LONG BEFORE DEPARTMENT STORES AND READY-TO-WEAR CLOTHING, MEN’S TROUSERS WERE ALL MADE FROM SCRATCH. A GENTLEMAN WOULD ENTER A TAILORING SHOP, GET HIS MEASUREMENTS TAKEN AND IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS TIME, WOULD HAVE A WONDERFUL PRODUCT THAT WOULD BE FIT FOR HIS BODY’S SPECIFICATIONS. SOMEWHERE AROUND THE CIVIL WAR, THE NEED FOR A STANDARDIZATION OF CLOTHING TOOK EFFECT WHEN THE DEMAND FOR UNIFORMS BECAME TOO GREAT FOR UNION FORCES. A SYSTEM WAS IMPLEMENTED THAT STANDARDIZED SIZING FOR BOTH JACKET AND PANTS. THESE STANDARDIZATIONS BROUGHT THE NEED FOR A WAY TO HOLD SOLDIERS PANTS IN PLACE. BRACES, OFTEN REFERRED TO AS SUSPENDERS, WERE INVENTED IN 1820 BY ALBERT THURSTON. ORIGINALLY AFFIXED WITH A BUTTON ON THE INSIDE OF A PAIR OF TROUSERS, DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF BRACES STARTED TO MAKE THEIR WAY INTO SOCIETY DURING THE LATE 1800’S. A PATENT IN THE US BY WRITER MARK TWAIN IN 1871, BROUGHT BRACES/SUSPENDERS OVER TO THE UNITED STATES. ALONGSIDE THE POPULARIZATION OF THE LEATHER BELT, BRACES HAVE SEEN THEIR TIME THE SPOTLIGHT THANKS TO A FEW ICONIC FIGURES IN THE MEDIA AND POPULAR MOVIES. BRACES TODAY, WHILE STILL RELEVANT IN A MAN’S CLASSIC WARDROBE, ARE NOW TYPICALLY WORN BY THOSE IN WHITE COLLAR INDUSTRIES.
AT GENUINE MEN’S MAGAZINE, WE TRY TO BREAK THE COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO CLASSIC MEN’S CLOTHING. OFTEN THOUGHT OF AS OLD-TIMEY OR DATED, BRACES CAN BE A GREAT WAY TO BOTH HAVE A CLEAN LOOKING WAISTBAND AND INTERESTING HIDDEN DETAIL WHEN DRESSING. DEPENDING ON WHAT PROFESSION YOU’RE IN, WEARING BRACES CAN REALLY HELP THE ABILITY TO FLEX YOUR STYLISH KNOWLEDGE.
FOR THIS FEATURE, WE’VE TEAMED UP WITH UK-BASED ACCESSORIES BRAND, SMART TURNOUT TO SHOW YOU HOW YOU CAN ADEQUATELY WEAR BRACES IN 3 DIFFERENT LOOKS. SMART TURNOUT NOT ONLY MAKES TOP-QUALITY BRACES, BUT ALSO OFFERS DOZENS OF OTHER MEN’S ACCESSORIES TO HELP WITH THOSE FINISHING TOUCHES TO YOUR PERSONAL STYLE. THEIR VARIETY OF QUALITY PRODUCTS CAN TAKE YOUR SIMPLE LOOK AND ELEVATE IT. WATCHES, WATCHBANDS, SCARVES, SWEATERS… ALL OF THEIR PRODUCTS ARE TOP-QUALITY ITEMS THAT CAN LAST A LIFETIME IN YOUR CLASSIC WARDROBE. THINK OF THEM AS YOUR ONE-STOP-SHOP FOR INSPIRED MEN’S ACCESSORIES. OK, LET’S SHOW YOU HOW TO WEAR BRACES 3 DIFFERENT WAYS…
EARLY MORNING ESPRESSO
One of the easier ways of getting comfortable in men’s braces is to start by wearing them casually. Start with a solid or simple colored pair of braces to work with and pair them with navy or grey trousers. Simplify your look with a simple white or blue linen button down shirt and finish it off with a pair of loafer or summer sneakers. When it’s hot out, we always to wear our driver loafers with loafer socks. This helps our ankles stay cool and our feet stay dry. It’s also the correct way to wear shoes during the summer. Finish this look off with a straw fedora or Panama hat. Men are always intimidated by the idea of finishing a look off with a great looking hat, but we’re hoping to change that!
Button Down Linen Shirt (Similar)
Navy Wool Trousers (Similar)
Jack Erwin ‘Parker’ Driver Loafer
Straw Fedora (Similar)
Tan ‘No Show’ Socks
Smart Turnout Suspenders (Similar)
BEACH BOUND WEEKEND
TIP: JUST LIKE CLOTHING, BRACES HAVE CERTAIN WEIGHTS TO THEM. YOU DON’T WANT TO BE WEARING THICK WOOL BRACES IN THE SUMMER. WE ALWAYS OPT FOR TRADITIONAL RIBBON STYLE. NOT TOO THICK, NOT TOO THIN.
It’s Friday and you’ve just gotten out of work. You’ve had a tough week, but all is well because you’re headed to beach for a little R & R. Undo the tie, paint a smile on your face and embrace the sunshine on your way out the door. Summer is a time to pull out all your lightweight linen jackets and undo a shirt button or two. Wearing braces in the summer is an often underutilized look that men shouldn’t forget to implement in their personal style. It’s a great way to both keep your pants in place and to make a statement when you’re meeting people. Start with keeping your palette simple; a jacket like this light blue one pairs nicely with these tan trousers and can help your braces stand out more. This solid navy pair of braces can work well with almost everything in your wardrobe, which means you’re getting the most out of your wardrobe.
Twillory Cutaway Dress Shirt
Blue Linen Blazer (Similar)
Tan Linen Trousers (Similar)
Double Monk Strap Shoes (Similar)
Tan ‘No Show’ Loafer Socks
Eyebuy Direct Sunglasses
Smart Turnout Suspenders (Similar)
Wood and Faulk Carpenter Bag
DOWN TO BUSINESS
For those of us that don’t have the confidence to wear braces, the next look is the most commonly worn of the three. Traditionally worn by white-collar businessmen, braces can automatically give you a look of importance and authority. These Smart Turnout braces can add a pop in an otherwise subdued workday uniform. Whether it’s a grey suit or a navy suit, don’t be afraid to try a pair of braces with some personality. We’re not talking about a tacky novelty pair, but explore polka dots, stripes, paisley or herringbone patterns. Most of the time, your jacket will hide them, but when it’s open, others can see flashes of your sartorial brilliance.
Striped Spread Collar Dress Shirt (Similar)
Suitopia Navy Peak Lapel Suit
Maroon Dot Tie
White Edged Linen Pocket Square
Brown Tassel Loafers (Similar)
Orient Bambino v2 Watch
Smart Turnout Suspenders
Portfolio/Laptop Case (Similar)
All photographs courtesy of Victoria Saperstein Photography
