Specifications for brace buttons

You may not put much thought into the type of buttons you use to attach your braces to your waistband. While it is true that any button can be used, there are better types of buttons and worse types. 

Brace buttons have the important duty to secure your brace tabs to your waistband. So it’s important to know what will work best. Let me explain two key features of brace buttons:

1. Four holes on the button, not two: 4 holes provide better security to the waistband than 2. Each pair of holes be sewn to have independent thread securing the button. That way, if 1 side tears, there is another side of threads to hold the button to the waistband.

2. Cone-shaped surface: The leather of the brace tab pulls on the button throughout the day. As such, when the button is cone-shaped (concave to be specific) towards the brace tab, the tab is pulling more on the button rather than on the threads attaching the button. This has a significant impact on the life of the button. A securely sewn button will rarely come detached. However, a leather brace tab that constantly rubs against the button thread will eventually dig in, wear down and tear open. I’ve experienced that, and it's usually at the worse possible moment. I bend down, or twist, I feel my braces shift and I look down to see a torn brace tab, with a button still attached to the waistband. That’s a terrible thing to happen to a pair of braces, as it’s almost impossible to repair the leather on the brace tab. To minimize this from happening, brace buttons should be concave to apply pressure away from the thread and to the button itself.

Moving to the color of brace buttons, generally aim to match the waistband of the pants. If the waistband is white, it’s traditional to have a white button for example. However, you can be creative, especially if the buttons are on the outside. This is an area I in particular, like to push the boundary; I use decorative buttons onto the outside of the waistband. The buttons coordinate the fabric pattern, but do not match exactly. When the brace tab is attached to the button, it circles around the complimentary color button and makes a visually appealing waistband. I’ve received many compliments about my exterior brace buttons and braces.

Lovely accent of brown color on these standard black pants and braces

 

Beautiful pair of patterned burgundy and grey pants with burgundy braces. 
Note the buttons have 2 holes, 4 holes would be better 

 

Tia Mowry wearing tweed pants with brown braces

 

Here's a young man wearing traditional fish-tail back pants with braces. The brace buttons are on the outside of the waistband.

The exterior brace buttons accent against the brace tabs nicely on this man's fish-tail pants

A light tug of his braces is her way of showing her affection and love of his braces

The same thinking applies if you are sewing your brace buttons on the inside of your waistband. That is, you can use any, or every color, of button as no one will see it but you. I’ve used mismatched buttons for work jeans and pants, and on thrifted pairs of pants that may have a button missing. The buttons are out of sight on the inside of the waistband, but are doing their duty. This is also helpful if you happen to lose a button while working – you can simply use a different button. But make sure it has four holes and is concave!

What brace buttons do you use to attach your braces?

What do you think of the colors brown and green?

If you walk into any office tower today you will see most, if not all, men and women wearing suits in the colors of navy, black, and maybe grey. It's so common, and that's fine. But it's also boring! What about wearing the color brown? or teal green? 

Historically, men and women wore brown or green suits and skirts very frequently. I'd like to bring these colors back.

Brown pants

Brown reflects a mood of calm, natural, and of autumn. It’s a perfect color for this time of the year!
I don’t have any brown suit jackets with matching dress pants, but I do have brown dress pants and a brown blazers. Brown is perfect for separates – where the fabric on the jacket does not exactly match the fabric on the pant.

During the winter months, I wear the brown dress pants with a blue dress shirt. The brown and blue tones colors match well, but also with burgundy or reds. There’s so many options!

Here's an example of my brown pants with blue dress shirt and a vintage tie. The pants are supported with inverse U, Y-back, black braces that coordinate well with the black stripes in the tie.

Brown pants with black braces and blue dress shirt

During Spring to Fall, I prefer to wear a lighter colored dress shirt - a stripped white and blue shirt with my brown pants. On this particular day I selected a inverse U, Y-back stripped red and navy pair of braces:

I add a tweed suit jacket to round out the look. I was wearing this outfit to the office this week and a colleague stated that I look like a university professor from back in the day. I’ll take it!

 A few more my styles for the office:

Brown X-Back braces with my brown pants

Thin navy and red stripped Y-back, inverse V braces

Rear shot of thin Y-back braces

The waistline of these pants sit high as there is a long rise. I originally sewed brace buttons onto the inside of the waistband, but then decided to put them on the outside when I got a nice pair of buttons. The buttons are a lighter color than the fabric, with a marble wave that match the fabric.

