Summer weight wool trousers?

[Matto]

Hi all,

Quick one - what are my options these days for light-weight wool dress pants?

• I've got a couple of pairs of Lands End SuperNatural tropical wool pants, which are perfect. Unfortunately they're almost almost 3 years old, and are showing their age. Lands End don't carry the SuperNatural fabric any more. That's a shame, because I love being able to select the waist and inseam sizing separately (I'm a tall, lanky bugger).

• I've got a pair of the Year'rounder pants from Lands End, which they DO currently stock, however they're a considerably heavier grade of wool. Both in weight, and in warmth. They'll do, but I live in a tropical city and through summer they're simply too heavy a trouser to be comfortable in. Think 34 degrees (93F), and 80% humidity for 3 months of the year.

• I have a pair of pants from the local menswear shop that are nice and light, but they were $300 (the cheapest ones they sold) and they're simply imported pants that have been rebadged with the shop's brand. They're good, but I'm not keen to spend that much. It's my back-up option though, if there's nothing else available.

So - what else is out there? It's summer in the northern hemisphere, so I assumed I would have a bit of choice from the online retailers, but it seems slim pickings.

Howard Yount seem to get a lot of good press, but at $200 (+ shipping & hemming) were also a bit more than I envisaged spending. They do sound good though : http://www.howardyount.com/collections/pants/products/vintage-tropical-wool-pants-tan

SuitSupply do some Super120s pants that read OK, but again, around that $200 mark: http://eu.suitsupply.com/en/trousers/light-grey-trousers/B403.html?cgid=Trousers

Are there any other options that I've overlooked? Keen for something a bit more formal than cotton chinos.

Cheers,
Matt

 

[Murlsquirl]

@Matto I've moved your thread to the new Menswear Advice Forum, where you'll get more useful advice and where other members with similar questions can benefit from your having asked.

Check out Kent Wang and Epaulet for RTW options...and just to let you know, Howard Yount has a horrible reputation here. He was a great source for trousers for quite a few years, but his customer service went to absolute shite out of nowhere a couple years back. Shame..great trousers.

 

[Matto]

Thanks for moving this Murlsquirl - I agree this is where I should have posted.

Thanks for the update on Howard Yount too - I've been away from SF for a little while and obviously missed that. Like you say, that's a shame because I know they were highly regarded. Oh well.

I'll check out the other options you've suggested now.

Cheers,
Matt

 

[WhereNext]

If the trousers you have fit well, you could also try Luxire (send in a good fitting pair and they'll copy them). They have a huge range of fabrics, a bunch that would appear to fit the bill for you. I looked the other day (I live in Cape Town, so need warm weather stuff) and there are some New Fine Worsted and VBC cloths that look to be around the $150 mark (plus $25 for shipping, I think) that look to be good.

 

[Spark]

RE: Howard Yount. The trousers are still awesome and ordering is not an issue, but god forbid you have to return or ask a Q...into the Abyss you go!

That said, if you know what you want, know the size of their different cuts, you should be good.

 

[Matto]

If the trousers you have fit well, you could also try Luxire (send in a good fitting pair and they'll copy them). They have a huge range of fabrics, a bunch that would appear to fit the bill for you. I looked the other day (I live in Cape Town, so need warm weather stuff) and there are some New Fine Worsted and VBC cloths that look to be around the $150 mark (plus $25 for shipping, I think) that look to be good.

Interesting option WhereNext - I hadn't considered that as a possibility. I like the idea of it. I'll do some research and let you know. $150 would be supremely affordable for good pants. Thanks for suggesting it.

RE: Howard Yount. The trousers are still awesome and ordering is not an issue, but god forbid you have to return or ask a Q...into the Abyss you go!

That said, if you know what you want, know the size of their different cuts, you should be good.

Thanks Spark. Unfortunately I've never ordered Yount trousers, so I'd be starting from scratch re: cut and size. Sounds like I might be in for a world of hurt, because I'm a weird shape so returns would definitely be on the agenda (sadly). Thanks for the advice.

Cheers,
Matto