I have given up jeans as well. When I was a bit younger I liked them - specifically Levi's carpenter jeans. However, as we've seen the rise of the skinny jean in the last few years, the cut is too trim for me with my large thighs and looks ridiculous, along with being hard to move around or bend over. In fact, part of the reason I discovered AskAndy was my displeasure with jeans and how I felt much more comfortable in dress slacks.

Coworkers wondered why I didn't wear jeans on casual Friday and it was easy to explain with comfort level. I've since upgraded my style to wear wool slacks and a sportcoat at a minimum when I go out in public except in rare occurrences. My wife gives me funny looks for showering, getting the perfect outfit and pocket square all ready simply to go to the store for milk or eggs. And while I'm certainly not famous, I think to Michael Jordan saying he wore a suit before and after games because it could be the first, last, or only time a child saw him play and he wanted to give a good impression. My thought is similar as I never know who I will meet and like to look my best. I'm known at my kids school as the dad who dresses up nice and most assume I am some young executive rather than a simple engineer. I present a favorite quote of mine, from The Simpsons "That's the problem with first impressions - you only get one of them."

If doing housework, I may wear shorts or khaki style cargo pants. I have a couple pairs of running shoes and outfits for these casual times but don't go out in public with them unless running etc...I've even run to work on occasion (only a couple miles) and with neatly rolled up clothes and shoes with trees in a backpack I immediately hit the shower we have to limit exposure and sweaty workout clothing in a professional environment. In this case a sportcoat would not be practical.

All of this said, I have three kids ages 2, 4, and 5. When I get home I almost always immediately change into some sort of lounge pants as to not have nice clothes ruined or feel like I can't play with the kids for fear of ruining clothes.



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Cargo pants are very useful to me so I see no reason to buy jeans anymore. I buy military spec. BDUs which have especially big cargo pockets. Today I carried five 16oz glass mugs 3 miles. I bought them unexpectedly so I didn't have my backpack. I wasn't in shape to come out of it unscathed so I put two in my pockets to save my back and shoulders. I could have fit two in each pocket if I had to.

 

For about 10-15 years, around the mid 80's to the mid-90's or so I mostly wore cords or chinos instead of Levi's when not wearing business clothes. Since then I've gone back to jeans, and not just Levi's but Gustons, (in black, quite daring for me).

Tastes evolve, or regress. In my case retirement from an indoor (that is, office) job, involvement in the arts and downsizing have made jeans an appealing choice for daily wear, mostly with a sport coat. I think, also, that jeans are more widely acceptible in the West than thay are in other parts of the country.

While there seems to be a wide range of casual clothing preferences among forum participants, there also seems to be general agreement that for business and dress up occasions, proper men's clothing is called for. This does not forstall passionate and occasionally uncivil discussions of what constitutes proper men's clothing.

I maintain a preference for adult clothing (suit or jacket and tie) when it is reasonably appropriate.

Regards,
Gurdon

 

Jeans are the chinos of the West. I wear Wranglers because that's what fits me best. Go without jeans? As a native Californian that's simply inconceivable.

 

Jeans are the chinos of the West. I wear Wranglers because that's what fits me best. Go without jeans? As a native Californian that's simply inconceivable.

+1. I wear jeans 70& of the time in San Jose.

 

I have been forbidden from mentioning je@ns.

Or posting pictures of je@ns piled on a bonfire.

*sigh*

 

I too no longer possess any jeans.
I have a good selection of quality cotton trousers in various weights and colours and these suit my needs perfectly.

 

Jeans are trousers made from denim or dungaree cloth. Often the term "jeans" refers to a particular style of pants, called "blue jeans" and invented by Jacob Davisand Levi Strauss in 1873.

