Refugee from the Men's Clothing forum seeks jeans advice...

[Holdfast]

I don't usually post in this subforum but I hope you guys may be able to help.

In the Men's Clothing "what are you wearing" thread, I posted a recent pic where I was experimenting with a different look for me which I repost below.



Versace dark, dark purple velvet jacket
Zegna shirt, diamond cufflinks (Dubai copy of a Chopard design)
RLPL black tie, loosely tied under top button undone shirt.
Tie Rack white silk pocket square
Levi 501s
YSL dark brown boots, River Island belt
Eau d'Issey, Issey Miyake

shoreman1782 suggested that I might benefit from a different style pair of jeans with this sort of look and recommended I post here for a bit of advice... so here I am!

Bear in mind that before this year, I didn't own any denim jeans and while I did try on a few different Levis, Wranglers and Diesels before settling on the 501s, I am still a complete and utter newbie when it comes to knowing how jeans are meant to look. Suits and ties, I can cope with, jeans confuse me!

Anyway, any advice as to different jeans makers to try, that might suit me better, based on that info and the pic, would be greatly appreciated! Thanks all!

 

[LA Guy]

Not a bad look. You are obviously not going for the hipster look, so I am not going to suggest a shorter jacket, though I normally would. I would suggest a slmmer tie, and a slimmer and lower cut pair of jeans with a slightly bootcut, or true straightleg jean in dark indigo. Rag&Bone (www.activeendeavors.com) is probably your best choice. As a straight cut, wear them stacked if they are slimmer, and hemmed otherwise, over the boots.

 

[DNW]

I would recommend staying with something dark, without the artificial distressing. For your first pair, you can't go wrong with a pair of APC jeans. They fit similarly to the 501, and are priced reasonably. The denim quality and construction are pretty good as well. If you don't like dry denim, APC also makes some washed jeans. Other than APC, if you're not too concerned about price, then go for some Rag & Bone jeans. A pair of washed RB6, in blue or black, would be a good place to start. Here's a link to the RB6 in blue. http://www.activeendeavors.com/produ...&pfid=AED15166

 

[Max]

Skinnier tie, skinnier jeans, smaller knot, you're good.

Knit and textured ties are so hot right now, but the velvet jacket probably provides all the texture you need.

 

[Jared]

Originally Posted by LA Guy

Not a bad look. You are obviously not going for the hipster look, so I am not going to suggest a shorter jacket, though I normally would.
Nuts to that: the jacket is way too long - it's a velvet car coat. And look at the button stance! (And are the flaps tucked into the pockets?) Oh wait, maybe it's an illusion caused by the high-rise jeans - just how high are those, anyway?

Originally Posted by Max

Knit and textured ties are so hot right now, but the velvet jacket probably provides all the texture you need.
I dunno, the outfit is pretty stark...a textured shirt would be nice...but it should be workable as is now.

 

[Holdfast]

Thanks all.

Jared - The rise is pretty high I guess. Whatever rise 501s come in. To me, they seem a touch lower than my suit trousers rise, which are admittedly relatively high, though certainly not to the extent of a braces back or similar. The jacket is about an inch longer than I generally wear. It's actually part of a suit, but I never wear it as such, only as separates. The trousers do have a lowish rise, which I suppose cancels out the longer jacket length.

The RB6 look good on the model, no idea how they'd look on me (though I'm reasonably slim, my legs are quite muscley). But if they fit similarly to the 501, but a little slimmer, I should be fine. Are they darker than the 501s? Like LA Guy suggests, I'd like a darker, undistressed pair.

Can I ask a couple of really dumb questions while I'm here:

1) What does "stacked" mean?
2) What length should I hem jeans to? I'd like this pair to have less break than my 501s but would that look OK or is hemming jeans to a normal break (like suit trousers, for instance ) just too daft-looking?

OK, OK, you can stop laughing at me!

 

[Baron]

Stacked means tons of break - breaks "stacked" on top of one another at your ankle. I think you can safely avoid that look if you aren't comfortable with it, but I would hem about 2" longer than your normal trouser length if the jeans are skinny.

I think you should really consider a pair of APC New Standards. They are the most basic pair of slim cut, undistressed jeans, and they'll probably be cheaper for you in England than the Rag & Bone.

