The Classic Wardrobe Staple: A Pair of Vintage Trousers

If you want to step up your fashion game, go for a pair of well-made vintage trousers. In today’s day and age, fashion trends come and go, sometimes even faster than fads. Even so, vintage trousers have held their ground and are constantly in demand. 

Vintage Trousers Through the Years

When you think of the history of trousers, they were mainly worn with a suit jacket. It was only in the 1940s that a pair of trousers was seen as a separate item of clothing that could be worn in other combinations. This opened the floodgates to the era of mix-and-match experimentation. 

Ever since this realisation hit the public, the make of trousers also changed. They became more comfortable with fabrics like flannel, cotton, linen, corduroy, tweed, and wool. Further, the make, details, and designs on the trousers also came in a variety. The different colors included brown, grey, and beige, while the details came in as flat fronts, double pleats, wide legs, slim cuts, pinstripes, checks, plaids, and high waists.

Why Invest in Vintage Trousers?

To properly understand their value, listen to collectors and fashion enthusiasts. They will tell you the true appeal behind the investment in a vintage piece. Be it vintage trousers or any other item of clothing, you will see that each one of them has a story to tell. 

They have been through time and can tell you much through the marks that they have gained throughout their journey. These marks will convey everything from the craftsmanship that went into making it to the wear and tear that it has endured throughout the years. 

How to Choose the Right Pair of Vintage Trousers for You

Once you decide to invest in a good pair of vintage trousers, it is important to know how you can spot the exact pair that would be worth your penny. The main thing to consider is the different types of vintage trousers available:

Fishtail Back Vintage Trousers:

The term fishtail first went public in the 1930s and was based, self-explanatoryly, on the height and shape of a fishtail. These vintage trousers have a cut at the centre in the back portion of the waistband in a v-shape. The very first models of these trousers had laces to cinch the waistband as much as was needed or preferred. But when laces went out of fashion, they were removed, leaving the slits on the waistband without the eyelets. In more recent years, fishtail-back trousers are worn most often with braces. These recent fishtail trousers have outward pleats, additional buttons, and side adjustments that are designed to ensure the perfect fit for each person wearing them.

High-Waisted Trousers:

As the name suggests, these pairs of vintage trousers have their waistbands at a much higher point than the ones we find today. Popular even today among retro lovers, they are widely preferred by both women and men because of their flattering fit. This gives the ensemble a unique silhouette with pleats on each side. They have a shape that helps elongate the wearer’s legs and flattens their stomachs. These trousers also have buckles and tabs for adjustment and vertical side seam pockets. This helps make sure that these 1930s trousers aren’t too tight. 

Peg Trousers:

These trousers first became famous in the 1930s and 40s. They have extra fabric at the hip area which is then narrowed down at the legs portion through pleats and panels. These trousers are still very much part of the current fashion scene for both men and women. This is because, as in the 30s and 40s, they are preferred because of their shape, flattering cut, and versatility in styling. Peg trousers are a truly adaptable piece for your wardrobe because of their belt loops and a huge and varied range of colors. This makes them an ideal pick for being included in an ensemble for any given setting, be it formal or casual.

Bag Trousers:

Similar to the baggy jeans we know today, some vintage trousers came in a more roomy design. They were all the rage between the periods of 1920s and 1950s just before the slim fit design came onto the scene. These ‘bag trousers’ had wider and more spacious legroom with a higher waistband. Their width ranged anywhere from 25 inches to 18.5 inches to suit any size and fit. To make for a more comfortable wear and better fit, these trousers have double pleats in the front along with additional buttons. 

Conclusion

Vintage trousers are one item of collectible clothing that pays off in more ways than one as an investment. While they, of course, give you that antique charm, they are also fully utilitarian and help you stay connected to the human history of craftsmanship. You can browse the market for your ideal pair of vintage trousers and style them to suit your style, even if it is with a simple vintage tee.