Monday, November 30, 2009

Wear Heavier Trousers


It is a curious but well established fact that a man does not feel the warmth of heavy trousers to the extent that he does when he wears a jacket made from the same cloth. And, since trousers are all about drape - we want them hanging in a straight line from the waist - heavier cloth makes for a better-looking pair. That means it is a good idea to wear trousers that are a few ounces heavier than the accompanying jacket.

Of course, this practice is not very practical with suits but it does make for better looking odd jacket pairings. Reserve twelve ounce/360 gram flannels to wear with a mid-weight blazer. Don the 16 ounce/480 gram stuff (Minnis offers it and Holland & Sherry has some worsteds that are even heavier) to look like the man to the left in the Apparel Arts illustration. The pipe is optional.

Wear heavier trousers.

6 comments:

Tim said...

This is one of my favorite AA illustrations. I find the pattern and color coordination of the young gentleman on the right among the most brilliant, though at my age, it wouldn’t be something I could any longer carry off.

Bob said...

I hope the young gentleman on the right has had his donegal trousers lined and agree with Tim that that look, -maybe that's an Atkinson poplin striped tie- is brilliant.

JC said...

Well said. Its not easy to find the heavier stuff these days, or so it seems to me but maybe I (or my tailor) don't try hard enough.

The fellow on the left looks swank, though not sure I could pull off the bold pattern on the jacket. And I agree with Tim and Bob that the fellow on the right goes farther than I could at my stage in life; perhaps the socks, the shirt, and tie, but not the suit, and even the socks, shirt and tie I doubt I could wear all at once. What are the shoes by the way with the boat like soles he has on?

Horatio said...

The pipe is optional? Surely you jest!

While I'm sure Will loves the socks on the man wearing the suit (who looks terrific), I find the unexpected blue socks worn by the man on the right to be the finishing touch on his wonderful ensemble. Funny how the female axiom of "socks match shirt" can work for men, too--at least sometimes.

FIXED BAYONET METAL SOLDIERS said...

Yes all true.Where can I find flannel in Pearl grey .If anyone can help great!!!!!

Dave Bartek said...

I have struggled for years to find heavier pant fabric (even using coat fabric), and have never seen it mentioned as a tip--though I agree wholeheartedly!!

 
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