If you’ve ever fancied adding X suspenders as an accessory to your pants, skirts or shorts, you may have found it difficult to find them in a women’s fashion store. And the reason for that is that famous stores, like JJ, make unisex suspenders that are equally wearable for women and men. So bearing in mind that you can buy X suspenders from many men’s stores, we’ve offered some trendsetting suggestions here on the best ways to wear them as a female accessory! Because suspenders are yet another retro treasure that’s back in fashion to make us all look extra-stylish this year!
What Are Suspenders/Braces?
I’ll just clear up what could be some confusion here. In Britain a suspender-belt holds up woman’s stockings, like a ‘garter belt’ does in the U.S. And American ‘suspenders’ are called ‘braces’ in British English. Anyway, they are long strips of leather or elasticated material that you attach to the front and back waistband of your trousers. The straps are worn over your shoulders and they keep your trousers up, without needing a belt.
They are mostly worn by men, as women have a bust at the front which can sometimes interfere with the fit of the straps. But for slim, boyish figures they make a fabulous extra accessory that can instantly lift the fashion appeal of pants, skirts and shorts. They are easy to put on and the new suspenders for women this year will have small, metal clips that fasten onto the waistband of your garment. This is instead of buttons, as women’s clothes don’t have suspender buttons sewn on them.
New-style women’s suspenders
However, there are some suspenders purposely designed for women’s wear and as they are considered more of a fashion accessory than a trouser supporter, they are more creatively designed, with decorative flourishes and unconventional touches, like asymmetrical suspenders. Asymmetrical suspenders are attached to the waistband in the normal way, and then both straps are worn over just one shoulder for a contemporary casual look.
And leather trousers look great with women’s X suspenders in matching black leather with metal rings joining the suspenders to the broad, shoulders pads in leather decorated with studs. I’ve even seen some leather braces with decorative, adjustable buckles too, making it easy to get the correct strap length! So far from being a boring, male accessory, this year’s women’s X suspenders are really breaking out into the fashion accessory spotlight!
How to get the right size of X suspenders
The main thing is finding the correct size for women’s wear as men have a larger frame and a wider body in general, so you need to consult the local store’s or the online store’s size guide. And then choose a size smaller than you would normally pick. And as women are mostly slimmer than men, if you pick suspenders that are too wide, they can look out of proportion and spoil the boyish look you are trying to put together.
So bear in mind that narrow suspenders are more flattering on women, but wider suspenders may be more comfy, depending on the shape and size of your bust. Because women are generally slighter in build than men, wide suspenders can sometimes look oversized and can detract from the overall look you are trying to achieve. Skinny suspenders tend to be more flattering on women, while wide suspenders can be more comfortable depending on how they are worn.
Fashion shop suspenders
However, there are some suspenders purposely designed for women’s wear and as they are considered more of a fashion accessory than a trouser supporter, they are more creatively designed, with decorative flourishes and unconventional touches, like asymmetrical suspenders. Asymmetrical suspenders are attached to the waistband in the normal way, and then both straps are worn over just one shoulder for a contemporary casual look.
And leather trousers look great with women’s X suspenders in matching black leather with metal rings joining the suspenders to the broad, shoulders pads in leather decorated with studs. I’ve even seen some leather braces with decorative, adjustable buckles too, making it easy to get the correct strap length! So far from being a boring, male accessory, this year’s women’s X suspenders are really breaking out into the fashion accessory spotlight!
Formal & casual suspender styles
In the realm of women’s suspender fashions, there are two main styles and these are the formal, masculine look and the casual image. The tailored style usual has button holes on the ends of the straps to be attached to buttons already sewn on the waistband, in dark colors like gray, navy and black. The female, casual look is mostly worn with denim jeans or casual shorts/skirts and women like to wear different fabrics, such as brightly colored denim or leather – maybe also having a pattern stamped along the strap.
Winter colors for suspenders
If you struggle to choose the best color for your X suspenders, think about this year’s batch of new fashion colors for winter and summer and buy colors that will match or complement these color trends. Winter colors are not all black and navy this year and there’s a big trend towards brown pants that you should take into account.
All colors of brown are included in this such as tan, sand, khaki, beige, mustard and subtle golden tones. Dark forest green, rich sea-green and burgundy are definitely high-fashion winter shades, too. In particular, soft gray and brown plaid jackets are trendy and chic. And of course, dark wash denim in a huge range of wider leg styles is swamping the fashion stores!
