Suspenders

Braces (former pants lifting ) are belts or bands, after 1830, of rubber, which are placed over the shoulders and front and rear attached to the waistband. They prevent the pants from slipping or, in other words, cause the waistband sits at its correct position in the waist.

Use

Braces consist of two usually woven elastics, felt or even silk, which are clamped by means of four metal clamps front left and right, rear left and right on the waistband. The tapes then pass from the clamping point of approximately vertically upwards and each one of the shoulders of the wearer. On the back they are crossed, usually with the help of a leather part stitched together or held together by sliding a metal clip and then proceed to the diagonally opposite its source terminal. A spread braces thus results in a X-shape. Variants are also sewn in a Y- shape in which the two rubber belts run together in the interface to form a single, back extending vertically downward elastic.

Some carriers have instead of the terminals also fabric or leather straps with which they be fastened to the pants. Front buttons are the right and left of the fly in the invisible interior of the waistband, rear center fabric tabs with buttons protrude from the federal government. Since the corresponding custom built pants do not have belt loops at the waist ( as for example in the Frackhose ), the braces is the only choice.

That most of the braces, usually at the front or at the terminals, parts with which a change in length of the rubber strip is also possible. In this way, can be produced in a few braces, fixed several different lengths, while the fine adjustment by the carrier itself is made.

Normal braces are cut so that none of them is visible when a suit ( jacket or vest ) is worn over it. Especially with costumes, however, they are but intentionally a visible part, which is often heavily decorated and embroidered. You may also cover entirely of leather.

English Mr. Schneider use special Pants for exclusive use with suspenders.

History

Beginning of the 18th century came suspenders on with transverse web at work and children's pants, as well as in the national costume. End of the 18th century they were also common practice for men and eventually even to a male character: in southern Germany existed the popular belief that the suspended during pregnancy out of the window braces of the father led to the birth of a boy.

In the 19th century wore braces back crossed and tucked under the vest, only dress pants he was always a visible piece of jewelry. Around 1913 was replaced by the belt with the gradual elimination of the waistcoat at the everyday and sport suit suspenders. With a strong stomach, a belt, however, can not hold the pants at the waist, so in this case the use of braces is very useful.

After the Second World War, was wearing the braces in Germany even for evening trousers, nowadays usually only at the Frackhose, apart from its function as a kind of tool in everyday life.

It is also among skinheads and punks than usual to wear braces. These are either, as in the true sense, used to carry the trouser or dangling worn as an accessory.

Prominent carrier

• The CNN television journalist Larry King is known for his colorful, worn over the shirt suspenders.
• The singer and presenter Götz Alsmann also wearing braces. He is regarded as a style icon for elegant men's fashion.
• Peter Behrens ( drummer of the band Trio NDW ) always presented himself in a white T -shirt and white pants, which was held by red suspenders.
• In the 1980s there was a time yuppie fashion to wear colorful braces after the U.S. model. This also had its effect in the stock market Wall Street Thriller (1987 ) directed by Oliver Stone, in which Michael Douglas used flashy as raider Gordon Gekko suspenders. This should embody the affiliation to senior management.
• In the 1980s and - 90s beyond many women were wearing braces. The list of prominent women in suspenders is long and ranges from Barbara Auer about Farrah Fawcett, Jaclyn Smith, Christie Brinkley, Julia Roberts, Demi Moore, Olivia Newton-John, Bo Derek, Candice Bergen, Helen Hunt, Courteney Cox, Kim Wilde up to many others.