STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Suave in Suspenders

June 15th, 2015 at 2:00am

Once upon a time, high-waisted trousers were all the rage. These pants were not like the skinny jeans, which are often tight enough to hold themselves up, that we have today. These trousers required more than the average belt for support; long, fabric straps called suspenders were needed. Thus, suspenders became a clothing staple for the typical 20th century man.

Fast forward to today, and that’s no longer the case. The high-waisted trousers have been traded in for more fitted attire. With nothing to suspend, suspenders are now worn less for practicality and more for aesthetics. It’s not limited to men anymore, either. Women are also getting in on the action. See, suspenders have this magical ability of transforming a simple outfit into something more formal, polished and hipster-like.

Take this Fashionisto’s outfit for example. I spotted this trendy fellow at a semi-formal dance. He paired his black suspenders with a crisp, white button-down, dark skinny jeans, tan boat shoes and a silver watch. Now, I know what you’re thinking. Who wears skinny jeans to a formal event? It doesn’t seem appropriate, but when you add suspenders to the mix, it looks good. It looks chic. The pop of color from the boat shoes also adds pizzazz to an otherwise monochromatic palette. The combination of these five pieces gives the impression of a clean, well put together ensemble appropriate for a dance or a dinner date.

What is your STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK? “My advice is to embrace fashion experimentation. Semi-formal events offer a chance to browse through a versatile selection of clothes. After all, it is important to remember that you are not tied up to the limited fashion choices of formal events.”

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