The Lengths That I Will Go To
In my ongoing process of transitioning to a pleated-pants lifestyle, I came upon a trio of $4 pairs at an iffy thrift store. After trying them on at home, only these no-name tweedy ones proved a potential winner.
Their colorful flecks fulfill most of the 50s-slanted chic of a similar Beams Plus pair at the Inventory Stockroom, with a more 80s angle perhaps. Their only problem is they’re awkwardly an inch too short.
There is some leeway up inside the hem, so the question becomes, when I take them to my happy, hispanic tailor do I have them lengthened into respectable yet rote man pants, or do I hike them up even more – mischievously, like Thom Browne’s interns probably would?
August 6th, 2010 at 6:53 am
Interesting question, cause no matter how I like shorter Ivy-like length on my pants, pleated ones are completely different beast. They might just look awkward when short.
August 6th, 2010 at 10:22 am
Up they go!
For my money bringing them up to a “mischievous” height may be more avant garde, but it definitely looks like it was done on purpose. Lengthening them to just a bit short looks like you don’t know any better.
August 6th, 2010 at 11:16 am
those Thom Browne interns never look very happy… just sayin’
August 7th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
I think we both know what the “right” answer to this question is.
Do the opposite.
August 9th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
After trying my tweedy trousers on again, I’ve decided they won’t work well as quasi-clam diggers. They’re a thinner tweed and cut generously in the leg, and I think for a cropped trouser a la Thom Browne you’d need something crisp and trim. So I had my tailor lengthen them a good inch -they’ll be typical but correct and break on my shoes like normal trousers should. I’ll crop something else this fall instead!