Fred Astaire's Pants, what size leg opening?

[jqmartin]

From what I've seen, most here on SF prefer slim pants, particularly with a narrow leg opening. I personally used to think this was the key to getting great looking pants and spent lots of money getting a couple pairs of pants tailored and retailored, yet I could never figure out why my pants looked so crummy and refused to hang straight without any break.

I also came to the crushing realization that narrow leg opening makes one's feet look huge, so true in my case

I've been a huge fan of Fred Astaire for a couple years since discovering him on youtube but only recently began paying more attention to his clothes, and man have I been missing out.

So the question is, why don't more SFer's like to wear their pant's like him. I mean, the more I look at him, his pants look so loose, yet somehow manage to look slim and tall at the same time.

I seriously wonder what size leg opening he wore... 9"? 9.5" It would help my feet look smaller I think. My 8.5 Allen Edmond's Park Avenue's look so long on my feet, but the size 8 feels too tight...

(BTW, I have his same measurements basically, 5'7", 135 lbs, 29/30" waist, 8.5 shoe)

 

[Gauss17]

There is some discussion about this topic here:

http://www.styleforum.net/t/297402/pants-fit-and-covering-shoe-opening

 

[jqmartin]

Thanks, there's some good examples there

Notice here the variation in Astaire's pant's when he's standing still and when he's moving, it's crazy

His pants seem to follow the cover-two-thirds-of-the-shoe-rule. That's gotta be at least a 9" opening... Or really small shoes...

 

[jqmartin]

Thanks, there's some good examples there. Check out the variation in Astaire's pants between when he's standing still and when he moves.

His pants seem to follow the cover-two-thirds-of-the-shoe-rule. Thats gotta be at least a 9" leg opening... Or really small shoes.

 

[ballmouse]

I'd guess 9.5" from that top photo. Although that second photo looks very different (perhaps the pants are very creased).

 

[F. Corbera]

OJFC.

 

[dieworkwear]

The only way to determine this is to identify the make and model of the drum set behind him, find an existing set, and purchase it. Now that you have the drums, you can blow up the photos above until they match your drums. With this now accurately scaled life-size picture of Fred Astaire, you can reliably measure his leg opening.

Please report back when you find out.

 

[MikeDT]



The only way to determine this is to identify the make and model of the drum set behind him, find an existing set, and purchase it. Now that you have the drums, you can blow up the photos above until they match your drums. With this now accurately scaled life-size picture of Fred Astaire, you can reliably measure his leg opening.
Please report back when you find out.

I think this will certainly be a much more accurate method of determining scale and trouser leg opening, than trying to match Fred's perceived height, as he appears to be stooping slightly and his legs are apart in the pics, rather than him standing up straight.

 

[clapeyron]

The only way to determine this is to identify the make and model of the drum set behind him, find an existing set, and purchase it. Now that you have the drums, you can blow up the photos above until they match your drums. With this now accurately scaled life-size picture of Fred Astaire, you can reliably measure his leg opening.
Please report back when you find out.

his leg opening is 9,5inch and his shoe size is 8 1/2 at a height of 178cm with shoes.... oh and the bass drum is 70,88cm in diameter fyi.

 

[Blackhood]

I sort of remember reading that he was crazy skinny anyway. I suppose his straight leg trousers would make more sense if he didn't have heavily contoured legs to mess up the drape.

Also don't forget that the man was world famous for his appearance and movement, trying to emulate him may be difficult unless you're his shape. Mere mortals sometimes have to compromise.

 

[Trompe le Monde]

fyi Fred Astaire is interred at Oakwood Memorial Park Cementary in Chatsworth California coordinates 34°15′26″N 118°36′04″W lot 3 block 4F , 2 graves away from the pine tree.