In my increasingly Sisyphean search for decent women's pants (khakis and corduroys), I have for now given up hope that a perfect pair will emerge. My new approach is to find pants with a comfortable fit in the waist, acceptable fabric, and then take them to my seamstress (as I did with the Nantucket Reds).
I bought the L.L. Bean Women's Stretch Bayside Corduroys, Plain Front. Like so many of the pants that L.L. Bean offers for women, the legs are voluminous. So I had them taken in as much as I could while still being able to move comfortably.
The fabric is heavy enough for these cooler days and I am constantly reaching for them. The rub is that the alterations cost me $40.00 which means a $44.95 pair of an arguably ordinary pair of corduroy pants now costs $84.95. This pair is Light Khaki and I am eyeing Classic Camel as well. They have proven to be very comfortable for outdoor activities and I don't have to worry about them.
38 comments:
Please tell me, where are those rocking chairs from? They look exactly like what I'm looking for!
Thank you!
They are the all weather rockers from LL Bean.
Hi. I have a question about socks. I rarely wear socks even in winter, but sometimes, I have to wear them because situation calls for it. I have hard time finding right color for khaki summer time. My default is so far medium grey. But, I want to hear your opinion on that sicne your insight about clothings and color is very exceptional (I think it is a God-given gift, not something one can get from school learning). I just want to know the sources you get your socks from and color choice as well.
I am a Baptist pastor in Kentucky, by the way. New church memebers came to our church last Sunday. She said that she came from Maine. Sort of excited to meet somebody from your area.
Muffy:
I have the men's "dress corduroys" which are OK at 7.6 oz fabric and the colors are just about right but they are a tad overpriced. Call me long suffering ( I return more from them than keep but yet... never- give- up- hope), but Lands' End may have a slim fit for you. My wife often likes LE in theory but weeps at the execution.
I have several pairs of those Bean cords and love them. I do wish they were a tad narrower in the legs, but thieir comfort makes up for it.
Well, I received an email today from CASTAWAY CLOTHING and if you need seasonal embroidered cords, you could always buy their "turkey cords." Yes, they have turkeys on them! Whether or not they are "turkeys" where quality is concerned remains to be seen!
However, they will not be seen on me!
This is where my khaki quest has led me, too, for now. The Bill's I finally received (M2s) were fine above the knee, but swallowed up shoes. $40 later, and they were tapered and cuffed fine (though with a trip back to be brought up 3/4", on account that the seamstress at my cleaners didn't know what "no break" meant (related: looking for a new seamstress)). But for me, the total cost of over $150 is not something I'll be doing again, and frankly kind of preposterous, USA-made or no.
Try BodenUSA. I have been wearing the widewale trousers for several years. They are soft, wash well and have classic tailoring. Since they are British sizing, you will need to figure out your correct size (ala WoolOvers). These cords remind of the ones I wore in college from Carroll Reed and those lasted forever. I have found the regular size is too short at 5'7" so I purchased a Long and they are perfect. Enjoy.
sisyphean, I make the same mistake, But we are after all human. I thought it was sys also for the longest time.
Muffy,
Don't worry you are not alone. Even with all of the options out there I am having a hard time find pants that are not huge or slim with a decent rise. I may soon end up taking the same path as you.
My last attempt may be a pair of Jack Donnelly chinos.
'Sisyphean' is the perfect description of my search for well-fitting women's pants -- I haven't had a well-fitting pair since I finally wore out the khakis I got from Talbots while in college. But I keep pushing that rock up the hill!
Mr. Connors mentions Castaway Clothing -- I got one of their skirts with embroidered pheasants on green corduroy last fall, and I enjoyed wearing it throughout the holiday season. The corduroy is quite plush, but they only had the pants for women in a boot cut, so I didn't give them a try. I think I must agree with Mr. Connors about the turkeys.
@Anonymous 2:44 - A Mainer in Kentucky. How great! I have a terrible time finding good Women's socks. I either wear the LL Bean Ragg socks (which I love and wear most every day) or none at all if I am wearing dressier shoes, like my snaffle-bit loafers. (Although that can get cold.)
Very nice! The alterations suit you well, although personally I find the straight-leg "voluminous" look appealing. It reminds me of Heavy Tweed's vintage photos. :)
As an aside, I have an acquaintance here in Virginia who is also a Maine native. She's part owner of a popular bar and grill in Clifton Forge, and very much "of the tribe"!
Muffy:
It just occurred to me that I had never asked myself ( former amateur photographer) whether you use film or digital for your photographs--would you mind sharing?
p.s. Photographer Heinrich Kuhn might be to your liking, if you're not familiar with him already ( German, 19-20th century).
I have several pairs of Castaway cords, some with critters, some plain. Hubby has some as well. I find them to be of nice quality and cut; comfortable to wear and flattering. Outside of these, I do have some cords of other brands, but the Castaways are our favorites. --Holly in PA
A very timely post! I just received my first pair of LL Bean 1912 Cords in the mail yesterday. I've worn them already and love them. The fit, for me at least, is perfect. The bottom of the pants are not bagging at all.
Muffy:
I know this post is about the cords, but can I tell you the kick I got out of seeing your youthful playfulness in that first photo.
It reminds me so much of being a child on the west coast and going to the beach after a storm. We would pick up drift wood, sticks, sea weed, etc... and play with it.
The shore after a storm brings in all kinds of treasures (some good and some not so good).
I used to buy my cords at a toggery in So. California called Ducks and Company, but they have since gone out of business and I haven't owned a single pair of cords since then.
