Film Noir Buff Style Forum / O'Connell's Chinos

A Fine Sadness · 2021-10-07 06:18:46

I've never bought from O'Connell's. Buying online other than from Ebay (Etsy less so) does not come naturally to me. But one grows desperate for the basics: decent cords and chinos. Jeans, I'm convinced, are out for a tubby chap like myself (no, I won't diet at my time of life). I tried on a pair this morning in a local charity shop. Cheap, naturally, but I'd never heard of the make (something obviously American, so probably made in the Third World - 'iconic', eh?) and they looked bad: low rise and, if not quite 'a preacher's width' down below, close to it. Colour was okay, but that was all. So: O'Connell's. Still made in the USA, according to their website. Can anyone recommend not only the quality of their clothing but also their approach to customer service?
My wife - seduced into internet bloody banking - now gets an alert each time I buy a pair of socks. Which takes a good deal of the fun out of it. No more hiding packages at the back of the wardrobe!

RobbieB · 2021-10-07 06:37:00

I've got a pair of Brook Taverner cords that are well made, flat fronted etc. Bought on line. wide range of sizes. Mine don't say where they are made but can't be UK for the price

A Fine Sadness · 2021-10-07 06:47:05

Brook Taverner can be bought locally, like Gurteen. I've seen them in three different places during the past month. Peter Christian once got a mention on here. Saw a pair of their cords only this morning. No chance of them fitting.

An Unseen Scene · 2021-10-07 07:07:13

Peter Christian trousers are usually good quality, a range of fabrics. Decent. Can be a bit roomy and not in all leg sizes. But genuinely worth a look. I don't think there was much sniffiness around them here. What they do, they do well.

Brook Taverner are okay as RobbieB says. Just don't pay full price. There's always 50% off. Care needed on their fit. But its trousers... not exactly your top layer.

Joseph Turner might be worth a look too.

A think at a certain point, something like trousers - you have to just make a choice. It's almost impossible to find decent priced, fully made in UK or USA these days.

Last edited by An Unseen Scene (2021-10-07 07:08:02)

Uncle Ian · 2021-10-07 09:16:59

O'Connell's get top marks from me. I've bought online with no hassle, and I was lucky enough to visit the store about 2 weeks before Covid shut the world down. Well made, classic stuff (where else can you buy such a fabulous range of Shetlands for example? Even though they're made in Scotland!), knowledgeable staff...they tick all the boxes. Postage rates being what they are it's probably cheaper to fly to Bufffalo though and fill yer boots!

An Unseen Scene · 2021-10-07 09:20:28

Loads of USA stuff being intercepted and more customs/VAT added on now (whether correctly or not) - as a weird indrect consequence of that being a new need after Brexit but happening on USA stuff consistently. It's a real problem importing old vinyl from USA right now because of it.

A Fine Sadness · 2021-10-07 09:34:02

It used to happen with shoes. There's almost certainly a thread on the subject. I was forever having to ring Parcelforce or go to the depot. Eventually it started happening with smaller items like scarves. I stopped buying.

Yuca · 2021-10-07 14:18:01

I own O'Connell's cords and chinos. Both pretty decent and they will shorten and/or cuff them for no extra charge. But I don't like the colour of their chinos (except the white/off white ones). A very light shade of green, whereas a very light shade of brown would be far better.

The rise on the cords and chinos is high (of course) which is a dealbreaker for me. Hence I don't own the cheaper alternatives.

Actually there is a UK company that does vintage WW2 chinos dirt cheap. They will very probably require a trip to a tailor for tapering, but still cheaper and quicker then importing. I haven't actually tried them though:

https://www.silvermans.co.uk/products/classic-chino-trousers?variant=4193742659

For cords I'd just go with O'Connell's. Or vintage Bill's from the made in the US days, if you're lucky enough to find some.

Last edited by Yuca (2021-10-07 14:19:21)

An Unseen Scene · 2021-10-07 14:24:26

Silvermans did have people buy and taper them back in original era of the forum.

Also not mentioned but some liked was Orvis for chinos.

A Fine Sadness · 2021-10-07 15:30:37

Orvis. Yes. Seen them mentioned somewhere on here.

Yuca · 2021-10-07 15:50:44

Orvis are medium rise I think. Far better than a low rise. But not as good as a high rise.

Last edited by Yuca (2021-10-07 15:52:00)

Yuca · 2021-10-07 15:51:44

Although for jeans I do prefer a medium rise.

A Fine Sadness · 2021-10-07 16:07:00

Gone for Silverman's. Not a bad price and I managed to complete the transaction without it buggering about. Thanks for the tip-off, old bongo player.
Oddly enough, the ones my father gave me from A and F (bad reputation, right?) around 2001, weren't half bad.
About the only option now for knocking around in, bar cords. Fat men like me should not be seen in denim.
'Bob The Gambler' was another good tip. Finished it around ten p.m. Nice-looking young woman.

Yuca · 2021-10-07 16:17:40

Glad you enjoyed it. It's a lot lighter than every other Melville I've seen. Montmartre is beautiful, some very tasty clothes and Bob's motor is rather nice. His disillusionment with life is easy to relate to.

#1 2021-10-07 06:18:46

O'Connell's Chinos

#2 2021-10-07 06:37:00

Re: O'Connell's Chinos

#3 2021-10-07 06:47:05

Re: O'Connell's Chinos

#4 2021-10-07 07:07:13

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#5 2021-10-07 09:16:59

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#6 2021-10-07 09:20:28

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#7 2021-10-07 09:34:02

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#8 2021-10-07 14:18:01

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#9 2021-10-07 14:24:26

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#10 2021-10-07 15:30:37

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#11 2021-10-07 15:50:44

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#12 2021-10-07 15:51:44

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#13 2021-10-07 16:07:00

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#14 2021-10-07 16:17:40

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