How to dress like a gentleman- A guide on the accessories worn by the gentleman .
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ACCESSORIES
BELT
The belt has always been more than a means of holding things up. Since early times it has been
associated with a sense of power and virility. On occasion it has functioned as a mark of rank, never
more than in the age of chivalry, when it was the emblem of the knight-richly wrought in precious
metals and worn low around the hips.
By the 19th century, the belt had lost all status and was hardly to be seen, except around the midriff
of toiling sportsmen. It was American influence, coupled with the eager advocacy of the Prince of
Wales, that began to turn attitudes around in the 1920s. Belted trousers became increasingly
popular with the mass acceptance of the two-piece suit, which in discarding the waistcoat exposed to
view frequently ugly braces. By the 1960s, belts had almost wholly supplanted braces, other than in
the realm of formal wear, while a prevailing youth fashion rendered them almost as low-slung and
ostentatious as those girdles of the knights of yore.
BELT
The belt has always been more than a means of holding things up. Since early times it has been
associated with a sense of power and virility. On occasion it has functioned as a mark of rank, never
more than in the age of chivalry, when it was the emblem of the knight-richly wrought in precious
metals and worn low around the hips.
By the 19th century, the belt had lost all status and was hardly to be seen, except around the midriff
of toiling sportsmen. It was American influence, coupled with the eager advocacy of the Prince of
Wales, that began to turn attitudes around in the 1920s. Belted trousers became increasingly
popular with the mass acceptance of the two-piece suit, which in discarding the waistcoat exposed to
view frequently ugly braces. By the 1960s, belts had almost wholly supplanted braces, other than in
the realm of formal wear, while a prevailing youth fashion rendered them almost as low-slung and
ostentatious as those girdles of the knights of yore.
A belt for casual wear may be colourful, and fitted with a striking buckle, so long as not too large or
flashy. Exotic leathers such as lizard skin make belts of distinction that border upon presumption. For
business suits, a plain belt is strongly recommended.
It must be darker in shade than the suit and should not exceed 3 cm in width. Those who insist upon
wearing a belt with evening wear should select one in elegant black calf with a neat silver buckle.
As a general rule, belt and shoes should be similar in colour, though not identical (exception: black).
Suede shoes always call for a suede belt.
The tongue of the belt should always extend 5cm beyond the buckle.
BRACES
The French lay claim to the invention of braces as bretelles, strips of ribbon fixed into buttonholes
around the time of the Revolution. These were adopted personally by Napoleon, who had his pair
decorated with bumblebees, a symbol of his native Corsica.
The idea was generally adopted from the 1820s, as trousers became wider and higher at the waist
and required supporting. For more than a century the adjustable, elasticized development of
bretelles known as braces (‘suspender’ in America) held sway.
As described above, a royal trend-setter conspired with changing times to drive braces to near
extinction in the 20th century, before reaction set in with the fuller trousers of the 1990s. This
brought blessed relief to the portly and new opportunities to the sartorially savvy.
Braces lost their frumpy image through imaginative new designs, the loudest of which were seized
upon by politicians and others who discovered that a bold set of braces seemed to broaden
shoulders and narrow the waistline, while hinting at raw power straining at the leash . In
conswquence, vivid reds wore out their welcome and need to be avoided at all costs.
In choosing between traditional buttoned braces and metal clip-ons, the traditional are much to be
preferred. Certain Americans elect to wear braces and a belt at the same time. This has to be
avoided at all costs.
FAUX PAS
Wearing braces and a belt at the same time.
flashy. Exotic leathers such as lizard skin make belts of distinction that border upon presumption. For
business suits, a plain belt is strongly recommended.
It must be darker in shade than the suit and should not exceed 3 cm in width. Those who insist upon
wearing a belt with evening wear should select one in elegant black calf with a neat silver buckle.
As a general rule, belt and shoes should be similar in colour, though not identical (exception: black).
Suede shoes always call for a suede belt.
The tongue of the belt should always extend 5cm beyond the buckle.
BRACES
The French lay claim to the invention of braces as bretelles, strips of ribbon fixed into buttonholes
around the time of the Revolution. These were adopted personally by Napoleon, who had his pair
decorated with bumblebees, a symbol of his native Corsica.
The idea was generally adopted from the 1820s, as trousers became wider and higher at the waist
and required supporting. For more than a century the adjustable, elasticized development of
bretelles known as braces (‘suspender’ in America) held sway.
As described above, a royal trend-setter conspired with changing times to drive braces to near
extinction in the 20th century, before reaction set in with the fuller trousers of the 1990s. This
brought blessed relief to the portly and new opportunities to the sartorially savvy.
Braces lost their frumpy image through imaginative new designs, the loudest of which were seized
upon by politicians and others who discovered that a bold set of braces seemed to broaden
shoulders and narrow the waistline, while hinting at raw power straining at the leash . In
conswquence, vivid reds wore out their welcome and need to be avoided at all costs.
In choosing between traditional buttoned braces and metal clip-ons, the traditional are much to be
preferred. Certain Americans elect to wear braces and a belt at the same time. This has to be
avoided at all costs.
FAUX PAS
Wearing braces and a belt at the same time.
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