Here are a couple of pics. One is of Civil War era braces, the other is one of my handstitched versions. I developed these braces since most modern reproduction trousers have two buttons on either side in the front, period (CivWar anyway) had just one on each side in the front. I sell these as well as some made with hand crank sewing machine. No elastic but it does help to cross them in the back. Period braces were not typically attached together in the back but would be done by an individual I suppose. If a feller hitches his braces to hold his trousers nice and high, when you bend over you will recieve a period wedgie. Worn to not short change you, then your trousers droop a bit. Not much in between the two extremes unless you use elastic versions. Another point to period elastic, it was a bit expensive as well.