Braces vs Suspenders: What's the Difference?
Posted by Walter Schulz on Oct 6th 2026
Braces and suspenders are the same thing: straps that go over your shoulders to hold up your trousers. "Suspenders" is the American English word, while "braces" is the British English word, also used in Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. The confusion comes from the fact that in the UK, "suspenders" means something else entirely: the straps that hold up stockings or socks, which Americans call garters.
Here is a simple breakdown of the terms, where each word comes from, and the one style distinction some menswear fans still make.
Braces vs Suspenders at a Glance
| What It Is | American English | British English |
|---|---|---|
| Straps over the shoulders that hold up trousers | Suspenders | Braces |
| Straps that hold up stockings | Garters or a garter belt | Suspenders or a suspender belt |
| Bands that hold up dress socks | Sock garters | Sock suspenders |
| Wires used to straighten teeth | Braces | Braces |
So if a British friend asks to borrow your suspenders, they probably are not talking about your trousers. And if an American asks where to buy braces, they may be thinking about the orthodontist.
Where the Word "Braces" Comes From
"Brace" comes from the idea of something that supports or holds firm, the same sense as bracing a wall or a beam. British designer Albert Thurston is widely credited with creating the first modern braces for men, designed to button onto the high-waisted trousers of the time. The name stuck in Britain and spread through much of the English-speaking world.
To this day, traditional British menswear calls them braces, and classic British braces are typically button-on, with leather or fabric ends and a Y-back or H-back. Read more about how the design evolved in our brief history of suspenders.
Where the Word "Suspenders" Comes From
"Suspenders" comes from the verb "suspend," meaning to hang something or hold it up. In the United States and Canada, it became the everyday word for trouser straps. Today, if you walk into a store anywhere in North America and ask for suspenders, everyone knows exactly what you mean.
Because the American market grew so large, "suspenders" is also the term most commonly used by online retailers worldwide, which is why British shoppers searching online often see both words used side by side.
Is There a Style Difference?
Officially, no. The two words describe the same item. But among menswear enthusiasts, you will often hear an informal distinction:
- "Braces" for traditional, formal styles that button onto the inside of the trouser waistband, usually with leather or fabric ends, often in a Y-back. These are the kind worn with tailored suits.
- "Suspenders" for styles that clip onto the waistband, which are quicker to put on and work with almost any pants, including jeans and work trousers.
This is a convention, not a rule. Plenty of Americans call their button-on dress styles suspenders, and plenty of Brits call clip-on styles braces. If you are shopping, the attachment type matters far more than the name. Browse our button suspenders for the traditional braces look, or our clip suspenders for everyday convenience.
Other Names You Might Hear
- Trouser braces: the full British term, used to make clear you do not mean dental braces.
- Galluses: an old American term, still heard in parts of the rural South and Appalachia.
- Sock suspenders: British for the bands that hold up dress socks, known as sock garters in the US.
- Suspender belt: British for what Americans call a garter belt.
Shopping From the UK, Ireland, or Australia?
If you call them braces, you are in the right place. Every pair we sell is what you would call braces: straps that go over your shoulders to hold up your trousers.
A few things to know when ordering from outside the US:
- Sizes are in inches. Suspender size is the full strap length, based on your height. Our 42 inch size fits about 5'0" to 5'9", 48 inch fits about 5'9" to 6'1", and 54 inch fits about 6'1" to 6'5". Use our Find My Fit tool if you are unsure.
- We ship internationally. International orders ship via USPS, and faster tracked delivery through DHL Express is available on request. See our shipping policy for details.
- "Y-back" and "X-back" describe the shape the straps make across your back. British braces are traditionally Y-back, which you can browse in our Y-back collection.
Which Should You Buy?
Whatever you call them, the choice comes down to how you will wear them:
- For suits and formal events: button-on braces in a slim width, ideally in a Y-back.
- For everyday wear and jeans: clip-on suspenders that attach to any waistband.
- For work: wide 2 inch straps with strong clips or buttons in an X-back.
For a full comparison of every hardware type, see our Suspender Attachment Guide, and for fit and styling tips, read our complete guide on how to wear suspenders.
Classic Braces, American Suspenders
Navy/Grey Striped Button Suspenders Button-on "braces" style From $19.95 Shop Now |
Navy/Grey Striped Clip Suspenders Clip-on "suspenders" style From $19.95 Shop Now |
1.5" Button Suspenders - Stripes, Dots, Checks Classic patterned braces From $20.95 Shop Now |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between braces and suspenders?
There is no difference in the item itself. Both are straps worn over the shoulders to hold up trousers. "Suspenders" is the American English term and "braces" is the British English term. In the UK, "suspenders" refers to straps that hold up stockings or socks.
Why do British people call suspenders braces?
"Brace" means something that supports or holds firm. The term became standard in Britain, where Albert Thurston is widely credited with designing the first modern trouser braces, and it is still the everyday word there today.
What do British people call suspenders?
They call them braces, or trouser braces. In British English, "suspenders" means the straps on a suspender belt that hold up stockings, or sock suspenders that hold up dress socks.
Are braces only button-on?
No. Some menswear enthusiasts use "braces" for traditional button-on styles and "suspenders" for clip-on styles, but this is an informal convention. Both words can describe either attachment type.
Do Australians say braces or suspenders?
Australians, like the British and Irish, generally say braces. Canadians, like Americans, generally say suspenders.