Striped Trousers Revisited/New Challenge

[Oliver]

I have read many of the threads about pin/chalkstripe trousers and their innappropriateness as a tradly separate item of clothing. I know many suggest pulling it off in the BR sort of style, but I'm not personally big on that look.

However when I see a traditional rule, I see it as a challenge to break the rule while remaining traditional/appropriate. Because, let's face it, there are guiding principles and hard 'n' fast rules. With striped trousers, the principle is that it often looks like an orphaned piece from a suit. However one can ignore certain rules if one has enough gusto and a well-trained eye (for example, my traditional grandmother still thinks it's innappropriate to wear green and blue anywhere near each other....)

So this thread is to elicit ideas about how it might possibly be pulled off.

So here is my first idea for critiquing and tweaking.
A pair of fairly bold dark brown chalkstripe traditional trousers. High-waisted, fishtail back, worn with braces, styled like the pics below:

I'm imagining them with a solid textured sportcoat in a color complimentary to the stripe, and in a linen/silk/mohair material, perhaps like one of these below

Paired with a crisp white point-collar broadcloth shirt, and a rich wine colored tie and pocket square, what do you think?

 

[edmorel]

I think striped trousers look better alone than striped sportcoats do. Those pants in your picture have a lot going on. I would wear them without suspenders, take off the outside suspender button, with a solid white, blue or pink shirt (or very tiny patterned) and some suede shoes or boots. I would not put any type of sportcoat over it. A solid coast will not look good when it is abrubtly broken up by the stripes of the pants. You might be able to get away with a very short Thom Browne type of jacket. A sweater would be more appropriate. If you wear the suspenders and tie, than I would suggest a nice vest to wear, maybe with a buttonaire but no sportsjacket.

 

[Edward Appleby]

Yeah, I'd also suggest losing the suspenders. With them, it seems like a suit orphan.

 

[amirrorcrackd]

What/from where are those trousers? They are pretty awesome.
Thanks,

Dan

 

[Jovan]

They are probably vintage, but I'm sure any tailor could make these for you.

 

[Get Smart]

I have a similarly styled pair of trousers like that from Dolce Gabanna, in a check pattern but flat fronted....and I agree that odd pinstripe trousers look much better than odd striped jackets. I went through a massive pinstripe trouser 'phase' about 10 years ago and would wear them all the time, even got pinstriped jeans

.

I'm not too keen on matching the colors so closely tho...I preferred to find complimenting colors in the similar color value as the trouser color. If i did match, it would be the shirt to the pinstripe color, assuming the stripes were not white/ecru but a more interesting color.

 

[Jovan]

Jason: Any of these trousers you'd be willing to get rid of...?

 

[coachvu]

Is it normal to have exterior braces buttons?

 

[Jovan]

Not today. It's only common on trousers from the 1930s I believe. At some point they moved to the inside of the waistband for whatever reason.

 

[Get Smart]

Originally Posted by Jovan

Jason: Any of these trousers you'd be willing to get rid of...?

It'll all be in my will, along with the Thom Browne suit, to you

 

[whoopee]

That's a nice cloth. I think you should stay away from jackets and wear sweaters and other knitwear with them. Like a nice slim cardigan for ex.

Buttons used to be on the outside because people always wore waistcoats to cover them.

 

[Oliver]

Thanks for all your input. The actual trousers in question are not mine, but a photo of a friend's 1930's english-traditional trousers. I'm having them made up by a tailor until I have them just right, and then will send them to Asia to be copied. The fishtail, and some of the cut style is being copied from a pair of DL Cerney high-waisted's, which are cut with an english drape (but I'm reducing the ankle taper in mine to make about a 21" cuff for my size 12 feet), and is a moderate fishtail that actually looks pretty good with a belt. I will post pictures when I have my trousers ready -- they will be in 95%worsted, 5% cashmere.

I may give up on the sportcoat idea and have a matching jacket made.... what do you guys think, belted? single breast peak lapel? (smack me if I'm using your wealth of information too freely...)

 

[Jovan]

Originally Posted by Get Smart

It'll all be in my will, along with the Thom Browne suit, to you

I truly win at the forums.

 

[skalogre]

Originally Posted by Jovan

I truly win at the forums.

 

[philosophe]

Originally Posted by whoopee

That's a nice cloth. I think you should stay away from jackets and wear sweaters and other knitwear with them. Like a nice slim cardigan for ex.

Good advice.