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Can someone recommend me dress pants?

Izod32

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I currently just wear jeans but would definitely want to buy some dress pants. I live in nyc and am in my mid 20s.

I googled a bunch online and still have a few questions. I don't want to spend a lot of money on those expensive brands. I actually like brands such as Banana republic and express though many of you say BR is overpriced and express is just garbage.

I would like to buy 2 pairs of dress pants. I won't be wearing them a lot and still prefer wearing jeans but just want them for those few occasions when i go out and need to wear pants.


1. Wool or cotton? I read online wool is the best fabric but you need to take care of it. However, sometimes wearing wool pants might be overdressed. Is this true? I also heard one should not wear wool whenever its the summer. Does this statement always hold true as well? I read cotton is a really good fabric and cheaper and that is what people wear in summer. But still many people wear cotton dress pants during winter as well right? You can go for a job interview wearing cotton dress pants right or am i wrong?

2. What color to buy? I read online if you were to only buy 1 dress pant, get it in black because it goes with everything. Is this true? Someone mentioned that it isn't as versatile as it is made out to be. And if you were to buy only 1 dress pant, what color would it be and would it be wool or cotton? And if you were to buy 2 dress pants, what colors would it be.

3. Can someone recommend me what brand to purchase? I don't want to spend a lot of money on it like most of you guys who spend $300 and up on a dress pant like the Brook Brothers.. Express prices are very good but some people say they wear out fast and shrink. A guy messaged me and told me he had express producer pants and they fit okay but wearing out, whereas a banana republic classic fit wool pants fit so well. Would Banana republic be an okay choice? I don't want to wear anythinng like Gap though because i know their quality for dress pants seem to be lower quality than BR.

4. I want to purchase 2 dress pants. Would you suggest i buy 1 black and 1 grayish or charcoal color? Can someone tell me what is the difference between a gray dress pants and charcoal dress pants? i feel like i have to buy 1 black dress pant. Also, if i were to buy 2, would you suggest one wool and one cotton or 2 wool or 2 cotton? I'm thinking 1 black wool dress pant and 1 gray cotton dress pant?

These are the dress pants im looking at. The first one is in wool and there is 2 options black or midgray. The other 3 are dress pants in COTTON in 3 different colors. Is charcoal more blackish or grayish? And which of the cotton dress pants would you guys say look the best? And is there a reason why wool only cost 20 dollars more than their cotton dress pants? I am looking to buy 2 dress pants. Would definitely like if someone can help me here. Thanks.

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse...scid=762497002

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse...d=1&pid=802747

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse...d=1&pid=802744

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse...d=1&pid=802746
 

SuitMyself

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Okay, all jokes aside . . .

Buy a pair of 100% wool pants (flat front) in mid-grey (looks great with virtually ALL colours of blazers).

Your second pair should be, in my opinion, a black. Most people os styleforum are not fans of black anything and neither am I. But I do understand how black pants can work well for your clothing needs. Make sure these are also 100% wool.

Wool is all-season wear and should never be drycleaned more than two times a year. Make sure the pants are lined right down to the knees (most will be, anywas). Prices can range depending on which store you choose but I think you can reasonably expect to pay approximately $100 a pair or so (maybe even less if they're on sale).

Cotton pants are great for a casual look, not for dressing up. You're young. You have lots of time to buy more casual pants. What you don't have right now are dress pants and those are what you need right now: 100% wool dress pants.
 

cretaceous_cretin

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Originally Posted by SuitMyself
Okay, all jokes aside . . .

Buy a pair of 100% wool pants (flat front) in mid-grey (looks great with virtually ALL colours of blazers).

Your second pair should be, in my opinion, a black. Most people os styleforum are not fans of black anything and neither am I. But I do understand how black pants can work well for your clothing needs. Make sure these are also 100% wool.

Wool is all-season wear and should never be drycleaned more than two times a year. Make sure the pants are lined right down to the knees (most will be, anywas). Prices can range depending on which store you choose but I think you can reasonably expect to pay approximately $100 a pair or so (maybe even less if they're on sale).

Cotton pants are great for a casual look, not for dressing up. You're young. You have lots of time to buy more casual pants. What you don't have right now are dress pants and those are what you need right now: 100% wool dress pants.




100% wool pants don't have to be lined at all. I wear 100% worsted wool trousers occasionally, and in warmer weather lining makes them sticky, so I have the linings completely removed. A good pair of worsted wool slacks is _not_ scratchy in the least, so no lining is needed. If you want the lining, go for it, but it is not required in all 100% wool trousers to avoid the scratchiness.
 

poorlawstudent

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There's mabitexsex going around the B&S lately.
 

Patek

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When I first started out with my business casual attire, I purchased a lot of BR pants as they were wool and decently priced. Some of these have held up, but some became dated pretty quickly.

I currently purchase most of my daily wear pants at Brooks Brothers. They always have something on sale (on line) and you can purchase pants that are usually $250 for $100 and bring them into the store to have them altered for free (included in the price of purchase).

Also I have enjoyed , Linea Naturale pants from Nordstrom. They are around $130 but can often be found on sale. They make some decent winter-weight pants that have held up well for me. I do not know if they are sold by other stores.

Whatever you do, stay away from pleats! You will see some of the more stylish gentlemen here pulling them off, but for the average guy, it will look dated--especially in NYC!
 

Izod32

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Can someone tell me why BLACK is such a bad color?? I thought black was the most versatile and if one needed one dress pant, it would be black as i read online.
 

dasai

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Originally Posted by Izod32
Can someone tell me why BLACK is such a bad color?? I thought black was the most versatile and if one needed one dress pant, it would be black as i read online.
Black is historically associated with the two F's: funerals and formalwear. (Well, eveningwear, as far as trousers go.) This rule has lost its hold over the general populace within the past 30 or 40 years, but still has its applications: in particular, black is a severe, stark shade that is hard to blend into a coherent whole (though if stark contrast or monochrome is what you're after, then I suppose it's great). As such it's better to work in through accessories such a necktie rather than one of the most visible parts of the outfit.
 

westinghouse

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I suggest Zanella from Saks or Santorelli from Nordstrom.
 

tropics

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Originally Posted by poorlawstudent
There's mabitexsex going around the B&S lately.
go to daffy's on 57th st. i was in there yesterday, they have 4 rails of mabitex all shapes and sizes. purchase 2 * $30, problem solved.
 

KObalto

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Originally Posted by tropics
go to daffy's on 57th st. i was in there yesterday, they have 4 rails of mabitex all shapes and sizes. purchase 2 * $30, problem solved.

This, since you are in NYC. Amazing deal.
 

Izod32

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Hey kobalto. Isn't Daffy's products considered cheap and lesser quality? I think i been there only 1 time before. If it cost $30 a pair, that seems pretty cheap. Is the quality similar to banana republic or worst?
 

KObalto

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Originally Posted by Izod32
Hey kobalto. Isn't Daffy's products considered cheap and lesser quality? I think i been there only 1 time before. If it cost $30 a pair, that seems pretty cheap. Is the quality similar to banana republic or worst?

Mabitex are excellent quality, far superior to BR. Daffy does stock some cheap stuff, but the Mab are very well made, trim fit and MSRP is $200 plus I believe. Most of their last shipment was bought up by sellers here and sold for quite a decent mark-up. You should get yourself to 57th St before this forum cleans them out. You won't be sorry. I have 2 pairs I love.
 

GBer

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For the price of Banana Republic, you can find something far better in B&S or the "Bay". Mabitex and Incotex are nice brands to consider.
 

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