I picked up a Pendelton workshirt a week or so ago with 3/4 length cuffed sleeves. I think it's a great idea.
Navy blue needlecord jeans, (sit on the waist, relaxed fit with a slight taper on the leg’, Sounds good? John Lewis of all places, didn’t try them on but quality and price at £55 seemed good, probably made en Chinois but didn’t check.
I’ve think John Lewis have taken over from M&S as the shop for the middle classes, middle of the road, reasonable quality, reasonable price clothing. M&S seem to be on the way out.
Woof - did you notice if they were 100% cotton or if they had stretchy stuff in them ? I’m all corded up but worth knowing, but maybe I could find space for some ‘natural/ beige’ 5 p’s,
Staxmaster - 98%cotton/2% spandex - so good for doing the splits. Maybe I should be more open minded, a bit of unnatural fibre makes things last longer and keep their shape in the wash. But, probably like you, I feel that with stretch fabric you are only a step away from elasticated waistbands and stretchy belts. Made in India.
John Lewis had a new store built in Birmingham. Sadly Covid and silly landlords killed it off.
They stocked some good bits and pieces. Smedley style tops, madras shorts, Sebago/Sperry deck shoes, Levis and smattering of Ralph.
Nothing too specialist but enough to tempt.
Thanks Woof, as I suspected, I’m trying to be more open minded about the 98/2% as it’s getting increasingly difficult to find 100%, I’ll make an admission here, on close inspection of the label the one-off pair of frog mouth cords I bought from Chiltern St a few weeks ago are 98/2%, you wouldn’t know TBH , I like them especially as they say ‘32 inch’ waist which is a size down for me, probably a generous 32 , hehe
I've got a 5 pocket pair of Lee cords in green and it wasn't till I got them home that I realised they weren't 100%cotton. I probably would not have bought them had I known but they are actually quite good and very comfy. I'm also trying to be more open minded.
So much good stuff turns out to be poly/cotton, Robbie. It's often difficult to totally avoid it.
Staxfan - my wife ordered a pair of the John Lewis 5 pocket cords for me that I posted about on 12.12.21. Quality good and true to size with a decent high waist, but wasn’t happy with the cut, a bit saggy about the arse and knees (and I’m no lightweight). But fit is personal so they are worth a try…. anyway they’ve gone back.
I looked at the JL site and the cords look a bit low on the waist to me in the one photo. I then noticed the Polo Prepster drawstring expanding waist cords for £135 on the same site. They look horrendous.
I recently bought a pair of Uniqlo cords (green) with a drawstring and they were high waisted and high water in the leg. Very comfortable but possibly only to be worn behind closed doors in the privacy of my own home.
Woof - Thanks for the info, I'll take a look when I get to JL in Reading next,
Robbie - Drawstring cords ? I'm getting worried about you mate, hehe
Seriously Stax I need a good talking to. I have to take on your advice and buy less, but better quality. My return to Blighty in January I want to force myself to visit J Simon's (my last visit I turned down a chance to visit London) and put my hand in my pocket. I'm still better dressed than most people I know but that doesn't say a lot.
Last edited by RobbieB (2021-12-16 04:18:21)
I guess we all get a bit confused from time to time ,particularly us more mature gents !
My Dad began wearing tracksuit bottoms around the house when he got to about sixty five. Elasticated waist and all. Comfort was always his priority. I won't follow suit, I hope, just carry on wearing either Levis, cords or chinos. Or Wranglers or Edwin for dossing in. The old man would change into his orange tag and boat shoes to go to Sainsburys', though. I never saw him actually scruffy.
^ I don’t feel the need to maintain too much of a standard in the house or pottering about in the garden. Jeans etc are are also too harsh to wear all the time on our curated Heals leather sofa. It’s very difficult to find old school baggy sweatpants now, most of what is on offer are low waist, slim cut with tapered bottoms, this saves on the material which is generally made from recycled water bottles or some such shit. Not only are they clingy and uncomfortable for lounging in, they look ridiculous on a man of my age. Fortunately I have bought a couple of pairs from Community Clothing, a company whose products are excellent and UK manufactured. They are ample, heavy jersey material and team well with a Uniqlo polo, Champion college sweatshirt and leather bottom moccasins from Lambland - my habitual indoor winter outfit.
^ Sensible choices. I'd like to know a little more about Community Clothing.
Those drawstring cords are everywhere right now. To me they’re just about preferable to jogging bottoms - but I just couldn’t open that door.
My wife has to get changed into her ‘comfies’ as she calls them, as soon as she’s home. Don’t tell her but it looks bloody awful. Of course nobody should worry about what they look like in their own home. But still…
Funny thing about wives. Whilst they're still girlfriends it's all fur coat and no knickers.
I listened to a long interview with the MD of Community Clothing on the radio when they started to get media interest a few years ago. I liked him. Seemed genuinely exited to be offering quality goods made in England, and to be employing British skills.
Their Webshop always has just enough well thought out classic pieces that seem well made and reasonably priced. Somehow I’ve never ended up biting, but you can only wish them luck
Actually. Just had another look and noticed their high rise chinos. Be interested to hear from anyone that’s taken a chance?