This spandex look drives me crazy! Duck Egg blue with a yellow tie? He looks like the Easter bunny vomited on him. I posted about how I hate the men's suits that look too small in an earlier post. This is the new sophisticated look for pretentious juveniles. I can always distinguish between the (real) men and the boys today by their haircuts and their attire. Unfortunately, there are more boys than men. The same goes for real women vs girls. I rarely ever see people under 55 who don't look hideous in extremely tacky styles. My husband desperately needs new pants to garden in and he's having such a difficult time finding anything that is 100 percent cotton. He and I both hate stretch. He was purchasing the Kmart Basic Edition khaki pants but Kmart is no more. Anyone have any suggestions? He doesn't want expensive pants to work in.
Thanks for the suggestion! Unfortunately, my husband doesn't like the industrial look of that style. He also doesn't like relaxed pants. The Professional Carhart style is better but they contain spandex. Looks like we may have to visit Orvis this weekend. Ouch.
Here's an entertaining link to a discussion about men's slim suits:
The paradox of slim fit jeans with added stretch. Presumably, so you can actually get them on and move in them.
It's all a con. The current slim and skinny trend is just a way of using less material in the garment, but having a buzz word to be able to justify charging the same price as a regular fitting garment.
I keep reading about obesity crises, and how the human race are getting bigger. Just who is wearing all this skinny stuff?
A con exactly! Yet, so many customers fall for this and believe that spandex actually improves the integrity of the fabric. Everyone ( every S,M,L,XL,XXL) is wearing the skinny stuff! I've also noticed that the trend in women's pants is to lower the back yoke and back pockets so low that women's bottoms look like wide blobs squeezed down into a balloon.
Oh, Brooks, you sad, dissipated, disaster. What’s next, Golden Fleece tattoos? Worth noting that the full “Brooks” cut OCBD is no more (perhaps to save space for “customer-favorite slim-fit jeans”?). The full “Mercer” cut is, however, in ample supply. And J Press, while slightly flintier with the fabric, is also reliably available. Thank you for the laugh, MA.
I purchased a pair of flannel wool trousers from BB over the New Years and when they came back from being tailored I was looking around the store. The Men's section was in complete disarray and the sizes were very limited. Turns out they are completely redoing their Men's collection to add "more stretch" to everything. Because just what I need is a Regent or Milano fit anything with more stretch.
It's a reinvention of a lamentable wheel. Bear with me here: I note that Lands' End has recently stopped providing information about fiber content in its catalog--an obvious effort to slip synthetics by shoppers--while like most other retailers, including Brooks, they are now trumpeting the thrilling virtues of "stretch" and "performance." What's happening is that the garment industry is preying on young customers who don't remember the polyester boom of the '70s and who therefore think synthetics are some fantastic new development. Sorry, but all these clingy "stretch" and "performance" garments will merely limit your freedom of movement while making you stink, just like polyester disco shirts and slacks did 45 years ago. And since most of these fibers are derived from petroleum, with only a small portion being made from recycled fabrics, they are environmentally irresponsible by the supposed standards of the very people who love them most.
Can't stress enough the need to boycott. Majority of this stuff is made in overseas sweatshops and the idea of "stretch" being beneficial to folks is a farse. It is cheaper to produce and it's all about their bottom line. It's impossible to find any regular, non-stretch Khakis from Brooks Bros. now. Same goes for the non-iron shirts. Used to have a few, they all busted out at the elbows quickly.
I would add that the rise is far too short, especially if one bends over to pick up something off the floor. The design is more suited to skinny young Italians and the silly "internet gentlemen" on clothing forums who wear low slung jeans.
Anyone who wants comfort and quality should try the 100% cotton twill jeans from Cordings. They are made in England and excellent value, especially in the trouser promotions, but I need to go up a size. Their moleskin jeans, normal size, are my daily choice for the colder months.
Aside from being simply ugly, this "get-up" (as my grandmother would have called it) tends toward the gender-neutral trend that is being promoted today. Personally, I think he looks shrink-wrapped.
I agree. The current gender-neutral is too infantile for my taste. The model is wearing what my 3 year old brother might have worn at Sunday picnic. Who is responsible for these trends?
Muffy and I often wear gender-neutral clothing but we don't look like we were styled in the children's dept. of Walmart!
