary 1950s outfit, consisting of a 2-piece dark suit with a white dress shirt and spotted tie. This was the standard style for men during the 50s, worn by young and old alike. His pants are high-rise with the waistline coming above his navel. He wears a pair of inverse-U braces to hold his pants at a constant height - a belt not be effective to hold up the pants of this portly gentlemen. This is all evident because Oliver's left hand is in his trouser pocket, pushing his suit jacket back and displaying the inverse U-tabs of his braces. I'd also guess that his brace straps are polka-dotted to coordinate with his neck tie.<br /></p><p>The camera angle focuses on the discussion between Barnaby and Oliver, with Edwina sitting on a chair to the left. During the scene you can see Oliver’s diaphragm expand and contract as he inhales and exhales. His pants waistband is larger than his waist, but thanks to his braces, his trousers do not fall down. Instead, his braces keep the waistline at a comfortable position throughout his breathing. His brace buttons are positioned perfectly along his waistline to support his waistline. He looks very comfortable and calm, unaware that his loose waistline is an important part in the next joke.<br />
</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUo6de7kU_-PY5mEblHbZYi1Z2NBtMzzumD-QDK3K-qoWvHVcZ3KvYN1maGVWaAileKki_0tDfDO9sxFjfj-KkHknojgmcupCw-z-Wa9oTvi5RqUmoHm5X8m3NRJFQ0Uj-w0gw4YL6vdx/s1600/MonkeyBusScene1a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="634" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUo6de7kU_-PY5mEblHbZYi1Z2NBtMzzumD-QDK3K-qoWvHVcZ3KvYN1maGVWaAileKki_0tDfDO9sxFjfj-KkHknojgmcupCw-z-Wa9oTvi5RqUmoHm5X8m3NRJFQ0Uj-w0gw4YL6vdx/s400/MonkeyBusScene1a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edwina sitting down and looking at Barnaby and Oliver</td></tr>
</tbody></table><p></p><p>Turning back to Edwina, she would be familiar with men’s pants style of her day. She would know that the waistline of pants have room between their stomach and waistline, and are held up by braces. As the youthful mixture takes effect, Edwina looks at Oliver’s waistline. She locates a nearby bucket of small fish and executes her plan.<br />
<br />With Barnaby and Oliver deep in discussion the camera angle changes to focus on Edwina. She snatches a small fish from the bowl and brings it up to Oliver’s waist, pulling his waistline back at the front as he exhales. She drops the fish down the inside of his pants.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlv0SDSQaMm1sK77MRvXz_RvYBTQPPdJxAmtX2YKEk4b-XOyZqWbs9DNQi8qsSMsarzFhlWs1OlhVEDjiwd1W_uF3uXS2SMepSweRmiaiSBe1Z5Un2AJZ2IicRydjP4bF_aMz5DKMCXc7v/s1600/MonkeyBusScene1b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="1068" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlv0SDSQaMm1sK77MRvXz_RvYBTQPPdJxAmtX2YKEk4b-XOyZqWbs9DNQi8qsSMsarzFhlWs1OlhVEDjiwd1W_uF3uXS2SMepSweRmiaiSBe1Z5Un2AJZ2IicRydjP4bF_aMz5DKMCXc7v/s400/MonkeyBusScene1b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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While still pulling his waistline, she looks up to see if Oliver has noticed, which he hasn’t, for the sake of the joke. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCejKFzX7GeQxbrfblkRNY29sXL9Do_B9eQvuzOHDHzc3U1SbgYyD_hiHQllkfNX5CF2LddOQVq8ymV9FoZ3zgIlH5DErNRXtiON0Jwqn_YrxgoN-c0z-v3-X1SIqQ68PZJOu8vuppO5i/s1600/MonkeyBusScene1c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="639" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCejKFzX7GeQxbrfblkRNY29sXL9Do_B9eQvuzOHDHzc3U1SbgYyD_hiHQllkfNX5CF2LddOQVq8ymV9FoZ3zgIlH5DErNRXtiON0Jwqn_YrxgoN-c0z-v3-X1SIqQ68PZJOu8vuppO5i/s400/MonkeyBusScene1c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Edwina lets go of the waistline, which gently slips back into place, thanks to the tension of Oliver's braces. One would think that the pullback of Oliver's waistband would alert him to look down, but he's oblivious for the sake of the joke. It could also be that Oliver is wearing inverse-U brace tabs instead of inverse-V braces tabs. As a result, when Edwina pulls on the waistband, the inverse-U braces adjust and slide along the arch, so Oliver does not feel the change in tension. If he was wearing inverse-V brace tabs, the tension would have pulled his front brace straps forward slightly as the brace buttons are pulled together.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkseu097ZdRUm6nZbzyN-ajeYGSjMudPbC_2oJtmMfzjNKKobUEaGeSBaVdRTyedppxOYxI07TGsQnLcAarEBWdGyVfX1mVMBD1eMhwU6BYVr1kf5H7ONMeM-2Wm6WYplGMkU2GtkOd4_X/s1600/MonkeyBusScene1d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="641" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkseu097ZdRUm6nZbzyN-ajeYGSjMudPbC_2oJtmMfzjNKKobUEaGeSBaVdRTyedppxOYxI07TGsQnLcAarEBWdGyVfX1mVMBD1eMhwU6BYVr1kf5H7ONMeM-2Wm6WYplGMkU2GtkOd4_X/s400/MonkeyBusScene1d.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Oliver is unaware that a fish is now in his pant leg, much to Edwina's anticipation. As an aside, compare the above screen shot to the one below, you can notice the change in Oliver's diaphragm when he inhales and exhales. The larger, more comfortable waist size of Oliver's pants are adequately supported by his braces. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsG19Au-9RBOzda1AYkyE9JWUAE6rPnQMPlzVhcpoykl9K5GlmYy1Te2ibCOXF9e6xAfIc0P1gMqGDXGQV4qRSMy9vdmcTA5wIBixwANKJJxiCMPP97UKBDKDkfoglAKg3LmeaUJBobMh/s1600/MonkeyBusScene1e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="640" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsG19Au-9RBOzda1AYkyE9JWUAE6rPnQMPlzVhcpoykl9K5GlmYy1Te2ibCOXF9e6xAfIc0P1gMqGDXGQV4qRSMy9vdmcTA5wIBixwANKJJxiCMPP97UKBDKDkfoglAKg3LmeaUJBobMh/s400/MonkeyBusScene1e.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><p>
<br />As the fish begins nipping on his leg, Oliver starts to twitch. It’s a humorous moment and makes the transition from adult-Edwina to youthful-Edwina seamless. All thanks to a pair of pants worn with braces! </p><p></p><p>Here's the full sequence in a gif:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9ApdF-6laOHfSda_zlDQnzvjkevPZAWH7D2jHEQzTK8gISjSYSlFZhVbZmx5u2kXdAPBIeJ4KIeI1UJwBKIOEGZ4Mb348n_EjGwrU3O-hO6CFNQASdIBIibYpR66QYh88NdbZGY5jI70/s500/MonkeyBusiness.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="500" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9ApdF-6laOHfSda_zlDQnzvjkevPZAWH7D2jHEQzTK8gISjSYSlFZhVbZmx5u2kXdAPBIeJ4KIeI1UJwBKIOEGZ4Mb348n_EjGwrU3O-hO6CFNQASdIBIibYpR66QYh88NdbZGY5jI70/w400-h276/MonkeyBusiness.gif" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /> </p><p>Or a cartoon from the Archie collection.<br />
<br />
<b>Ginger in "Ginger" Cartoon Magazine</b><br />
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This 1951 teenager magazine focused on braces in a short story:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhbgiWp5LpbzCFOPCo6M1HWp8PZh-9PL2N7juQwQuCPYbs4mnGvoV6Yn8ZSLAFmk1DAufG9y80lLRDNoQBWsbtLyhPc6VAm42gXYOnM1aC_qJX-zp8tsYV-U1MhCv8mxqq5EuuZ1JBv0Q/s1600/Old+Ginger+Cartoon+1951c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1118" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhbgiWp5LpbzCFOPCo6M1HWp8PZh-9PL2N7juQwQuCPYbs4mnGvoV6Yn8ZSLAFmk1DAufG9y80lLRDNoQBWsbtLyhPc6VAm42gXYOnM1aC_qJX-zp8tsYV-U1MhCv8mxqq5EuuZ1JBv0Q/s640/Old+Ginger+Cartoon+1951c.jpg" width="446" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiJ9HuH-DaoyY1WOtCx0xWDBbwDLEAHnZ2kbzAZvMiRzIjfnJ0-cSFROMxXyYfHaR38EhGhFdYPYADqG3p7wvFmjj_lcxjU_UozhIekJgFJbkbKGhxWYxkEku6BgWz7bjLMFwsdbT-knS/s1600/Old+Ginger+Cartoon+1951d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1102" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiJ9HuH-DaoyY1WOtCx0xWDBbwDLEAHnZ2kbzAZvMiRzIjfnJ0-cSFROMxXyYfHaR38EhGhFdYPYADqG3p7wvFmjj_lcxjU_UozhIekJgFJbkbKGhxWYxkEku6BgWz7bjLMFwsdbT-knS/s640/Old+Ginger+Cartoon+1951d.jpg" width="440" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMN58e7uRHOIM7QjMseWv9X72Mjd9JbC5ghbGf927EZv1R0s2Ekg1Q-YJvY2cp7_Z79hFbr0XVW_leIvPF9E_kB3_oWDJaaNh7_C91EyhdHHdh5GZqJHVyyoWmuuzTN2ETyq77a6uA4vrD/s1600/Old+Ginger+Cartoon+1951e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1121" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMN58e7uRHOIM7QjMseWv9X72Mjd9JbC5ghbGf927EZv1R0s2Ekg1Q-YJvY2cp7_Z79hFbr0XVW_leIvPF9E_kB3_oWDJaaNh7_C91EyhdHHdh5GZqJHVyyoWmuuzTN2ETyq77a6uA4vrD/s640/Old+Ginger+Cartoon+1951e.jpg" width="448" /></a></div><p>
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If you think about it, there are a series of conveniences that would not ordinarily happen - the skirt has buttons already to attach the braces, the rear strap gets caught in the tree branch, and the skirt and slip remain up on the tree when Ginger jumps down. Ordinarily, the braces would pop off or the branch would break, and the skirt would follow Ginger down the tree. But that's all for the laugh.<br />
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</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><b>Poppy (1936)</b></p><p>This vintage movie has Poppy attempting to connect his rear braces to his waistband - but after he's put his pants on already. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMxmohrTEIU" target="_blank">Watch here from the 3:37 to 4:26</a> mark. Being a larger man, he struggles to hook the buttons on. It doesn't help that he's wearing a gloves. He tries and they snap back up, startling him. It's good comic relief. One of the comments also mentions that they like the suspenders snapping.<br /><br />
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<b>Discussion:</b><br />
</p><ul>