A young man named Levi Straussemigrated in 1851 from Germany to New York to be with his older brothers, who ran a dry goods store. In 1853 he moved to San Francisco to establish his own dry goods business.In 1872, Jacob Davis, a tailor who frequently purchased bolts of cloth from the Levi Strauss & Co. wholesale house, wrote to Levi asking to partner with him to patent and sell clothing reinforced with rivets.[SUP][1][/SUP] Davis' idea was to use copper rivets to reinforce the points of stress, such as on the pocket corners and at the bottom of the button fly. After Levi accepted Davis's offer,[SUP][2][/SUP] the two men received US patent No. 139,121, for an "Improvement in Fastening Pocket-Openings," on May 20, 1873.[SUP][3][/SUP]
An oft-told "attractive myth" is that Levi initially sold brown canvas pants to miners, eventually dyed them blue, turned to using denim, and after Davis wrote to him, Levi added rivets to his blue jeans. However, this story is false and probably due to the discovery of jeans made of brown cotton duck (a type of bottomweight fabric), which was one of the early materials used by Davis and Levi Strauss after 1873.[SUP][1][/SUP] Finding denim a more suitable material for work-pants, they began using it to manufacture their riveted pants. The denim used was produced by an American textile manufacturer, but popular legend states the denim was obtained from Nimes, France.[SUP][1][/SUP]

Initially, jeans were simply sturdy trousers worn by factory workers. During this period, men's jeans had the zipper down the front, whereas women's jeans had the zipper down the left side. Fewer jeans were made during the time of World War II, but 'waist overalls' were introduced to the world by American soldiers, who sometimes wore them when they were off duty. By the 1960s, both men's and women's jeans had the zipper down the front. Historic photographs indicate that in the decades before they became a staple of fashion, jeans generally fit quite loosely, much like a pair of bib overalls without the bib. Indeed, until 1960, Levi Strauss called its flagship product "waist overalls" rather than "jeans".
After James Dean popularized them in the movie Rebel Without a Cause, wearing jeans became a symbol of youth rebellion during the 1950s. Because of this, they were sometimes banned in theaters, restaurants and schools.[SUP][7][/SUP] During the 1960s the wearing of jeans became more acceptable, and by the 1970s it had become general fashion in the United States for casual wear.[SUP][8][/SUP]

:thumbs-up:

 

they still have that pleated "old man" look about them (Ugh!)

WOW, I remember when pleats were fashionable and flat front slim pants had that "old man" look. I own both just in case! In these parts no self respecting cowboy wears anything but Wranglers.

 

There is a place for denim and although I don't wear them often, I do wear them. I prefer a darker wash and slimmer leg but of course fit is key.

I think part of the problem is that men "of a certain age" are somewhat intimidated by denim. Quality, raw denim is actually very nice and can look good. Having said that, many men need a primer on denim and how to wear it.

 

With where my wardrobe is today, there is no way I could ditch jeans. Any other option would be military style pants (I wear them enough throughout the day, no need to wear it any more than I have to.) or khaki shorts and flip-flops (too cold right now). Maybe one day down the road as I do have a long term goal with my wardrobe, but it is not happening right now. I will tell you this much, if I ever return to the 115 degree summer heat of Phoenix Arizona I am not giving up the polo/shorts/flip-flops look. I will take reticule all day and I will be more comfortable while receiving it!

 

Interesting pendulum ride for me on jeans...
Having discovered the drive to dress nicer, I've found that I enjoy other pants (casual) than jeans and have relegated them to Saturday chores only...almost.

Now I find myself taking the Gustin plunge and have enjoyed reading about raw denim, and how they fit to the body, etc.

I have found a few pair of Ralph Lauren casual pants, one in olive and one in dark blue, that I am using as my casual pants instead of jeans, and now that I have broken the addiction to denim, I am enjoying more colors and variety.

Having done this, next month the Gustin's will arrive and perhaps I will go back to enjoying denim...but after decades of wearing jeans and, like the original poster, aging and watching a trend not for me, it's been refreshing finding alternatives.

 

With where my wardrobe is today, there is no way I could ditch jeans. Any other option would be military style pants (I wear them enough throughout the day, no need to wear it any more than I have to.) or khaki shorts and flip-flops (too cold right now). Maybe one day down the road as I do have a long term goal with my wardrobe, but it is not happening right now. I will tell you this much, if I ever return to the 115 degree summer heat of Phoenix Arizona I am not giving up the polo/shorts/flip-flops look. I will take reticule all day and I will be more comfortable while receiving it!

Would a pair of 32" waist 31" leg chinos fit you, at all?

 

In these parts no self respecting cowboy wears anything but Wranglers.