Boys wore jeans like that when I was in junior high. But you couldn't buy them that way. You had to get your mother to cut them down (pegged pants, they were called). And she would. You couldn't wear them to school, though, unless they were "wheat" jeans.
Because I'm petite, I used to be able to cheat and buy boys cotton trousers. Now that I'm replacing ones that are no longer presentable enough for work, even that's becoming difficult. Recently I've been finding nice women's pants/ trousers in thrift and consignment shops. But I'm going to see if Bill's Khakis can make some my size. I want my pants to last a long time. To look nice and be comfortable for the office, I'm willing to pay, now that I see the pickings are slim...
Bill's Khakis are made with spandex AND Tencel- used to produce very thin, cheap fabrics that won't last long at all. Most clothing made with these ingredients end up in the landfill within a year.
Orvis has men's khakis ( different lengths/waists) for around 90 dollars and they are 100 percent medium weight cotton.
I agree with the recommendation for the Orvis khakis. The "Signature" chinos and chino shorts, made from pima cotton, are the best that I have bought in recent years. Only Cordings' old thick chinos, made in England and discontinued over 10 years ago, are better.
I keep coming back to this photo and thinking it is a parody. The man looks like an HB pencil. Who could think this looks good? He is like some sort of 50s comic book version of a preppy student.
Not everyone is fortunate enough to have correctly proportioned body parts. I doubt that it is photoshopped no more than photos of models are airbrushed. What does happen is that the model herself is airbrushed, sometimes heavily. The clothes on the man have probably been carefully pinned so as to achieve a snug-fitting look. Some people go in for the fitted look, you know. He is wearing a white shirt, after all.
I should apologize, I am the above "Bad Photoshop" remark...“Photoshop” software manipulates pixels. This software has over 70 tools, thus hundreds of applications; one is “air brushing”- the commercial photos are digital (having pixels), to be manipulated as needed saving shooting/editing/work time. Time is money. At least that is what I sought a degree in then paid to produce. I certainly have an unfair advantage of seeing the mistakes with “different eyes” through my work monitor and its software, the software/cards of the computer then the manipulation application softwares that digitally tattle on everything.
Someone really should all this commentary to Brooks Brothers! Would it make a difference, maybe not but the owner would at least know some of us are NOT happy! PA
I used to be a devoted BB shopper. But I have not purchased more than a pair of socks or two over the past several years All that no-iron crap is not for me, not to mention the super snug fitting clothes. How do you move in something like that? BB used to carry all cotton un-treated khakis many years ago. They stopped and I am very disappointed. I asked a salesman recently why and he just shrugged and said he gets a lot of complaints that the clothes are ugly, too tight, or resemble a toxic chemical plant. We are seeing the end of an institution. And at a very fast pace. I would hazard to guess that BB will be extinct within a decade.
Brooks Brothers lost me completely when they started carrying that Thom Browne line of Pee Wee Herman suits, complete with short pants. I look at catalogs from the 1980's when my brother was a salesman at Brooks Brothers and I am mystified as to how they have completely lost their way.
He sure looks comfortable!
ReplyDelete... in his Sprayed-On-Torso shirt!
DeleteThat can't really be Brooks Brothers -- must be a misprint.
ReplyDeleteAwful!
ReplyDeleteThis spandex look drives me crazy! Duck Egg blue with a yellow tie? He looks like the Easter bunny vomited on him. I posted about how I hate the men's suits that look too small in an earlier post. This is the new sophisticated look for pretentious juveniles. I can always distinguish between the (real) men and the boys today by their haircuts and their attire. Unfortunately, there are more boys than men. The same goes for real women vs girls. I rarely ever see people under 55 who don't look hideous in extremely tacky styles.
ReplyDeleteMy husband desperately needs new pants to garden in and he's having such a difficult time finding anything that is 100 percent cotton. He and I both hate stretch. He was purchasing the Kmart Basic Edition khaki pants but Kmart is no more. Anyone have any suggestions? He doesn't want expensive pants to work in.
https://www.carhartt.com/products/carhartt-pants-chino/Washed-Twill-Dungaree---Relaxed-Fit-B324
DeleteThanks for the suggestion! Unfortunately, my husband doesn't like the industrial look of that style. He also doesn't like relaxed pants. The Professional Carhart style is better but they contain spandex. Looks like we may have to visit Orvis this weekend. Ouch.
