IMHO jeans are acceptable under certain strict conditions. Weekends only. At home. No fancy treatments. And they have to be 501s.
I used to wear them a lot, but it's mainly khakis for me now.

 

My Working definition is Trad = Madison Avenue Style + Preppy
An OCBD, Levi's and blucher mocs is the quintessential 80's preppy look. Ergo, Levi's are Trad.

The standard caveats apply (i.e. who cares if its trad. Wear it if you think it looks cool and its appropriate. If not, don't. Blah, blah, blah, *****, moan, cry).

 

How can the 1950s be deemed to have a monopoly on what is "trad" or otherwise. It is nonsense to suggest that this could happen.

 

Are 501s the button fly jeans? If so, I don't see how that would be trad.

 

I'm not a huge fan of jeans, but would agree that 501's are Trad.

 

501s are certainly more trad than most any other jeans out there. So, if it's gotta be jeans, it oughta be 501s.

 

Levi 501 Originals are at their most TRAD, when they sport a sharp crease ironed into the front of each leg! Otherwise, they are just another version of 'form fitting' AMJack! :icon_smile_wink:

 

501's are certainly american, and quite appropriate in a conservative traditional wardrobe in light of other denim choices, but I don't beleive any denim pant could be considered trad as we define it here. They are a working class garment that, unlike khakies, never rose above it's roots. IMHO clothing developed for poor, migrant miners can never be trad. Just my .02.

 

I voted yes, though I find the question kind of silly. Maybe 501s aren't quintessential 50s Ivy League style, but they are classic American. I like the way they look, though I admit to wearing them with just a hint of irony.

 

Levi 501 Originals are at their most TRAD, when they sport a sharp crease ironed into the front of each leg! Otherwise, they are just another version of 'form fitting' AMJack! :icon_smile_wink:

Creases in jeans are just wrong.

 

501s are certainly more trad than most any other jeans out there...

Very true. But that doesn't mean they're appropriate, either in most social situations or the (white collar) workplace. The older one gets, the more inappropriate they are.

I fondly recall 501s from college days, especially when they were worn by the fairer sex. They're the skinny cut ones, right? I much prefer the "relaxed fit" jeans now. Much better for my purpose of cool weather manual labor attire.

Scott

 

Apparently jeans were not a part of the 1950s Ivy League look. Trad purists who only consider items worn during that era as Trad might have good reason to exclude 501s.

Let us just say that you do not wear jeans but wear everything that conforms to the style preferred by Trad purists. Can you still be a Trad even if you are not an Ivy Leaguer? Or, is this about emulating an Ivy Leaguer who were matriculated in the 1950's? If you are an Ivy Leaguer, then are you necessarily a Trad? Quite honestly, I am completely mystified by this Trad subculture. Is there some sort of ideology to which Trads subscribe? Forgive an ignorant non-American.

 

Let us just say that you do not wear jeans but wear everything that conforms to the style preferred by Trad purists. Can you still be a Trad even if you are not an Ivy Leaguer? Or, is this about emulating an Ivy Leaguer who were matriculated in the 1950's? If you are an Ivy Leaguer, then are you necessarily a Trad? Quite honestly, I am completely mystified by this Trad subculture. Is there some sort of ideology to which Trads subscribe? Forgive an ignorant non-American.

You have every reason to be confused. Some here like to point to a window of time and emulate a trad zenith. Some riff from the trad spirit, evolve its genome. Others don't care so much, but it's probably safe to say we all have an appreciation for madras, tweed, khakis, repp ties and paisley, polos, shetland wool crewnecks, boat shoes, bow ties, oxford cloth button downs, flannel wool, soft shoulders, etc.

We're here for different reasons. This community brings many perspectives, which span demographics, geography, body shape, levels of boredom, and discretionary income. You're not alone, misterdonuts. We're all a little bit mystified at times. I wear 501s. I'm wearing a pair right now. With buttons.

 

You have every reason to be confused. Some here like to point to a window of time and emulate a trad zenith. Some riff from the trad spirit, evolve its genome. Others don't care so much, but it's probably safe to say we all have an appreciation for madras, tweed, khakis, repp ties and paisley, polos, shetland wool crewnecks, boat shoes, bow ties, oxford cloth button downs, flannel wool, soft shoulders, etc.

We're here for different reasons. This community brings many perspectives, which span demographics, geography, body shape, levels of boredom, and discretionary income. You're not alone, misterdonuts. We're all a little bit mystified at times. I wear 501s. I'm wearing a pair right now. With buttons.

The "Big Tent" of Trad.

 

You have every reason to be confused. Some here like to point to a window of time and emulate a trad zenith. Some riff from the trad spirit, evolve its genome. Others don't care so much, but it's probably safe to say we all have an appreciation for madras, tweed, khakis, repp ties and paisley, polos, shetland wool crewnecks, boat shoes, bow ties, oxford cloth button downs, flannel wool, soft shoulders, etc.

We're here for different reasons. This community brings many perspectives, which span demographics, geography, body shape, levels of boredom, and discretionary income. You're not alone, misterdonuts. We're all a little bit mystified at times. I wear 501s. I'm wearing a pair right now. With buttons.