In these parts, too, and throughout the Northern Plains. The regional chain of ranch stores in Wyoming usually has variously named clones that fit like Wranglers but do not last as long. Anyone who spends much time on horseback knows which part of jeans wears out soonest.

 

I barely wear blue jeans nowadays, just once in a while these days.

 

Every time one of these threads pop up, I resist the urge to ask everyone if they want a cookie.

Oops.

 

Never wear them. Here in California, they are hot and uncomfortable most of the year.

 

As a fashion statement, I can see not wearing jeans when in public. However, not wearing jeans ever again? What about doing yardwork or routine maintenance around the home? An old pair of jeans would be hard to beat.

 

Never wear them. Here in California, they are hot and uncomfortable most of the year.

Never wear them. Here in Florida, I find they're hot and uncomfortable most of the year.

Every time one of these threads pop up, I resist the urge to ask everyone if they want a cookie.

Oops.

I'll have one, but only if it's wheat, gluten and sugar free.

 

Would a pair of 32" waist 31" leg chinos fit you, at all?

Unfortunately I am too fat and too short. I purchased 3 pairs of trousers at 34" on the waist to motive myself to loose an inch or too. It is working. That being said, it has been a little while since I could fit into a 32" waist and that was below my natural waist.

 

...but if anyone can recommend some chino brands (especially sturdier materials like twill, canvas, light wool etc) that are youthful and slim fitting, please do!. I only like flat fronted pants as they suit my slimmer build. For tops, I like everything from a t-shirt to button-down shirts/Gingham patterned shirts, swearters and v-necks and want a pant that I can dress up or down. And I love wearing Chukkas (thanks Mr. McQueen for the inpiration!).

In response to your chino recommendation request, I suggest trying on the Brooks Brothers Milano fit chinos. I am about the same size as you (5'9", 155lbs) and am pleased with the fit. Make sure you get the Milano, however, because the Clark will be too 'frumpy' and the pockets flare badly. BB's chinos are creased, so they'll fit in nicely with your biz casual work environment. They will also pair well with the tops and shoes you mentioned.

J.Crew chinos are another option. The material is a little lighter than BB, and they have many slim-fit styles/cuts from which to choose. They also have more casual versions, which are great for weekend wear.

I would avoid cargo pants as that style will give you the exact opposite look you are seeking. The bulky pockets on your slim frame will make you appear 'frumpy' and messy. If you wear a sport coat--even a casual one--you will have more than enough pockets without sacrificing the sleek look that you prefer...not to mention how SCs make any outfit look much cleaner and all-around better.

 

Unfortunately I am too fat and too short. I purchased 3 pairs of trousers at 34" on the waist to motive myself to loose an inch or too. It is working. That being said, it has been a little while since I could fit into a 32" waist and that was below my natural waist.

That's a pity, I have a decent pair in that size going begging.

 

Ha, that's interesting. Well, pleats aren't out of style really. They just suit "heftier" men better. On a slim man, they make you look fatter than you truly are. I ditched them when I realized the difference and why flat front pants suit men with a trimmer waist line. Though I've heard that even flat fronts on a man who is carrying a few extra pounds diminishes the heft better than pleats. Not sure though. But thanks for all the comments thus far everyone. Look forward to more!

 

Haven't owned a pair in over a decade. Dockers and the like are more comfortable and attractive to me and serve the same general purposes - I don't do any work that needs the sturdiness of denim.

 

No doubt a darker raw denim looks better on any man than a lighter shade (for the office or evening, that is). Maybe I just haven't found the right fit of jean, but even the slimmer fitting ones (not skinny jeans) make me look frumpy. Not sure why. I still end up with a bit more frump in the front area; from the belt area to the crotch.... extra fabric. Maybe I need a shorter rise or just a bit higher cut up in the crotch (not sure how to explain that in fashion-terms.) But I would likely keep a pair to do manual labor in around the house; but never again for office or casual weekends. I might want to experiment with cargos, thick chinos/twills (as I do like the option of color in my pants; another reason why I am ditching jeans) or linen for summer.

One thing I might miss about jeans: You can own one pair of jeans and wear it with a different shirt everyday and no one notices that you only own one pair.