<li>What scenes from movies or television shows have you seen that use suspenders or braces to get a laugh?</li>
<li>Do you have any memories of comical moments with braces?</li>
</ul>
Back to Braceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240649681320273191noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705777238092169832.post-83587262099776878642019-09-18T15:36:00.014-07:002023-08-19T12:34:46.711-07:00Swing Dancing and Braces<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Swing dancing originated in the 1920s, and is connected with Jazz and Big Band music. Style reflects culture and this was true during this period. Dancers took up the clothing of time, which was heavily influenced by the social ideas of the day. Style was reflected in music, which was flamboyant, easy-going, and unique. </span></span></p><p><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Swing dancing was meant to be fun and relieve stress. It was a social activity that allowed you to connect with people. All ages came together at the dance hall to meet others, talk, and usually dance.</span></span></p><p>
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's some videos to illustrate the style, music, and dance. </span></span></p><p><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's some <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfav2ocUpMs" target="_blank">lindy hop dancers</a> from the movie Day at the Races (1937) and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egopcBsOPIU" target="_blank">a color version here</a>. All of the male dancers wear braces to keep their high-rise pants high! The opening dance off with the portly man shows how useful braces are to swing dancers - he would not be able to pull off his moves and keep his pants from sliding down without the help of braces.</span></span><br />
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</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxU3m_wLikGQ2lazk2WbnlXWe4uWKMBmu-Fnmvvjyrz4WHfcQkaNJEcdTl1qriCbhNlJt6oFnDj4VLE55q4nQpze3dUQ6iUu0vxURe8qUas6PaGTW8pL85Vd3E_PRETj7LdFsYC0GQcD7/s1600/SwingPants1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="269" data-original-width="187" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxU3m_wLikGQ2lazk2WbnlXWe4uWKMBmu-Fnmvvjyrz4WHfcQkaNJEcdTl1qriCbhNlJt6oFnDj4VLE55q4nQpze3dUQ6iUu0vxURe8qUas6PaGTW8pL85Vd3E_PRETj7LdFsYC0GQcD7/s320/SwingPants1.jpg" width="221" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This man's ready to dance, wearing braces with his high-rise trousers </td></tr>
</tbody></table><p>
</p><p><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">During this era women wore knee-length, pleated or circular skirts and dresses in flamboyant colors. The key was that the bottom half had plenty of material for dancing and allowed the material to flow wave like a flag. If wearing a skirt, it was usually high-waisted, sometimes with braces or simple straps over the shoulders to accommodate the high waist. </span></span><br />
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</p><div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTKAjOQvfZFVfaYh0sFM4k3XfveUVCWqT0vOJ5X_-MlFOeY_0UqUVuTBA929Kixe_GmnSD7PtkM720xazgbxwJMb-NuW3SooQBn_F0l1VrNzHXK0a7xQVbFukN9aOXS9mOME2DJ9rsQbS/s1600/SwingSkirt05.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1095" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTKAjOQvfZFVfaYh0sFM4k3XfveUVCWqT0vOJ5X_-MlFOeY_0UqUVuTBA929Kixe_GmnSD7PtkM720xazgbxwJMb-NuW3SooQBn_F0l1VrNzHXK0a7xQVbFukN9aOXS9mOME2DJ9rsQbS/s400/SwingSkirt05.JPG" width="342" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A classy swing, circular skirt with built-in shoulder straps</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Men always wore full suits: a jacket and tie, and sometimes a vest. Akin to the ladies style, men’s suit pants were high-rise held up with button-on braces.</span></span><br />
</p><p>
<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Another example is from the 1943 movie, "Kid Dynamite". The scene opens with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXYyq6bXKSA" target="_blank">2 ladies pinning dance numbers on the back of their partner's suit jackets</a>. The ladies are both wearing high-waisted skirts with suspender straps attached. One lady's straps cross in the back and the other lady's straps do not. As you'll find out, this will be a problem. <br /><br />The men are wearing suits. During the scene, as the dancers move around, the jackets open and we catch glimpses of high-waisted pants, which would have been held up with braces. </span><br />
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<span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The dancing commences and dancers start to boogie and move in all different positions. They twist and turn and enjoy dancing. It's a fantastic time. At the 3:25 mark, the lady's right suspender strap slips off her shoulder. Her straps don't cross in the back, and with all the movement, the strap can't stay in place on her shoulder. Switching back to the other dance partners, the lady's crossed shoulder straps are in place even though she's widely dancing around as well. The song ends and the lady pulls her suspender strap up again. This would get annoying, and is the reason for crossing the straps in the back.</span><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's another video that illustrates both of these styles: a pair of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLmKwpgglys" target="_blank">lindy hop dancers</a>,
Dean and Jewel. They are wearing quintessential swing dance outfits: Dean is wearing white, high-rise pants with braces, and Jewel is wearing a
flamboyant skirt with shoulder straps. Her vertical straps have a horizontal strap in the same fabric across her bust, which keeps her straps in place, regardless of her vigorous movement.</span></span> </span></span><br />
<br />
</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlO4hlac4mp0jL8jt7FnN0ZZf-TYnNGMcKuOJLWW4fBvPMJxNZdIDo5-vVJS6atwLD01Ftn8_71aO9r3nYm7WUoUTaemj95DqWCWAoTunJRkThoBAG_xCvEqXv0oRJleLmP-xGaw2nWCBd/s1600/SwingDancing7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="246" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlO4hlac4mp0jL8jt7FnN0ZZf-TYnNGMcKuOJLWW4fBvPMJxNZdIDo5-vVJS6atwLD01Ftn8_71aO9r3nYm7WUoUTaemj95DqWCWAoTunJRkThoBAG_xCvEqXv0oRJleLmP-xGaw2nWCBd/s400/SwingDancing7.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coles and Atkins jazz dancers in classic high-rise trousers with braces and suit jacket</td></tr>
</tbody></table><p>And finally, women sometimes opted for high-rise trousers when dancing and wore suspenders with them, such as this lady:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQIsA3el7ISNlyr6VT380ZTRm0OplGx8H7_dbJ893Nvnywtv04lWXhXTcIudNVbkM4C_wa-FUVACFQj6OLORJ0QCGZuyqjxKl7tx2on9YD6z83Yk4TZl4397W_fhlcixKKDZM1i-eTNQL/s617/SwingDancing16.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQIsA3el7ISNlyr6VT380ZTRm0OplGx8H7_dbJ893Nvnywtv04lWXhXTcIudNVbkM4C_wa-FUVACFQj6OLORJ0QCGZuyqjxKl7tx2on9YD6z83Yk4TZl4397W_fhlcixKKDZM1i-eTNQL/w324-h400/SwingDancing16.jpg" width="324" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lady dancer wearing Lederhosen-style suspenders<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I find it interesting that both women’s and men’s styles have two common features:</span></span><br />
<p></p><ol>
<li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Roomy and comfortable fit:</b> the clothes were not skin tight or overly baggy. Skirts and pants were roomy to allow air movement and flow of the fabric; they were not tight or restrictive.</span></span></li>
<li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>High-rise:</b> the waistline of skirts and pants was at the belly button, or higher - at the rib cage. The high-rise provides a lengthening effect of the legs.</span></span></li>
</ol>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiit6SLrCFU_upNC4ZoLZQHSxkk97c1amYwTCT-OYHkh4pOjAx8Y_3IXjtKgc5g_BJNnId84nbCfbB31H9xMnNKd-SNPOl1PQ6hIfg6rP3Oiz9R910Sbh47kcUlXKFVVjOR77Iykr_WL297/s1600/SwingDancing10.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="453" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiit6SLrCFU_upNC4ZoLZQHSxkk97c1amYwTCT-OYHkh4pOjAx8Y_3IXjtKgc5g_BJNnId84nbCfbB31H9xMnNKd-SNPOl1PQ6hIfg6rP3Oiz9R910Sbh47kcUlXKFVVjOR77Iykr_WL297/s320/SwingDancing10.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: black;">Both dancers are wearing braces</span><u><br /></u></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The combination of these two features required a third feature: braces or straps, as roomy pants and skirts need to be held up at the high waistlines. Belts simply were able to support the pants or skirt at the high waistline. It’s no surprise then that people during this era wore braces – it fit the style! It’s also not surprising that swing dancers continue to wear this style.</span></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ElJocKRrrYk_haLGknnGGj8NM-Gsf3YunGj2aWhZ_goNV9b41xtBmP41gFpT91ZVgDHQVv9YaINqxzuQBo0IHgAVQdqh-QwTyi502DHLultG0TI8SuvgGPYOUR2i2fMKZAvzRuldLmtm/s1600/SwingDancing4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="500" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ElJocKRrrYk_haLGknnGGj8NM-Gsf3YunGj2aWhZ_goNV9b41xtBmP41gFpT91ZVgDHQVv9YaINqxzuQBo0IHgAVQdqh-QwTyi502DHLultG0TI8SuvgGPYOUR2i2fMKZAvzRuldLmtm/s400/SwingDancing4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the braces on the lady's skirt</td></tr>
</tbody></table><p>
