Autumn has arrived and I’ve made a pact with myself to wear jeans as sparingly as possible this season. Because of this, I have been searching for the perfect pair of Khaki’s. Something with just the right balance of beige, yellow and brown, with a 28 waist (I know… it’s genetic) and a slim leg. Nice and soft but durable too, though not like a dickie’s brand, those things are burlap. I spent the day walking Midtown, trying all the usual suspects. Gap’s smallest size in store was a 29 and they were long and baggy. Macy’s doesnt carry anything smaller than a 30 waist. H and M and Zara didn’t have anything that fit…I guess I’m too late, all the smallest sizes sold out already. The quality at those places isn’t the best either, and for something that should last not always the best choice. And I hate to spend much more than $50 on something that seems like such a common, staple piece, so that pretty much rules out boutique stores. JCrew has a few decent looking options.


First the new Bowery pant looks like it has just the right fit, although at $69.50 plus shipping? And it only comes in 28/32 so add $10 at the tailor, that’s steep. And it’s not real khaki chino material, it’s more dressy. The second picture is the Urban Slim-Fit Chino, a bit more reasonable at $59.50 but add shipping, and again the 28/32 needs a trip to the tailor…Anyways, in my Googling around I found some cool brands you might be interested in.

Bill’s Khaki’s was started in 1990 by a man who picked up a pair of vintage WWII Khaki’s and thought that since there’s nothing else even close to the quality and fit of those vintage pants, he would start a company dedicated to recreating them. Each pair comes in any combination of fabric type and your choice of pleated, flat front, slim or relaxed fit, and in many colors. You can order them to size (of course 30 is the smallest waist). All are made in a refurbished factory in Reading PA.

Hunter and Coggins has all kinds of made to order and customizable options, I really the idea of all those different colored blazers. I’ve always had a thing for a maroon blazer…but now I’ve gone off topic. The search continues next weekend…