[Closed] Why do average sized men wear badly fitting trousers?

Dunno. I'm roughly the same shape as a chimpanzee.

Long arms, long torso, short legs.

Finding socks with fingers is a pain in the ass as well

So why do I see so many normal sized chaps wearing trousers that are flapping around a good couple of inches above their ankle? How do they manage to do that

It's in fashion with the yoofs. My son wears silly short trousers.

Because real men don't do clothes shopping, they rely on female family/friends to guess sizes and buy for them. 😉

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Can't say I've noticed myself.

Artisan trousers?

It's in fashion with the yoofs. My son wears silly short trousers.

This, current style seems to be to have them so they're the right length stood up (with really bright socks), whereas 10 years ago they had to have a slight crease over your shoe (and boring socks).

I have some trousers which are short, and they're supposed to be. But then they're of French origin.

I blame Pee Wee Herman.

Can't say I've noticed myself.

Also apart from my son I've also never noticed it, I tend not to look at mens trouser department 🙂

So why do I see so many normal sized chaps wearing trousers that are flapping around a good couple of inches above their ankle? How do they manage to do that?

Stops you getting sweating ankles...

I blame the penguins, nasty little gits..

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So why do I see so many normal sized chaps wearing trousers that are flapping around a good couple of inches above their ankle? How do they manage to do that?

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However, if you're a normal sized chap, say 5'9" with a 32/33ish waist, your choices are basically limitless as that is the average size of trouser.

Cobblers. I'm just about bang on that - 5'9" with a 33" waist - and can't get decent trousers that fit nicely for love nor money. The problem is that I have the thighs and backside of a front row forward / sprinter so I have to go up a waist size to find something that fits over my junk. Which then pushes me up into the next leg length size as well and therefore either have to have trousers taken up or just deal with fabric being bunched around my ankles.

However, frankly, this is all easily alleviated by a total and utter failure to give a toss. I gave up giving a hoot what anyone else thinks about how my trousers fit a long time ago, if I pull them on and they don't either a) fall down too quickly, or b) cut off all blood supply to my gonads, then they'll do.

However, if you're a normal sized chap, say 5'9" with a 32/33ish waist, your choices are basically limitless as that is the average size of trouser.

1) Many of them are probably not ....

I'm 5'10" and a 28" waist but assistants will always start off assuming I'm 32/34"
Equally I'm a 42" chest and most assistant will be sure I'm 38-40

I usually humour them on jackets... its pretty obvious when I try and put it on.... trousers it's more hassle

2) I can't get most 32" over my thighs ... (and my thighs are not exactly huge.... just "weekend warrior cycling") let alone 28"...

So if you see me... I'll have ill fitting 32/34" I can barely squeeze my thighs and gluts into....

Given the fashion seems to be for flat fronted trousers currently, anyone with glutes and quads seems to struggle irrespective of height or waist size.

Leg length is a no brainer though. I have no desire to see your socks.

I'm always jealous of people with strangely shaped bodies and tiny / huge feet. Whenever you visit the sale pages of a clothing website, those sizes are all that's left!

[i]Given the fashion seems to be for flat fronted trousers currently, anyone with glutes and quads seems to struggle irrespective of height or waist size.[/i]

I went to buy a suit at a local shop that has their own made (mod styles) - was told 'if you've ever ridden a bicycle our trousers won;t fit you'. It was true even a 4" larger waist and the trouser legs were tight enough the frotn crease was flattened because they were tight.

Bought some 'atlas' legged ('for those who work out big time') jeans and they just about fit my thighs.

but assistants will always start off

I just go to TK Maxx, hold up a few things that look like they'll fit and try them on at home. Can't remember the last time I employed the use of an assistant!

Can't remember the last time I employed the use of an assistant!

😯

I'm 5'9", 32" waist

My trousers fit just fine

I'm with Onzadog on this one, its the Quads and Glutes and Calves that are the issue for me.
With these skinny/fitted crap that's about now its getting harder and harder to find 'nice fitting'. If they fit my waist then usually the thigh area is pretty tight and don't start me calf area. .

I will however bring up the fact the Mrs bought me some 'stretchy' jeans. Cue much laughter from me when she showed them to me........after breaking them in (all jeans needs breaking in a little) they have become my #1 pair of jeans. They conform to her idea of fashion (my idea is 'comfy' hence jeans and hoody every day) but don't feel like I'm wearing a pair 3 sizes too small.

Solved this by wearing Prana Axiom jeans and their Bronson pants.
That or any ME/MH/Decathlon/Rab ones.
Shirts on the other hand
Are a total mare!

Caught myself* doing a "WTF" the other day when I saw two lads exiting a hotel where they were obviously at a wedding. Tighter than toight suits, slacks above the ankles, no socks!!!! 😆

*I try not to ridicule the youth trends as it just makes me a grumpy old flecker but these two did look a sight.

Ciao bello..

I went for a fitting today...