 

[Saucemaster]

The APC's and Rag&Bone's are both good suggestions. As for your legs, the R&Bs should accomodate muscular thighs pretty well. They'll definitely be darker than those 501s. They're also much better quality than the APCs, but yeah, they'll be more expensive, especially (I assume) in England, as Baron pointed out. I like the idea of a true straightleg more than a slight bootcut with that outfit personally, though there's certainly nothing wrong with either. Like LA Guy said, if you go straightleg and slim, let them bunch up around the ankles a bit. Hemming to trouser length just looks strange and awkward with jeans, particularly with straightleg jeans.

 

[Get Smart]

Holdfast, from what I gather of your personal style based on WAYWT pics, I'd hem the jeans to a no-break length (maybe slightly longer if you desire), and wear boots with them. I think you might find yourself feeling self conscious if you have a lot of break and they "stack", considering you are more accustomed to tailored gear. The APC new standard suggestion is a good one, as is Rag&Bone. Lots of other makes that would work but these 2 are solid choices that arent too hard to get.

 

[Holdfast]

Get Smart - this is reassuring: I won't look a total geek if I hem them to a slight break only!

To be honest, Baron's 2" suggestion would also be just about do-able (I guess the 501s pictured may be about this? Haven't checked for sure). Stacked definitely sounds like something I'd feel self-conscious about wearing.

So, APC New Standard or Rag & Bone RB6 seem to be the two "easy" choices for me.

Another "obvious" question - the 501s fit reasonably nicely around the waist; should I go for the same waist size in both the APC's and Rag&Bones' mentioned or size up or down, especially since it sounds like they have a lower rise?

Thanks again, you've all helped a lot!

 

[drizzt3117]

I think you may be able to try on APC fairly easily in the UK as well, not sure about R&B. I own both jeans, I would say they're both capable of being handled by someone with muscular legs with no issues. I personally find the APC NS to be a little more tapered near the ankle than the RB6 but the RB6 is a fairly slim fit jean that is pretty true to size, while you have to size down quite a bit for a slim fit in the APC NS, I sized down two sizes from my natural waist. As LA Guy noted, the RB6 is a very slight bootcut, and has a slightly lower rise. Do you guys think the RRDS/SSDS would be a good choice, or would it be TOO low rise? http://www.shopjake.com//index.php?p...product_ID=362 or potentially Bootcut OLA? http://www.revolveclothing.com/produ...s/NUDI-MJ4.jsp

 

[shoreman1782]

I think the louder branding of Nudies would clash with Holdfast's style, but the Ralf and Sven cuts would work, if he doesn't mind the stitching/low pockets.

I agree the APC New Standard rec. Holdfast, there are a few threads about sizing, because it is pretty funky. Generally, size down. I would strongly recommend trying some on if you have the chance. The Rescue cut is a little looser/truly straight, if you prefer.

 

[Baron]

For APC New Standard, size down 2" from your trouser size. You might also consider the APC Rescue, which is a straight leg cut, but still fairly slim. I'd size down 3" for this cut (in both cases, these jeans are just mislabeled by this amount and this is the size you need for a normal fit).

I think R&B fit true to size.

 

[Saucemaster]

Originally Posted by drizzt3117

Do you guys think the RRDS/SSDS would be a good choice, or would it be TOO low rise?

http://www.shopjake.com//index.php?p...product_ID=362

or potentially Bootcut OLA?

http://www.revolveclothing.com/produ...s/NUDI-MJ4.jsp

Isn't the Ola fairly slim in the thighs? I haven't tried them on, but I was under the impression that they were. I think the SSDS (or RRDS) would be a great choice if it wasn't for the stitching, which I agree seems a bit loud (in the wrong sort of way) with Holdfast's outfit.

 

[drizzt3117]

Originally Posted by Saucemaster

Isn't the Ola fairly slim in the thighs? I haven't tried them on, but I was under the impression that they were. I think the SSDS (or RRDS) would be a great choice if it wasn't for the stitching, which I agree seems a bit loud (in the wrong sort of way) with Holdfast's outfit.

My pair is slim but not really much more so than my RB6, FWIW. Both are much roomier than my SDA103s.