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The activity of swing dancing involves a lot of movement – twisting, bending, and shuffling to name a few. Braces are excellent at moving in tandem with the body with the constant movement, and maintaining the waistline and pants (or skirt) at their proper position. </span></span></p><p><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfCgKuKOHwYt5Jk2B6nL9-jWObZ0kxPc0RRDif4LzpPerIMHF4aNcHAhu3dE8M8WXIbehuhWbGoHO9NXxdJuQOePApB3yeh6KewV_t8sWdYLJ83oxhN8gK-ky9tSTraMYrddDPYvClTj7/s665/Dancing.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfCgKuKOHwYt5Jk2B6nL9-jWObZ0kxPc0RRDif4LzpPerIMHF4aNcHAhu3dE8M8WXIbehuhWbGoHO9NXxdJuQOePApB3yeh6KewV_t8sWdYLJ83oxhN8gK-ky9tSTraMYrddDPYvClTj7/w301-h400/Dancing.jpg" width="301" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic dance clothes: Men take off your jackets!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span>
<p></p><div style="text-align: center;">
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">***</span></span></div>
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I once read a story of two swing dance partners at a competition. The man was wearing high-rise, vintage pants held up by braces. He had worn the braces many times before and had no problems. The choreographed routine called for the woman to roll over the man’s back, and then be lifted upward by the man, his arms above his shoulders.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRiVQHmLE8ZZpNvXpNqO6ND8CVlOSD90he73L-Ov5Aac0-vLYJZ1NhfJLyfR_EAqnW5UI92-49_ReBxzoKuthzd6uYPTNV7YC9bHiWzMS7r6VYjIqnMnY49qWWsveh6JD0K82mo-PW6NL/s1600/SwingDancing9.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="564" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRiVQHmLE8ZZpNvXpNqO6ND8CVlOSD90he73L-Ov5Aac0-vLYJZ1NhfJLyfR_EAqnW5UI92-49_ReBxzoKuthzd6uYPTNV7YC9bHiWzMS7r6VYjIqnMnY49qWWsveh6JD0K82mo-PW6NL/s320/SwingDancing9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pair of vintage dancers. Notice the man's high rise pants held up by braces</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div><p>
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">During the competition, everything was going as planned. However, as the women rolled over the man’s spine, something unexpected happened. The man bent down to hoist her up and his rear brace strap catapulted upward like a released balloon. The Y-back strap followed the lady skyward. In the blink of an eye, the once secure braces were now loose and flapping around the man’s upper body. Both the man and women were stunned, but smiled and carried on their routine. The braces flapped around and got entangled in hand-offs and dance moves. But worse was the man’s pants, which quickly lost their high-rise status and slowly sank lower and lower with every twist and move. They finished their routine and quickly left the stage, the man clutching his rear waistline and the lady attempting to help by pulling down on the rear brace strap.</span></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Out of the spotlight, the lady felt responsible as the braces snapped off when she rolled over his back. She figured she had done something that caused the buttons to pop off. The man knew the lady meant no harm, and didn't do it intentionally. He was more interested in reattaching the strap, if possible. As a seamstress, the lady was the best person to mend it. She mentioned to the man that it was unusual for <i>both </i>buttons to pop off at the same time. She flipped the waistband over to inspect the inside of his pants. The lady found torn threads where a button used to be and, to her surprise, an anchored button still attached to the waistband! Instead of both buttons popping off, one button had stayed on. </span></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">She looked back at the rear brace tab and found that the leather on a tab had torn apart, separating the brace tab from the button. Under the pressure of the man bending down, </span></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">the left button popped off and at the same time the brace tab separated. The brace tab couldn't hold and so tore apart. The tear in the brace tab was serious
damage and could not be repaired. It was brittle, likely from getting
damp from sweat during swing dancing, and then drying afterwards, as the
women explained to the man. The constant cycle made the leather brittle.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbiKHzRwmQS9J9Onqiffo6pY-t28Dxvtj74jBwda1EIX4qY7qreaQeYsPsH8mT4EhESjpGv99PrbTxNwvkTYeafgV3fTA4j_wVJrLIKwW2OqsL321XLD5cnujtbsTS4hb3FioEHfhJGno/s1600/SwingDancing2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="432" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbiKHzRwmQS9J9Onqiffo6pY-t28Dxvtj74jBwda1EIX4qY7qreaQeYsPsH8mT4EhESjpGv99PrbTxNwvkTYeafgV3fTA4j_wVJrLIKwW2OqsL321XLD5cnujtbsTS4hb3FioEHfhJGno/s320/SwingDancing2.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swing dancing with braces is very common</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">All was not lost though, she said, as one button was still securely attached to the man's waistband. The women suggested attaching the functioning brace tab to the other side where the remaining button was, and the man agreed. The women pulled the dangling rear strap down and attached it to the single button. It looked slightly lopsided, but it would hold the man's pants up for the remainder of the day. As a safety check, the lady lightly pulling back and snapping the rear strap. All good to go, she said. The waistline returned to it's high-rise state. They were ready for the next routine later that day. But the man had learned his lesson: always check your braces buttons and brace tabs before a major competition.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<u><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Discussion</span></span></u><br />
<ul>
<li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Are you a swing danger? Do you wear high-waist trousers or skirts with suspenders or straps?</span></span></li>
<li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Have you had any issues wearing braces or straps while dancing</span></span></li>
<li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you wear braces with vintage pants or vintage high-rise skirts with straps when you go dancing, do people complement you on your look?</span></span></li>
</ul>
Back to Braceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240649681320273191noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705777238092169832.post-9381248292264453142019-07-05T00:00:00.000-07:002019-07-05T12:55:38.938-07:00Summer style<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Summer brings warm weather and a challenge to stay cool. You want your clothes to be airy and breathable: this is not the time for skin-tight pants. Even if your pants are roomy, the problem can be at the waist – when you tighten a belt around your waist. That’s exactly where braces are perfect for achieving summer coolness – in both meanings of the word! Braces suspend your pants at the waistline, not constrain it. This allows the waistline to be roomier and allow air to flow around your torso. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />While you may want to wear t-shirt and shorts all the time, this may not be suitable for all occasions. Take for example a wedding. It’s generally not appropriate to wear shorts, so a man must wear pants. However, he can be stylish and functional by wearing slightly roomier, high-waisted pants, supported by braces. Braces add a formal touch to your outfit and allow you to express your personality.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6KjpLwz_7Mt0CScPkBw4rEKziV_AMAxaU9NE31ZtM1f4Wo_nkI9f7JQbAFCo3evgHVSckwZjaAlXutSv8V0UaH-KPWvjSROLkNpMy8UZRSNHkB-hHjMaF5ctJdZKemvIMgr_a2_1Vjm9/s1600/PlaidPants4d.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6KjpLwz_7Mt0CScPkBw4rEKziV_AMAxaU9NE31ZtM1f4Wo_nkI9f7JQbAFCo3evgHVSckwZjaAlXutSv8V0UaH-KPWvjSROLkNpMy8UZRSNHkB-hHjMaF5ctJdZKemvIMgr_a2_1Vjm9/s320/PlaidPants4d.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: black;">Maroon braces with pants and short sleeve dress shirt</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Or
in a corporate environment. It is generally not appropriate to wear
shorts to the office, so pants are necessary for men or women. Here
again, you can be stylish and functional by wearing slightly roomier,
high-waisted pants, supported by braces. Braces add a sophisticated
touch and express your personality. This style looks great on both men
