1861 Knitted Suspenders (Braces)

While U.S. soldiers were issued high waisted trousers with suspender buttons, suspenders themselves were not provided by the government during the war. It was the responsibility of the soldier to purchase suspenders from merchants or obtain them from loved ones at home.

There were a variety of suspender styles in use during the war, but common variations were those of knit construction. No doubt contributing to their popularity was a pattern for knit suspenders published in the August 1861 issue of the Godey’s Lady Book—a widely circulated publication based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Published in the early months of the war, the pattern description reads:

“The great charm in these braces is the readiness with which they can be washed; so they may be changed at least once a week. The only fittings required are two broad buckles, attached to loops of buckskin leather, through which are slipped leather straps having a button-hole cut at each end. There is a buttonhole made in the knitting itself at the other extremity of each brace so that they only thing to be done is to detach the braces from the buckles, and replace them with a clean pair every week.”

 These historic suspenders can now once again be knit with loving hands, as the pattern has been recreated by Civil War Patterns. This pattern includes 39 pages of instructions with numerous images. Additionally, there are two front suspender button tab options—a buckskin version for those following the original pattern and a folded fabric alternative based on observations from historic images of how the pattern was adapted.