The Lack of Suspension in Modern Day American Fashion

I do believe this country has forgotten the strategic use of suspenders.  I have to admit, I have been lacking in my application of the time-honored tradition.  Instead, we have employed the belt.  A device that shows no mercy to the giant belly of a big man.  In fact, most of us with a large middle section often (myself included) keep the belt above our umbilical detachment area for fear of belt buckle torture.  It's the only safe way to use the device.

Some of you may be asking yourselves (and I'm sure you are) where exactly did the idea of suspending one's pants while wearing them come from?  I'll tell you.

According to a Time article I read recently, suspenders first made their appearance in 18th Century France. Back then they were little more than ribbon strips tied to a person's trousers.  Of course, most people wouldn't have known if you were wearing them because they were considered undergarments and to see them in public was risqué.  Eventually, in the 1820's, the trouser "keeper-uppers" were upgraded by the British.  They attached to the pants by marrying leather loops to buttons attached to the britches.  During this time, men were expected to wear high-waisted pants.  A belt couldn't be used to keep them up.

Suspenders would later go through more transformations.  In fact, you can still purchase all three types which include the H-back, X-back and Y-back.  This of course refers to the pattern created in the back where the two suspender pieces join.  In 1984, the popular metal clasp was added meaning anyone without buttons on their pants would be safe and free of any droopy bottoms.

Of course, suspenders fell out of favor in the early 20th Century because fashion trends changed.  While I have no facts to back this up, I would like to offer that they also fell from grace (even though they are meant to hold things up) because men just got tried of others grabbing their straps from behind and letting go after pulling them a few feet from the wearer's body.  Over the years, suspenders have tried to make a comeback.  I offer that the greatest attempt was in "Back to the Future" when Marty McFly was seen allowing his suspenders to dangle at his side rather them hold up his blue jeans.  Alas, there's really no love left for suspenders and that brings us to present day America.

{A quick aside.  Any person seen wearing suspenders often becomes the target of an elastic (or slingshot as I like to call it) attack.  Admit it.  It was the first thing you thought when you saw the person.  That, or you thought they were possessed by a 1920's mobster}

While I stated earlier that I don't wear them often enough, I must say whenever I put on a suit, suspenders to me are the preferred choice.  Not only do I save myself from wearing a belt but I find that I can better control the placement of the pant leg.  Trust me.  It's a fashion thing.

Now, I am not suggesting that you ripoff your belt in anarchic expression.  But the next time you are getting ready for a big night out on the town, consider the suspenders.  After all, it worked out for Larry King.