and women.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2okgvRtgO18RoCtdCnhZGE9pxxSUgUpdsCyNaWtrubNzGyEDeccfLfTJSkTECaBVfb8p1IsbTmWgKgMKAYhIIDc9CTeva8pEF0EsraS1Ci1A6sVMBpHDfyITMGB5IXUocDAJaBskSyzY/s1600/BlackPants230b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="720" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2okgvRtgO18RoCtdCnhZGE9pxxSUgUpdsCyNaWtrubNzGyEDeccfLfTJSkTECaBVfb8p1IsbTmWgKgMKAYhIIDc9CTeva8pEF0EsraS1Ci1A6sVMBpHDfyITMGB5IXUocDAJaBskSyzY/s320/BlackPants230b.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Classic black braces with black pants and no-sleeve dress shirt</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pants that allow air to flow around the torso will provide more a comfortable and cooler disposition. This can only be achieved if the pants are roomier and that can only be achieved with the help of braces. It’s a win-win, braces complement the outfit and provide air movement - style and function at the same time!</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMmmWkTu8hKJgd_pzZWrU346SwUMtSoIsConXbjXX4rmV2uxNp0Ll77PHFj85__HQoyOQOwOP40SHo6Q-UtJVTkGC3VR-mm3OMaiJ7ZeAh8lXDuc_ecpQNciEDyW2fv-B6LwiMTY4jFHC/s1600/StrippedPants12e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1233" data-original-width="1500" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMmmWkTu8hKJgd_pzZWrU346SwUMtSoIsConXbjXX4rmV2uxNp0Ll77PHFj85__HQoyOQOwOP40SHo6Q-UtJVTkGC3VR-mm3OMaiJ7ZeAh8lXDuc_ecpQNciEDyW2fv-B6LwiMTY4jFHC/s400/StrippedPants12e.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roomy, stripped pants with braces</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The goal is roominess rather than bagginess. This can be a fine line - be careful not to go overboard. Generally it’s one size up from your normal size.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Are you heading to a wedding or the office this summer? Wear braces for comfort and style. I’d love to hear your experience and what people’s comments were on your style.</span>Back to Braceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240649681320273191noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705777238092169832.post-21687577518027512202019-06-30T23:42:00.004-07:002024-02-12T16:33:25.695-08:00Suspender connections: Inverse-V compared to Inverse-U<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">After deciding whether to connect the straps to the waistline using
clip-ons or buttons, the </span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">next question is the style of connections for
buttons. Button-on braces have 2 distinct styles: inverse-V and
inverse-U tabs (or connections). </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2v9Ck99fw1Wo-sd0P3vr2hsO7Y9OUv1GObktuokXl6b7cUWttW-FwKvO5ghfUS79oLCjF3fua76rbVPSfQvfSipG0-QgQHc_S3EwcvTNaiUKNgNV7wgAPkMw4V8jT8ME0VkWHEwDNkuNa/s1600/BraceTabs.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="598" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2v9Ck99fw1Wo-sd0P3vr2hsO7Y9OUv1GObktuokXl6b7cUWttW-FwKvO5ghfUS79oLCjF3fua76rbVPSfQvfSipG0-QgQHc_S3EwcvTNaiUKNgNV7wgAPkMw4V8jT8ME0VkWHEwDNkuNa/s400/BraceTabs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Various brace connections (from left to right): inverse-V, cord, and inverse-U tabs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">As implied by the name, an inverse-V tab has two small
tabs, or strips of leather, that fan out from the shoulder strap and attach to the
buttons on the waistline (left braces on the photo above). An inverse-U tab also has two tabs that attach to the two
waistline buttons, but has a single leather strap that loops onto itself from one button to the other, centering on the shoulder strap (right braces on the photo above). Depending
on the tension on the braces, it can resemble an inverse-V shape, but
is more oval.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwaQkvilpuDOwSeefPjyrOv7m5aSwRnh3xovUJwywZ_EtZ7fja1LysSpWQrLKJc_QlpwKvdsayWqaMjiWc6YANLWdd1Qsdys2mJSVQhdpNI9UMA42qhtLCQsJNTe24fYeOr2CCD1BMzkox/s1600/BWPhoto46.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="589" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwaQkvilpuDOwSeefPjyrOv7m5aSwRnh3xovUJwywZ_EtZ7fja1LysSpWQrLKJc_QlpwKvdsayWqaMjiWc6YANLWdd1Qsdys2mJSVQhdpNI9UMA42qhtLCQsJNTe24fYeOr2CCD1BMzkox/s320/BWPhoto46.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comfortable and relaxed, the inverse-U tabs keep everything aligned</td></tr>
</tbody></table><p><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Both styles have their advantages and disadvantages. </span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b>Inverse-V</b>
tabs are the traditional choice and were the first to appear in
history. They offer a rigid anchor from the shoulder strap to the
waistline. For example, leaning forward results in tension in the
shoulder strap, pulling the inverse-V tab, putting pressure on the
side brace button, and pulling the side of the waistline in the same direction.
Inverse-V tabs are perfect for keeping the waistline at a constant height, especially
the side of the pant waistline.</span><br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Historically,
supporting the front (center seam) and side seam of the pants was important. In fact, for the front brace tabs, the traditional inverse-V tabs have the brace tabs closest to the center <b>about half an inch <i>longer </i>in length </b>compared to the tabs on the side (see photo below). This is to accommodate more portly men and to
position the shoulder strap further to the side then straight down the
middle of the chest. Look for this when you are considering purchasing inverse-V tab braces, as a way to discern if the braces are a true vintage piece (or replica). This style of tabs was very common in the 1930s and 40s.</span><br />
</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FMogJWhol_TYr6BM3Vwn12VZgO_1IWUA5RvtKJLcbeAoPQifxiwMEDDV9UmPo4v0-4ol6LN20B0De7symH7lfRgfnsyQpi3hPUpAlTb0AwmeEAurUlIcXIwrbh4UhyphenhyphenAPwqIcwreBNXj9/s1600/BWbraces5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="382" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FMogJWhol_TYr6BM3Vwn12VZgO_1IWUA5RvtKJLcbeAoPQifxiwMEDDV9UmPo4v0-4ol6LN20B0De7symH7lfRgfnsyQpi3hPUpAlTb0AwmeEAurUlIcXIwrbh4UhyphenhyphenAPwqIcwreBNXj9/s320/BWbraces5.jpg" width="219" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inverse-V tabs. Notice the center brace tabs are slightly longer <br />
than the side brace tabs</td></tr>
</tbody></table><p><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b>Inverse-U</b> tabs are somewhat more modern. They
allow the shoulder strap to glide along the inverted U arch, in unison
with the body’s movement. This provides more freedom and superior
comfort. For example, leaning forward results in the shoulder strap
sliding forward to the center button; leaning backwards, the strap slides
backwards. At the rear, when you wear Y-back braces, when you lean left,
the tab will shift to the left; when you lean right, the tab will shift to the right. Everything in line, everything comfortable.</span><br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">To illustrate further, below is a photo of Robert Shaw
playing Doyle Lonnegan in The Sting, 1973. He is wearing inverse-U
tab braces, which I've highlighted in red. To show the difference, I've over-layed what an inverse-V tab brace would look like for comparison. In this still capture, as he bends down, the change in the shoulder straps position shifts. Notice how his strap on the inverse-U tab (red outline) shifts towards the inner center button, accommodating his body movement. This is in
contrast to if he was wearing inverse-V tabs (the blue outline). The
inverse-V tab would have stayed rigid and put strain on the outer side button, pulling up that area. Either way, his waistline stays well supported.</span><br />
</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguwSH0TLEZYZI4xdq7W6bHoKDKS1KP-6erSRv97-i97l0PiFTmB6fMYMtzfJNfPHusXlmcOG098Rf7Yqeo6VYMKNozhjQfqJqhIrnICN7UfBXCulu-VMdgo3sj52SH8pHxYr1SII9gIQin/s1600/CelebDoyle+Lonnegan1-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguwSH0TLEZYZI4xdq7W6bHoKDKS1KP-6erSRv97-i97l0PiFTmB6fMYMtzfJNfPHusXlmcOG098Rf7Yqeo6VYMKNozhjQfqJqhIrnICN7UfBXCulu-VMdgo3sj52SH8pHxYr1SII9gIQin/s1600/CelebDoyle+Lonnegan1-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doyle Lonnegan from The Sting, 1973</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">As you can likely see by now, inverse-U tabs result in less strain on the brace buttons compared to inverse-V
tabs. This is because the inverse-U style allow the tension to be shifted as it glides along the arch, and
minimizes tension over the two brace buttons rather than being locked into one position. This
is likely the reason this style has become a predominant style for button
braces, and my theory is that it results in less buttons popping off. This concept was fully used by President Suspenders in gliding and
shifting to the body’s position.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcePntpcjVQBXP_kvZmHVxfuVPbyoyZY-q-l3B0Y8_mqdQ9W7hQQcXrwGhHGwOeUSMNj34BOUhR5ZLo0jtqw3ANpOC5J0g9dW8gUHppf1OfjdNdJ_exTI2Z73IjafC_SJB_HbCafqLuiwn/s1600/PresidentSusp2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1507" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcePntpcjVQBXP_kvZmHVxfuVPbyoyZY-q-l3B0Y8_mqdQ9W7hQQcXrwGhHGwOeUSMNj34BOUhR5ZLo0jtqw3ANpOC5J0g9dW8gUHppf1OfjdNdJ_exTI2Z73IjafC_SJB_HbCafqLuiwn/s400/PresidentSusp2.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ad for President Suspenders showing the conforming nature to every movement</td></tr>
</tbody></table><p>
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span></p><p></p><p></p><p>Further to this point, lumberjacks need braces to keep their jeans up during their strenuous manual labour. The most common style of braces for lumberjacks is X-back braces with inverse-U connections at the front. This provides solid support at the rear and flexibility for movement at the front. There are also inverse-V tabs at the front, but I generally see inverse-U tabs.<br /> </p><p><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">All this to say, I do still see a fair share of inverse-V connections and like them as well. </span><b><br /></b></span></p><p></p><p><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b>Drawbacks</b> <br /></span></p><p><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">What are the drawbacks of each?
For inverse-U tabs, if one of the buttons pops off (which is rare), the
shoulder strap pulls to the end of the half circle and becomes slack.
