At Beargrass Leather, we've been making leather suspenders for three years. It always take a bit of tinkering to get a leather project just right. Like my minimalist, front-pocket wallet, I feel as though my suspenders are perfect.
At first, I thought that an all-leather suspenders would be premium. Then I wore a set. They worked. And they were nice. But they didn't work nice. They needed elastic.
Here is most of the areas of work in a set of suspenders. I leave the straps unfinished in order to provide custom sizing.
The picture above gives a good look at what I call the "yoke." This is the part that holds everything together in the back. The elastic is tough to find. There is black elastic available locally in most markets, but it is tough to find good browns, olives, and patterns in a 1" durable elastic. I have to get this shipped in from a supplier in Turkey.
I don't want the yoke angle to be so severe that it causes the front straps to want to spread too much. It's also important to remember that some jeans and pants have the two belt loops in the back while others don't. I can only wear a three strap suspender with this type of jean.
This is a great, rustic style elastic to use with this premium Horween Chromexcel leather and antique brass hardware. Note the absence of a belt. Don't wear a belt with your suspenders unless you want to be labelled as too cautious.
There's a dapper Dan!