Muffy, Have you considered starting your own clothing line? RJH
I have also bought the LL Bean plain front corduroy pants in the camel (two pair). I liked the color for winter. I like the weight and they are really comfortable. I am a large short person and fortunately they come in petite lengths - perfect for me. The legs are big, but I can work with that! I am also with you on the Bean Raggwool socks - either those or nothing. I have even given them as gifts and all the recipients here in Texas love them!
What a joy to have you back!
I haven't been in Talbots in several years for a variety of reasons but went last week in a desperate search of a shirt. I was pleasantly surprised to find corduroys in different cuts and colors. They are more expensive than LLBean but I bought a pair; they seem to be a vast improvement over what Talbots was offering the last time I shopped there.
*sara*
Nicely timed post. I just bought a pair of cords for the winter; need to keep the legs warm when I'm walking.
Say, thanks for noting Wool Overs or Woolovers; I bought a sweater from them and it's excellent in every way. I received a Lands End catalogue the other day and Lands End is willing to sell you a cotton sweater for more money.
Who the heck wants to wear a cotton sweater in the winter time?
Could you help me with an Irish fisherman's sweater solution? LL Bean has only a cardigan version for women, so I was contemplating getting a men's crew-neck, especially because I would like it to be more generous than a traditional fitted women's cut. You are unquestionably the sweater guru; any advice on how the comparative sizing might run with them? Any recs on other purveyors of such sweaters??? Thanks for any assistance you can provide on this front.
Could the “Muffy Aldrich” designed pant become a future solution to this matter?
@M - I have two of the L.L. Bean Men's Irish Fisherman's sweaters, one in Natural and one in Donegal Tweed. I also have what I would call a "real" Irish Fisherman's sweater, purchased in Ireland (shown here and here. The difference between them is striking. The quality of the real deal is much higher than the Bean version (which is more loosely knit), but it is also much warmer, sometimes too warm. I wear a Small in the Bean version which is generous and bulky enough to make it a tight fit under my Barbours. I would call them for a garment measurement of the chest and then compare it to other sweaters that you own. If you want a genuine version (where each clan has its own pattern) you will likely have to pay around two hundred and fifty dollars. Look at sites like this one for comparison.
It´s always nice to read your blog! Lovely pictures!
Have a nice weekend, take care...
Titti
I wonder that you don't go to a tailor/seamstress and have these basic trousers made. I have a really great tailor in my city who will happily do any amount of knock-offs of something I see or have worn to rags but can't let go. I have always needed to have OTR clothes altered, but getting what I want (and will keep for many years rather than a few seasons or less because of today's lesser quality) is worth the expense when amortized by the wearing for those many years. The last time I bought decent khakis was from a company called British Khaki by Robert Stock in the 1980's. The material weight of those cotton trousers was so exceptionally heavy that they looked good ironed and unironed. Merely a passing thought: I do get that your blog focuses on OTR clothes with traditional styling from U.S. companies. And my "basics" regimen doesn't work when Company/Designer X puts out a must-have fabric in some article of clothing. Of course, all resources are limited, though for me an end cost of +/-$90 on OTR khakis/cords after alterations sends me back to my tailor.
I'd be a subscriber to this blog for the conversational use of the term "Sisyphean" alone.
Here is a site I discovered when searching for Irish clan or family patterns. The prices are as you mentioned. My family name is Riley.
http://www.aransweatermarket.com/clan-aran-sweaters
Forgot to mention that I love your walking stick and your stone "fence."
Muffy, where do you and your family buy men's corduroys? The last pair I bought was not very good and I am having a hard time deciding on a new pair to buy for the winter.
Comfy cords aside for a moment, please don't forget that New England November fashion necessity, blaze orange. Your sweet pup perhaps should be wearing some this time of year (you, too), while in the woods. Safety first...
Dear Muffy,
I just came across your blog and I am in love. I am from Scotland and a Barbour is a must so I am so glad you are flying the flag. I was in Cape Cod in summer and I love the post you did on it.
Your blog is an inspiration.
Michelle
My comment here is that while we have different fit needs ( I am very petite) , the seamstress is the solution for fit, modifying the shape of a garment and even having vintage items redone or even having something created in bespoke fashion. That is the answer for today's mystifying fashions and shoddy workmanship.
Muffy,
Where have all the wide wales gone? I see a few colors on the Castaway site, but that's it. Specifically , I'm looking for a pair like I had years back: a light sage green.
Wide wales? Anyone?
Buying pants has turned in to such an ordeal anymore, I'm glad to see that I am not alone. I think the worst thing to happen to fashion was the low rise jean, not only is it impractical, but now we see way too many "muffin tops"! Unfortunately it seems like most pants are cut this way with a low rise, and they have forgotten that there are those who don't care for it.
I agree that the Irish sweaters are much denser in how they are made, I have several of them and usually have to wait until really cold weather to pull them out!
If you don't mind moleskin, Land's End has excellent men's trousers that can be altered or hemmed to the required length (they do it for free).
I love my dark denim in winter. Not preppy, but comfortable and sexy.
I was wondering what kind of gloves you are wearing in the last picture? Would you be willing to do a post on winter gloves? Perhaps show your collection and give recommendations. Christmas is just around the corner and they make wonderful gifts!
Muffy: Many decades ago I went to an Ivy school, but afterwards I slumped home to Chicago and reclothed myself as a classless, tasteless, styleless industrial Midwesterner. Is there any hope for me? Can I do the 3-button sack blazer/Quoddy boat-shoe/repp tie/Barbour shooting jacket thing even though my heritage is that of scrap-metal peddlers from Humboldt Park? I so aspire, but would my limitations defeat me?
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