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That's a terrible shade of brown and you should really rub something into it to improve it's condition and give it a more youthful appearance.
Something that old is worth looking after.

I like the chair though.

Is that Tom Jones in that picture above?

i don't understand how people can wear no socks. ever smell a pair after a days use, well that sweat is now inside your manky boat shoes.

i don't understand how people can wear no socks. ever smell a pair after a days use, well that sweat is now inside your manky boat shoes.

Invisible socks or shoe liners - once the preserve of wimminz only but now available for the boyz too.

Decking oil?

fashion has changed.

Back in the day of going out, you always wanted your trousers a bit hunched up at the bottom, heaven forbid anyone should see your socks or legs!

nowadays there is more emphasis on, especially footwear and to a degree socks of showing them off, they are fashion statements in themselves.

also the trousers free of the shoe area are likely to stay more pristine.

That tans from all the surfing I've been doing 8)

No cycle tan for me this year..

At 5'10" I fit right in to your average man category, however I've always hated trousers with any break at the shoe and have always had suits/smart trousers altered to that style, slim leg and no break is all I've ever accepted. If not I go for a few hipster rolls at the bottom of my jeans.

Back in the day of going out, you always wanted your trousers a bit hunched up at the bottom, heaven forbid anyone should see your socks or legs!

when i was at school having 'ankle swingers' was about akin to fancying your sister; probably worse.

When I saw the thread title, first thought was - HebTroCo....again.

Hem of trousers just above the top of the sole at the heel. Slight break above the laces.

I'd rather my trousers were too short than too tight.

The sight of men in their silly tight trousers gives me the boke.

Bring back the days of baggy. It will happen. Please let it happen soon.

For some odd reason, I find it very sad to see anyone with trouser that are too short. Did NO ONE say anything at all?!?

There were a couple of cases at work today. Desperate

gives me the boke.

I know I'm not a man but I'm an average height woman and women's trousers and jeans are often way too long. Designed for women who are 6 ft tall. My jeans are always trampled on at the bottom.

Why do lots of jeans have such low waists? I wear mostly Quicksilver regular/loose in a 36 (job lot, cheap, don't ask) To get the waist up high enough so I'm not revealing myself the crotch has to be so high it's about to cut off circulation. I'm not into the fast-talking-high-trousers style but I'd like the waist to be at waist height not level with my freckle. Who are these new-fangled slacks meant to fit, eunuchs?

Perchy has the length.
Why do so many blokes wear trousers that are so clearly the wrong size? A lot of blokes across all age groups are carrying - ahem - a little surplus timber; strides that are too tight cause 'bulges'.

On the subject of sartorial standards, why do so many blokes think that scruffy, scuffed shoes are acceptable in a 'professional' environment. Don't ask what I mean by 'professional' environment - you know what I mean. You're at work ffs representing your employer; you're not on a site.
Before anyone suggests it, I'm not saying that sartorial standards take precedence over performance or capability.
Clients take decisions on a wide range of considerations and, for some, the presentation and appearance of their suppliers' representatives is important - because it represents the company they are considering trading with.

@vickypea; my suggestion is to find a good alteration tailor and stick with them. I don't where you're based but Stitches - Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham and maybe some other cities - are excellent.

If all else fails, bespoke is your answer.

Off to polish my shoes now 😆

Any recommendations where I can buy an pair of 32/32, flat front, slim fit chinos that are of a reasonable quality but don't cost 80 or a 100 quid? Something that keeps their colour after a few washes?

Ah trousers - guaranteed to make me rage.
At 5'9" and 30" waist, I'm skinny, but not crazily so.
M&S are now blacklisted for any shopping as visits over a number of years resulted in a grand total of 0 styles available. 😡
Debenhams had 5 from about 30 different colour/style combinations.
Not sure if this is a UK wide thing, or a result of shopping in a city where waist size and height are often interchangeable.

M&S are now blacklisted for any shopping as visits

M&S are a fashion free zone anyway. I wouldn't shop there unless forced by someone with a pointy stick

M&S are a fashion free zone anyway. I wouldn't shop there unless forced by someone with a pointy stick

it's because people don't know how to dress themselves, the amount of times I see people wearing pointed brown shoes with skinny blue jeans! 😆

On the subject of sartorial standards, why do so many blokes think that scruffy, scuffed shoes are acceptable in a 'professional' environment. Don't ask what I mean by 'professional' environment - you know what I mean.

I was talking to a 30 year old colleague a few weeks ago, explaining the very existence of shoe polish. He's worked in your standard suited and booted financial services environment for nearly ten years..

M&S are a fashion free zone anyway.

For good quality suit trousers, such as I have to wear every work day, they're excellent.

You can tell a man by his shoes, as my old dad used to say, and he's right.

Dress down a Friday today, guaranteed to bring out the best Ralph Loren pink polo shirt competition (piqued collar, obvz)

So far I've seen two, one a tawdry pale vomit of a baggy thing and a white "oh so tight, don't breath or let your belly breath" effect.. I expect more, it's still early here..

