To wear suspenders, attach the back clip or clips to the center back of your waistband, bring the straps over your shoulders, and attach the front clips above your front pockets. Adjust the straps so your pants sit at your natural waist and the straps lie flat with no slack. Do not wear a belt with suspenders, and pair them with a collared shirt and a bow tie for a classic look.
Suspenders are back in style for weddings, holidays and everyday outfits, and they are one of the easiest ways to make men, boys and toddlers look put together. This guide covers how to put on suspenders, how to adjust them, the different types, what to wear them with, and how to style a bow tie and suspenders for Christmas.
How to Put On Suspenders: Step by Step
- Put on your pants and shirt first. Tuck your shirt in so the waistband is smooth.
- Attach the back first. Clip the back of the suspenders to the center back of your waistband. Y-back suspenders have one back clip. X-back suspenders have two back clips, placed a few inches apart on either side of center.
- Bring the straps over your shoulders. Make sure the straps are not twisted.
- Attach the front clips. Clip each front strap to the waistband directly above your front pockets, roughly in line with the crease of each pant leg.
- Adjust the length. Slide the adjusters until your pants sit at your natural waist and the straps lie flat against your chest and back.
Kids and toddlers follow the same steps. With a squirmy toddler, attach the back clip while they stand facing away from you, then clip the front.
How Should Suspenders Fit?
Suspenders should hold your pants at your natural waist without pulling them up too high. The straps should lie flat with gentle tension, and the clips should not slide or pull at the fabric. If your pants ride up, loosen the straps. If the straps sag or slip off your shoulders, tighten them.
How to Adjust Suspenders
To adjust suspenders, slide the metal adjusters on each strap up to shorten or down to lengthen. Adjust both front straps the same amount so the suspenders stay even. Put the suspenders on, check them in a mirror, and fine-tune until both sides look balanced.
Can You Wear Suspenders With a Belt?
No, you should not wear suspenders with a belt. Suspenders and belts do the same job, so wearing both is a well-known style mistake. If your pants have belt loops, simply leave the loops empty when you wear suspenders.
Types of Suspenders
- Clip-on suspenders: Metal clips grip the waistband of any pants. Clip-on suspenders are the easiest choice for kids, toddlers and most men.
- Button suspenders: Leather tabs attach to buttons sewn inside the waistband of dress pants. Button suspenders are traditional with suits and tuxedos.
- Y-back suspenders: The straps join in one strap at the back, which gives a clean look under a jacket.
- X-back suspenders: The straps cross in an X at the back and attach with two clips, which helps keep them in place.
- Leather and buckle suspenders: Leather or vegan leather straps with buckle details give a rustic, western or vintage look.
What to Wear With Suspenders
Suspenders With a Suit
Wear suspenders under a suit jacket with a dress shirt and a bow tie or necktie. Keep the jacket on for formal moments and take it off at the reception or party to show the suspenders.
Suspenders With Jeans
Wear suspenders with dark jeans, a tucked button-down or flannel shirt, and boots. A bow tie is optional but makes the outfit photo-ready.
Suspenders With Chinos and a Bow Tie
Chinos, a collared shirt, suspenders and a bow tie are the classic outfit for family photos, weddings, ring bearers and holiday parties. This look works for men, boys and toddlers.
Are Suspenders in Style?
Yes, suspenders are in style, especially for weddings, holidays and family photos. Matching bow tie and suspenders sets are popular for grooms, groomsmen, ring bearers and dad and son outfits. Suspenders also solve a practical problem for boys and toddlers, whose pants slip down easily.
How to Style a Bow Tie and Suspenders for Christmas
A Christmas bow tie and suspenders set is the easiest complete holiday outfit. Pick a festive bow tie and a coordinating suspender color:
- Red plaid bow tie + red suspenders: The classic Christmas look.
- Red bow tie + green suspenders: Bold red and green for Christmas parties.
- Buffalo plaid bow tie + black or brown leather suspenders: A rustic, cabin-style Christmas outfit.
- Velvet bow tie + matching velvet-color suspenders: A dressy look for Christmas Eve and church.
- Santa or reindeer bow tie + navy or gray suspenders: Fun for kids without being too loud.
The Bold Bow Tie handmakes Christmas bow tie and suspenders sets in the USA in sizes from 6 months to Big & Tall, so the whole family can match. Shop individual Christmas bow ties, or see more ideas in our guides to toddler boy Christmas outfits and what to wear to a Christmas party.
Dad and Son Matching Christmas Outfits
Dad and son matching outfits are easy with a bow tie and suspenders set in the same color for each person. Dress dad, sons and toddlers in the same Christmas bow tie and suspenders set, keep shirts white or light blue, and choose khaki, navy or gray pants. Matching sets look polished in Christmas photos without everyone wearing identical clothes.