Odd interaction at work, requires interpretation...

[Divinius]

So there's a guy at work, a manager, actually. He's a younger guy, late 20's / early 30s, and typically dresses very casual (there's no dress code here), jeans, T-shirts, etc. Today he was wearing a typical jeans and t-shirt deal, but he also had on thin white suspenders that he left hanging down from his waist (instead of over the shoulders where they would be functional).

Not being one to question current fashion, I noticed but ignore it. Another guy here saw him though and made the comment, "That's some fashion statement you got going on there. Any reason you are wearing them hanging down like that?" To which the guy responded, and I quote, "Well if you wear them up, it means something different." When further questioned "What does it mean?" the guy just smirked, bowed his head, and walked away.

Having witnessed this interaction, I now was curious. Internet searching didn't provide much useful data on the significance of suspenders worn hanging down (and I have no idea if the fact that they were white meant anything either).

So I'm asking here. Any idea's what statement this guy was trying to make?

To fill you in more on this guy (in case there's multiple interpretations), he's a really nice guy, kinda quiet at work, but seems like the type that knows how to party. He's also openly gay. I don't mean "shouting from the rooftops" gay, but lives with his partner, willingly mentions him in conversation, and if questioned he doesn't hide it. He's also built like a truck. He obviously works out daily, and looks like he could bench-press a Buick. Was in the Marines for a few years around his college days, lots of tattoos on arms and legs, and keeps his head shaved.

I only mention all his physical traits because the only remotely useful information I gathered while trying to search on the internet was a reference to certain sects of skinheads wearing suspenders down like that. But while he might physically fit a stereotypical skinhead description, personality-wise he's absolutely not what I would think to be a "skinhead-like" guy, at all. So yeah, I'm lost.

Thoughts?

tl;dr -- what do suspenders worn hanging down mean?

[archibaldcrane]

Random guess I'd say it's a "top" or "bottom" thing, based on nothing.

[Atreides]

he sounds hot

[Yuri-G]

this^

[Caiyuo]

Suspenders were big with skinheads and oi/working class scene shit, but I've never heard of them implying anything. I always thought that was something to do with the color of their laces if they wore boots, but again, totally possible that's just dumb shit people made up. Not all skinheads or dudes fitting the bill have anything to do with white supremacy, though, so I'd take a jab that that's what he meant. Or he's just incredibly fashionista flaming on the inside and considers it in bad taste.

[Mamimikun]

Your right on the laces of shoes they have to be white you make them red with others blood, but he could be just trying to show some punkish side to work I've seen alot of ppl wear them around here

[Ksandra]

I am gonna say he was just trolling you to make you think there's some ultimate reason vs. him just liking it that way.

[Atreides]

...a gay white supremacist? do people seriously believe those exist?

[Yabby]

It means hes looking for a threesome with his lover. Kinda like shoes on the telephone. It's a way to show people where they can get it without others knowing.

[Penthesilea]

...a gay white supremacist? do people seriously believe those exist?

Or he could be a skinhead...? throwing it back to mod styles and what not.

[ZarakiKujata]

wearing suspenders w/ a tshirt means youre a hipster nerd.

wearing them down just means youre an even bigger hipster?

Yabby's explanation is good though, makes sense.

[Bingbong]

Wearing them down means your pants fit like a normal human being, if they're up, you need a belt...

that's my 2 cents.

[jmc]

Random guess I'd say it's a "top" or "bottom" thing, based on nothing.

This actually seems logical, so I shall agree with this assumption.

Based on nothing as well lol

[Uzor]

Why's it gotta mean something? Perhaps he said it just so he wouldn'thave to explain it, or as a joke... I've seen plenty young people wear it like that in Sweden simply because they think it looks good, cool or whatever.

[Divinius]

he sounds hot

Given that all the girls at work are constantly lamenting that he is gay, I'd have to say that this is the common consensus here too.

I am gonna say he was just trolling you to make you think there's some ultimate reason vs. him just liking it that way.

Knowing the guy, this may be the most likely explanation...

Thanks for the help... glad to know I'm at least not missing something totally obvious.

[Telamond]

If it would be some kind of gay dress code (like the hanky code) then it probably varies from region to region.

[Priran]

it was a tribute to larry king

[Blabj]

Wearing them down means your pants fit like a normal human being, if they're up, you need a belt...

that's my 2 cents.

+1

[Dakana]

Is he straight? It sounded like gay hanky code but there's nothing there about suspenders.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handkerchief_code

[Demosthenes11]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handkerchief_code

holy fuck mind blown