iCandy
The hip hop music scene may have infiltrated today's pop culture but one of its worst fashion influences is the baggy jeans phenomenon. After seeing far too many young (and not so young) men wearing jeans that are literally falling off their backsides, it's nice to find some stylish guys out there who are cool enough to don a pair of braces to keep their trousers up.
Braces have been a staple in most proper gentlemen's closets for a long time but are now enjoying a renaissance. However, instead of using them for practical reasons and always hidden from sight, try wearing them openly as an accessory in their own right.
Even if your trousers aren't at risk of falling off without the help of braces, like Kennie's (right), they still look cool. He's wearing a pair of slim grey jeans, a slim-fitting white button-down shirt, a skinny black belt and ultra-thin black braces. I like the way his entire look is long and lean and all works together.
Thin braces are a nice alternative for those who think the wider versions are too frumpy.
Head on over to Kitterick Fashion Community (Shop F6 & F8, 1/F, Fashion Island, 11 Great George Street, Causeway Bay, tel: 2881 0276) where I picked up a pair of skinny red leather braces (also available in black). Slipping on a pair of braces is a simple way to add a bit of personality to even the most basic of outfits such as a white tee and jeans.
Foo (right) demonstrates that you don't even need to have your braces clipped on to trousers to wear this look; instead, she's clipped her skinny braces on to her belt, which she's used to cinch her oversized shirt. She's wearing stirrup leggings and ankle boots and her look is a mish-mash of different trends that still looks nonchalantly cool. Follow her example and make sure the braces and the belt are the same width - otherwise the ensemble will look off-kilter.
On the other hand, if you prefer wide braces to skinny braces, there're myriad places that offer these traditional options. Classic men's stores such as Brooks Brothers and Ralph Lauren have styles that are great when juxtaposed with a hip outfit. Pick something that has a touch of prep-school styling in colours such as maroon, hunter green or navy blue. And if you can nab a striped pair in those colours, that's even better.
For these more traditional options, make sure that your clothes are less classic. Braces look great paired with a vintage rock tee and skinny jeans. Or, when the weather is colder, clip on a pair of braces over a loose tank and skinny jeans or trousers (wide-leg jeans do not work well with this look) and throw on an oversized cardigan.
