Where to find high waisted pants for under $75

[lordwinters]

Oh good good sir!

 

[Metatron]

I just ordered a pair of world war two pattern khaki trousers from What Price Glory after seeing this photo by Giant Beard, aka TTO on the fedora lounge:
http://ww3.sinaimg.cn/large/a124544djw1eejtciaolxj20hs0hs0xk.jpg

$45. Will tell you what I think when they arrive.

I think the trick with khakis, or any sort of vintage inspired trousers, is to look for some interesting detailing, buckles, belts, or subtle yet eye catching fabric and/or cut.
Otherwise, with plain, beige, pleated khakis you run the risk of unintentionally sporting the indifferent middle aged 'smart casual' manager look.
Yes you might have the rise you want, but people won't see a vintage dandy, just a conservative dude.

 

[resortes805]

It is indeed, but my mother would complain about the price, and I would be unable to make an online purchase without her. I couldn't possibly ask my father, as he is a major cheapskate.

Ohhh, I think I get it now.

Usually TFL attracts a weird kind of guy who is stubbornly obsessed with one thing or another ask for "help" but rejects any tips or advice. That guy is pretty much hopeless.

Retro Spectator, you are not that guy!

From what I can tell, it sounds like you are new to the classic style game. Sounds like you are a young guy and are just within the first few miles of embarking on this journey. if I am wrong then sue me, but this is what it sounds like. So here is some advice.

Focus on Wool Dress Trousers
Forget about khakis. If you want khakis get flat front straight legged military khakis, and only wears those with something you would wear with a pair of jeans like a t-shirt, sweater, pendleton, sneakers or boots. In the vintage world, khakis scream "work" or "sports" wear.

On the other hand woolen dress trousers will give you the look you are going for. Yes, they need to be dry cleaned, but you don't need to dry clean them after every time you wear them, only as needed. You can dress them up with a shirt and tie, or dress them down with something more casual like a hawaiian shirt or a camp shirt. Plus, as others have said, you have infinitely more choices available to you on the repro market.

Plus, you can justify the extra cost to your folks by explaining how crucial a reliable pair of dress pants are for a young guy like yourself (job interviews, dates, weddings, funerals, etc).

Don't Write Off Used or Vintage
There was a long-time poster here on the Lounge named Hemingway Jones who wore only deadstock vintage or reproduction vintage because he had an aversion to wearing used clothing, especially things like shirts that directly touched the skin of its previous owner. Unless you have a similar aversion, I recommend haunting the local thrift stores with a keen eye for Ralph Lauren slacks or vintage slacks that are your size.

Honestly, at this point in your journey, it does not sound like you have a strong grasp of what to look for and what elements are necessary to give you the vintage look you desire. The only way you can find that out for yourself is by handling and wearing different vintage styles in order to compare and make up your mind. For example, do you prefer the style elements most closely associated with the '20s (slim and trim) the '30s (straight from the knee down) wartime '40s (full pleats, subtle taper) or 1950s (peg topped)? Knowing this will help you narrow and focus your search.

Patience
Some of us have been at this a long time, and still haven't found our holy grail slacks. Take your time, look out for steals and deals, save up your money, and you will find your slacks.

Good luck out there, and enjoy!

 

[Retro Spectator]

I got four pairs of the Aris Allen pants, I will post images of them when they come.

Ohhh, I think I get it now.

Usually TFL attracts a weird kind of guy who is stubbornly obsessed with one thing or another ask for "help" but rejects any tips or advice. That guy is pretty much hopeless.

Retro Spectator, you are not that guy!

From what I can tell, it sounds like you are new to the classic style game. Sounds like you are a young guy and are just within the first few miles of embarking on this journey. if I am wrong then sue me, but this is what it sounds like. So here is some advice.

Focus on Wool Dress Trousers
Forget about khakis. If you want khakis get flat front straight legged military khakis, and only wears those with something you would wear with a pair of jeans like a t-shirt, sweater, pendleton, sneakers or boots. In the vintage world, khakis scream "work" or "sports" wear.

On the other hand woolen dress trousers will give you the look you are going for. Yes, they need to be dry cleaned, but you don't need to dry clean them after every time you wear them, only as needed. You can dress them up with a shirt and tie, or dress them down with something more casual like a hawaiian shirt or a camp shirt. Plus, as others have said, you have infinitely more choices available to you on the repro market.

Plus, you can justify the extra cost to your folks by explaining how crucial a reliable pair of dress pants are for a young guy like yourself (job interviews, dates, weddings, funerals, etc).

Don't Write Off Used or Vintage
There was a long-time poster here on the Lounge named Hemingway Jones who wore only deadstock vintage or reproduction vintage because he had an aversion to wearing used clothing, especially things like shirts that directly touched the skin of its previous owner. Unless you have a similar aversion, I recommend haunting the local thrift stores with a keen eye for Ralph Lauren slacks or vintage slacks that are your size.

Honestly, at this point in your journey, it does not sound like you have a strong grasp of what to look for and what elements are necessary to give you the vintage look you desire. The only way you can find that out for yourself is by handling and wearing different vintage styles in order to compare and make up your mind. For example, do you prefer the style elements most closely associated with the '20s (slim and trim) the '30s (straight from the knee down) wartime '40s (full pleats, subtle taper) or 1950s (peg topped)? Knowing this will help you narrow and focus your search.