This would not have as large an impact for inverse-V tabs. If a button pops
off, the tension in the shoulder strap remains relatively strong because the remaining
brace tab is not dependent on the other brace tab to function. The
released brace tab now flaps around, making its presence known. The
inverse-U tab is dependent on both buttons staying anchored,
whereas the inverse-V connection is not.<br /><br />For inverse-V tabs there is more tension on the brace
buttons, as it cannot glide. This is generally the case on the side brace buttons, which experiences more strain as people bend forward throughout the day. Case in point, this happened to this lady in the photo below:</span><br />
</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeHULqarDt8j1ooFzGlhIszRMJw4xzTpQrl-Lv19l_2MkdjEuLRqSdeYE47sj1Xdxk9mlB1VTeHoCBv5rDuWf2-_HKGx_WNwmA2vzVwygvH8zmHN76Q5wwTcOyLWUvbuYE-5h4XVWF6L7/s1600/GrayPants21bFr.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeHULqarDt8j1ooFzGlhIszRMJw4xzTpQrl-Lv19l_2MkdjEuLRqSdeYE47sj1Xdxk9mlB1VTeHoCBv5rDuWf2-_HKGx_WNwmA2vzVwygvH8zmHN76Q5wwTcOyLWUvbuYE-5h4XVWF6L7/s320/GrayPants21bFr.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the popped button and loose brace strap</td></tr>
</tbody></table><p>When braces were very popular, most men chose inverse-U tabs. This is likely because of the comfort and flexibility they offered. If a button happened to pop off, you simply looped the dangling tab to the remaining anchor.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LRXmhU0MmKrvmkFCxIHoLrxOnFO3VcfclUtob_kB64Xm41FIMIXsi4Hw_0jCjXKj0drb8BrU8WPQV_CCly52QBCy7zDTe0Oy_9D44C5vOYsLWeRx0c3x0ZEmP_Y4m4kymCHrGk42SM9j-SP26_6_VPW_KOuTFziRHqpeSJFfrKFE0H3u5mWzrPg5KG4C/s642/CelebOlivaBorden.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="513" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LRXmhU0MmKrvmkFCxIHoLrxOnFO3VcfclUtob_kB64Xm41FIMIXsi4Hw_0jCjXKj0drb8BrU8WPQV_CCly52QBCy7zDTe0Oy_9D44C5vOYsLWeRx0c3x0ZEmP_Y4m4kymCHrGk42SM9j-SP26_6_VPW_KOuTFziRHqpeSJFfrKFE0H3u5mWzrPg5KG4C/w320-h400/CelebOlivaBorden.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>What should you wear: inverse-U or inverse-V tabs? <span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Ultimately it’s a decision on whether you prefer a more rigid anchors or
prefer to have your shoulder straps glide along and shift with your
movements.</span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Personally, I have both inverse-V and inverse-U
tabs and enjoy both. But if you ask me when do I forget that I’m
wearing braces because they conform to my movement, it’s when I’m wearing inverse-U tabs. They
accommodate the body’s movements so effortlessly!</span><br />
<br />
</p><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br />
<b>Discussion:</b></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: times;">Which style do you prefer: inverse-V or inverse-U tabs? Why?</span></li><span style="font-family: times;">
</span><li><span style="font-family: times;">Have you noticed how inverse-U tabs glide to align with your movement?</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
Back to Braceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240649681320273191noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705777238092169832.post-32521073952934353062019-06-27T00:30:00.001-07:002020-10-30T14:11:59.305-07:00Tales of a Brace-wearer (Part I)A man was in his first week at a new corporate office. The corporate dress code was primarily suits but also blazers and dress pants.<br />
One day the man was stopped by a couple of female colleagues. “Can we ask you a question?” one asked, “We’ve been talking about your style; your suits look so well put together.”<br />
“Thank you,” said the man.<br />
The lady continued, “Your clothes fit well, and you look comfortable in them: your shirt stays tucked in, your pants don’t drag on the ground, your pants stay at your waistline, you’re not constantly adjusting your pants like other guys around here. Your pants stay in place, but I don’t see you wearing a belt. If you don’t wear a belt, then you must be wearing … suspenders?”<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZeO0DPRrF5o2M7PRO4LiXsu3Ebkl1t-ukdKUBlN0A-n3_JEdkW2tOj9PLlAW1M46zgxF-K6UQjRt1Xwolf9-B91jasXQCvPJ4kxxzp2Ca8iPI2-eAJblDJt1YW2ZJ09TC_4CSYRTw7zf/s1600/WhiteTab.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="488" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZeO0DPRrF5o2M7PRO4LiXsu3Ebkl1t-ukdKUBlN0A-n3_JEdkW2tOj9PLlAW1M46zgxF-K6UQjRt1Xwolf9-B91jasXQCvPJ4kxxzp2Ca8iPI2-eAJblDJt1YW2ZJ09TC_4CSYRTw7zf/s400/WhiteTab.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Box-cloth braces</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With a smile, the man flipped open his jacket to reveal a pair of royal blue braces.<br />
“I knew it had to be suspenders!” exclaimed the second lady.<br />
“Yes, these are the answer to why everything fits together. They are very comfortable and practical, and I don’t need to be concerned about my pants all day,” said the man.<br />
“What kind of suspenders are those? I have not seen suspenders with leather attachments at the waist before. How do they attach to the pants?”<br />
“There are small buttons sewn onto the waistband of my pants. The straps are connected by these brace tabs that are either in an inverted-V or inverted-U – these are inverted-U. When suspenders attach to the pants with buttons they are generally called ‘braces’, and when they attach with alligator clips they are called ‘suspenders’. Some pants have the buttons on the outside of the waistband, some on the inside, depending on your preference.”<br />
“I see,” said the second lady. “That’s so classy. I love the look. Buttons are more sophisticated than clips.”<br />
“I prefer the buttons over the clips as well. In addition to being classy, when you have buttons there are more anchor points to keep my pants aligned all day long, regardless of my movements. But there’s more to it than just brace tabs attached to buttons. The buttons are positioned in specific locations along the waistline to anchor the pants, both at the front and back.” The man motioned with his hand, “let me explain: see how the buttons are aligned directly with the pleats, and on the side of the pants with the pockets?”<br />
“Yes” agreed the women.<br />
“The brace buttons secure the pants at the right locations – at the pleat line, to keep the line perfectly straight, and at the pockets. Think of it as an anchor here at the pleat line,” pointing to the location, “and an anchor here at the pockets. A single anchor - whether attached by a single brace tab or alligator clip - would be insufficient, regardless of where it is placed. That’s why clips simply don’t provide the same level of comfort and support for pants.”<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9AKRzrSOfA8yR0NVgLnXjG9X77ltUawED-RWf8Jb3RntFxpLqIWhGOpESLJY4LLDoYL4GV62yLfRoh-O1Advi3ffUFZglxZ24DUk_WCV6vZxgs70PNvuTbUHDxnii9EJl3kLwKfYCQoj/s1600/BlackPants115.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1167" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9AKRzrSOfA8yR0NVgLnXjG9X77ltUawED-RWf8Jb3RntFxpLqIWhGOpESLJY4LLDoYL4GV62yLfRoh-O1Advi3ffUFZglxZ24DUk_WCV6vZxgs70PNvuTbUHDxnii9EJl3kLwKfYCQoj/s400/BlackPants115.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>
“Now that you mention it, that makes sense. I’ve never thought about that. It’s no surprise that you look so put together – the pleats are kept straight with the brace buttons anchoring them at just the right places on the waistline,” said the first women.<br />
“Exactly; and the other side of the brace tabs anchor the side of the pants,” motioned the man.<br />
“Yes, I can see how it works now,” said the lady. “How about on the back of the pants? How do the buttons anchor the pants?”<br />
The man removed his jacket to show the rear, fish-tail back detailing.<br />
The women breathed in, “Oh wow, these pants are designed for braces!”<br />
“Exactly, the fabric over each leg comes to a climax at the anchoring brace buttons, which are held in line with the brace loop, which in turn is held perfectly in line with the rear brace strap. It all aligns perfectly to give a clean look at the back,” stated the man.<br />
“Yes, I can see why your pants look so coordinated and fit so well,” said the women. “The pants are held up at all the right points to keep the pleats and pocket aligned, and at the rear over each leg.”<br />
“That’s fantastic,” said the other lady. “The design of the pants fabric to come up to meet the braces is truly unique. It completes the look of the braces. I have never seen this before. It’s so stunning and sophisticated!”<br />
“Thank you,” beamed the man.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMB_sQsRZuxCPby89X0yhft-uXtPNb19MTGPfl6vO5ZF5HIPlsLKgSEXGtM05n22d1enSwKOdeJ6xLdPzoWRjn6z4Yse9UVpjLaCgvMZP_ZSmjvyUpgAO0R_g0M36fwnYRQZAg6n0OhX0C/s1600/BlackPants116.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1427" data-original-width="1378" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMB_sQsRZuxCPby89X0yhft-uXtPNb19MTGPfl6vO5ZF5HIPlsLKgSEXGtM05n22d1enSwKOdeJ6xLdPzoWRjn6z4Yse9UVpjLaCgvMZP_ZSmjvyUpgAO0R_g0M36fwnYRQZAg6n0OhX0C/s400/BlackPants116.jpg" width="386" /></a></div>
“You don’t find pants like that off the rack in stores.”<br />