Zignatius is right. Don't start with metaphysics. Just start with the basics.
Trad = Preppy + Madison Avenue Style
Preppy = {Khaki Pants, Polo shirts in bright colors, oxford cloth buttondowns (OCBD's) in plain colors, madras, boat shoes, penny loafers, cloth and nylon belts and watchstraps}
Madison Avenue Style = {Sack suits, navy blazers, and tweeds, OCBD's as dress shirts, striped repp ties, shell cordovan shoes, brogues, tassel loafers}
Glom that and you can mix in other styles, Anglo, Americana, surfer, Italian as you like.

 

Another Verbal Donneybrook...

I voted yes, though I find the question kind of silly. Maybe 501s aren't quintessential 50s Ivy League style, but they are classic American. I like the way they look, though I admit to wearing them with just a hint of irony.

+1; Omit irony.:icon_smile:

hbs

 

I wouldn't exactly call 501s "trad," but they are classic American jeans. For my part, though, I think the 505s have a better fit for those of us who are a little older. Jeans are still good for fall days at the house and more casual outings.

 

Jeans are just jeans. A polo is just a polo. There is no "Trad" jean or polo or whatever. If you are a self-described "Trad" and you happen to wear/like 501s, that's great. I own 501s. I like them. But, I don't pretend to think that I have them because they're "Trad".

Questions like this belong in the "Ask a Quick Question..." thread. Otherwise, it's a rehash of 10 or more old threads.

 

If the situation doesn't specifically call for a suit or dress pants, jeans are always my choice of pants. Have been for many years and probably, given that I'm looking at 60 my next birthday, always will be. Having said that, I've never owned a pair of 501's.

When I did wear Levis I wore 505's because of the way they fit, although there was a period in my life when bell bottom jeans carried the day. Long time ago though. Now I wear Lee regular fit jeans exclusively, again because of the way they fit me; better than the way the 505's fit.

For casual wear I don't think anything beats a well broken in pair of jeans. Throw on a blazer or tweed sport coat and they are great for the comedy club or dinner at a casual restaurant or bar. I realize that isn't everyone's cup of tea, but it works for some of us.

I just realized that I'm sitting here typing this in a pair of khakis and an OCBD. Better go change. :icon_smile_big:

Cruiser

 

+1; Omit irony.:icon_smile:

hbs

Yeah, I don't do that to mine either... just straight off the clothesline.

ps. Trad: it's the buttons what makes 'em.

 

IMHO clothing developed for poor, migrant miners can never be trad.

WTF?!

 

Main Entry: chi·me·ra
Pronunciation: \kī-ˈmir-ə, kə-\
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin chimaera, from Greek chimaira she-goat, chimera; akin to Old Norse gymbr yearling ewe, Greek cheimōn winter - more at hibernate

2: an illusion or fabrication of the mind; especially : an unrealizable dream <a fancy, a chimera in my brain, troubles me in my prayer - John Donne>

Trad is a chimera, an animating ideal, a road and not a destination. Don't worry about rules--get a feeling for the look and do your own thing.

Levi's 501s look correct with trad gear; so do lots of other jeans.

But lots of jeans will look totally off. If you're really into this ivy/trad/prep thing, you'll develop an eye for what works and stop worrying about checklists, reference books, opinions of "Internet Celebrities," etc. (though all of these things can be interesting and fun to ponder and argue)

This site works best, in my opinion, as a place to bounce ideas off of each other, not as a governing body ruling on what is or isn't "trad."

 

WTF?!

https://www.levistrauss.com/Downloads/History_Levi_Strauss_Biography.pdf

 

C'mon guys, I know most of you have a dozen pairs of jeans. I've seen your closets.

DD

 

Main Entry: chi·me·ra
Pronunciation: \kī-ˈmir-ə, kə-\
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin chimaera, from Greek chimaira she-goat, chimera; akin to Old Norse gymbr yearling ewe, Greek cheimōn winter - more at hibernate

2: an illusion or fabrication of the mind; especially : an unrealizable dream <a fancy, a chimera in my brain, troubles me in my prayer - John Donne>

Trad is a chimera, an animating ideal, a road and not a destination. Don't worry about rules--get a feeling for the look and do your own thing.

Levi's 501s look correct with trad gear; so do lots of other jeans.

But lots of jeans will look totally off. If you're really into this ivy/trad/prep thing, you'll develop an eye for what works and stop worrying about checklists, reference books, opinions of "Internet Celebrities," etc. (though all of these things can be interesting and fun to ponder and argue)

This site works best, in my opinion, as a place to bounce ideas off of each other, not as a governing body ruling on what is or isn't "trad."

I want a consistent style. "American classic" is too diverse to be one style. If I wear an OCBD, chinos or cords, and Chelsea boots one day and a plain white T-shirt, 501s, and cowboy boots the next, my style looks unstable. You can, however, seem faithful to the northeastern Ivy/prep school look if you wear 501s occasionally while making sure everything else in your ensemble is Trad.

Perhaps the "wear only one" guideline for GTH clothes works for tasteful non-Trad items. Combine your potentially non-Trad New Balance 992s with nantucket red or pale blue shorts rather than grungy cargo shorts. Another rule of thumb for consistency is not to wear the non-Trad stuff too often. The only times I wish I have jeans are when it rains on weekends and when I am at home improvement stores or the like. I may not feel disloyal or gauche if I reserve 501s for those seldom occasions, mix them with Trad items, and tuck my shirt in.