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Proper occasions for madras pants

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jrrcsava

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
Hello all -

Im new here but so far this place seems wonderful. I searched to see if I could find an answer to my question but found nothing. Soo here goes...

I recently bought a pair of madras pants from BB. https://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCa...0016&Parent_Id=220&default_color=ORANGE-BLUE&sort_by=&sectioncolor=&sectionsize=

I think they are awesome, however, i have never owned a pair before. I know that they are considered casual pants and can be dressed up or down to some degree but i guess i am looking for some specifics so as not to make any wrong decisions. I feel like a wrong decision with these pants could be potentially disastrous.

So... When are the proper occasions to wear these pants? Could I wear them to a baseball tailgate (im in mississippi)? A bbq? out on a boat? walking around town?

I know how to dress them up, but how about down? can you cuff them and wear with a t-shirt and loafers?

I love the pants and will wear them well as long as i know what im doing. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
 
#3 ·
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The knit shirt or buttondown, usually in a conservative color are the natural pairing for madras. Boat shoes or penny loafers are the only shoes I'd think of. I can't think of wearing socks with them.

Seeing as these are patchwork, I guess it's possible that they could be casual enough for a t-shirt. Seems tricky, I wouldn't try it, but possible. Patchwork is "fun" in nature, so reserving for festive or lighthearted occasions is best.

I wouldn't put madras on for evening wear, but clock-watching seems a bit silly if in season.
 
#6 ·
I can't imagine wearing a t-shirt with madras. Sport shirts are your best best, possibly polos. Loafers would be best, and then boat shoes. You can wear them anywhere you want (of course aside from things like going to the grocery store, the movies, etc). The 6 pm rule isn't really a rule and it's mainly to show that you wouldn't wear them to anything remotely formal; however if you go out during the day and it starts getting dark and you run to change your pants, you will be laughed at.
 
#13 ·
I would wear either a solid OCBD or polo shirt -- for the madras pants I own, I prefer white, blue or pink.

I think you can wear them to any function that is not too formal. I wear mine to dinner when I meet up with some college buddies on Cape Cod. More often than not, several of us have some form of GTH pants on, much to the dismay of our respective wives.
 
#14 ·
Personally I think they should be worn to events or functions where you would stand up. Bars, golf courses, trade shows, winery visits, trips on large yachts, or casual strolls downtown shopping. I think they look great on others and have always wanted a pair but when you are 6 and a half feet tall and 260 pounds they look kind of mediocre. also I had a bit of a muffin top thing when I tried on a pair last summer at BBs.

If I get down to around 245 I'll snap up a pair though. Definetly a polo in white.
 
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#15 ·
a!!!!1 said:
I can't imagine wearing a t-shirt with madras. Sport shirts are your best best, possibly polos. Loafers would be best, and then boat shoes. You can wear them anywhere you want (of course aside from things like going to the grocery store, the movies, etc). The 6 pm rule isn't really a rule and it's mainly to show that you wouldn't wear them to anything remotely formal; however if you go out during the day and it starts getting dark and you run to change your pants, you will be laughed at.
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Why can't you wear them to the grocery store?
 
#18 · (Edited)
I would say they are appropriate to wear when everyone knows you're deliberately not trying to be taken seriously, otherwise you'll look like you're a "fail" just trying too hard. Personally, I think they look way too affected and loud for almost any regular occasion (similar in silliness to how a white man would look in a mariachi outfit, a black person dressed "waspy", or an asian dressed in scottish kilt regalia -- just my opinion though). But I suppose if you have some chutzpah and really don't care, more power to you!

I would wear a pair a patchwork madras swimming shorts perhaps. They might also work when you're golfing and you just want to have a daring look.
 
#20 ·
YoungTrad said:
Youre from the south, wear it with some sperrys, ocbd, bowtie and blue blazer to an early football game.
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Past that part in my life - have toned down the louder forms of preppiness considerably since high school/college in general. I agree with Chadwick; madras can very quickly look like an affectation/part of a costume. When I do wear madras, it's on the weekends to run errands (with a T-shirt) or, occasionally, (as a guest) to private clubs (where it looks great with a button-down and bit loafers). A lot of it depends on the company you keep and the places you hang out.
 
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