A few weeks ago, I wore these pants with a checkered, blue and green dress shirt. I paired the pants with a solid blue pair of braces, with brown brace tabs. The colors of the braces coordinate so well with the shirt and pants – the blue sold strip of the braces with the blue shirt, and the brown brace tabs with the brown pants. 

At the swing dance meet-up a dancer came over and admired my brace buttons. The dancer was wearing a vintage skirt with lots of superfluous buttons down the leg. I commented that my buttons are essential while hers are superfluous. She looked at me, took hold of my front brace strap and said, "Let’s see what these suspender buttons do," as she snapped my braces.

We walked onto the dance floor and she quickly apologized for pulling my braces. 

I should not have done that, I'm sorry, she said.

Apology accepted, I said as I also apologized for criticizing her skirt. 

She smiled and laughed. "Your braces are lovely," she said, as we moved around the dance floor. She lightly tugged on my rear strap for emphasis.

 

These brown pants are so comfortable and I enjoy wearing them all the time.

Ladies can wear brown pants or skirts with braces as well. Here's a nice example:

Brown pants with black braces

Historical brown skirt with braces

Teal green pants

I also have a teal green pair of high-waisted dress pants. Green represents growth, harmony, and freshness – also a nice choice for autumn.

I bought a pair of vintage, teal green pants. I found six green buttons that coordinate well, and I sewed them on the waistband. I’ve been debating what color of braces to pair with the green pants, until I came across a pair of vintage pair of inverse-V, Y-back brown braces at a thrift store. I knew they would be the perfect pair.

The straps are stripped and have the multiple colors including light and dark brown, light and dark blue, and white. The colors of my braces connect the brown and blue colors of my pants and shirt. The braces hold up my pants and hold together my color combination! 

Teal green pants with vintage braces

Rear shot of vintage, V-back braces

I specially like the rear brace buttons on the outside of the waistband. The green buttons are a nice accent against the brown leather tabs.

The last few weeks I been wearing these pants to the office – brown pants and the tweed blazer, or the teal green pants and the brown blazer. The mornings are cool and it’s nice to have the layers, but by lunchtime, it’s warmed up and I take the blazer off for the rest of the day.

 

Ladies can wear teal green pants and skirts with braces as well, such as these ones:

Green pants with black braces

 

Green skirt with braces

 

Brown and green colors are a pleasant under statement in an office full of navy and black. Give it a try and see how many compliments you receive for your color choice! 

Discussion time:

What colors have you worn to the office? 

Have you worn brown or green lately?

One night to go back in time to the 1940s

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.

I wore an earth-brown, tweed 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.

When we arrived, we started mingling. I knew some people from my work place, but there were many others I did not know. 

It was very warm in the hall, so most of the men removed their suit jackets. I had also removed my suit jacket. 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.

Yes, that’s the historically accurate way, I said, and more comfortable way to wear suspenders.

Do you wear suspenders often, the other lady asked?

He does, replied my wife, just like in the 1940s.

I love the look and feel of suspenders, I continued. I wear them to the office every work day.

I like the style, continued my wife, reaching in and running her fingers up and down the nearest brace strap.

Another nearby lady joined our conversation and asked about my brace tabs. She had not seen the inverse-U style before and politely asked how they worked.

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. 

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. 

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! 

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. See how roomy the waistline is, she said as she tugged on my waistband showing a gap between my pants and my body. But the best part is the back side, she said, gently twisting me around.

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, men wore button suspenders with these types of pants, she said.

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.

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!

I think so, said my wife with a smile.

Thanks to you, I said smiling.

You can sit down again, one of the lady’s said.

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.

As I sat down again, my wife flicked my rear brace strap and pecked me on the cheek with a kiss.

The discussion drifted to another topic.

***

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. 

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. 

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 strap to her and held it as the photographer captured the moment. She then released the strap as it lightly snapped back.

Congratulations, she said. I love your suspenders with buttons. They are the perfect vintage accessory.

Thank you, I said. Congratulations to you as well on your vintage dress. She smiled.

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. 

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. 

The lady smiled and said how much she loved the high-waisted pants with the fish-tail back, the button suspenders, the shoes, … the whole style.

