Historical information

Braces - straps worn over shoulders for holding up trousers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspenders
Suspenders (Am. English) or braces (British English) are fabric or leather straps worn over the shoulders to hold up trousers. Straps may be elasticated, either entirely or only at attachment ends and most straps are of woven cloth forming an X or Y shape at the back. Braces are typically attached to trousers with buttons using leather tabs at the ends or, incorrectly according to traditional protocol, clips..
HISTORY
the modern type were first invented in 1822 by Albert Thurston and were once almost universally worn due to the high cut of mid-nineteenth and early twentieth century trousers, a cut that made a belt impractical. After losing popularity in the first World War, as men became accustomed to uniform belts, suspenders were still standard throughout the 1920s.
TODAY
http://www.fabsugar.co.uk/Love-Hate-Trousers-Braces-1585776
Androgynous fashion nearly always appears on the catwalk and trousers with braces made an appearance this season at Paul Smith...

Physical description

Grey Elastic braces forming a y shape at the back, with leather tabs to hold clips and braided loops to attach to buttons on trousers.