“Agreed,” said the man.<br />
“So where did you get them?”<br />
“This pair I had custom-made. It’s called a ‘fish tail back’,” said the man.<br />
“Going back to how braces attach to the pants – with buttons…” said the women.<br />
“Yes, the buttons allow you to exchange one pair of braces with another for different looks. Sewing on buttons is an easy skill to learn,” said the man. “And it would be helpful to know, as buttons can sometimes pop off.”<br />
The women smiled, “Ah yes, now that you mention it, I recall a black and white photo of working men with the brace tabs on one side connecting to only one point on the waistline, a button must have come off. Is that common?”<br />
“It’s very rare for buttons to come off if they have been sewn on securely. Buttons don’t come off unless they’re under significant, prolonged pressure or the threads are worn down. I’ve been wearing braces for over 15 years and only had a few buttons pop off in that time. As the buttons are anchoring at the right locations, when one pops off you notice the change in tension and drooping pants right away. Men have been wearing braces with buttons for over 150 years, and if they didn’t withstand the daily demands of life back then, they couldn’t today.”<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfueQLmT52UCT2j9p_RfMlEjqeLrtnpCZW4MxXn7W4SmbBmqUcEoQpDc2O8BoH_xO3b-Wh4KI4WA2GNEeVKpwa0MlxA-w8lE7eBt-5J2PhCsHN-blQc4Frvn_NYP8TihclAf0Js_dM5gZt/s1600/Photo40.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="1024" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfueQLmT52UCT2j9p_RfMlEjqeLrtnpCZW4MxXn7W4SmbBmqUcEoQpDc2O8BoH_xO3b-Wh4KI4WA2GNEeVKpwa0MlxA-w8lE7eBt-5J2PhCsHN-blQc4Frvn_NYP8TihclAf0Js_dM5gZt/s400/Photo40.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The man continued. “I find buttons grip far better over the long term than clips can. Aside from your buttons being anchoring points, clips snap off all the time as they only clinch the fabric, not firmly attach to it. Clips also damage the fabric, so for formal dress fabrics, clips should never be used. Braces stay firmly anchored with buttons. I like the vintage look of braces. Having been worn for over 150 years, they are timeless and classy.”<br />
“Yes they are. I recall old photographs of men wearing braces and wondering why men don’t wear them anymore. Why aren’t more men wearing braces?”<br />
“The height of the waistline on men’s pants is the primary reason,” the man responded. “Waistlines have inched lower and lower over time. Historically, waistlines were at or above the belly-button. This elongated the legs and made the man look taller. There is also a slight budge at the waist, so higher waisted pants pass smoothly over this budge. But in order to keep pants at this higher waist, braces must be used to support them.”<br />
“I think another reason is that people associate suspenders with the clip-on variety and that’s a major turn off,” says the man. “Clips snap off, don’t anchor the pleat and side of the pants at the same time, and because you can easily take suspenders from one pair of pants to another, they look cheap. Braces are practical, stylish, and classy. I think more men should try braces and discover the comfort and confidence that comes with wear braces.”<br />
“I agree,” chimed the women.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrEWwFQfn4VU6G1i8pJERc8pb3dlgthTAnvQwn0SLaah1SBnjm7RaPY1tG3_U4DYo4gi56yYB0KHrwpeMzB0ZswPtnjvS13CD7WPIqeyZ2ejCNamclMzYg5EuRkmBfzmcr4-PTeBH9i_g/s1600/Photo43.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="861" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrEWwFQfn4VU6G1i8pJERc8pb3dlgthTAnvQwn0SLaah1SBnjm7RaPY1tG3_U4DYo4gi56yYB0KHrwpeMzB0ZswPtnjvS13CD7WPIqeyZ2ejCNamclMzYg5EuRkmBfzmcr4-PTeBH9i_g/s400/Photo43.jpeg" width="400" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The man turned to go, but the first lady wasn’t finished. “As a stylish man, why do you leave your jacket on? Why not show off your braces and the stylish pants. I’m sure people would appreciate your style, as much as we have!” </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
“Thank you for the compliments on my style. Historically braces were considered an undergarment and not to be displayed. They were considered underwear and only your immediate family saw them. This thinking has changed and it’s now acceptable to display braces. But as braces are a vintage accessory, some of this traditional thinking carries on.” </div>
“I see; but there are lots of old photographs of men showing their braces, without a jacket. I actually like seeing braces and the different styles and designs – it adds to the outfit. I love your pant style at the back, what did you call it? Fish-tail back? You don’t need to hide this special tailoring. I think you would agree with me,” turning to the other lady, “that braces can be proudly displayed.”<br />
“Absolutely”, nodded the women.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
“Thanks for the encouragement. And thanks again for the complements on my pants and braces.”</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
“You’re welcome.” </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDc2rCSJjAdIFPAVtbSGLFT87U4q3XXptj42jzvJ1Sll59exVyzU2wAtrSeOjgVt7Qze6tQbEqci8vdxXzWcBOy2BheQUWBK0s_0W1Bp9SQQeLaGfI8u57bc-hrxn3RaR3cV68-vZRUAw/s1600/BlackPants4Fr.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="472" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDc2rCSJjAdIFPAVtbSGLFT87U4q3XXptj42jzvJ1Sll59exVyzU2wAtrSeOjgVt7Qze6tQbEqci8vdxXzWcBOy2BheQUWBK0s_0W1Bp9SQQeLaGfI8u57bc-hrxn3RaR3cV68-vZRUAw/s400/BlackPants4Fr.jpg" width="371" /></a></div>
The next day, the women gathered at the man’s office, eager to see his outfit for the day. He had taken off his blazer and was wearing a classy dress shirt with a pair of grey pants held in place by braces. The braces were stripped grey and navy.<br />
“Love the braces; they complement your grey pants well,” admired the lady. “Are they fish-tail back pants today?”<br />
The man stood up and smiled, turning around to reveal the fish-tail back details.Back to Braceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240649681320273191noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705777238092169832.post-58885260316731612482018-08-13T16:48:00.002-07:002021-05-03T14:50:51.907-07:00The wonder of high-rise pants held up with braces<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwm9y-GmEOtqm68O7pMsfnYVWTiJRvN4Wb_lhE4BaIB5l3EPizbetUMiyCNlIqy9n47vf3DTDp80IL4JONU3I3Y9KuuAXFU38APVFcxEwCa31M4MXRhoSO40vLby0hHVMGmNiJFo97-a8/s1600/BlackPants108.gif" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="258" data-original-width="350" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwm9y-GmEOtqm68O7pMsfnYVWTiJRvN4Wb_lhE4BaIB5l3EPizbetUMiyCNlIqy9n47vf3DTDp80IL4JONU3I3Y9KuuAXFU38APVFcxEwCa31M4MXRhoSO40vLby0hHVMGmNiJFo97-a8/s320/BlackPants108.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ll just say it: I love high-rise pants. They create a striking visual image: they elongate your legs, shorten your torso, and cover your midsection. And they are held in place with braces! Pants designed for braces.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">High-rise pants (sometimes called high-waist or high-waisted pants) sit at or above your belly button. This lengthens the pant leg and creates an smooth line from your shoulders down to your feet, uninterrupted by a belt. As the waistline is at or above your abdomen you can breathe comfortably, without having a restricted belt dig into you each time you take a breath. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpm-LtQehA8wVm0oVKmhicCbumOSOJJvy87lHTe8ZC-4H2YReff-skGb2aNKio87NQxJeTlPJ2smK2E8zm8mISjQQiM89nD5HbrTCY5lWGJ5Vx2QsWIUuhKncOAnihFpnXnoFkBaOwhQzl/s1600/StrippedPants1b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="982" data-original-width="286" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpm-LtQehA8wVm0oVKmhicCbumOSOJJvy87lHTe8ZC-4H2YReff-skGb2aNKio87NQxJeTlPJ2smK2E8zm8mISjQQiM89nD5HbrTCY5lWGJ5Vx2QsWIUuhKncOAnihFpnXnoFkBaOwhQzl/s640/StrippedPants1b.jpg" width="186" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice how the high-rise pants elongate the legs and <br />creates a smooth transition form bottom to top half</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">In case you are unfamiliar with the term “rise”, this refers to the distance from the bottom of the crotch to the top of the waistline. A waistline sitting above your belly-button will have a ‘higher rise’ than a waistline that sits at your hips, for instance. It’s for this reason that jeans sitting below your hips are commonly referred to as “low risers.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Back to high-rise pants. I especially love <i>vintage</i>, high-rise pants. Sometimes referred to as “Hollywood waist”, these pants do not have a separate band of fabric circling around the waist. Instead, the pant fabric extends up the legs right to the top of the pants, with no cross fabric for a belt that would interrupt the line. If there are belt loops, they are <i>below</i>, rather than at the top of the pant waistline. There are generally darts to angle the difference between the hips and the lower rib-cage. And that’s where the top of Hollywood waist pants ends: at the bottom of your rib-cage. To maintain this height, braces are attached.