Dress down Friday at the AXA offices in Brizzle used to be great, or, as we used to call it "Slaggy Friday"

You can tell a man by his shoes, as my old dad used to say, and he's right.

sort of...Many years ago when shoes were expensive and needed to last it made sense to polish and look after them. Most of my team will buy a £10 pair from Shoe Zone or Wyndsors, 1. they're made of plastic anyway, 2. the soles last about 6 months regardless.

I suppose I could be one of the blokes you're referring to, IHN. I wear ill-fitting jeans not because I can't find clothes to fit but because I can't be bothered to go shopping so continue to wear the jeans I wore when I was a few sizes larger. I can actually get into them without undoing the fly or top button - they just slip right over my hips.

Look awful but are seriously comfortable.

[quote=rajboab ]Any recommendations where I can buy an pair of 32/32, flat front, slim fit chinos that are of a reasonable quality but don't cost 80 or a 100 quid? Something that keeps their colour after a few washes?

Dockers?

I have some Brooks Brothers ones that are really nice, but they were very expensive (until I saw them for about £20 in the sale!)

why do so many blokes think that scruffy, scuffed shoes are acceptable in a 'professional' environment. Don't ask what I mean by 'professional' environment - you know what I mean. You're at work ffs representing your employer

Come to the university. It's not unusual for professors to turn up in skate shoes/ shorts/ flipflops.

Thing is it's worse when they put on a suit!

nowadays there is more emphasis on, especially footwear and to a degree socks of showing them off, they are fashion statements in themselves.

this. But also don't forget that if you don't wear them turned up, no-one will know you're wearing £200 selvedge jeans 😡

Any recommendations where I can buy an pair of 32/32, flat front, slim fit chinos that are of a reasonable quality but don't cost 80 or a 100 quid? Something that keeps their colour after a few washes?

Ralph Lauren outlet stores.

Usually pay about £40 a pair

Gents, cheers for the suggestions for reasonable quality trews. Will investigate.

I always assumed it was white guys trying to dress like black guys.

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I thought it said Batley fitting trousers. Like Hebden Bridge, but elsewhere. Anyway:

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Half Masters as we called them at school, perhaps we of a certain age should shout at them "what happened, did your cat die?"

young lad 19/20 at work didn't know about the levi's brand.

young lad 19/20 at work didn't know about the levi's brand.

Don't ask what I mean by 'professional' environment - you know what I mean. You're at work ffs representing your employer

I'm there to do the job, get paid and leave. Dress for the job, which in my case doesn't involve having to impress anyone. Though I am also my employer 😀 , but I work at client office at times. They don't need impressing, and wouldn't care. Besides, even casual jeans and shirt look is overdressed compared to some I work with.

...also referred to as 'half-masters' in my school days..... followed by hurling abuse.... who died etc

No-one needs to see your ankles at work - especially naked ankles! 😐

this. But also don't forget that if you don't wear them turned up, no-one will know you're wearing £200 selvedge jeans

trousers that are flapping around a good couple of inches above their ankle

It's the modern/American style. Let's you show off your taste in socks. Or as a few have said your taste in denim. I tend to buy [url= https://bravestarselvage.com ]made in America denim[/url] though it is less than £200/pair.

Feeling blubbery in the knowledge that I have a 33"/34" waist at about 5'9" rather than the 32"/33" that the OP cited.

@kenny - I'm not bothered about 'dressing to impress'; you're welcome to your very narrow interpretation.

A hypothetical question....you're a client meeting two prospective suppliers but can award work to only one of them; they are comparable on price, delivery, quality, customer service metrics, you can work with either company and like their respective people; subjectivity then kicks in - what 'arbitrary' measure can I use to help me decide?

Surprise, surprise....appearance and presentation come into play.

Other cultures - asian and chinese/japanese in particular - are very attuned to presentation as it is a measure of 'respect' for the client or host.

Step forward CaptainFlashy to comment on the importance of appearance and presentation in continental, global and inter-galactic trade negotiations.

IHN ^^^ has it regarding shoes.

I feel very fortunate to have been able to carry out my work to very near 100% customer satisfaction wearing cargo trousers/army shorts and a t shirt. I do one of those proles jobs that makes things work rather than just making someone lazier than me a lot of money.

UK men wear badly fitting clothes because they simply wouldn't know if something fitted well, as a nation we are some of the worst dressed in Europe.
Which is surprising when you consider it's the British and the Italians who have defined the cut of men's tailoring for over a century.

^^^ yawn; I'm talking in general terms - not about you specifically, lazlo; you are implying some differentiation between 'proles' and others who are lazier exploiting you to make a lot of more money.
You say they are lazier than you; you are, effectively, saying that you are lazy.
It would help your argument if you focussed on the facts; maybe that's to big an ask.............