The thing that makes Bill's worth it is that there are not that many options for unhemmed khakis. The ivy guys hate this but it's trad to cuff the plain front khakis. For me the Berles and their private label cousins at Press and O'Connells don't fit worth a damn. That leaves Bills.
I've got all the Trad stuff in one form or another from one maker or another, but I'm not Trad. I categorically deny Tradliness. Where's that put me on the Tradometer?
For what it's worth, I've settled on the Orvis "Signature" (formerly "Ultimate") khakis as the best choice for me:
http://www.orvis.com/store/product_choice.asp?pf_id=73X2&dir_id=885&group_id=898&cat_id=9303&subcat_id=9304&feature_id=18&bhcp=1
They are 8.5 oz twill, not overly prewashed, and not "treated" (i.e. plasticized). The legs are straighter than Bills, and they will cuff to your specs (with a 1.5" hem, but that's fine for me). They're also cheaper than Bills, though still probably $20 more than they should be.
In the minus column, they're in even sizes only & don't have an alterable waistband. Also, they're made in Macao or somesuch place.
I've had poor luck with Bean's chinos, but others seem to like 'em.
EGF
Does the OCBD transcend all 3 subsets of the American look Ivy/Preppy/trad if so which other items achieve the same?
J. Crew Essential Chinos are cheap, come in a slim fit, and can be ordered unfinished. They're my chino of choice.
What I'd like to find is a slim fit chino with a button fly. No luck as of yet.
Archie
Where do pocket squares register on the tradometer? I find them to be extreemly overdone at AAAT. I don't wear one myself. I might wear a white one simply folded with a gray suit, but I can't do the fold and I think my hankies would be to bulky.
I still like "Americana," but that never gained any traction. Too general?
Here's something I've been pondering:
How to incorporate "English country" stuff (hacking jackets, tattersalls, wool ties, etc) without veering into costume? It's hard to resist putting them together, because they look so good, but I don't want to look like I'm competing for "Upper Class Twit of the Year."
Jeans help.