Tartan Braces

They are the same garment under two names. Braces is the British term and suspenders is the American one. Confusingly, suspenders in British English means something else entirely, which is why product listings often use both words. Everything on this page is the shoulder worn kind.

Buttons are traditional and considerably more secure, since a clip can release under strain at exactly the wrong moment. They need buttons sewn inside the waistband, which any tailor does in minutes. Clips work on any trousers with no alteration. For a wedding or a long formal day, use buttons.

No. A kilt fastens with its own leather straps and buckles at the waist and there is nothing for braces to attach to. Braces are for trousers. With a kilt, the equivalent finishing pieces are a kilt belt and buckle or a waistcoat, and you wear one or the other rather than both.

Never. They do the same job by opposite means, so wearing both is visually confused and pointless. Choose one. Braces suit a higher rise trouser and a suit. A belt suits a lower rise and casual wear. If your trousers need both to stay up, the waist measurement is wrong.

Most are adjustable across a wide range, so height rather than waist is the measurement that matters. Measure from the front waistband, over the shoulder, to the back waistband and compare against the product range. Taller wearers should check the maximum length before ordering rather than assuming one size covers everyone.

Premium acrylic woven to the sett with genuine leather ends and metal fittings. The elastic is what wears out first on any braces, so avoid leaving them stretched over a hanger for long periods and unclip them rather than pulling them off over the shoulders.