DeleteHere's an entertaining link to a discussion about men's slim suits:
https://ezrapaul.com/blogs/news/are-your-suits-too-tight?page=2
https://www.kmart.com/clothing-men-s-clothing-men-s-pants/b-5001073?Brand=Basic%20Editions&filterList=Brand&sbf=layaway
DeleteOnline ordering for you?
The paradox of slim fit jeans with added stretch. Presumably, so you can actually get them on and move in them.
ReplyDeleteIt's all a con. The current slim and skinny trend is just a way of using less material in the garment, but having a buzz word to be able to justify charging the same price as a regular fitting garment.
I keep reading about obesity crises, and how the human race are getting bigger. Just who is wearing all this skinny stuff?
A con exactly! Yet, so many customers fall for this and believe that spandex actually improves the integrity of the fabric.
DeleteEveryone ( every S,M,L,XL,XXL) is wearing the skinny stuff!
I've also noticed that the trend in women's pants is to lower the back yoke and back pockets so low that women's bottoms look like wide blobs squeezed down into a balloon.
Thank you for that sad but true observation! I have a waist, lets use it! PA
DeleteWho wears "jeans" anyway ?
ReplyDeleteMost of the western world, actually.
DeleteGood reply! I couldn’t have done better myself and I must admit I tried, but alas I got too wordy.
DeleteNo Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOh, Brooks, you sad, dissipated, disaster. What’s next, Golden Fleece tattoos? Worth noting that the full “Brooks” cut OCBD is no more (perhaps to save space for “customer-favorite slim-fit jeans”?). The full “Mercer” cut is, however, in ample supply. And J Press, while slightly flintier with the fabric, is also reliably available. Thank you for the laugh, MA.
ReplyDeleteYes! How did you know...Golden Fleece Tattoo, semi-permenent Tattoos by Inkbox.
DeleteI purchased a pair of flannel wool trousers from BB over the New Years and when they came back from being tailored I was looking around the store. The Men's section was in complete disarray and the sizes were very limited. Turns out they are completely redoing their Men's collection to add "more stretch" to everything. Because just what I need is a Regent or Milano fit anything with more stretch.
ReplyDeleteThey are a "steal" at only $148 per pair. LOL!
ReplyDeleteJesus Christ.
ReplyDeleteJust when you think it can't get worse!
ReplyDeleteIt's a reinvention of a lamentable wheel. Bear with me here: I note that Lands' End has recently stopped providing information about fiber content in its catalog--an obvious effort to slip synthetics by shoppers--while like most other retailers, including Brooks, they are now trumpeting the thrilling virtues of "stretch" and "performance." What's happening is that the garment industry is preying on young customers who don't remember the polyester boom of the '70s and who therefore think synthetics are some fantastic new development. Sorry, but all these clingy "stretch" and "performance" garments will merely limit your freedom of movement while making you stink, just like polyester disco shirts and slacks did 45 years ago. And since most of these fibers are derived from petroleum, with only a small portion being made from recycled fabrics, they are environmentally irresponsible by the supposed standards of the very people who love them most.
ReplyDeleteYuck! No self respecting farmer would wear those, neither would a serious office worker. So, leave it for trendy people and poseurs.
ReplyDeleteMaryAnne
Is this a joke?
ReplyDeleteSure it is, Rooney and they are laughing all the way to the bank.
DeleteGood grief. Just when you thought it couldn't get worse (Brooks Brothers offerings as well as the "look")....
ReplyDeleteCan't stress enough the need to boycott. Majority of this stuff is made in overseas sweatshops and the idea of "stretch" being beneficial to folks is a farse. It is cheaper to produce and it's all about their bottom line. It's impossible to find any regular, non-stretch Khakis from Brooks Bros. now. Same goes for the non-iron shirts. Used to have a few, they all busted out at the elbows quickly.
ReplyDeleteFarse?
DeleteA moment of silence is needed
ReplyDeleteI agree...let alone speak in a high pitched voice, the poor man.
DeleteFar too small on the front for me - I'd be arrested for indecency!
ReplyDeleteI hear you Ken! I'm a (very modest) woman and I blushed just looking at the photo.
DeleteI would add that the rise is far too short, especially if one bends over to pick up something off the floor. The design is more suited to skinny young Italians and the silly "internet gentlemen" on clothing forums who wear low slung jeans.
