Stupid Clothing Question

[LWJ]

Ok. As 99% of you are men and probably hate shopping for clothes as much as me. I have a question.

1) So I went to the mall and bought some slacks. Nothing fancy, your basic 34 x 32 wool pants. Too long. Apparently I wear a 31 leg. I decided to look online to see what I could come up with in a 31 or something that a taylor would hem up. As I looked around, it occurs to me that the PPOT group would probably have a better idea on this.

2) I usually wear Allen Edmonds shoes. I really prefer the leather soles. Any thoughts on where to get these at a discount or is there a similar brand that I am somehow unaware of?

This clothes thing is a pain. You have to look somewhat decent for work but talk about an activity that is akin to going to the dentist!

Thanks in advance,
Larry

[aigel]

No woman friend that knows clothing and can help? Someone that has worked at a store before works best, IMHO.

I never buy my own clothes.

George

[LWJ]

Well, I do have a wife!

That would be a different question. I think this is something I need to do.
Larry

[Heel n Toe]

On the pants, buying a 32 in. inseam and having it altered is your best ... maybe your only... option. Nothing wrong with that. Many times your dry cleaner will have someone on staff who can do it.

I don't know if you can buy pants with 31 in. inseams... I don't like buying clothes either, but it seems like pants only come in even-numbered sizes for inseams.

If I'm wrong about that, it's because my mind is blocking out part of the pants-buying-experience.

[Damian in NJ]

Online retailers like Lands End will make practically whatever inseam you want, cuffed or not. In fact, I just checked Lands End and on some pants you can get them done in 1/4 inch increments. So if you're really a 31.25" that's what you can order.

[Wyvern]

Every Dry Cleaner in my city seems to have a tailor/ seamstress.
I get my dress shirts laundered and ironed for $1 each.
The occasional button or fix it they do for free for me.
A pant hem would be cheap.

Or go to the local fabric store, they will surly know someone who can do it, or I'll put $ on it that one of the employees will do you a lil favor.

Who knows you may meet a friend with benefits . Sewing benefits that is.

Either one of these will allow you to buy off the shelf stuff and made to fit you for next to nothing extra.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by LWJ

Well, I do have a wife!

Ok, time to hand us your man card! Next thing you know, you'll have to wash the clothes too!!!

George

[craigster59]

Just buy pants with a 30" inseam and a few pairs of flashy socks.

[GH85Carrera]

Lands End is a great source.

[jyl]

Suspenders and a nice break will solve your problem.

I won't let my wife buy my clothes, she always tries to dress the man she wishes she had (you know, the one who wears cashmere sweaters) rather the one she has (who wears scruffy fleece).

Find a manufacturer and a style that fit you well - cuts vary so one 32" pant will fit while another won't - and wear nothing but that. Preferably, all in similar colors so you don't even have to select the day's pair. Makes dressing simple and gives you more time to figure out A/V technology.

[Rot 911]

Another vote for Lands End. You get the exact length you need and if you don't like what you bought from them you can just take the item to the nearest Sears store and get a refund. No questions asked.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Kurt V

Another vote for Lands End. You get the exact length you need and if you don't like what you bought from them you can just take the item to the nearest Sears store and get a refund. No questions asked.

That's cool.

You can buy Levi's in 1" lengths. I know I've bought 35" inseem levis before, and I've seen 33". But most pants come in even lengths.

[Dantilla]

Back in my single days, I once had three girls I knew go shopping for me. I gave them a budget, and a rough idea of what I needed. For the next hour or so, the girls had more fun than I thought possible.

I ended up with much better stuff than I would have picked, and the girls all had a fun time shopping with someone else's money.

And all I had to do was stand there, and say "yes" or "no".

[VINMAN]

Originally Posted by jyl

I won't let my wife buy my clothes, she always tries to dress the man she wishes she had (you know, the one who wears cashmere sweaters) rather the one she has (who wears scruffy fleece).
.

Same here! I'm a jeans and t-shirt/sweatshirt guy. If it was up to my wife, I'd be dressed everyday, like a model out of GQ or a golfer.
When I was offered a management position, she was thrilled that she would be able to play dress-up with me.
Then I broke the news to her that I didnt have to get dressed up or wear a tie. Needless to say she was devastated!

[Gogar]

Back in the old days there was this guy called a

TAILOR

who would make your pants an inch shorter for you.

It's very easy. Google TAILOR or ALTERATIONS in your area, take the pants, and take your shoes. Less than $10 to look right.

[GH85Carrera]

I love the fact that I wear jeans to work all winter, and shorts in the summer. The only time I get "dressed up" in nice slacks is for a dinner party or a funeral.

[Dottore]

for the allen edmonds Zappos.com is your best bet

[Looking_for_911]

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

On the pants, buying a 32 in. inseam and having it altered is your best ... maybe your only... option. Nothing wrong with that. Many times your dry cleaner will have someone on staff who can do it.

I don't know if you can buy pants with 31 in. inseams... I don't like buying clothes either, but it seems like pants only come in even-numbered sizes for inseams.

If I'm wrong about that, it's because my mind is blocking out part of the pants-buying-experience.

In a previous life I spent 7-years managing a tuxedo rental place.
If you buy your wool pants - or any natural fiber material - I would recommend you having them run through the laundry/dry cleaning process before hemming them as there could possibly be some shrinkage. Not the same as George's problem on that Seinfeld episode, but shrinkage all the same.
Also, if your cleaners doesn't have a tailor go to a tux shop.

[M.D. Holloway]

Sams Club has kacki pants for $7 - not top of the line but they are good enough to get grease on.

A good pair of wool slacks will only have a waist measurements and the leg will always be taken up. Invest in a good pair of pants if you are not going to abuse them.

I always get two pairs of pants when I buy a suit - makes more sense in the long run.

[RacerX1166]

Originally Posted by Dottore

for the allen edmonds Zappos.com is your best bet

+1
Wearing a pair of Edmonds I purchased from Zappos right now.

I purchase almost all my shoes from Zappos. Free shipping both ways and selection out the ying yang.