Figure 1.--This American boy wears wide suspenders. They seem to have colored stripes. The photograph is undated, but looks to have been taken about 1930.

Older boys might wear suspenders. Suspenders were common in the late-19th and early 20th century, but by the mid-20th century began to be seen as old fashioned. Since World War II, belts have become increasingly common. Here age was a factor. Suspenders or suspender pants were seen as some appropriate for younger boys. Boys frequently wore suspenders to hold up their trousers during the early 20th century--both with knee pants, knickers, long and short trousers. We note two different types of suspenders. There is the traditional type of elastic suspenders with leather button-hole ends for attachment to the inner waistband of his trousers. There is also the clip on type. These had metal clasps that could be clipped on the waistband of the trousers. Many boys during the 1930s wore clip-on suspenders that were easier to attach and detach and that didn't require separate buttons sewn onto the trousers. hese were especially popular for boys. Apparently buttons egan disappearing on boys' pants before men's pants. A Sears ad of 1939 shows the popularity of clip-on suspenders for boys which (because of their elastic construction) were featured on the same page as the ads for garter waists. We notice colorful suspenders, but do not yet have full details over time.

Terminology

Americans use the term 'suspenders' for elaticized straps to hold up pants and trousers. The British term is 'braces'.

Age Trends

Older boys might wear suspenders. Age trends, however, have varied over time.

Chronology

Suspenders were common in the late-19th and early 20th century. Boys frequently wore suspenders to hold up their trousers during the early 20th centurys--both with knee pants, knickers, long and short trousers. We note a Tennessee school in which the boys are wearing either overalls or suspnders rather than belts. By the mid-20th century began to be seen as old fashioned. Since World War II, belts have become increasingly common. Here age was a factor. Suspenders or suspender pants were seen as more appropriate for younger boys.

Types

We note two basic types of suspenders. There is the traditional type of elastic suspenders with leather button-hole ends for attachment to the inner waistband of his trousers. These were very substantial suspenders worn by men and boys. There is also the clip on typevof suspenders. These had metal clasps that could be clipped on the waistband of the trousers. They were less substantial than the traditional suspenders, but worked fine for younger boys. Many boys during the 1930s wore clip-on suspenders that were easier to attach and detach and that didn't require separate buttons sewn onto the trousers. These were especially popular for boys. Apparently buttons began disappearing on boys' pants before men's pants. A Sears ad of 1939 shows the popularity of clip-on suspenders for boys which (because of their elastic construction) were featured on the same page as the ads for garter waists. We note that Sears in 1938 offered both types for oilder boys, but only clips-ons for younger boys. We conyinue to see clip on suspenders thriough the 1950s, but they became much less popular in the 1960s.

Color

We notice colorful suspenders, but do not yet have full details over time. We note that in the Sears 1938-39 catalog there are quite a variety of colors offered. There are blue suspenders, with a narrow center band in different colors (light blue, red, or yellow). Another set is offered in blue or brown on white. Another is maroon or dark brown.

Width

Suspenders come in a wide range of widths. The with varied chronologically as fashioned changed, rather much like neck ties.. In most catalogs the width was not even mentioned.

Created: 3:59 AM 6/9/2008
Last updated: 6:18 AM 12/17/2010