Thank you, I said. How about you, I asked, did you buy that dress just for tonight?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Discussion time :

What's your holiday plans? Will braces be part of your outfit?

National Suspenders Day 2023

Today is National Suspenders Day, a day to celebrate suspenders and braces! Have you been wearing them lately? I sure have! 

 

Today I’d like to share some of my current favourite pairs of vintage pants and the braces that I wear with them.

 

Vintage Brown Pants
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.

 

Vintage brown pants with thin braces

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.
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.

 

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. 

My wife and I went on a date to a restaurant and then planned to walk in the nearby park. My wife prefers when I wear 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.

“Vintage braces for vintage pants,” I said.

She smiled and tugged on the straps again. 

“You know I like the thin ones,” she said as she released the straps.

 

Rear shot of brown pants with braces

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. 

“I really love these braces,” she said, tugging on them again. 

 “I’m glad you like them,” I responded, “I like them too.”

 

Stripped Navy Pants

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.

 

The rear waistband has a small gap

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. 

 

Stripped braces with vintage stripped pants

 

 

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. 

Hands in my pockets

 

As my waistband is suspended, there’s a small gap between my chest and waistband, which helps with air movement.

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.

 

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. 

With the suit jacket on

 

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.

 

The center tab is longer than the side tab

 

You are so stylish, she said, as she asked for a photo with us. I smiled and agreed.

 
After the photo, I had my hands in my pockets. The young lady asked if she could pull a suspender strap. That was polite, as people simply grab hold and pull.

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.

Thank you, she said, you’ve made my day! I love your look and your suspenders. I’m going to get a pair for myself.

That would be awesome, I said.

We smiled and my wife and I continued on our way.

 

Grey pants

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. 

 

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.

 

Grey, wool pants with stripped braces

 

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. 

 

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!

 

Rear shot of stripped braces

 

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!

 

We laughed.

 

Light Blue Pants

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.

 

Hollywood waisted blue pants with braces

 

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.

Rear shot of pants and braces

What are some of your favourite outfits to wear with braces?

Shailene Woodley and Iris Law's styles

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. 

Her menswear inspired outfit features:

• a button-up, polka dot blouse with layered ruffles across her bodice
• high-waisted, beige pants that sit just below her rib cage
• a Hollywood waist, with no belt loops or waistline to clutter up her waist
• the rear of the pants features a fish-tail, v-notch back, held in place by her braces
• navy Y-back braces attach to exterior brace buttons
• a boater hat and pearl necklace

Shailene Woodley's style

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.

Close-up

Rear shot

 

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.

Iris Law's style

Who do you think wore this look better? Comment below!

A Father’s Day Gift

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

Black High-Waisted Jeans with Braces

I recently went shopping 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.

At the till, the store owner asked if I found what I was looking for.

Yes, I said, I've been looking for jeans with a high waist. 

She smiled and said it is a classic look.

Exactly, I said. 

She continued by suggesting I could "go vintage" by wearing suspenders with them.

Yes, I said, that’s exactly what I will do! These jeans will need suspenders to hold them up at the high waist.

That would look great, she said. She added that she would love to see me wear them the next time I'm around.

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!

I was thinking of my pair of braces that are brown with black and white stripes (see this post). 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.

As I travelled home I had to decide where to place the buttons – on the outside or inside of the waistband. After much thought over the next few days I concluded that as these are rugged jeans, I would put the buttons on the outside 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:

Stripped inverse-V tab braces

Rear shot of stripped Y-back braces

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.

Courtshop James Jeans with braces

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!"

"Thanks!" I replied, smiling.

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.

I smiled, "they are very comfortable and look great," I said.

"Where did you get your jeans?" she asked.

I mentioned the store and she continued, "and you got the suspenders there too?" she asked.

"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."

"Oh, I see," she replied. "I really like them! I love your lumberjack, worker look."

"Thanks, that's the look I was going for," I said beaming.

"Well, you nailed it with the button suspenders," she said.

"Yes, they do make the look," I replied.

We carried on with our dinner and had a pleasant evening.

***

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.

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!"

"Thank you," I replied.

***

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. 

 

Every time I wear these jeans I receive compliments. It's great!

 

Discussion time:

Have you been wearing braces recently?