DeleteAnyone who wants comfort and quality should try the 100% cotton twill jeans from Cordings. They are made in England and excellent value, especially in the trouser promotions, but I need to go up a size. Their moleskin jeans, normal size, are my daily choice for the colder months.
No, absolutely not! Those are horrid!
ReplyDeleteAside from being simply ugly, this "get-up" (as my grandmother would have called it) tends toward the gender-neutral trend that is being promoted today. Personally, I think he looks shrink-wrapped.
ReplyDeleteI agree. The current gender-neutral is too infantile for my taste. The model is wearing what my 3 year old brother might have worn at Sunday picnic. Who is responsible for these trends?
DeleteMuffy and I often wear gender-neutral clothing but we don't look like we were styled in the children's dept. of Walmart!
Boys wore jeans like that when I was in junior high. But you couldn't buy them that way. You had to get your mother to cut them down (pegged pants, they were called). And she would. You couldn't wear them to school, though, unless they were "wheat" jeans.
ReplyDeleteBecause I'm petite, I used to be able to cheat and buy boys cotton trousers. Now that I'm replacing ones that are no longer presentable enough for work, even that's becoming difficult. Recently I've been finding nice women's pants/ trousers in thrift and consignment shops. But I'm going to see if Bill's Khakis can make some my size. I want my pants to last a long time. To look nice and be comfortable for the office, I'm willing to pay, now that I see the pickings are slim...
ReplyDeleteBill's Khakis are made with spandex AND Tencel- used to produce very thin, cheap fabrics that won't last long at all. Most clothing made with these ingredients end up in the landfill within a year.
DeleteOrvis has men's khakis ( different lengths/waists) for around 90 dollars and they are 100 percent medium weight cotton.
I agree with the recommendation for the Orvis khakis. The "Signature" chinos and chino shorts, made from pima cotton, are the best that I have bought in recent years. Only Cordings' old thick chinos, made in England and discontinued over 10 years ago, are better.
DeleteOh, dear. Thanks for the information. I would prefer 100% cotton pants. I will check out Orvis.
DeleteI keep coming back to this photo and thinking it is a parody. The man looks like an HB pencil. Who could think this looks good? He is like some sort of 50s comic book version of a preppy student.
ReplyDeleteDavid J Cooper
Bad Photoshop when it subliminally creeps you out...
ReplyDeletethe scale of several body parts are not correct (among other glaring errors).
Not everyone is fortunate enough to have correctly proportioned body parts. I doubt that it is photoshopped no more than photos of models are airbrushed. What does happen is that the model herself is airbrushed, sometimes heavily. The clothes on the man have probably been carefully pinned so as to achieve a snug-fitting look. Some people go in for the fitted look, you know. He is wearing a white shirt, after all.
DeleteI should apologize, I am the above "Bad Photoshop" remark...“Photoshop” software manipulates pixels. This software has over 70 tools, thus hundreds of applications; one is “air brushing”- the commercial photos are digital (having pixels), to be manipulated as needed saving shooting/editing/work time. Time is money. At least that is what I sought a degree in then paid to produce. I certainly have an unfair advantage of seeing the mistakes with “different eyes” through my work monitor and its software, the software/cards of the computer then the manipulation application softwares that digitally tattle on everything.
DeleteI love this blog! Thank you, Muffy.
ReplyDeleteNot for me, thanks.
ReplyDeleteSomeone really should all this commentary to Brooks Brothers! Would it make a difference, maybe not but the owner would at least know some of us are NOT happy! PA
ReplyDeleteI used to be a devoted BB shopper. But I have not purchased more than a pair of socks or two over the past several years All that no-iron crap is not for me, not to mention the super snug fitting clothes. How do you move in something like that? BB used to carry all cotton un-treated khakis many years ago. They stopped and I am very disappointed. I asked a salesman recently why and he just shrugged and said he gets a lot of complaints that the clothes are ugly, too tight, or resemble a toxic chemical plant. We are seeing the end of an institution. And at a very fast pace. I would hazard to guess that BB will be extinct within a decade.
ReplyDelete...the super snug fitting clothes. How do you move in something like that = easier to rob?
DeleteHand to forehead. Hand to forehead. Hand to forehead.
ReplyDeleteBrooks Brothers lost me completely when they started carrying that Thom Browne line of Pee Wee Herman suits, complete with short pants. I look at catalogs from the 1980's when my brother was a salesman at Brooks Brothers and I am mystified as to how they have completely lost their way.
ReplyDelete