Suspender Style Guide: Choosing the Right Width Suspender



Suspenders come in a wide range of widths - from very thin ½" wide suspenders to relatively wide 2" wide suspenders. SuspenderStore carries suspenders in 7 different widths including:

Front view of blue suspender
½-inch Wide
Front view of black suspender
¾-inch Wide
Front view of red suspender
1-inch Wide
Front view of gold glitter suspender
1.25-inch Wide
Front view of red and purple plaid suspender
1.38-inch Wide
Front view of grey suspender
1.5-inch Wide
Front view of navy suspender
2-inch Wide


With all these choices - choosing a width can be a bit confusing!



Have you been wondering how wide your suspenders should be? You're not alone. In fact, it's a common question from people who are learning all about how to wear suspenders. The answer is that it depends on your personal preferences or suspender needs. What suspender width you decide on comes down to your height and body type. As you know, your body type is unique to you, and you may prefer a thinner width, an average width or the widest width we carry. Before making this decision, it's helpful to know what your measurements are.

How Do You Measure Suspenders?

Well, it's not a question of figuring out how to measure the suspenders themselves. For instance, if you end up measuring the wrong size of suspenders, that's not going to be very helpful. Instead, what you want to do is learn how to measure your body for suspenders which provides the right type of information you need to confidently order suspenders of any width. This style guide covers what you want to know about measuring yourself for suspenders and how those measurements correlate with suspender sizes.

So, now that you know more about getting the sizing right, which width suspender is right for you? Our helpful suspender width guide can help you figure this out. Choosing the right width has to do with how you would like to wear your suspenders. Will your suspenders be worn for function or for fashion? Answering that question right now can point you in the right direction.

A Guide to Suspender Widths

Let's start with our Thin Suspenders - ½", ¾" and 1" wide. Thin suspenders are generally worn more for fashion than for function. While the clips on these suspenders are strong and they are helpful in holding up your pants, a thin suspender width will not be able to provide the same level of support as a wide suspender. Therefore, thin suspenders tend to be the suspender of choice for people most interested in wearing suspenders to create a trendy or fashionable look.

Generally, the thinner the suspender width, the edgier/trendier it will look. For this reason, many of our younger customers prefer to wear thin fashion suspenders. Also, because women tend to be built smaller than men, women often find that a thinner suspender looks less "overwhelming" on them than a wider suspender. Thin suspenders can also be used to convey a vintage/page boy type of look.

Two models wearing suspendersThese models are wearing ¾’ Suspenders
Model wearing red suspenders talking on the phoneThese are 1 ½” wide suspenders

Our Mid-range Widths - 1.25", 1.38" and 1.5" - are most popular with people who want the versatility of being able to wear the suspenders in both casual and business situations. These medium width suspenders convey a more conservative look than our thinner suspenders, but they are still dressier than our 2" wide suspenders and generally come with dressier clips and hardware. In many cases, suspender manufacturers produce 1.38" wide suspenders in dressier patterns and fabrics. In this width, you are likely to see suspenders made of such fabrics as silk, grosgrain, oxford cloth and jacquard, making this width particularly popular with the Business crowd.

Interested in wearing thick suspenders? As a rule of thumb, our 2" Wide Suspenders are the suspender style of choice for those who prioritize function over fashion. Made with heavier duty materials and clips, 2" wide suspenders provide maximum support. For this reason, all of our Work Suspenders are made in this width - they are designed to withstand the strains of strenuous labor and heavy tool belts. And, as people age, they often find that a wider suspender is more comfortable for them given their unique physical needs. With their bigger clips and tougher construction, 2" wide suspenders generally portray a more casual look.

Model crouching wearing green suspendersThis man is wearing 2” wide suspenders

Can you wear wide width suspenders with a belt? You sure can. If you want to do this, you can ignore the suspenders and belt rule that says it's not acceptable. Simply find yourself some great-looking Belt Clip Suspenders, wear with a belt and enjoy the security of both.

Express Yourself with Suspenders

But remember - these are just guidelines and which width suspender you prefer is really a matter of personal taste and style! With the right attitude and outfit planning - any suspender can look terrific! So don't be afraid to experiment and try out different widths and styles. The pictures below show how the same person can look great in many different width suspenders. So, above all else, express yourself!

Model wearing bright green suspenders½ inch wide suspenders
Model wearing red suspenders and reading1 –inch wide suspenders
Model sitting and wearing black suspenders1 ½ inch wide suspenders
Models wearing red and black suspenders outside1-inch wide suspenders
Model wearing blue plaid suspenders outside1 3/8 inch wide suspenders
Model wearing blue and gray striped suspenders outside1 ½ inch wide suspenders