Feb
Howard Yount blogger blue cotton trousers — One of the many new items for spring.
Feb
So I read your answer to the ASOS pants being synthetic and therefore not of absconding quality. What is the correct type of fabric a trosuer should be made out of? I mean there is Flannel and such, but I meant trousers like the ASOS ones. Thanks!
Wool, cotton, linen, mohair, etc. Natural fibers, ie: not man made. Beware of misleading copywriting from retailers though. Some call fabric “flannel” despite the fact it’s blended wool with polyester. Always check fabric composition. Subbing in synthetics means they’re taking a cheaper shortcut. I should add that construction and fit are also very important. Spend some time searching StyleForum and get an idea of who makes quality trousers.
Feb
As a follow up, should one avoid pants with any polyester mixed in them? I live in California, and I too am thinking of buying some work pants. Should I consider 100% cotton pants only? Also, I can't seem to find them anywhere. Do you have any recommendations? Thanks for your help.
Yes, I’d recommend avoiding synthetic fibers in any tailored clothing.
As for where to find cotton trousers, I’d suggest Bonobos, Epaulet, Howard Yount, Brooks Brothers, etc., and look at dress chinos.
Feb
Are slim-fit smart trousers appropriate for an in-office business casual setting?
Not sure if that’s in reference to a particular company’s trouser, but in general trousers are perfectly fine for a business casual work environment.
EDIT: OK, you’re talking about these from ASOS. Again, yes, you could wear trousers in a business casual workplaces, however, I wouldn’t buy those trousers. They’re completely synthetic fabric, meaning they won’t likely last long, plus you’ll end up sweating in them. I also wouldn’t trust their construction to hold together very well.
Jan
I'm a dude with a gut (i.e. my waist is quite a bit larger than my hips). That's not going to change. I'm tired of finding belts unable to keep my pants where I want them, so I'm thinking of going the braces route. Two questions: 1) Does this sound like a reasonable decision? Will braces help? 2) Can a tailor/alterationist add buttons for braces to trousers or do they need to be attached during the construction of the pant?
Seems reasonable and a tailor should definitely be able to do this for you.
Jan
I just bought two new suits and have to get them tailored. I want to have them cropped kinda high to show off sock and/or shoes (im sure you're familiar with the look). Anyway, I was wondering if I could ask my tailor to make the pant legs skinner so that they will be closer to my leg. Im sorry if you dont understand the question, its the only way I know how to explain it.
Yes, you can have your trousers tapered. Just have a conversation with your tailor about it. Usually, I try to tell them the leg-opening width I want (when the trouser is laid flat). I go for about 7.5”, typically.
Nov
Wieners & Wingtips: Lands End Tailored Fit Flannel Review
He points out that he should have gotten the pants unhemmed, which I something I agree with when ordering from Lands’ End. I usually get mine tapered anyhow, so hemming them at the tailor isn’t an issue.
Oct
hi there, love the blog! i know you're in support of grey trousers -- particularly flannel or wool. but is there a need for a man to have cotton grey trousers? or i should probably get grey khakis instead? thanks so much!
Well, first off, chinos are made from cotton, so grey cotton trousers would probably be chinos of some sort — perhaps in a gaberdine fabric.
I’ve often thought about adding a pair of grey chinos to my wardrobe, but haven’t yet. I guess my thinking of what makes me reluctant is the fact that over time you may very well get this washed, faded look on the chinos from cotton and I’m not personally a fan of how grey will look once it’s faded.
I guess I prefer grey trousers to be uniform in color and I tend to wear them a bit more “dressed up” instead of relaxed. While I’m OK with other color chinos getting distressed over time, grey just strikes me as somewhat out of place in the lineup.
Oct
Hey this is the anon in Taiwan. Thanks for the help! I was wondering if you could help me out with outerwear too, since it gets cold where I'll be. Also, what about pants other than jeans? Thanks again!
Check the posts tagged “outerwear”, but I’d probably try prioritizing a wool overcoat of some sort if you’re wearing suit jackets at all. If not, then a wool pea coat always looks great.
For pants, I’d suggest flannel trousers (get ‘em in gray for starters) and maybe a heavier weight chino in drill cotton, like these from Howard Yount. Others really like corduroy pants, but that’s just not personally my style, but I imagine they make for a very comfortable and warm alternative.
Oct
Have you ever tried Howard Yount flannel pants? I have Lands End tailored fit, but would be willing to shell out more cash for an infinitely better item.
I don’t have HY flannels, but I do have a pair of HY tropical wool trousers. From what others have said, the LE flannels are a bit thinner and not as hefty. If it was my money, then I’d probably go with HY. Still, a good mid-road alternative would be J.Crew or L.L.Bean.
ADDING: transparentstyle replied:
Re: the question about the HY flannels—I have two pairs, and I absolutely love them. Wholeheartedly recommended for someone looking for a slim fit.
There you go, an endorsement!
Oct
Incredibly entry level question for you. Where should trousers/suit pants hit around the ankle? I always feel like mine are a little too long or a little too short. Where's the happy medium?
Depends on your personal tastes. For more casual and warm-weather trousers (chinos, especially) I tend to go short to no-break, since I prefer to usually go sockless.
On more conservative and cold-weather stuff, I go with a medium break, especially if it’ll be used over a boot (and I’ll likely do a cuff as well).
Worth giving a read at Put This On and Brooks Brothers.
Sep
WIWT: 9-29-11. Did you get those LE flannels cuffed from the factory or did you have them cuffed yourself? I just ordered the same ones (on back order until 10/14) and got them cuffed. I just want to know what to expect. Thanks!
They’re not the flannel trousers, they’re the regular year-rounder wool ones. I got them unfinished and took them to my tailor, who tapered them to a 7.5” leg opening, took in the seat and did the hem and cuff.
I don’t typically get my trousers pre-hemmed or cuffed if I can help it. While it’s a nice service LE offers, I know I have to take them in anyway to a tailor, so I might as well get them all done in one shot.
Definitely a fan though of their trousers (and suiting). Probably the best budget-buy trousers out there you can get, provided you’re willing to fork over some extra money for alterations.
Sep
If you could only have one pair of corduroy pants, what color would they be?
I don’t have any cords, so that’s an interesting question. I think it depends on what’s going on with the rest of your fall-winter wardrobe. I have two brown tweed jackets and two navy jackets. I’m tempted to say I’d go with a dark, chocolate or medium brown. But burgundy would be extremely tempting, too, kind of like wearing bright red chinos in the warmer months.
Regardless, I’m not going to buy cords anytime soon. I’m probably going to get a plaid flannel instead.
Sep
It’s on sale: Brooks Brothers Black Fleece trousers — While most of Thom Browne’s line for Brooks Brothers isn’t something I think would fit me, I do find the odd trousers really interesting.
First off, they come unhemmed, so you don’t have to worry as much about them being too short. Secondly, while their retail prices are astronomically high, their clearance prices put the trousers around the price range of options from the likes of Howard Yount. Third, they’ve got a slim fit.
Available options include linen, cotton and wool — all made in the U.S.A. I believe sizing is a drop six — ie: BB0 = 36 chest = 30 waist.
Aug
Flannel cargos for #Irene
I honestly still am on the fence about cargo pants. Sure, these look nice, but I wonder if their functionality is necessary in the winter. In colder weather, you’re usually wearing layers, which means a jacket to put your EDC in.
I think cargos make more sense in the summer, when you’re trying to shed layers (like your jacket) and yet still need the pockets for functionality.
Which leads me to my question: Tropical wool cargo trousers: Could it be done and would it look OK?
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