Trousers for Work

[bresnahanp]

I am a recent university graduate living in Chicago. I got my first "real job" out of college working in the financial services industry for a large firm downtown dealing with valuations, mergers, auditing, etc. The firm culture is fairly relaxed, but still traditional. By which, I mean it's not expected that you wear a suit and tie, but still wear a dress shirt, suit pants, jacket (if you wish), nice sweater, etc.

I already own a few suits (and pants that go with them). However, seeing that nice trousers are a must here to pair with dress shirts, sweater, etc. I was wondering what everyone has for their opinion regarding trouser options. I get bored of wearing the same navy, light grey, charcoal suits pants, and the occasional chino here-and-there.

What are some suggestions everyone has for trousers that are still conservative to fit into this firm, but have a flair of style to them? I'm thinking along the lines of basic conservative colors (navy, grey, etc), but with subtle, non-in-your-face patterns (light checks and windowpane, etc). Any ideas for pattern suggestions, as well as links to buy them or brands to check out?

All suggestions are welcome, thanks!

 

[circumspice]

Patterned odd trousers are tough to make work, and windowpane is probably a bad idea.

For Chicago, you probably want to get your flannel game sorted out for winter. Flannel can go with a sport coat, or with a sweater, which sounds like the flexibility you need. A mid grey and light grey are where I'd start. You will probably ignore this, and buy navy and charcoal as well, and likely find yourself wondering why they don't get that much use.

What is appropriate for summer? Does linen or linen / cotton work, or is that too casual?

 

[chogall]

Some patterned trousers scream deserted suit pants. For example, pinstripe, chalk stripe, window pane, etc. Some patterns are more neutral, e.g., houndstooth, glen plaid, etc. Some pattern really scream look-at-me and you might not want to be the colorful pants guy at work.

Boring is good. Instead of trying to add patterns, how about doing something on the texture front with, say, cotton/linen/fresco for summer and tweed and flannel for winter?

 

[Veremund]

I have some wool POW check trousers that I like to wear with black or navy v-neck sweaters. I wouldn't wear pinstripe trousers with an odd jacket though. Actually, I don't own any pinstripe trousers or suits at all, so there you go.

 

[bresnahanp]

Patterned odd trousers are tough to make work, and windowpane is probably a bad idea.

For Chicago, you probably want to get your flannel game sorted out for winter. Flannel can go with a sport coat, or with a sweater, which sounds like the flexibility you need. A mid grey and light grey are where I'd start. You will probably ignore this, and buy navy and charcoal as well, and likely find yourself wondering why they don't get that much use.

What is appropriate for summer? Does linen or linen / cotton work, or is that too casual?

Thanks for the suggestions! Flannel did cross my mind, as did some more textured wool ones. I like this idea, since the pants will still be very neutral to not draw much attention. Linen and linen/cotton I think would be too casual for the place I work.

 

[bresnahanp]

Some patterned trousers scream deserted suit pants. For example, pinstripe, chalk stripe, window pane, etc. Some patterns are more neutral, e.g., houndstooth, glen plaid, etc. Some pattern really scream look-at-me and you might not want to be the colorful pants guy at work.

Boring is good. Instead of trying to add patterns, how about doing something on the texture front with, say, cotton/linen/fresco for summer and tweed and flannel for winter?

Thanks for the ideas! I was thinking more of the route of houndstooth pattern for an off pair of pants. Do you think that is still neutral enough not to be "that guy"? Tweed was what came to mind next. I've seen some interesting pairs of pants in that material from Uniqlo and Jcrew. Do you have any thoughts as to where I could get pants like that in a very trim cut? I bought my first bespoke suit this past summer and wearing any pants that aren't MTM feel awkward to wear (as pretentious as that sounds, haha).

 

[bresnahanp]

I have some wool POW check trousers that I like to wear with black or navy v-neck sweaters. I wouldn't wear pinstripe trousers with an odd jacket though. Actually, I don't own any pinstripe trousers or suits at all, so there you go.

What are POW check trousers? I don't own pinstripe anything either. Maybe when I'm a CEO one day, but for the time being, moderation is key haha.

 

[Veremund]

Prince Of Wales.

 

[mensimageconsultant]

Hmm, financial industry, perhaps there's money to afford pants of wool blended with more than a trace amount of cashmere?

That said, don't regularly dress fancier than superiors.

 

[Gus]

Here is an example of a pant I am having made. From a distance, the pant seems to be a grey, yet as you look closely you see a simple pattern. I would suggest that once you have the basics, that you seek out very subtle patterns. Many guys get tired of larger checks and windowpanes prints. I know I sure did.

 

[Rolex Luthor]

Corduroy trousers (not jeans) might be an option for cooler weather.

 

[philosophe]

Since we're headed into cold weather, how about heavier wools and some texture--flannels and twills come to mind immediately. Small patterns, like herringbones, subtle donegals or other tweeds, etc. will work well. The same kinds of patterns would be versatile in jackets, too.

What's your budget?

 

[Kempy]

Disagree on the windowpane style looking like an orphaned pair of pants. I think the cleaner the windowpane the more likely that is to be the case but I have a pair of medium blue flannels made up that look a lot like these below and I don't think anyone would mistake them as a component of a suit.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NWT-990-BRI...-Wool-Dress-Pants-32-Modern-Fit-/291559289040

Where I work I can't really get away with wearing jackets without looking like I am going for an interview so the shirt and pants need to be the statement pieces otherwise things are too plain with just a light blue shirt and gray/charcoal trousers.

I would buy all my pants from Luxire going forward, the price point is basically as good or better than off the rack, you get the sizing as good as MTM and a much greater variety of fabrics. I currently have my tailor make mine but I think Luxire is better price point (for most fabrics).

Edit to add:

Another example http://www.howardyount.com/products/windowpane-tweed-pants-brown-red-and-blue

The more "casual" the fabric ie flannel, tweed etc the better I think this looks. The more formal, the less I personally think it looks good..

 

[chogall]

I would stick with even lighter weight tweed or flannel for office wear. Unless you want to steam boil your balls sitting at desks in modern heated office buildings.

 

[Veremund]



I would stick with even lighter weight tweed or flannel for office wear. Unless you want to steam boil your balls sitting at desks in modern heated office buildings.

Delicately put!