Let's talk suspenders

[G.W. Strong]

Let's talk suspenders. Can someone please help me understand more about suspenders in the later 19th century. Prior to belt loops most pants seem to have suspender buttons. Therefore suspenders must have been fairly common. But what did they actually look like? I know social status, location and exact date would have had a big part which style was chosen but I would like to know more about the range of these things.

I know that X back suspenders are common for soldiers in the Civil War reenacting world. Did these go out of fashion? When did the Y back come in? How about Elastic? That strikes me as modern but I think rubber was around in the 1880s so perhaps elastic was too.

What about the clasps for adjustments what shapes were being used? Sliders? Folding Clasps? Prongs? Were they all in use or were there fashion trends?

What were the straps made from? Woven cloth? Folded and sewn cloth? Leather? Silk? Linen? Cotton?

Enquiring minds want to know...

[St. George]

You should already have a good idea of the use and look of suspenders from the thread over in 'The Barracks' - but here's something:

Why no pant's belts in the west?
« Reply #1 on: January 12, 2006, 03:14:39 pm »     

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We've covered this before and there's more in the back pages - but once more - we'll re-visit.

Though 'belts' have been around - 'trouser' belts haven't, since there were no trouser loops.

They're essentially a turn of the century invention.

Braces, galluses, or suspenders - all were used during the time - as were the high-waisted trousers.

They were effectively 'hidden' - both from view and from entanglement - by vests and coats - and 'all' men wore those as working dress.

If you didn't like wearing a pair - for reasons best known to yourself - then the adjustment belt was available at the rear and could be tightened as needed.

Many men did this - using friction to hold their pants in place.

The sewn trouser loop wouldn't become a 'staple' of men's furnishings for many years - despite what's seen in the 'John Ford Reference Library'...

I 'do' like this quote from the Dodge City Live Stock Journal:

"A fashion item says that leather belts are in favor.
They were in favor here at one time.
Perhaps there was a difference in them.
Ours were studded with cartridges, and were very popular..."

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

******

Now that said - for good examples, look at the various reprint catalogs of the big mail order houses, that you can find at both the Public Library and at Barnes & Noble's - they reprinted different pre-1900 editions of both the 'Sears, Roebuck & Co.' and the 'Montgomery Wards & Co.' catalogs, and they're a wealth of information on just what was 'really' worn at the time.

[CentralPacificRR]

If you go to CD Jarnagin Company and read their info on suspenders in the Civil War section it will help. They state their linen suspenders are typical of the 1830-1870 period. I have owned several and the quality and durability are excellent.

CPRR