A question about trousers?

[Dan Rodemsky]

I am ready to phase out the jeans but I need something heavy. When riding a motorcycle I will wear overpants when I ride to work, but for just hanging around, often I will throw on the leather jacket and gloves. I found a pair of Donegal tweed on the Orvis web site. Any thoughts on these? Any other recommendations? I have never spent $150 on a pair of pants so I could use some help. Thanks.

Posting a new thread about "New threads" struck me as funny.

 

[Lou]

Other than leathers or jeans, I'm not sure what to suggest. Maybe somebody makes heavy chinos or cargo pants.

 

[Tomasso]

Consider cavalry twill, moleskin and corduroy; all hardy fabrics.

 

[Edward]

Never really understood why so many people get into vintage and then reject denim altogether, what with it having been around since the 1880s, or thereabouts..... somebody wore it in the 30s and 40s! If what you're looking for is some with the durability of denim but a little dressier looking for the sort of occasions where you need that combination, I'd recommend PIR Clothing's Overlord trousers. http://www.pirclothingco.com I was initially concerned by their website which says something along the lines of they tampered a bit with the original pattern for a "more modern" fit (always a bad idea, IMO), but when I bought a pair cheap on eBay I found they're just fine - nice wide leg (not Oxford bags wide, but well within the ballpark for a war era leg width), decently high waist. That they're drill cotton should give you both the durability you're after (they compare well to denim on that front, IMO) and convenience. The one big pain about wearing a lot of wool is the dry cleaning bill!

 

[Dan Rodemsky]

Thanks. That gives me a few options.

 

[carldelo]

I phased out jeans a while back myself. J. Peterman is currently offering moleskin pants that look good - note the 15% off banner ad here on the lounge...

 

[MikeBravo]

Moleskins are great trousers, very hard wearing and warm and made from cotton so laundering is not an issue as you can chuck them in the washer and just hang to dry

Moleskin trousers have been worn by Australian cowboys, or jackaroos as we call them (and jillaroos, being the female version) for many years, almost our national dress, really

 

[MikeBravo]

I have a couple of pairs of jeans, not that I wear them that often. One pair is black that I wear with my leather jacket when the mood takes me

I remember back in the 70's when jeans became a designer item, my grandmother laughed because denim was worn by working people, and they changed into normal clothes when they got home! Now people live in them

 

[Two Types]

I am ready to phase out the jeans but I need something heavy. When riding a motorcycle I will wear overpants when I ride to work, but for just hanging around, often I will throw on the leather jacket and gloves. I found a pair of Donegal tweed on the Orvis web site. Any thoughts on these? Any other recommendations? I have never spent $150 on a pair of pants so I could use some help. Thanks.

Posting a new thread about "New threads" struck me as funny.

There is only one fabric for your needs: the difficult to find, but wonderfully strong 'Bedford Cord'. It was traditionally used for riding breeches (especially by the military) and was also, I believe, used at times by the British Army for despatch riders trousers. They are the heaviest fabric you can imagine, are wonderfully strong and strong, and quite distinctive. It's a fabric that is never easy to find but I know it is still available. Earlier this year I had a pair of trousers made by Spencers (Yorkshire, UK) in Bedford Cord. Try them.

 

[carldelo]

^^^ Interesting note in Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedford_cord

It says: "A water-repellent cotton version of Bedford cord called Jungle Cloth was used by the U.S. Navy for flight clothing during the 1920s-1940s era."

That sounds like it would be perfect for motorcycle riding.

 

[Rudie]

Take a look at the new Aero trousers (corduroy and Harris tweed) and Old Town (moleskin, corduroy, cotton drill, denim, wool serge ...).

 

[Equality 7-2521]

Pardon, am I the only one having trouble with this website http://www.pirclothingco.com ?

 

[Edward]

No, it's not working for me either now..... eep. The owner is a member on here, hopefully they'll chime in and clarify?

Old Town I can highly recommend - got nothing from them just yet myself, but I've seen quite a few of their pieces first hand in New Sheridan circles, and they really are superb stuff. The trews you can get a great thirties or forties look on - highly recommend the wide leg trousers. The Aero stuff looks really nice too, but IMO kinda pricey (though I add I've not seen it in person).

 

[Rudie]

Edward, Old Town has the same prices as Aero. Check the High Rise Trousers in Harris tweed and in corduroy - no difference to Aero's.