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Permies Poll: How do you prefer to hold up your pants?

 
Steward of piddlers
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I've been a belt wearer for some time but the allure of looking like my grandfather has made me eye a pair of suspenders.

While I research all-things-suspenders, please consider voting in this poll!
 
master rocket scientist
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I have definitely switched from a belt to suspenders.
At 67, my hips are still 32-33, but my belly seems to be  larger, like a 35. Imagine that, how did that happen?
Rather than subject folks to the dreaded plumber's crack, and to keep from constantly pulling my pants up or trying to wear a belt so tight they are uncomfortable.
I now have several sets of suspenders, and  I absolutely love them!

https://hikersco.com/products/upfitter-belt-loop-suspenders-black?variant=43988851228918&country=US¤cy=USD&wickedsource=google&wcid=21938991799&wv=4&gad_campaignid=21938991799
 
master steward
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I use belt and suspenders …but normally not at the same time.   For me they turn out to be just like any other tool … there is a correct time and place to use each of them.
 
steward
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I sew elastic into the waistband.
 
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Location: Zone 4 Wisconsin
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Overalls. Suspenders. Stay home and try not to put on pants. In that order.

Belts require a butt or else it needs to be too tight and uncomfortable.
 
pollinator
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“Hey dude, he’s ragging on your cord!”
 
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I have a solution for this question.  Go pant-less.  Works for me!!  Saves time and money.  Or if one feels the need, go with a draw string, like sweatpants!

Peace/Heddwch
 
Deane Adams
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Ah, how could I forget this, Paul has had this little problem solved many years ago - bibs!!!

Peace/Heddwch
 
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Used to use both belt and suspenders then I found steel core belts, they are the best!
 
steward & author
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Because of health, elastic is a must with a tie.  Like sweat pants used to come.  

My waste can rapidly expand 4 to 6 inches in a matter of minutes or shrink so fast, there is no time to adjust the tie,  elastics make for less embarrassment.
 
pollinator
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I have to get my eyes checked, I thought it said, "How do you keep your PLANTS up"   I was already to launch into an elucidation.....  But, there's what God intended the working folks to wear, the humble overall.  
 
thomas rubino
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Well, I wear coveralls quite often, almost every day if I am home.
They are suspenders with a bib attached.
Plumbers' crack is non-existent.
 
gardener
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Proper waist size is usually helpful. Some pants have a drawstring which might be a more permie alternative to the elastic. If a pair is too big then I may use a belt, but have been known to adjust them with scraps of string or cordage.
 
Posts: 48
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It is a constant struggle for me; I was born without a butt.  

I can't find anything that really works.
Right after I wash my pants they fit fine.  After wearing them awhile they relax and start falling down; I am frequently pulling up my pants, like Big Ellis from Wendell Berry's novels.
The feel of wearing a belt usually bothers me.  Suspenders can be alright except they get snagged when I'm scrambling around and the clips get weak.  The fancy kind that hook on the pants buttons would be better but I don't wear pants like that.

Sometimes I find some twine or a string and tighten the front belt loops together - - my favorite hick fashion solution.
Best of all is Summer when I can just wear shorts.
 
master steward
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Most commonly in winter, I wear elastic with an adjustable cord. Instead of having to tie the cord, then risk it knotting when I need it unknotted in a hurry, I have taken to upcycling those nylon spring gizmos often found on coats. They do need to be sized to match the size of the cording used (which is often also upcycled). They are quick and seem to last forever.

For dressier pants, I've put a casing and use that elastic that has button holes in it, making it adjustable. I use it from side seam to side seam across the back designed in when I sew the pants. This allows for intermittent waistline changes - my weight is stable compared to many people, but I'm very small boned, so 5 lbs makes a big difference.

For summer work pants, I'm usually wearing hand-me-downs, so I use a belt for adjustability. Not enough locals seem to wear bib-overalls - or if they do, they wear them out rather than out growing them and donating them - so I've not tried those. I suspect most of them wouldn't fit my frame without adjusting them so the wouldn't keep falling off my shoulders.
 
rocket scientist
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overalls do not - I repeat; do not - work well for women. Or maybe it's just me.
Belt or elastic waistband does
The best pantless option for me so far; wrap around skirt (or dress). I'm still hoping to, at some point, live private enough to go naked outdoors.
 
Timothy Norton
Steward of piddlers
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I have added two new options.

Elastic and Drawstrings!

Thanks all for the feedback.
 
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My pants are held up by what it’s covering.

Kidding, I use a belt even when the pants fit.
 
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I really like the Grip 6 style of nylon belts. Lightweight and infinitely adjustable so you don't have the problem of being between sizes or one of the holes wearing out.
 
Posts: 721
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Good quality suspenders, not the cheap ones. I don't have a really good pair though, so wide crossover black elastic will work, using snaps to attach and detach for washing pants will suffice.
But if I am going to the trouble, I will probably make a bib that will snap on the front, made from recycled clothing containing pocket(s) and then the elastics can snap to that in the front and the back are snapped about 3" towards the back at each side, making them much easier to operate the snaps.

