Ask the Tailor: What is a French Bearer?

by Peter White
Photo by Michael

Each month we ask our expert tailors to address one of your most frequent questions. This month we’re exploring French bearers. What is a French bearer, and why might you want to add one to your tailored trousers?

When it comes to trouser closures, it’s very much an issue of personal preference. Some gentlemen prefer button flies, some swear by zips, and some like to take things even further with a French bearer closure.

What is a French bearer?

A French bearer is a button at the closure of a pair of trousers in addition to the usual front button. It is inserted on the inside of the trousers, usually behind or to the side of the fly opening. The French bearer button will need to be fastened before the main trouser button.

Though a French bearer is by no means necessary, it does add key functionality to a pair of trousers. This extra fastening holds the front of a pair of trousers flat, which helps to keep them looking crisp and smart. 

This type of trouser closure can also be very practical. The additional French bearer button can help to take the pressure of one single button, making them more comfortable and likely to be hardwearing over time. 

Should you have a French bearer inserted?

The wonderful thing about bespoke tailoring is that you are able to choose every detail of your clothing. Small details like French bearers often get overlooked for mass produced clothes, but they can elevate a pair of trousers from perfectly fine to something special. 

If you would like to add comfort to your trousers while making sure they hang beautifully, a French bearer closure is likely to be a good addition. 

Next month we’ll be asking our tailors to weigh in on which type of pockets you should choose. Sign up to our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss it.

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Business suits start from £999 for single or double breasted, and from £1,299 for a three-piece with waistcoat. Wedding suits start from £999, averaging around £1,500 depending on cloth and detailing.

The standard turnaround is 10 weeks from first fitting to collection. An express service is available in 5 weeks for an additional fee.

Yes. Alongside the York and London showrooms, Mullen & Mullen serves Sheffield and Manchester by arrangement, with fittings available at a client's home or office.

An independent, family-run business with over 50 years of combined experience in the industry, we pride ourselves on exceptional value: quality that speaks for itself without the inflated price tag. Fittings are in person and unhurried, built around a conversation about how a garment should look, fit, and feel, from a standout velvet jacket to a quietly sharp business suit.

The York showroom is at Unit 3, Middlethorpe Business Park, Sim Balk Ln, YO23 2BD, open by appointment Monday to Saturday, 9:30–5:30.

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Yes. Fittings can take place at a client's home or office instead of a showroom, at no extra call-out fee.

Bespoke shirts start from £180, made from English and European mill cloths with a choice of over 60 collar and cuff styles.

A bespoke suit is cut to a client's own measurements rather than a standard size, through a multiple-fitting process designed to get the fit right before it's finished. Cloth, lining, buttons, and detailing are all chosen individually rather than fixed in advance.

This individual approach also means better quality and longevity. A bespoke suit is made to fit and move with you, making it a garment built to last for years, not seasons.

Yes, alongside our bespoke suits, we also make bespoke shirts, overcoats, velvet dinner jackets, and shooting attire. Whatever the garment, the same approach applies: an unhurried, in-person fitting process built around getting the look, fit, and feel exactly right.