How did grandpa hold his pants up?

[Stephen Tashiro]

I'm trying to do a sketch of my grandfather's family from a photograph that dates from about 1914. It isn't a clear picture and I can't see what kind of suspender or strap my grandfather is wearing on his belt. It's in the lower right of this photo: http://s716.photobucket.com/albums/ww164/tashirosgt/
I interpret the dark straps as perhaps a watch chain or a some kind of suspender. But the straps (?) attached to the other side of his belt are light in color and I can't see them against his white shirt. Any one know about old time men's wear?

[Peter Stahl]

I'm trying to do a sketch of my grandfather's family from a photograph that dates from about 1914. It isn't a clear picture and I can't see what kind of suspender or strap my grandfather is wearing on his belt. It's in the lower right of this photo: http://s716.photobucket.com/albums/ww164/tashirosgt/
I interpret the dark straps as perhaps a watch chain or a some kind of suspender. But the straps (?) attached to the other side of his belt are light in color and I can't see them against his white shirt. Any one know about old time men's wear?

Some were attached to the pant by buttons on the inside of the waist band. My wife's grandfather wore them like that.

[Frank Corker]

Looking at that picture I don't think they are suspenders, he's wearing a belt for one, old guys didn't use them both. He has it only on one side, I think it's possibly a strap holding his mobile phone

[Joe Pelonio]

Looking at that picture I don't think they are suspenders, he's wearing a belt for one, old guys didn't use them both. He has it only on one side, I think it's possibly a strap holding his mobile phone
Yes, the 1914 mobile phone. I think they are light colored suspenders in the type shown on this kid in the link: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2e/First_Suspenders.png

[Lee Schierer]

Both my grandfathers wore braces for their trousers. They had older sets for wear aboutn the house and nicer ones for more formal occassions. The type most of us recall had metal clips, but the ones my gand fathers wore had leather straps that attached to buttons inside the top hem of the trousers. Like these:
http://www.josbank.com/Images/Catalog/ProductImages/5597.jpg

I don't recall them also wearing a belt unless they were carrying a sheath knife or ring of keys.

There used to be an old saying about being extra careful that likened the act in question to wearing a belt with suspenders.

[Mike Sheppard]

Stephen
Some of us old guys did (do)wear belt and suspenders,suspenders to keep pants up and belt to carry things. The suspenders do button inside the pants and the dark strap might be something he was carrying. Could he have been a law man?
Mike

[Charles Wiggins]

It appears to be a tether for something, and I imagine that something would be a) something he didn't want to lose, and/or b) something he used intermittently, but often. My best guesses would be a watch or reading glasses.

[Stephen Tashiro]

I like the idea that both the dark strap on the left side of the photo ( his right) and the light straps on the right side of the photo ( his left) are tethers. I think the one on the right side of the photo must go into his shirt's breast pocket (if shirt's in those days had them) or to something that is pinned to his shirt.

Grandpa wasn't a lawman. This picture is taken outside a house near Rocky Point Amusement Park, RI. In the summer, he ran an amusement booth in the park called "Japanese Ping Pong"

[Dennis Peacock]

Use a piece of 1/2" rope for a belt and just remember to tie a good knot in the front. :D

[Joe Pelonio]

Use a piece of 1/2" rope for a belt and just remember to tie a good knot in the front. :D
Ah, a fan of Ellie May Clampett!

http://www.tvland.com/photogallery/photos/Elly-May.jpg


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