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkUschCbF76c4CPM7R7r0GyfP_Z0w-xH7lLQ2IjW9SHduX-eJ7L8Xx7BlkSxR7n_egw_3uaMIcfBXAHy99gnfM5A8z1ekQ860EZgq6UhsROZcgwGwQTpmrF8AaxCEqeNJ0z_ABFPACGtq/s1600/WhitePants2Fr.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="285" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkUschCbF76c4CPM7R7r0GyfP_Z0w-xH7lLQ2IjW9SHduX-eJ7L8Xx7BlkSxR7n_egw_3uaMIcfBXAHy99gnfM5A8z1ekQ860EZgq6UhsROZcgwGwQTpmrF8AaxCEqeNJ0z_ABFPACGtq/s320/WhitePants2Fr.jpg" width="195" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VGQyq-kRgOAY8h88I7Epblav6bPSFVjG4Ct9ptAVExFpEnVzIa5IZBVS8Uve8e_CvM-ttusRff7mOOXPzhZSXX6Bip8c04F8OPL-6QDAAL9D3yDRsHyL4OKerM_UBy9gjjgpFerDXr4g/s1600/BWPhoto74.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VGQyq-kRgOAY8h88I7Epblav6bPSFVjG4Ct9ptAVExFpEnVzIa5IZBVS8Uve8e_CvM-ttusRff7mOOXPzhZSXX6Bip8c04F8OPL-6QDAAL9D3yDRsHyL4OKerM_UBy9gjjgpFerDXr4g/s320/BWPhoto74.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the Hollywood waist on these high-rise pants for both men and women</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Not only do high-rise pants make your look better, they make you <i>feel </i>better. Breathing is enjoyable! The pants sit comfortably above your waist, allowing your abdomen to expand and contract, all day long. You take a breath in, and your abdomen fills out your pants waist. High-rise pants are large enough to absorb the breathe; just tight enough to be comfortable. You then breathe out, and your abdomen shrinks back into your body. With the absence of your abdomen, your pants would start to slide downward due to the effects of gravity. But they don’t - if you are wearing high-rise pants as they should be worn. Braces come to the rescue to provide fantastic support. Your high-rise pants stay high all day long.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2dxedOVuC5F9LC54iJo9v1QaPiaBRHAtqHqEeB5EnPnfUg8XoKVhrLSJc3Tcq3ApvFExWcFLHNTyYm4bR51u6YridxN6v1zSZQXxMFK5Yx4oisADIZZC-syK0Z-fSrlZzX0DDd6FbuAG/s1600/BrownPants4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="378" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2dxedOVuC5F9LC54iJo9v1QaPiaBRHAtqHqEeB5EnPnfUg8XoKVhrLSJc3Tcq3ApvFExWcFLHNTyYm4bR51u6YridxN6v1zSZQXxMFK5Yx4oisADIZZC-syK0Z-fSrlZzX0DDd6FbuAG/s400/BrownPants4.jpg" width="333" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No matter how much bending or twisting, braces keep your pants in place</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The specific placement of the buttons along the waistline provides maximum support for this accomplishment. Brace buttons should be attached at the front above the center pant line and pocket above each leg (about 3-3.5 inches apart), and then equidistant from the center of the pants at the rear (about 1.5-1.75 inches from the center seam). It’s truly an enjoyment to sit, stand, bend, and twist - not to mention breathe - without having to adjust or pull up your pants. The braces do all the heavy lifting.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRjoAw_gDQRO01PHTl2zYpGRLnIMDQdbmwKKDhVPmgVe0Jt5tu4PEQIDQCxaeYAyMbivmmMNJa0WFao_7zDe_eI-ZoD2o0x1XQH91AZHWfTBR69nZASpZbo1wW9ZxKMgYaKcC3lpR93a4/s1600/CelebFarrahFawcett1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="384" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRjoAw_gDQRO01PHTl2zYpGRLnIMDQdbmwKKDhVPmgVe0Jt5tu4PEQIDQCxaeYAyMbivmmMNJa0WFao_7zDe_eI-ZoD2o0x1XQH91AZHWfTBR69nZASpZbo1wW9ZxKMgYaKcC3lpR93a4/s400/CelebFarrahFawcett1.JPG" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proper button placement on these high-rise white pants worn by Farrah Fawcett</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjkEYqGv7l12xc_b2mQ_EWLxHUOBL695L0NSZPIF9-LnYvRsjvc_5FQ38kZ-lclU7RgELM2ObxXdjaMwFXDUw7tEzcu6KMC-W3F5s06oVG8g97aOnMGf8Bp-Qot0qL1aji-aTyN9cMJE1/s1600/CelebActressCharleneTilton2b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="397" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjkEYqGv7l12xc_b2mQ_EWLxHUOBL695L0NSZPIF9-LnYvRsjvc_5FQ38kZ-lclU7RgELM2ObxXdjaMwFXDUw7tEzcu6KMC-W3F5s06oVG8g97aOnMGf8Bp-Qot0qL1aji-aTyN9cMJE1/s320/CelebActressCharleneTilton2b.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlene Tilton with improper button placement - <br />
should be to the side to align with the pant line</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">With this in mind, I’m constantly perplexed that people turn to belts. Belts restrict movement and circulation around your waist and result in pants slipping down all day long. They interrupt the smooth transition from the top of your body to the bottom.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Men have an unfortunate aversion to wearing pants at or above their hips - why? Is this an outdated style of a previous generation? Do the pants not stay up (without braces, hence the need for braces), or men don’t like braces? I have not solved this question yet. But I do know that they're missing out on the wonder of high-rise pants and braces. Historically, when men wore pants, they were high-rise and held up with braces.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlqy-8aVpesRoV5M9w6yQmSm23zJm41Lt6W0LvTYPo9tBLShkVE2ounzh2J5dvUEs57LcLWG829TjudE2eCMWIy7dJeigqitOLbuKNYdXZ-kWJKsW0FSfazh9dQAVU-1jDOZdoBZ7PojB/s1600/BWPhoto81.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="413" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlqy-8aVpesRoV5M9w6yQmSm23zJm41Lt6W0LvTYPo9tBLShkVE2ounzh2J5dvUEs57LcLWG829TjudE2eCMWIy7dJeigqitOLbuKNYdXZ-kWJKsW0FSfazh9dQAVU-1jDOZdoBZ7PojB/s320/BWPhoto81.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage photo of men wearing braces</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If I haven’t convinced you yet of the comfort of high-rise pants with braces, I’ll add one final point: braces are charming. People respect you when you make effort to dress well. High rise pants are one of those ways you can dress well and be stylish. Braces add a certain sophistication and refinement to an otherwise standard outfit. This <a href="https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-accessories/advice/a41260/how-to-clean-suspenders/" target="_blank">writer from Esquire</a> states that she <u>highly</u> regards suspenders and finds them to be darling. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Current fashion trends are starting to take notice of the increase in rise of pants. Women’s fashion has emphasized high-rise pants for the past few years. In fact, check out this New Yorker article titled "<a href="https://www.newyorker.com/culture/on-and-off-the-avenue/how-high-can-high-waisted-pants-go" target="_blank">How high can high-waisted pants go?</a>" to understand that this rising trend will continue. It’s only a matter of time before it shifts to men’s clothing.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGuJ-M85ktccWfixFelcS-U0clK26l1Ku4mzcXUrYf1K0wdHrKl_364EmDat_umhBv36sVUnliwd0m643791kYI1XvBUqY_g2t4LNMsiK5OyiQYyIoIv-F4kRfJJdb_RoYMxrunSNR8_P/s1600/CourtshopJamesJeans1b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="604" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGuJ-M85ktccWfixFelcS-U0clK26l1Ku4mzcXUrYf1K0wdHrKl_364EmDat_umhBv36sVUnliwd0m643791kYI1XvBUqY_g2t4LNMsiK5OyiQYyIoIv-F4kRfJJdb_RoYMxrunSNR8_P/s320/CourtshopJamesJeans1b.jpg" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtshop James Jeans with braces</td></tr>
</tbody></table><p>
</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-xrtrtcEQnHwWKbrPbdUS3RXljKHHy3bK7RXxx6PTFnIxwSp4Q7o2gR-sCLxGtlqZvOgiCKkbpuvFmjJiWZT8qRYbSg4eAucWHZUTCOPhJ7tzuhR0LwT69GS1uohPDT7ZiKEy-qm_btG/s1400/Snap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1129" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-xrtrtcEQnHwWKbrPbdUS3RXljKHHy3bK7RXxx6PTFnIxwSp4Q7o2gR-sCLxGtlqZvOgiCKkbpuvFmjJiWZT8qRYbSg4eAucWHZUTCOPhJ7tzuhR0LwT69GS1uohPDT7ZiKEy-qm_btG/w323-h400/Snap.jpg" width="323" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She's lov'n her high-rise pants with braces!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Discussion time:</b></span><br />
</p><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do you wear high-rise pants? If not, why not?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">How do you find braces with high-rise pants?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Have you worn Hollywood waist pants?</span></li>
</ul>
Back to Braceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240649681320273191noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705777238092169832.post-53147351617276967312017-09-20T16:33:00.005-07:002022-12-19T14:41:57.920-08:00Return of the Light Blue Pants<p>When I was a boy my parents bought me a pair of light blue dress pants. This was unlike any pair of pants I'd worn before, as the pants came with suspenders in the same color. The pants were high-rise, which was the trend at the time, and these pants came up just above my belly button. The pants had no waistband, rather the fabric came up all the way and just stopped. I’ve since learned this style is called ‘Hollywood Waist’. As a thin boy, the pants required the use of suspenders to hold them up, which is likely why they were included. The suspenders were Y-back and clipped-on to the hollywood waist. It made sense why there was no waistband - the pants were intended to be worn only with suspenders.<br /></p><p>I remember wearing this outfit often - to holiday dinners, church, and weddings, especially in the summer time. I’d wear a checkered shirt or for more formal occasions, a white dress shirt. There was no suit jacket – just the pants and suspenders. I felt stylish in my pants and suspenders.</p><p>I remember other boys wore pants and suspenders as well. It was quite common back then.<br />
