Braces

So I don’t know about you but when the word braces in mentioned, my mind can split two ways...

I either vision a couple of geeky kids with glasses, spots and a mouth of metal or I vision the fireman fantasy of the naked chest, yellow hat and red braces...

But it seems after researching into the history of braces, or suspenders as the Americans call them, that my fireman fantasy is going to have to be on hold.

Braces came about in the 1800’s, supposedly invented by a man called Albert Thurston, and were a little different from the stretchy numbers that we wear today.

 Originally made out of silk, they were worn strictly under waistcoats and attached to high waisted trousers using buttons, until 1894 when the metal clasp was introduced.

In the 19^th/20^th century braces were seen as an underwear accessory and it was considered rude and inappropriate to show them in public. So much so, that the high waisted pants were designed to be just that bit higher at the back. This was to ensure that if, god forbid, your waistcoat was to lift up as you bent down to tie your shoelaces, or have a quick glimpse up a ladies undergarment, your braces would not be on show.

The functions of braces were of the most practical. There’s the story of the 18^th century rich men who retained a large ‘diet’ and grew in stomach mass on a day to day basis. They become so full at the table that they began to wear braces in order to be able to loosen their waistband without having to fiddle around with a belt.

But the main function is one we can all relate to. Remember the days of standing in the playground in front of a boy or girl you wanted to snog behind the bike shed and then the school jokers runs up behind you and whips your pants down?...We’ve all been there, well everyone except for the brace wearers of the 19^th century. They wore the clever little suspenders to keep their trousers up...a skill the men of today could use help with.

As you can imagine if it was deemed inappropriate to simply show the braces, walking round with your pants to the ground isn’t going to go down to well either.

Alas, as men’s fashion developed and trouser waist lines got lower, the braces of the world faded to the background and the blasted belt made a comeback.

But braces are yet to R.I.P... They have been worn by the rebel skinheads and Bovver boys of the 1970’s and the American Gangsters of the 50’s. Not forgetting the most fashionable celebs...erm, Robin Williams in Mork and Mindy and Michael Douglas in Wall Street.

Skinheads

Mork and Mindy - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2y2UE9yO5E

Women are not ones for being left out the brace equation either...but their more interested in the mini suspenders that attach to their underwear and stockings.  I’ll leave the men with that image while we girls get back to that fireman...........................