Suspender Buttons

[Widebrim]

Can someone help? I just brought my father's 1946 suit to the tailor's over in Studio City to have it altered to my dimensions (a costly endeavor!). What I don't understand is why there are four white, front buttons on the inside of the trousers, but two grey, rear buttons on the outside. I checked inside the back of the trousers, and there seems to be no evidence of any inside buttons having been removed. Surely, the suspenders wouldn't have been attached to the inside front, and then to the outside rear? Please help.

 

[arthur]

Actually it was common for pants of this era to have the rear buttons on the outside.Is the rear seam at the top split into a kind of Y or V.You've got the real deal my friend be proud to wear them.

 

[MrBern]

Can someone help? I just brought my father's 1946 suit to the tailor's over in Studio City to have it altered to my dimensions (a costly endeavor!). What I don't understand is why there are four white, front buttons on the inside of the trousers, but two grey, rear buttons on the outside. I checked inside the back of the trousers, and there seems to be no evidence of any inside buttons having been removed. Surely, the suspenders wouldn't have been attached to the inside front, and then to the outside rear? Please help.

I do have WWII officer trousers that have this suspender button configuration.

 

[anon`]

Actually it was common for pants of this era to have the rear buttons on the outside.Is the rear seam at the top split into a kind of Y or V.You've got the real deal my friend be proud to wear them.

What he said. Time was when all six buttons were on the outside. As waistcoats became less common, they migrated to the inside. This isn't the first example of this configuration that I've heard of. I suppose one was intended to not remove their jacket, so external buttons on the back would never be noticed anyway?

Either way, it's cool! That's one of those details you just don't see very often any longer.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

It's perfectly normal, as others have stated.

bk

 

[Sir RBH]

Brace Buttons

And with bespoke Suits it really does depend on personal preference. I like to have my Brace Buttons on the outside of the waistband, but several of my suits have them on the inside.. and nearly all of my more traditionally styled modern Moleskins and Cords have them on the inside..
However it all about personal preference..
And here a couple of pics from this morning..
Have a Good day.
RBH

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb214/fogeyunlimited/RBH/Nov112008005.jpg

 

[H.Johnson]

Internal front brace buttons usually identified a two piece suit, I think.

 

[Edward]

And with bespoke Suits it really does depend on personal preference. I like to have my Brace Buttons on the outside of the waistband, but several of my suits have them on the inside.. and nearly all of my more traditionally styled modern Moleskins and Cords have them on the inside..
However it all about personal preference..
And here a couple of pics from this morning..
Have a Good day.
RBH

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb214/fogeyunlimited/RBH/Nov112008005.jpg

What is that at the bottom of the shirt, the fabric that the braces go through before they button onto the trousers? Is that a novel way of ensuring that your long johns stay up instead of riding down?

 

[H.Johnson]

A standard feature of real underwear.

 

[Sir RBH]

Brace Tapes

Indeed
Traditional styled Long underwear did not have an elastic waistband (thankfully) and has a button yoke front, so the waist area has "Brace Tapes" which you place the runners of your braces through which keeps everything neatly and very comfortable in place

 

[Sir RBH]

A standard feature of real underwear.

Im certainly not a fan of the modern elastic waist varieties...

 

[Tomasso]

The Duke of Windsor favored this setup, as he eschewed suspenders.

 

[Widebrim]

Thank you, gentlemen, for clearing this up. And, yes, I will wear them with pride since the suit was my father's (who's 90 now, and has no use for it).

 

[H.Johnson]

I just bought a pair of 1980s chino-style trousers by The Gap from a charity shop with this same feature.

The Duke of Windsor favored this setup, as he eschewed suspenders.

 

[Sunny]

Indeed
Traditional styled Long underwear did not have an elastic waistband (thankfully) and has a button yoke front, so the waist area has "Brace Tapes" which you place the runners of your braces through which keeps everything neatly and very comfortable in place

That is amazing; I had no idea. Do you know how long ago that began?

 

[der schneider]

I think it looks a lot better on the inside of the trousers

 

[Sir RBH]

I think it looks a lot better on the inside of the trousers

I like to leave them outside although this particular pair are VERY long.. and I would tuck these in..

 

[Edward]

Aha! That explains it. I've never dabbled with period underwear, but it's very clear how it works now you explain what it is. I suppose that the trousers on which it shows over the top were intended to be worn with a waistcoat so it was hidden from view?

 

[Sir RBH]

Aha! That explains it. I've never dabbled with period underwear, but it's very clear how it works now you explain what it is. I suppose that the trousers on which it shows over the top were intended to be worn with a waistcoat so it was hidden from view?

Yep, thats right.. The underwear wouldn't have been visible as a waistcoat or jumper would have been worn.. However, I quite like people seeing i wear underwear with Brace tapes!

 

[David V]

That is amazing; I had no idea. Do you know how long ago that began?

About the early 15th century.
About that time joined hose developed and were pointed (tied) to the doublet.