Is size important?

Sorry gents, but yes, it is as far as braces are concerned. Click on the ‘Tape Measure’ icon at the top of every product page for details of how to find your brace size. Please note it is more to do with how high the waistband of your trouser comes than your overall height.

All braces can be adjusted 'downwards' in size, but not the other way. So if you measure over a standard size you should order the next size up, for example if you are 45" you should order size XL which is 46".

Shipping and Holidays

We use Royal Mail postal services. When shipping outside the UK goods go by air post. We do not offer a faster alternative due to the costs and special paperwork required for many countries. If you are living in the US you should currently expect a 7 to 10 working days transit time.

Please allow extra time both in the run up to Christmas and over the festive holiday season as we are shut from 23rd December, re-opening Monday 4th January 2010. 

Can I buy a special size?

Generally speaking the answer is yes – use the contact@albertthurston.com to discuss, and we will explain the bespoke options.

Why no catgut?

Firstly cats never came into it, but for those who recall the ‘Gut End’ braces of the past may be interested in a potted history. Prior to the 1970’s most ‘Gut End’ braces had the actual gut covered with white gloving leather, but due to the difficulty of obtaining hand stitchers this was gradually phased out. The gut itself was obtained from specialist manufacturers whose main market was the long line fishing industry, but then along came nylon monofilament…so that was that, no more gut.

We have found a modern alternative material which we are covering with white gloving leather, so effectively we have gone back to a product very similar to that which we made in the past. The button holes are still hand stitched and the quality remains unsurpassed.

Can I buy in Pounds Sterling or Euros?

Of course. When you go to ‘Checkout’ you automatically get transferred to our payment partner WorldPay. Their site is encrypted to ensure the security of your transaction and guarantee your purchase. They give you the option to pay in the currency of your choice at today’s exchange rate.

News for Brace Spotters.

If you are lucky enough to get tickets for the West End production of Wicked you should see plenty of our braces treading the boards - we have made many pairs for this fabulous production.

The new Bond is of course wearing our white moire braid ends in Casino Royale, and you can own an identical pair by ordering them from our Evening Wear section.

Thurston have made various braces to be worn in the movies over the years, and some of the more recent ones were for ‘Valkyrie’ starring Tom Cruise as Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg who was the leader of the plot to kill Adolf Hitler.

We were asked to make a special pair for the latest Nanny McPhee ( Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang). Cannot reveal too many details, but they will be worn by Rhys Ifans and apparently have a pivotal role to play...