Lifetime of the Hollywood Waist

[scotrace]

The dropped-loop, no-waistband Hollywood Waist was in syle when?

Late 30's certainly. But here's a pair with dropped loops and no waistband, though not very high-waisted. See the extremely pegged legs? The ankles are downright snug, the seat and uppers quite baggy. Tab buttoning pockets in back (tabs are arrow-shaped), a small coin pocket inside the waistband area, watch pocket in the front right pocket. Front pockets are slant. Little black rubber squares to keep your shirt pulled down and tucked in.
I got these as new; they were unhemmed. I'm thinking late 1958 - 1959?

Marc? BT? Your thoughts?

 

[flat-top]

Hmm..if they were higher waisted, I'd say for sure that they were from the Zoot Suit era. But since they're not, I'd say mid 50's is probably right.
Those were deadstock? Nice find!
flat-top

 

[Marc Chevalier]

The Hollywood waist is tenacious. The style as we recognize it started appearing here and there in the 1930s; it slowly faded from the mass-market scene in the 1960s. I'd say that Hollywood waist trousers were much more popular in the later 1940s (and throughout the 1950s) than they ever were in the '30s. However, even after 1960, many custom tailors and their clients favored the Hollywood waist for years to come. I've seen it in skinny-lapelled, narrow-legged '60s suits; wide-lapelled, bell-bottomed '70s suits; and padded-shouldered, low-gorge '80 suits. Hollywood waist trousers (on their own, not paired with suits) returned to the mass market in the very early '80s, when young African-American men began snapping up pegged pairs made by (I believe) Corbin. The revived Hollywood waist hit its stride in the later '80s, then fizzled out again.


.

 

[BellyTank]

Mace Rister...

I concur with young Mr. Chevalier- I remember 'African' guys in London in the '90s wearing capacious pleat fronts with tapered legs, en masse- when I say African guys(the Afro angle is coincidence- different guys, same pants), I mean- well, African guys... guys from Africa, in London. OK, Nigerians.
And when I say en masse... well, there were at least 3 of them...

The style was very popular, apparently(but the particular shades of sage green and maroon they favoured left me cold... brrr...).

But that's nothing to do with the vintage of yer strides.
Height of the waist is key... Mens' suit pants still had high waist into the '60s, in those days, there were 'fashions' AND 'standards'- a high rise being a certain norm in the traditional sart-arts, as opposed to 'fashion'.

But I digress... wander... meander like, well... a meandering one.

Labels...? etc...?
Solid clues Scott man!

B
T

 

[scotrace]

Not a label or tag to be found. 38 Waist and I had about 1.5" to work with in hemming them to 32" length. The unhemmed cuffs were pinked.
Still thinking late 50's, maybe even early 60's. They feel like a wool blend.
How pegged are they? Today when I crossed me legs. they stayed firmly stuck on me calves.

I really don't think they are MC Hammer pants. Maybe riding pants. A fellow could tuck the cuffs into boots. But that'd be silly.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

I'm thinking late '50s too.

 

[Braxton36]

I like the rug

does it have a story?

 

[scotrace]

Not really a story. It's hand woven in Iran, 100% wool, about 30 years old.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

I really don't think they are MC Hammer pants. Maybe riding pants. A fellow could tuck the cuffs into boots. But that'd be silly.

Thats who i was thinking of!

Nice pants. The back pocket fastening shouts rockabilly, so mid 50s ...

bk

 

[Braxton36]

Great rug. The figural ones always fascinate me, especially when you consider the weavers might have gotten the equivalent of $5 for the work. The Iranian rug market is bursting with supply right now but it will all go to hell if we impose sanctions again and the supply dries up. The political situation with us is truly frightening. But, it is so interesting how they have tailored their designs for the western market - colours and designs that appeal to us. Oh well, don't sell it. Iranian rugs may be rare again.

None of this has anything to do with Hollywood Waisted trousers. Sorry.