Bretel

Bretel is a French word that refers to a suspender, a strap, or a brace. It's commonly used to describe straps used to hold up trousers or skirts. While the term can broadly apply to any strap that supports clothing, it is most frequently associated with the traditional elasticated or fabric suspenders that attach to trousers via buttons or clips. The word can also refer, in a more general sense, to a shoulder strap or a bracing band used in other contexts, though its primary meaning relates to clothing support. Historically, bretels were more commonly worn than belts, and while belts have gained popularity, bretels remain a functional and sometimes fashionable alternative.