Saturday, September 25, 2010

Brace Materials

Braces are meant to support your pants. Therefore, as little movement in the braces is desired. However, no movement will mean that there’s no flexibility, and the buttons could pop-off more easily. Therefore, balance is needed in the level of stretch in the braces.

•    Traditionalists will claim that box-cloth is the only true material. They are made of durable material, but don’t stretch very much when wearing them.

•    Certain elastic braces can be suitable, when they are firm and retain their shape. I generally prefer firm elastic braces that have some give.

•   There's also braided braces. These are bulky, like wearing two belts running down your shoulders, and appear uncomfortable.

•    Pants or skirts may also have fabric braces, which are made from the same material as the bottoms. These could include denim material. Fabric doesn’t stretch very much, and so do not provide the necessary movement when wearing them. But they do make a good fashion statement!


Regardless of the material, the back strap of the braces is generally elastic. This is to provide stretch in the area it is most needed – the back half for bending over.

You may not want to get the super stretchy braces, like those shown below, unless you are planning to do some major stretching!
Discussion time:
  • What brace materials do you prefer?
Note: all photos are used solely for non-commercial use and to illustrate braces in fashion. No plagiarism is intended.

    14 comments:

    1. I have one pair of silk braces which are ok, I much prefer elastic braces though for security and comfort and also they feel better and have some give in them !!!

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    2. I agree, elastic braces are more comfortable and secure, and have more stretch.

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      1. Have worn braces of various types of materials over the years.Definitely prefer elastic braces for comfort and support.The wider the braces the better.

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    3. I agree also. i love the elastic style the best. but some times there is a need for a different fabric. With work sometimes there are formal events i attend. sometimes a formal dress has to be worn but as i am a pants gal i mainly choose to wear a suit or similar styling to a tux. i have 2 "tuxedo" styles black and also in white and both wideleg with satin down each leg. so if im in them then i wear satin ones to match. these are comfortable but more so i love the look of them. i do have a fabric pair, a denim pair and also a couple of leather ones. out of them all the elastic is best and the worst is the leather. I have recently ordered a pair of red velvet albert thurstons from bromleys and cant wait for them to come and look forward to wearing them to work.

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      1. @Anonymous: Thanks for sharing. Do you have any photos of your braces, and the different fabric? I'd love to see the tuxedo style pants with braces.

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    4. A great discussion of braces - though I can't agree with the consensus regarding fully elasticated braces: I much prefer a cloth/ elastic mix - with the elastic being restricted to the lower back only. Nice wide barathea straps and well placed buttons takes care of the comfort and security aspects.

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      1. Thanks Jim. I find boxcloth materials exceptional on the right type of trousers. I enjoy both cloth and elastic. Enjoy wearing braces!

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    5. Would you happen to know from which year Nylon started getting used in Braces ? I have some New Albert Thurston Barathea braces which are a Nylon Cotton Blend . But they are rigid ( only the back is elastic ) . In particular , would you happen to know what year or decade Albert Thurston started making Braces using Nylon ?
      And we're the first nylon braces elasticated or non elastic ?

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      1. My understanding is that nylon came into mass use in the early 1940s. I suspect Albert Thurston started using nylon in that decade. Nylon was initially very firm, so it would have been non-elastic.

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    6. Thanks for sharing nice information about neck spine support stretching collar brace with us. i glad to read this post.

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    7. I have many different pairs of braces and they are all different materials. I have alot that are elastic but also have leather, denim , silk and satin. My favorite ones are the satin ones as I think they look the best

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      1. Sounds like an impressive collection of braces.Still think elastic braces are the best for support as thay stretch with your body movement.You can never have too many pairs of braces.

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    8. I have many pairs of braces and in all different materials. I have some that are the same material as the skirt they are attached to which might look nice but they don't offer any support and fall of the shoulders regularly. Then I have the trusty elastic style that offers better support and improves posture. My leather one's are the same as the elastic towards function and also offer a different look to an outfit. But my favorite material is my satin style braces. Their function is great because they have an elastic back strap which is great for movement as the satin front straps have no give in them at all. So my posture is great and my pants stay at the right height all the time. Plus the satin one's look great with any outfit

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      1. As a child I always wore the traditional elastic braces with my shorts.As an adult I tried braces made of other materials at various stages.I did particularly like braided leather braces which were button on but adjusted with buckles as they were different to what I was used to.However I have always felt that elastic braces do the best job of supporting trousers.

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