The other day I asked, "who wears suspenders?". No one answered me. So, instead of asking again, I took it upon myself to find the answer independently. Google helped too.
So Who Wears Suspenders?
Larry King does.
Mr King is a pretty impressive guy in my books. He's an icon. He's been around a long time, so he knows the power behind the simple look of suspenders. They're his trademark, and we as a group could probably do a lot worse than to emulate this guy. Then again, doesn't someone else have suspenders as their trademark?
Steven Urkel does.
Although Jaleel White has moved on to other things in his career, he will forever be remembered as the guy who played Urkel in that Family Matters show. I won't lie. I loved Urkel. I even bought the book "Steven Q Urkels ultimate guide to being cool". If there's one thing that book taught me, it's that suspenders are cool. They taught me that to be funny, but that was also in the nineties. We're in the new millennium now, and guess who thinks suspenders are cool...
David Beckham does.
Currently, in all the mens fashion literature I read, there's a well known rule-of-thumb: If Beckham says it's cool, don't argue. (Warning: This rule does not apply to hair-styles or spousal candidates.) If Beckham wears angora, you're going to need angora. If he wears those stupid Thom Browne floodpants... well you might be ridiculed a bit less for wearing them. Right now, Beckham wears suspenders. That's a convincing argument for most fashion followers. To me though, it's not quite as convincing as when
This scary dude does.
Admittedly, I got all of my pictures by typing "suspenders" into the Google Image search. This guy came up numerous times, and each time he did, I peed a little. If this guy says they're cool, I'm not going to tell him otherwise. Would you?
Monday, January 14, 2008
Braces, Suspenders, Keeper Uppers
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7 Comments:
I think you're a bit premature in your deduction on the braces issue.
Perhaps the fall-out, socially, comes from those who wear those nasty looking elastic/nylon clip-on items.
With a real suit, a good suit, a person would be wearing silk braces with leather tabs and brass hardware affixed to the trousers by waist band buttons. Also, no one but the wearer would even know that braces are being worn. That's the point. Understated, yet refined sophistication.
Oh yeah, no belt. No belt loops. And a loose fitting waist. The braces hold the trousers up.
Sorry I didn't answer sooner.
michael - You're absolutely right, and I should have been clearer in my statements. I'm a fan of braces, especially when it comes to classic formal wear. I think they're the perfect compliment to an elegant ensemble.
My only point here (if I had one), was that I've seen more of them recently... and these were the first pop culture references I came across.
Thanks for the info though. Better late than never ;)
Excellent post!
Cheers.
I'm also quite enjoying your blog. Keep up the good work.
Paul and Michael: Thanks for the encouragement guys... there'll be more.
As a connoisseur of well-dressed men, I must say I adore seeing a glimpse of suspenders under a fine suit.
Having recently suffered a hernia, my surgeon suggested that I would be more comfortable wearing btaces than a tight belt. I took his advice, and after initial ribbing from my mates (I am only 23), I have to concur that they are not only more comfortable, but also more efficient at keeping my jeans and pants up. Indeed, some of my mates have succumbed, so I dont feel so intimidated now. Try them, you*ll see.
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