Q: My brother-in-law is always wearing pants without a belt or braces. I tell him he needs one or the other. He claims that because the trousers have a button-over tab, no belt or braces are needed. Who’s right?

A: I think it looks a little sloppy to wear trousers with belt loops without a belt or braces. I almost did it this morning, but my conscience pulled me back to the closet before I left the house. Wearing braces and a belt makes you look like a terrible pessimist; i.e., dork. But if you don’t like belts, there is an option. The classic Savile Row suit features adjustable side tabs, little belts made of the same fabric as the trousers, on either side of the waistband. They eliminate the need for a belt, and they look better with braces than trousers with belt loops do. Usually, these tabs are found only on bespoke clothing, but they can also be had on made-to-measure clothing from certain manufacturers, including Oxxford, Brioni and Battistoni. Some better men’s stores, such as Barneys New York or Bergdorf Goodman, will create them for you on other brands if you request it. Bergdorf Goodman has them on its own custom line. Incotex offers such slacks without suits in Super 150s wool (212-691-5100); they’re pricey, but you’ll save money on belts and braces.

October 2000

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