Help Matching Wool Donegal Charcoal Colored Trousers

[3dials]

I found that the J. Crew's Moon Donegal Ludlow wool suit trousers fit me perfectly AND they're $99 (down from $250). However, every store in the entire country is completely sold out of the matching jacket (Moon Donegal Ludlow 2 Button Jacket - Style 48652). The quality of the pants is much better than their typical ones.

Since these wool trousers are charcoal and have a bit of a pattern to them, they're not the easiest things to match. Should I be worried about matching exactly, or should I just go with something that's close? The closest thing I could find is this: http://www.jcrew.com/mens_special_sizes/tall/sportcoatsouterwear/PRDOVR~17972/17972.jsp but in the dark charcoal color (too dark); the heather charcoal is too light.

One of the salespeople game me a summer weight cotton blue lined white jacket and I had to tell him I wasn't dressing up as the four seasons.

 

[cptjeff]

Don't ever try to create a suit. If you don't have the matching jacket, wear them as odd trousers. Don't try to force it, people will notice the difference.

 

[GBR]

Don't try to match it - you will not do so. Buy a coat that compliments the trousers.

 

[3dials]

Thanks for your feedback! Good point - I was worried about the not matching. Since it's charcoal/grey, what are some good options to match the trousers with? A black suit jacket?

 

[porcelain monkey]



Thanks for your feedback! Good point - I was worried about the not matching. Since it's charcoal/grey, what are some good options to match the trousers with? A black suit jacket?

Navy.

 

[HansderHund]

Is this one similar? The listing doesn't have the model number.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/J-CREW-Two-...port_Coats&hash=item2eb8051ace#ht_5947wt_1144

 

[KObalto]

^ That's not a Donegal.

 

[3dials]

Thanks for trying, HansderHund. The wool on the trousers is a lot rougher to the touch and the Bemberg rayon lining is so silky smooth.

By the way, I found out that the jacket was never released; apparently the pants were originally intended as a suit set with a jacket that didn't make it out of the studio. Really makes me wonder why...

So here are some closeup pictures of the material. The pictures I took of the pants from afar were awful so hopefully this gives you a good idea of what I'm working with. Note the brown button.

 

[HansderHund]



^ That's not a Donegal.

^ True. Missed the details.

Thanks for trying, HansderHund. The wool on the trousers is a lot rougher to the touch and the Bemberg rayon lining is so silky smooth.
By the way, I found out that the jacket was never released; apparently the pants were originally intended as a suit set with a jacket that didn't make it out of the studio. Really makes me wonder why...
So here are some closeup pictures of the material. The pictures I took of the pants from afar were awful so hopefully this gives you a good idea of what I'm working with. Note the brown button.

Weird situation and I'm impressed you found out so much about it. You must be pretty diligent about the situation. I'd say your best bet would be to go with Porcelain Monkey's suggestion of navy. I would like to think an olive country-esque tweed would work, I'll try to dig up a picture to which I'm referring.

 

[HansderHund]

Not exactly what I had in mind, but I sort of like the combination. The trick, I suppose, is to make sure you don't look like you're trying to piece a suit together. Here, the shades are far enough apart that it looks well put together and avoids the mis-matched suit pitfall. Others may chime in with other suggestions and I'll try to hunt down a couple of other colors. How formal are you trying to be with these trousers?

 

[3dials]

I gather that idea is to think of the donegal pattern as more of a cohesive grey to go with navy. I'm hoping for more of a dressy business casual, but not as formal as a suit. I was thinking of mixing and matching to avoid the "mismatched suit" look with some sweaters and a jacket to break up the look such that the whole is more than the sum of its parts. Does that make sense? I'm trying to get the most out of this outfit so it's a part of my wardrobe instead of a one-off.