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Jump ahead 20 years, while hunting through a thrift store I came across a strikingly similar pair of light blue dress pants. This time in an adult size and without suspenders. When I saw them, my childhood memories of wearing the blue pants immediately came rushing to mind. <br /></p><p>I was so surprised! I must have been staring at the pants too long, as the lady working in that department came by to ask how I was doing. I told her I used to wear a pair of pants similar to this when I was young and it was bringing back memories. She smiled and suggested I purchase them to relive my childhood. </p><p>I agreed and shared my memories of wearing high-rise pants as a child with suspenders. She replied that she loved the look and that I should do the same with this pair. But, I said, this time I would wear the pants with button-on braces, instead of clip-on suspenders. <br /></p><p>A few days later I removed the belt loops and sewed suspender buttons on the waistline. I sewed the buttons on the outside of the waistband to fit the vintage style of the pants. Buttons on the outside is very traditional, and I wanted to show the details of the suspender buttons against the brace tabs. Here’s a close-up of the brace tabs and exterior suspender buttons.</p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvYCe7gvkvqqUfeJFDp6_hC60jakCwFIr3kKbmM2ms4FDgK0gc5erXXe0dRFLcl-HBWMu8b8tdLeOudFFM-nt3vgE1ZaF7cA5bkj4REquArxrI9tU4epvZPgpWeWTP-O0XwZ1HxJa_x8IEvcDIQQ96eu6I3ggxi9hB-SNzV_mFICNbyzK8oBzyqKChg/s3264/IMG_20151221_154831.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvYCe7gvkvqqUfeJFDp6_hC60jakCwFIr3kKbmM2ms4FDgK0gc5erXXe0dRFLcl-HBWMu8b8tdLeOudFFM-nt3vgE1ZaF7cA5bkj4REquArxrI9tU4epvZPgpWeWTP-O0XwZ1HxJa_x8IEvcDIQQ96eu6I3ggxi9hB-SNzV_mFICNbyzK8oBzyqKChg/w400-h300/IMG_20151221_154831.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Here's another close-up with a different shirt:<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyh2Y-5NG1YIroge3OTlCi1_h19VzuE5sHFM1tfP3gulqtNbDvR1cLfWx_M1uJLayRctx9hT0iXTyrfFARP1u0jrWMO9HTylgOuVS5aSjBuHdTqA7IFdNlGWnRcbpLIqkv9QHYoFgaFZ1/s1600/BluePants4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="583" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyh2Y-5NG1YIroge3OTlCi1_h19VzuE5sHFM1tfP3gulqtNbDvR1cLfWx_M1uJLayRctx9hT0iXTyrfFARP1u0jrWMO9HTylgOuVS5aSjBuHdTqA7IFdNlGWnRcbpLIqkv9QHYoFgaFZ1/s400/BluePants4.jpg" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exterior suspender buttons against the brown brace tabs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The diamond pattern in the shirt complement the diamond braces.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVb2e3L4Fvkw6efBehapkb7qkZnrhj01ahmzgAOwAWtKvkokfYMqDhX0hCd5GMAv_loXdFepPk4OuBFqNszhsxf5FvpQsTN28QmZ4M9qUVSo-HQPaXE7swj-HU9NJqsZkZm0jWKIbNtM8I/s1600/BluePants3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="592" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVb2e3L4Fvkw6efBehapkb7qkZnrhj01ahmzgAOwAWtKvkokfYMqDhX0hCd5GMAv_loXdFepPk4OuBFqNszhsxf5FvpQsTN28QmZ4M9qUVSo-HQPaXE7swj-HU9NJqsZkZm0jWKIbNtM8I/s400/BluePants3.jpg" width="295" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear shot of braces</td></tr>
</tbody></table><p>
I love the look and feel of the pants; they are vintage and make a
statement! It's the closest thing I can get to reliving my childhood!
</p><p>Later this year I found another pair of light blue, high-waisted denim pants at a thrift store. They had a vintage design at the waist - no belt loops. Rather the pant fabric came up to top of the pants. These were again the Hollywood waist. They again reminded me of my childhood and wearing suspenders. These pants required suspenders to hold them up, but did not come with buttons, so I sewed them on, this time on the inside of the waistband. <br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dGuiwr-jMjz0i0EsbeB8vsKbAlmfhVMPwnuSV9smssHY8X-Z-SypsNU4PN0tNfeO6alqhkDhgj3-WUax8gIhdKgyTR5Gppdl5vrOYHMtL0mmvpPQdGF7_kIDkunWXeO0SkWgExJba6pQgpVAmWX7vKhOnab0zB83nVpCY9JUdWOvVXeKzUkxsF5AJQ/s2592/IMG_20200505_095240439.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1944" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dGuiwr-jMjz0i0EsbeB8vsKbAlmfhVMPwnuSV9smssHY8X-Z-SypsNU4PN0tNfeO6alqhkDhgj3-WUax8gIhdKgyTR5Gppdl5vrOYHMtL0mmvpPQdGF7_kIDkunWXeO0SkWgExJba6pQgpVAmWX7vKhOnab0zB83nVpCY9JUdWOvVXeKzUkxsF5AJQ/w300-h400/IMG_20200505_095240439.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High-waisted, light blue denim pants with braces<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavXbfiEQOygKPkjDnV5T9nFxIlEdhViwnx7cI_SPCvZOhmkhsWKDD8S07lEZPSjvXxBpzMLwk8I5ko-tkOysnqRqdZSl1D8SK6e5xs2q7atxngelM1AI98UZ5NEe-t6yEj-d578hq0XOohWyBmezoPSfRGL6Silg_jGAM0SMiVjjnB6rmWDUHx-fFeA/s2592/IMG_20200505_095319197_BURST001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1944" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavXbfiEQOygKPkjDnV5T9nFxIlEdhViwnx7cI_SPCvZOhmkhsWKDD8S07lEZPSjvXxBpzMLwk8I5ko-tkOysnqRqdZSl1D8SK6e5xs2q7atxngelM1AI98UZ5NEe-t6yEj-d578hq0XOohWyBmezoPSfRGL6Silg_jGAM0SMiVjjnB6rmWDUHx-fFeA/w300-h400/IMG_20200505_095319197_BURST001.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear shot of high-waisted pants<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>
</p><p></p><p>I bought these stripped Y-back braces long before I had light blue pants. They pair so well and I like the colors - the blue on the braces with the blue in the pants, and the red on the braces with the red in the dress shirt, the white on the braces and the white on the dress shirt. </p><p> </p><p>A few years later, after enough people had wanted to see the buttons attach at the waist, I decided that these pants would be better with the buttons on the outside of the pants. So I clipped them off and resewed the buttons onto the exterior of the waistline. </p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBzpkMv06rJrKrd74c8VTmZxMYOcaPpol0rsotD7TyTV2pk7BlT2bGTREu5ZFaI7jtL_FdW9JLKW8w3wVCU38_CtMFaJiyXuk_NSgGq5UH913hs2D0Wk4XPwdCaV0sMmf4yTMBvXo4Tf3l2kP7kOBNa5zlpYShVWeiDaKEuRyQz7RkJaXSylAC-WDew/s1000/BluePants1a.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="722" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBzpkMv06rJrKrd74c8VTmZxMYOcaPpol0rsotD7TyTV2pk7BlT2bGTREu5ZFaI7jtL_FdW9JLKW8w3wVCU38_CtMFaJiyXuk_NSgGq5UH913hs2D0Wk4XPwdCaV0sMmf4yTMBvXo4Tf3l2kP7kOBNa5zlpYShVWeiDaKEuRyQz7RkJaXSylAC-WDew/w289-h400/BluePants1a.JPEG" width="289" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buttons on the outside<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuwp93gW5prD33rihIgt7Ef7bU5L1fzju7Dmfh1bGZC2R7OxIZKGUE-lvPvJNSccu-CackQs_HGBB9NuV34m4enT0Ch8P1pegKcqfQDq4el0f6DJfDDYzJhPsb09npDdBqjKk1MToPjfXYpQK4t8BOQ9u9k3QWeuzNzJT4RX96ov7bfMmVfCbPsnLyg/s1000/BluePants1b.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="769" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuwp93gW5prD33rihIgt7Ef7bU5L1fzju7Dmfh1bGZC2R7OxIZKGUE-lvPvJNSccu-CackQs_HGBB9NuV34m4enT0Ch8P1pegKcqfQDq4el0f6DJfDDYzJhPsb09npDdBqjKk1MToPjfXYpQK4t8BOQ9u9k3QWeuzNzJT4RX96ov7bfMmVfCbPsnLyg/w308-h400/BluePants1b.JPEG" width="308" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear shot of buttons on the outside<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p>I like that people can see my buttons and braces. It's a vintage look that I enjoy and know others do as well.</p><p>These pants are larger at the waist, as you can see with the slight fish-tail back feature. Just like the pair of pants I had when I was young, these pants need braces to hold them up. <br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVn_uP6hE_vJToQb3Z632X-DJyX4I2U-NXp8rd6UthavYXbLwEZdvW3-wEqoq-56f27V1iOBVE0mAchwEfWL_5KVraL3WIM1WPug4nQfrjvWomQcRArMG1jn_bvoZx-pjziHMCm_booGvMlJpDsaFE7KmFPx20ZE6sloBeibxOfTmhC9AvMGUEcguNVA/s1000/BluePants1c.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="771" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVn_uP6hE_vJToQb3Z632X-DJyX4I2U-NXp8rd6UthavYXbLwEZdvW3-wEqoq-56f27V1iOBVE0mAchwEfWL_5KVraL3WIM1WPug4nQfrjvWomQcRArMG1jn_bvoZx-pjziHMCm_booGvMlJpDsaFE7KmFPx20ZE6sloBeibxOfTmhC9AvMGUEcguNVA/s320/BluePants1c.JPEG" width="247" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evidence that my braces are suspending my loose waistline<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p></p><p>Now when I wear either of these blue pants I'm reminded of my childhood, and where my love of high-waisted pants and suspenders all started.<br /><br />
<br />
<b>Discussion time:</b><br />
</p><ul>
<li>Did you wear suspenders growing up?</li>
<li>Do you continue to wear suspenders, or stopped after childhood?</li>
</ul>
Back to Braceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240649681320273191noreply@blogger.com9