Which fabric should I choose for my next pair of made-to-measure trousers?
So, my local menswear store manager has offered me a deal on my next order of made-to-measure trousers - if I order three pairs. I was already thinking about ordering two pairs, so an extra pair for a discount isn't that much of a stretch. (He gets a discount at three pairs and is willing to pass at least some of that on to me.) I was thinking about this because I always seem to find myself reaching for my higher-waisted trousers over low- to mid-rise trousers. And my absolute favorite trousers are all the made-to-measure ones I got from this store. Since I don't want to wear them out prematurely, I need to add some options to the go-to trouser section of my closet. I know the first two I want to order. I have a mid gray pair of odd trousers and two pairs of midnight navy glen plaid trousers - which belong to a three-piece suit. So, in order to fill a particular gap, the first pair will be a charcoal gray in a 100% merino wool fabric. The second will be the same fabric in a dark burgundy. (See image #1 for both of these fabrics.) The specs on this fabric are that it's a yarn-dyed worsted wool with a thread count of 80/2*80/2 and a fabric weight of 280 g/m (8.26 oz/yd²). I'll have them made with a flat front, side tabs (no belt loops), suspender buttons, plain hem, half-lined to the knee, and with a ≈13" front-rise. The third pair, though, I'm not so sure about... Option 1: - The same fabric as the first two, in a bright navy blue color (a little darker than royal blue). - This one seems like the easy choice, though it might feel a bit boring. It gives me a fourth pair of year-round trousers that I would know I could always reach for and would be quite versatile. The biggest plus here is that it might go a little further toward protecting my suit trousers since they would be a blue-for-blue replacement. The downside is that there isn't much of a fun factor. - (See image #1.) Option 2: - A light tan/khaki-ish colored fabric. - This fabric has a bit of a Shantung texture - similar to the three-piece suit and blazer I just ordered and mentioned in this post. This is fitting, since it's a wool-linen-silk blend. The fabric weight is 300 g/m - fairly lightweight and quite breathable. These would be primarily a warm-weather pant - which, around here, still gives me 8-9 months out of the year. - (See image #2.)