Patience
Some of us have been at this a long time, and still haven't found our holy grail slacks. Take your time, look out for steals and deals, save up your money, and you will find your slacks.

Good luck out there, and enjoy!

Actually, I have been dressing out of the ordinary since I was eight years old, but I didn't start dressing retro until I was 15. Believe it or not, I never wore jeans, and I do not plan to ever wear them.

I have been researching vintage fashion a lot, but I wish there were some books to read on the subject. I would especially like to find a book on the Bold Look, as I like how the Bold Look looks. I currently just have this Wikipedia article as reference, as well as random Google images from the 1940's.

I have no aversion to wearing vintage clothes. There are two reasons I am unable to get vintage. There are no vintage stores near my home. My parents dislike E-Bay. So pretty much all internet and offline deals I am unable to use. I can't go to a thrift shop because I live in the woods, and if there is a thrift store, I am afraid I don't know where it is.

So pretty much, I am unable to get vintage stuff, and I am unable to buy anything online without my parents. My mother is afraid of E-Bay, and my father is a cheapskate.

 

[resortes805]

I have been researching vintage fashion a lot, but I wish there were some books to read on the subject. I would especially like to find a book on the Bold Look, as I like how the Bold Look looks. I currently just have this Wikipedia article as reference, as well as random Google images from the 1940's.

Schiffer Books has a series on vintage fashions as advertised in the Sears Catalogs. Has both women and menswear.

 

[Two Types]

Good advice, Resortes.

 

[Metatron]

In case you did want a pair of *very* high waisted khakis, I do recommend WPG's offering.
Mine arrived yesterday. They go up to the ribcage and have the quirky little buckle fastening.


Very basic construction, but well made and proper durable fabric.

 

[Two Types]

I love front buckles. I have those on some of my casual trousers. And they look great on shorts.

 

[Metatron]

Yes, I thought of some of the photos you posted when I saw these on the Giant Beard blog.
A cool little detail that no one today will recognize as military.

 

[Fastuni]

I got four pairs of the Aris Allen pants, I will post images of them when they come.

I hope they are what you expect them to be.

You have been made aware that they are 100% Polyester, and I think that you will soon enough recognize that one pair of wool trousers are better than four pairs of polyesters.

Almost everyone pays some amount of "apprentice's dues" at the beginning.
Not always because of synthetic stuff, but maybe for other things that looked right (or were hoped to look right), but in the end are entirely unsatisfactory.
But a good way to avoid this, is actually listening to the well-meant advice and experiences of those who are deeper in this game.

 

[Edward]

I love front buckles. I have those on some of my casual trousers. And they look great on shorts.

What, do they distract from the fact they're about 21" too short?

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

Listen to resortes and don't forget to write "thank you". His comments are spot on and greatly explained. Quite honestly I was already losing my patience with you since you seemed stubborn (he mentioned this kind of members too). But depending on parents for bigger purchases explains a lot.
Copy his comments and print them out. I would have saved myself a lot of time and money if I had this kind of advice a few years ago. No kidding.

 

[Retro Spectator]

I thank Resortes for his advice, and I will probably buy wool trousers in the future. That book looks good, but unfortunately my mother would complain. I showed her a similar book, but the one I showed her had black and white images. She said the book was useless since it was in black and white. Maybe she might buy this one however, as it appears to have color pictures.

 

[Macbeth]

Been watching this thread and can understand all the confusion on pants.
I can double the advice of Resortes!
I am presently waiting on a pair of Bills Khakis from Sierra Trading post that due to my being on the email list, was able to purchase for $33!
They should be in Monday. Never had am pair before but felt I had nothing to lose with that price.
Sierra Trading post also has a color catalogue I believe.
But I feel like you never know what you are getting until you actually get to try them on
And I'm sure someone on this classified will certainly be interested in THAT price.

 

[Macbeth]

Update: got the khakis. Wow!! Having them hemmed now. Great pants. In fact I ordered a second pair tonite at $33 for the camel color.
Well pleased!!

 

[Retro Spectator]

I got my pants too. They seem very nice for the price. I can't post pictures yet, as I am unable to wear them (they need to be hemmed and cuffed). Although they are polyester, they don't feel weak, or light. They are actually kind of heavy, and they seem pretty tough. They can be washed in a washing machine on hand wash mode.

Thanks to Resortes's advice, I got the late 1940's fashion book. It has plenty of pictures, and I find it useful.

 

[Fastuni]

Although they are polyester, they don't feel weak, or light. They are actually kind of heavy, and they seem pretty tough.

Let us know how they wear in summer.

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

Since they are wide legged there will be at least some ventilation. A poly shirt is worn rather tightly and would be unbearable in warm weather because the fabric can't breathe. Another lounger once posted a review which wasn't so bad but I can't vouch for his credibility. He writes a lot of crazy stuff on facebook. Haha.
I think it's an ok start to get used to high waisted pants. In q few years you can still up your game. I started rather late with dressing up myself.

 

[Retro Spectator]

I think I found a suit with pants that have a higher than average waist on Amazon. While I am not interested in purchasing this specific suit, I wonder if this is a sign that there is a change in rises. The colors however, are horrible.

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

No, I don't think these will do. Again please contact resortes and see if he has some of the repro trousers left he found a few months ago.
I reacted to slowly and there weren't much in my bigger size. But for your needs they should be just fine.

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/show...rousers-Medium-Sizes-Discount-for-TFL-Members