Where to Get 1940s-Style Trousers?

• Aug 1, 2015

• #1

Sebastien Basset

New in Town

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32

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Los Angeles, CA

I've been trying to get myself some good old fashioned 1940s-style pleated, cuffed pants (among other things) and I find that no pairs of modern pants have a cut with a high enough waist, they're all hip huggers. I may be out of luck trying to find extremely affordably priced trousers (tight budget and good taste aren't a very good combination I've learned), but I figured I would put this out to you fine folks for some input. Thanks!

 

• Aug 1, 2015

• #2

Rabbit

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Germany

Read through these threads for a start:

how to start building a man's wardrobe?

How did people in the 40s-50s casually dress? (Without Suits)

Help finding 1950's dress pants for larger guy

The short version is, you'll get vintage ones at the usual auction sites, decent repros at places like Luxire and Spencers, and the most affordable high-waisted trousers that are readily available would be 40s-50s miltary trousers, although these are usually unpleated and always come uncuffed, but most of the time with lots of excess material at the hem. With patience, you'll find everything you need at the acution sites unless you're at the upper end of the size spectrum, or have a very long size.

 

• Aug 1, 2015

• #3

herringbonekid

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East Sussex, England

are you asking for modern-made 1940s style trousers ?

 

• Aug 1, 2015

• #4

Retro Spectator

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Connecticut

If you don't mind polyester, you can get these Aris Allen slacks for only $15. I have them, and I wear them everyday, all day. They are extremely comfortable!

http://dancestore.com/collections/a...-wide-leg-pleated-trousers?variant=1793364868

If you are size 31 waist, you can get the brown ones.

http://dancestore.com/collections/a...-pleated-trousers-unhemmed?variant=1793364292

 

• Aug 1, 2015

• #5

Heathfox

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London, UK

Hi!
My favourite trousers of all times, 1940s-style or not, are the reproduction WWII US army officers khaki trousers made by What Price Glory (military tailors of choice for many Lounge members). They have the high cut, are enormously comfortable and go with more or less everything, especially well with sports coats. The only thing I change about them is that I have suspender buttons added. The same company sells a British WWII khaki drill trouser (wider cut thant the US army ones, almost "Oxford bags"), US army wool officers trousers in khaki/ taupe ("pink") and dark green as well "Indiana Jones" trousers in a khaki-grey-ish tone. If you don't mind those colours, they are perfectly suitable for civilian wear -and come at a very reasonable price.
Cheers
Ph

 

• Aug 1, 2015

• #6

Rabbit

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herringbonekid said:

are you asking for modern-made 1940s style trousers ?

Click to expand...

I take any such question as the OP's to mean "I'm fed up with low-rise pants and don't know even where to start looking for high-waisted trousers". [huh]

 

• Aug 1, 2015

• #7

Sebastien Basset

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Los Angeles, CA

Thanks for the advice everyone! I suppose, perhaps, a better question to ask is what can I get as a good base to a post-war men's wardrobe? What staples are a good start and work to mix and match a few different ensembles for everyday wear? I already have a pair of wingtip sspectators, and since I've lost some weight recently most items I had no longer fit (and we're too cheap new to bother getting them altered now). Just want to find out about a good place to start when it came to post-war men's casual outfits. Thanks again!

 

• Aug 1, 2015

• #8

Rabbit

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Well, have you read the second thread that I linked to in post #2?

 

• Aug 2, 2015

• #9

APP Adrian

A-List Customer

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Toronto

Retro Spectator said:

If you don't mind polyester, you can get these Aris Allen slacks for only $15. I have them, and I wear them everyday, all day. They are extremely comfortable!

http://dancestore.com/collections/a...-wide-leg-pleated-trousers?variant=1793364868

If you are size 31 waist, you can get the brown ones.

http://dancestore.com/collections/a...-pleated-trousers-unhemmed?variant=1793364292

Click to expand...

Wait, are those shoes actually durable? Can they be a poor mans substitute?

 

• Aug 2, 2015

• #10

Sebastien Basset

New in Town

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Los Angeles, CA

Rabbit said:

Well, have you read the second thread that I linked to in post #2?

Click to expand...

Just read through that now. Must've missed it at first. (I'm on my phone and not everything loads properly.) That thread certainly gives me a better idea of where to start, so I think I may be set as far as what direction I want to go in.

 

• Aug 2, 2015

• #11

Gray Ghost

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Rocky Mount, NC / Hometown of Kay Kyser

I like the idea of using the military trousers. My dad, when he came home from WWII, he wore his dress trousers for dress and his khaki shirts and trousers for his casual look. The only thing left of his uniform when I came along was his service coat. He had worn out all the shirts and trousers he had left over. He was with the 13th "Jungle" Air Force in the Pacific.

 

• Dec 31, 2015

• #12

rtrann9ball

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San Gabriel Valley

Hey friends!!

Long time viewer, first time poster!!

ANY HELP AND POINTING TO THE RIGHT THREADS OR SUGGESTIONS WOULD BR MUCH APPRECIATED!!!

I am looking for any suggestions where I can find some store bought dress slacks (Ralph Lauren, etc) with a higher rise, pleated, and cuffs)

Nothing custom or Reproductions they cost way too much for my salary at the moment. Rather any department store or brand suggestions where they have higher more fuller traditional cut.

Thank you so much guys and gals!

Happy New Years to all

Ricky

 

• Dec 31, 2015

• #13

jdbenson

One of the Regulars

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213

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Cincinnnati, OH

I've had good luck at Jos A Bank. In general, the rise of their trousers is 12" for my size 36" waist pants. For me that puts the top of the waist band right at my navel.

I've also found higher waisted trousers at Macy's and Dillard's and other national department stores. The trick is to stay away from the casual trousers like Dockers, and look through the 'Dress' trousers. In general the higher end, all wool trousers tend to be aimed more towards the older adult male, and are cut more generously and sit at the natural waist, not the hips. Good luck and happy hunting!

 

• Jan 1, 2016

• #14

Blackjack

One Too Many

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Crystal Lake, Il

Thrift stores, thrift stores, thrift stores.... Look for 1990's suit pants. Early 90's wide lapels baggy trousers cuffed pants, lots of them have a good 13 to 15" rise.

 

• Jan 1, 2016

• #15

Edward

Bartender

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London, UK

APP Adrian said:

Wait, are those shoes actually durable? Can they be a poor mans substitute?

Click to expand...

In my experience, dance shoes are rarely as hardy as normal shoes, and in particular often lack a sole that is suited to anything other than a well-maintained, sprung dancefloor.

 

• Jan 1, 2016

• #16

Dreamofgilgamesh

A-List Customer

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In a barrel of Adnams Best Bitter, UK

They're not bad looking trousers Retro, just a pity the shipping is so much to the UK.

 

• Sep 26, 2017

• #17

l0fielectronic

Practically Family

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666

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UK

I saw these on a promo yesterday and thought of the site...

http://www.gap.co.uk/browse/product.do?cid=1091744&vid=1&pid=000171072000

They have a jean style top from the looks of it so whilst not exactly vintage in style they do claim to have a higher rise and be wide legged.

If you sign up for their newsletter there is normally a code for 20-35% off every few days and sometimes free shipping as well. Just though they might make a cheap buy for someone in the UK.