Suspension (Of Pants)

[Dev]

Let us say there is a hypothetical set of Negrini FIE fencing breeches out there, otherwise lovely, but with the elastic on the suspenders worn and slack enough that numerous referees have nagged the wearer of said breeches about jacket overlap (and rightly so). Not generally a problem until late in the day when the breeches have become heavier with perspiration.

Is it worth the time and trouble to have those suspenders repaired or replaced? If so, where would one go to have such an operation performed? Or should they simply be cut off and a decent pair of regular men's suspenders be worn in their place?

[Purple Fencer]

It's no problem to get some new elastic and fix it with a needle and thread....hypothetically, of course!

[bigdawg2121]

I'd like to agree with the OP. All pants should be suspended immediately.

[foibles]

I recently had a jacket zipper re-sewn at my local dry cleaners. They keep a tailor on staff.. or subcontract out to one.

I would suspect that your local dry cleaner might have someone who can replace your elastics. Might call around.

[TBean]

Let us say there is a hypothetical set of Negrini FIE fencing breeches out there, otherwise lovely, but with the elastic on the suspenders worn and slack enough that numerous referees have nagged the wearer of said breeches about jacket overlap (and rightly so). Not generally a problem until late in the day when the breeches have become heavier with perspiration.

Is it worth the time and trouble to have those suspenders repaired or replaced? If so, where would one go to have such an operation performed? Or should they simply be cut off and a decent pair of regular men's suspenders be worn in their place?

Repair is the way to go - it not much time and hardly any trouble. The purchase of elastic, a pair of scissors, some thread and needle will take care of this problem. If you feel inadequate to this task, the purchase of some elastic and a trip to your local dry-cleaners will also do the trick - you might even be able to forgo the purchase of the elastic as the dry cleaners might have or will get it for you.

One of these methods will probably cost you under $10.00 - if you don't own thread or needles, the other probably no more than $25.00.

[fencerbill]

If you plan to have repairs made, consider using mostly inelastic tape with a short section of elastic. Then aging of the elastic will have less drastic consequences.

Don't know why clip-on suspenders wouldn't work just fine. Specially if you are sewing challenged.

[emagdnim]

if you don't feel you have time to sew just fold them over on themselves and slap some duct tape on'm, problem solved.

[fencerchica]

What about a pair of clip-on tool-belt suspenders? You know the ones, they're made of super tough, thick elastic bands (usually in screaming blue or red) like an inch and a half or two inches wide with giant chrome-plated clips, and are found at the hardware store. They're cheap, comfortable and I bet they would work really well for this.

[Inquartata]

But please, resist the urge to go around saying "Git 'er dooooone!"

[Meteoric Iron]

Buy braided elastic by the yard at a fabric store, making sure the width fits through your front clip. The elastic should feel springy and firm, stretch it out a few times, and see if it snaps back. It should feel substantial between the fingers. On the back of Mr. Hypo's knickers, loosen only those threads holding the saggy straps, gently pull out the old, insert the new to a depth of 1 to 2 inches, and whipstitch the three layers in place--lining, elastic, face fabric. After threading the free ends through the clips, try on, lunge, and adjust. Trim to about 2 or three inches, and seal the ends with a liquid plastic sealant, so they don't unravel.

But, you might be ready for the next upgrade after Negrini FIE--yes, the unitard!

[catwood1]

Just get a REALLY big rubber band and a stapler, and you should be fine...

[fencerbill]

Just get a REALLY big rubber band and a stapler, and you should be fine...

The exercise bands would work quite well. Be careful about staples, they can rust. So-called Monel staples are supposed to be rust resistant.

If you are really sewing challenged, consider pop rivets and oversize fender washers. Aluminum pop rivets would resist corrosion. At least they don't stain. Although I have seen rivets completely destroyed by corrosion. The fender washers for 1/8 inch rivets are about half an inch in diameter. Pushing a pop rivet through fabric mostly pushes the threads apart, they don't do much permanent damage.

[Delta]

If your clips are still fine, elastic is cheap at craftstores like Jo-ann and Michaels. If you don't know anyone who can do quick work with sewing (machine), tailors would probably do it for you for hardly anything at all.
My only caveat would be to check the tensile strength of the elastic rather than just the width of it.