Suspenders and suspender buttons

[Kostya]

1. What is the best source for period-style (let's say 1920s-30s) suspenders?
2. What is the best way of attaching suspender buttons to your pants (I'm thinking about doing this to a pair of Bill's khakis)--inside or outside? I kind of like the outside idea (so the buttons don't press against your waist)--which is more period-correct? How big should the buttons be?

 

[Mike in Seattle]

More period-correct or at least classic would be those with leather or braided/woven silk loops for the buttons. Buttons on the outside seems more practical for a few reasons, but most suits have them on the inside - I guess that way they're not getting in the way of the belt should that be the route one chooses to take. Suspenderstore.com has a couple type of buttons - I have two sets of the clip-on ones. I found them handy for playing with exactly where the permanent buttons should be before sewing them on a couple pair of trousers I have. I've also been told not to sew them too far down from the top of the inside of the waistband or the part or all of the waistband of the trousers may flop over - but that's not a problem if the buttons are on the outside. And I believe 1/2" is the "normal" size for buttons - ask at a fabric store and they should be able to point you to them. The ones I've seen most often are flat on top and convex on the bottom. Sort of a slight cone shape so they're not flat against the fabric when sewn on - they're out a little way making it easier to hook the leather tabs or woven loops of the suspenders to the button.

Just type suspenders or braces in on one of the search engines, or on Ebay to find a good selection. Trafalgar and Albert Thurston are probably two of the best known...and priciest. I've got a few pair of Trafalgars that I lucked into on Ebay every now and then...and I've also got some that were $12-15 here or there that look just as good.