But get me some really good quality suspenders you know the ones that cost well over $50 and I will be happier!

Honestly it's time to bare those thighs once the sun comes out even if wearing my -100 Baffin boots with snow everywhere and not one inch of ground peeking up anywhere! So yeah, brightly colored swim double thickness boy shorts will do, so that if the neighbors perchance get a peek through the trees while passing by, they don't think I went out in my underwear looking for my pants!
 
author & steward
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Deane Adams wrote:Go pant-less.  



I love wearing dresses for this very reason. And I get the added bonus of feeling free in mind and body.

 
Rusticator
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I wear a lot of skirts and dresses. Proper waist size doesn't often work for me with pants,  because even at my smallest adult size, there was a 10" difference between my hips & waist, so if the waist  (should have) fit, the britches wouldn't go over my hips. 🤷‍♀️so, when I wear pants they have to accommodate my hips, first and be drawn in to fit my waist. So, elastic, or drawstring with the spring snap Jay described are my go-to, if I'm wearing pants. Suspenders & overalls tend to ride on the damaged nerves, tendons, & ligaments in my shoulders, reinjuring them. Our usual solution at home, is 'pants optional', as long as it's just us.
 
pollinator
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Joseph Lofthouse wrote:

I love wearing dresses for this very reason. And I get the added bonus of feeling free in mind and body.


Call it a tunic, add a belt with a hori-hori (or machete) in a sheath, and no-one will give you any guff.
 
Douglas Alpenstock
pollinator
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Belt for me. Actually my jeans don't fall off (reasonable G2B ratio -- gut to butt). But when I add all the hardware I need, cell phone, Leatherman, keys, knife and lighter, AAA flashlight, and whatever else occupies my back pockets, I need a belt. Preferably with a Batman logo.
 
Les Frijo
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Douglas Alpenstock wrote:

Joseph Lofthouse wrote:

I love wearing dresses for this very reason. And I get the added bonus of feeling free in mind and body.


Call it a tunic, add a belt with a hori-hori (or machete) in a sheath, and no-one will give you any guff.



I was just recently admiring Angelique for her Hori Hori use in a Star Trek re-run. I figure she's about to plant some bulbs in her undies.
AngeliquePettyjohnTrek.jpg
[Thumbnail for AngeliquePettyjohnTrek.jpg]
 
Ra Kenworth
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This is when the wisdom of the kilt becomes so clear! Kudos to you Joseph and you can call them dresses or frocks or anything else you like 😂

I have a skinny butt and also buy mostly used clothing so I do experience the wide legged walk on occasion where one attempts to keep the pants from ankle height, remaining mid thigh, above the hem of the tunic I am often wearing 😂 another walk for the silly walk of fame...

If people are going to say overalls and kilt/skirt/frock/tunic, how's an apron lol, then I am going to add the Pook style onesey: it's typically a hooded fuzzy full length overall, with the fabulous feature of. Hatchback -- who doesn't love wagons and hatchbacks!
So I have been copying and improving on the fleece onesey, Pook style, without Velcro, which needs hand washing, which are super cheap after Christmas. Perhaps a dollar at the thrift store. Adding a hatchback of better designed closures and the back flap is a custom length. Pockets can be added to hold things like washcloths in ziplock bags as a reusable wipe, lighter, phone etc. if you wanted to get extra fancy, get a full length gorgeous canvas pair of coveralls and custom add a Pook hatchback!! I'll tell you, they're a godsend in cold weather!
 
steward & manure connoisseur
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I'm another fan of the nylon tactical belt. I'm often using pants I bought secondhand or just pulled out of storage after several years (or borrowed from my husband's closet) and the belt saves me.
But if there are no belt loops, I'll be grabbing the safety pins and making some quick foldovers somewhere on the back.

(also another woman who is not a fan of overalls. or skirts or dresses.)
 
steward and tree herder
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I'm working on the proper waist size thing, but they don't make trousers (pants) the right shape for me, and the elastic has also failed on some of my waistbands. In the meantime a (standard buckle) belt seems to work fairly well.
When I'm working outside, especially in winter, I often wear what I call 'overalls' on top to catch the dirt (are they 'coveralls' in US english?)

UK overalls


I love these as they keep the draughts out should there be a wardrobe malfuction as I'm bending over.
 
Ra Kenworth
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Nancy Reading wrote:
...I often wear what I call 'overalls' on top to catch the dirt (are they 'coveralls' in US english?)

img="UK overalls"

I love these as they keep the draughts out should there be a wardrobe malfuction as I'm bending over.



wardrobe malfuction 😂

Yes coveralls is probably the right word.
That with a custom hatchback for me is ideal 😂
With a hood and made of fleece instead, we call it a onesey, like what babies wear and absolutely anything this style does keep the draughts out! I will have to take some pictures adapting the next onesey, try to turn it into a trend for the colder climate / miserable weather permie!
 
software bot
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Last vote in apple poll was on February 9, 2026
 
Les Frijo
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Sounds like rompers and jumpers are coming back into fashion. Get the union suits out for the cold weather.

https://romperjack.com/collections/jumpsuits
 
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