Help me date my pants...

[Mr Vim]

Alright,

I have three sets of vintage trousers, all of them with lowered belt loops, high waist, and at least an 11 inch rise, but I have no idea what year they are... and the real question is does it matter? I really want to know if it matters? Was there a monumental difference between late 30s trousers and late 40s trousers? Someone told me to measure the cuff width. All the trousers I own have about 9 and 1/2 inches width on the cuffs... so if anyone can pinpoint a time frame for those I would be very much obliged.

And again please let me know if I could get away with wearing trousers that aren't an exact chronological match to a sport coat...

Cheers
Vim.

 

[Matt Deckard]

Have some pics? Also, have you bought them roses?

In the end, pants don't always have to be period correct with jackets. they have to look balanced yes, but I mix and match all the time. If something works it works.

Take some pics and let's take a look.

 

[LoveMyHats2]

Hello, I have to say I am far from the expert on vintage items all the way, but I am just thinking the measured size of a cuff or finished bottom on pants may not be anything at all to determine exactly the time period such pants are from. I think logically a person can have pants altered or made to be a vast variety of sizes and shapes. However if you have something to look at, post a picture showing the inside of the pants, any tags or markings that may be on them, it may help someone here to identify a "made in such and such year" that would be from a reliable source.

I have three pairs of pants I purchased in a tailor shop in 1973. The shop was in Naples, Italy. The pants are a tad bit wider legs (pleated front pants) than most dress pants. They are just so one of a kind, but would remind you of very expensive pants you would see maybe a movie star wearing from the past, say maybe 1940's. I have had many people that are very into vintage clothing discuss the pants when I wear them with a dinner jacket, these people will tell me the pants look good with a tux, and must be from the 1940's, I tell them NO, I purchased them in the 70's, and they want to argue with me they have to be from 1940's! They are a bit higher rise than most dress pants, have such a deep rich wool and silk blend, the colors are amazing even today the pants still look like new. I paid maybe at most $40.00 a pair and that included having them "fit and sized" and "cuffed" right then and there.

 

[Mr Vim]

Matt, well I've no flowers but I've still got a half bottle of wine to offer them...

I'll post post some photos tomorrow fellas, but I appreciate the initial input.

 

[LoveMyHats2]

I would think that Mr. Deckard will be able to give you a more valued guess or opinion about the age factor than most of us could, as he is far more educated about clothing, it is his line of work.