Summer colors for suspenders
And for the summer the new cropped sweaters and cute, waist length cardigans are available to buy now in lots of soft and pretty styles that accentuate your waist. You can wear these cardigans buttoned up or left open, if you want to show off your suspenders. And you can get a super-girly look with X suspenders showing under a lavender cardigan decorated with pearl button or shiny gem buttons. The contrast between menswear and women’s wear, always emphasizes femininity! So summer suspenders will be in the same range of sand, beige, cream, and pastel green, lavender, pink, blue and peach.
Do Suspenders Look Good with Jeans?
Yes, they look hot! Suspenders can look good with any garment that has a waistband. You just have to get used to matching the suspender’s color and style to what you’re wearing. They draw attention to your bust and show that you’re more interesting than someone who always wears a traditional belt with their jeans! And as the oversize trend is here again this year, a lot of women will find that wearing suspenders with their wider jeans is not only totally trendy, but also very comfortable!
Because none of us likes to keep having to haul up the waistband of loose jeans. And we’re definitely not going back to the ‘jeans falling down over your butt’ style! And don’t imagine that you can only wear suspenders with wide-leg jeans, because you can wear narrow suspenders with your skinny jeans, your faux/leather jeans, your yellow, pink or green jeans and your skirts!
Best Suspenders to Wear with Jeans
Now this is going to be a very important question this year, as wide-leg jeans, barrel jeans, balloon jeans, flares, bell-bottom, straight legs, boot cuts and culottes all compete with skinny jeans for your interest. I think that the style of jeans we choose to wear on any particular occasion will vary, and we’ll all probably end up owning a range of different, new jean styles.
And that will mean you’ll want more than one pair of suspenders, too. As it has never been traditional to wear suspenders with jeans, there’ll be a new range of women’s jean suspenders coming to the stores near you very soon! And women are already snapping up this new fashion accessory fast, because we’re desperate for a new start and the trendy new styles of this year!
Suspenders and bright plaid tennis skirts
The short, bright, pleated, checked and plaid tennis skirts are gorgeous this year and will look wonderful on slim young women. And you can also add even more trendy style by adding a pair of suspenders over your top to match the main color of the plaid. Suspenders can be added to all sorts of skirts, especially smart black or gray plaid pencil skirts with a white or white-striped shirt.
Suspenders & jeans suggestions:
Leather, tan-suede and light-colored suspenders for jeans
If you fancy a Boho look, you can get it quite easily by adding suspenders to your jeans. Team up loose cropped, or Capri jeans with a loose, tucked in shirt with the buttons fastened. Your shirt should be pulled up a little from your waistband to make it a bit puffy, as that will give you a slimmer-looking waist. Then just add a pair of light-colored suspenders and you’ll have changed the vibe of your outfit immediately. And if you like to be quirky, you can decorate your suspenders with the cute enamel pins that are popular this year, too.
Suspenders on denim shorts with long sleeve shirt
This three-piece outfit gives a cute, quirky look, too and adds extra fashion-style to your summer look. Just wear a fine-knit sweater with your shorts and pop a pair of wider strap suspenders to finish the ensemble. And if the sun’s hot, top it all off with a floppy hat and you’ll be protecting your hair and projecting a very trendy fashion sense.
Dark Jeans, Light-Shirt & Matching Suspenders
This is a very modern fashion look, which matches black, gray, indigo, brown, forest green or navy jeans with a pastel colored shirt and skinny suspenders that match your dark jeans color. Or you can wear light wash jeans in warmer weather, with a darker shirt and matching suspenders. And really, you can spend an afternoon at home experimenting with all your different colored jeans, shirts and suspenders, because the mix and match options are very varied!
Jeans, suspenders and a smart blazer
This is a great choice for a fashionable office look, in which you are wearing smart casual jeans in a semi-formal outfit. Wear a blazer that’s darker than your jeans and leave the jacket open, so everyone can enjoy your fabulous suspenders! Wear a gray plaid oversized blazer you got from a thrift shop and that will be absolutely the height of fashion, too!
Plain color suspenders & patterned shirts
This classy look will also dress you comfortably and with fashion flair during the summer months. Wear a patterned top with plain-colored suspenders that harmonize with the main color of the shirt and/or the color of the trousers or casuals, depending on your workplace. Then you have a super new look that you can wear during worktime and go on out for dinner and drinks in the same ensemble in the evening!
You don’t have to spend a fortune on getting all the new items in this year’s fashion explosion, either just buy one of two key items to start the year with. Or haunt your local thrift and second hand shops that are bound to be full of suitable retro garments and loads of suspenders, I’m sure!
