30s-50s British Suit Trouser photo resource

[MrBern]

Loving this thread!

But as for too high a waist, yes, modern women generally cant stand it.

I think this still from RagingBull shows that Pesci looks like he has no torso...

 

[herringbonekid]

... but high pants just seem to lack any sex appeal whatsoever.

controversial. are you talking about super-high, scooped-up, fish-tail backed trousers or just 40s height trousers in general ?

i'd like to hear some female lounge member's opinions on this.

 

[iammatt]

controversial. are you talking about super-high, scooped-up, fish-tail backed trousers or just 40s height trousers in general ?

i'd like to hear some female lounge member's opinions on this.

Not really controversial as much as it is just opinion. I know that there are a lot of reasons to wear them that way, but to me they look like they take away from the natural proportions of the body and that is what I think looks good in general.

 

[herringbonekid]

Not really controversial as much as it is just opinion.

don't worry, just my dry sense of humour.

i agree that the one's on Joe Pesci above look bad. but the rest of his outfit is doing nothing for him either. i suspect it's true that most modern women hate them, but most 40s-fanatic women (who get 'little old women' comments) will like them. we are in a niche market.

i disagree with your natural proportion idea. high-waisted trousers sit after all on the 'natural' waist... the narrowest area of the torso. i see loads of people in low-rise trousers that make them look short legged, no-arsed, and long of torso.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

And here is a new pair by Okisaka:

.

But no extender tab. Tut tut; he needs to pick up his game a little

bk

 

[Orgetorix]

i disagree with your natural proportion idea. high-waisted trousers sit after all on the 'natural' waist... the narrowest area of the torso. i see loads of people in low-rise trousers that make them look short legged, no-arsed, and long of torso.

What about men for whom the narrowest part of their torso is their chest?

 

[Matt Deckard]

Like in raging Bull... some people look a bit silly and some people like in it happened one night look masterful. I myself like the shelf of the high waisted trousers. It's just a good feeling to know your pants aren't riding down... they are right at the natural waist.

I nee more high back trousers.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

My problem with very highwaisted pants is that they look terrible when viewed from the front. The person looks like he has no upper body, which is not particularly flattering. I know that there are many other reasons to wear them, and if you never open your jacket it really doesn't matter, but high pants just seem to lack any sex appeal whatsoever.

This is why the Brit trousers work so well. They are normal waist height at the front (at the navel or an inch-1.5 inch above: standard vintage) and rise to the back for the warmth/comfort effect. This is one of the things i love about 'em.

And of course, we must remember that these trousers were designed to be worn with waistcoats so the torso length issue is moot. Even British sports trousers had lower waists for just this reason.

Let's see some more British trouser features!

bk

 

[herringbonekid]

But no extender tab. Tut tut; he needs to pick up his game a little

bk

English trousers didn't always have that feature. observe the top pair from the mid 30s:

 

[Baron Kurtz]

he he. Yes, joke falls flat on 'is face.

bk

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Righto, major.

 

[herringbonekid]

he he. Yes, joke falls flat on 'is face.

bk

i knew you were being sarcy.

 

[herringbonekid]

some early-mid 50s ones:

as Bk noted, the cut is virtually identical to the 40s. sometimes the legs are even wider. high backs become less popular.

(i get the feeling English menswear was faltering around this period. the lush heavy fabrics of the 40s are replaced by lighter-weight scratchier fabrics. designers seem to not know whether to keep on doing the 40s or embrace a new more youthful look. they offer a lot of lame copies of American and European styles as the 50s progresses).

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Funny thing is, those watch pocket flaps experienced a big revival in the U.S.A. in the '80s. I think that Ralph Lauren led the way, then everyone jumped on the bandwagon. In the early '90s, the flaps disappeared and haven't returned since.

.

 

[benstephens]

Those trousers I posted were 1938 Baron, must have missed the '8' whilst typing the reply!

I have relatively short legs, so really like trousers that are higher in the waist, they make my legs look longer and more in proportion with my Torso.

Ben

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Those trousers I posted were 1938 Baron, must have missed the '8' whilst typing the reply!

I know, just pullin' yer leg.

bk

 

[Miss Sis]

controversial. are you talking about super-high, scooped-up, fish-tail backed trousers or just 40s height trousers in general ?

i'd like to hear some female lounge member's opinions on this.

Being the 'other half' of Mr Stephens, and a female lounger, I feel I can put my 2 cents worth in!

Yes, high waisted trousers couldn't really be described as having sex appeal. By that I mean REALLY high waisted, not just above the waist. But it does sometimes help balance out a long torso or short legs, putting a man more visually in proportion.

Certainly no gentleman would take off his jacket in public anyway, so seeing them isn't really an issue. The nice thing is the trousers don't interupt the line of the waistcoat. Mr Ben and I have had this discussion on more than one occasion and agree it is a good thing.

Also in British weather, higher waists keep you warmer.

 

[herringbonekid]

...By that I mean REALLY high waisted, not just above the waist.

just above the waist IS really high by modern men's standards.

oh well, i guess i have a wardrobe full of non-sexy trousers.

 

[Miss Sis]

HBK, people don't know what is high waisted these days!

Ben has ones that come halfway up his back - that's high waisted.

I don't consider most vintage trousers to be that high, actually. And they are fine. More than attractive enough. I'd rather a gent in vintage than nasty trousers displaying their underwear, Thank You!

 

[Jovan]

Maybe the fob pockets with flaps haven't come back, but the fob pocket itself has as a detail on chinos from J. Crew, Gap, etc. I kind of like it. I suspect most who shop there don't know what they really are for, however.

Good to have a female opinion on high rise trousers. I personally never go above the navel, like so. This height, to me, is sexy on both men and women.