Monday, January 20, 2014

Clothes for the Hip Dude


Several weeks ago a colleague was visiting my (shared) office. He was standing so that his side was to me as he was speaking to another colleague. Imagine my surprise when I spied an octopus print peeking out of his side pocket.

And my delight.

I could see that the double welt pocket on the back of the pants also had the print peeking out and I gently moved his shirt a couple inches so that I could see better.

Then I thought better of this and I knocked it off. (Though not until after I'd noticed that the same print lined the front fly.)

Those of you who love clothes as much as I, will understand.

I asked and learned that he has lots of these pants. He bought many pairs from a local company called Betabrand.

So I looked them up that evening.

This company, located in San Francisco, has really cool clothes for the hip young set. He favors the pants called "cordarounds". I assume that they are so-called because the wale of the corduroy goes horizontally *around* the body, rather than in the conventional vertical direction.

I now enjoy catching a glimpse of his fun contrasting pockets, but you don't have to resort to any untoward behavior to see for yourself. Here are a few pics from their website, which is a lot of fun. They have women's clothes as well, but I will save that online investigation for a bus ride.

(While I wouldn't wear most of their clothes at my age, I get a lot of inspiration from creative clothing like this. And if I had a son to shop for, I would totally buy these for him!)

UnGreen Cordarounds with Octopus Contrast
Khaki Cordarounds with Geisha Contrast
Chestnut Cordarounds with Bunny Contrast
Graphite Cordarounds with El Diablito Contrast

17 comments:

  1. Great details. I use up my novelty print cottons in the summer shorts made for my husband and son. Neat idea on the corduroy.
    Theresa in Tucson

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  2. Very interesting! I love a little surprise like that contrast, even if nobody can see it.
    I think I'm going to have to try use that cross grain cordoroy idea on a skirt.

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  3. I don't know that I care for the cords going around the body, but the linings are great!

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  4. Your fourth paragraph really made me laugh! But really what an interesting approach to everyday clothing. The little flashes of different print remind me a bit of the way there are flashes of different fabrics in the saggy pants contingent, but in a much more subtle and stylish way. I am now wondering how they orient the nap on the trousers, does it all go in one direction? I have considered in the past the option of playing around with corduroy nap direction in some of my sewing, but never thought of placing it horizontally...

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  5. What a great brand, love their website. Thank you so much for telling us about it. Why does corduroy have to go up and down anyway? I think I have some cord in the stash, hmm............

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  6. OMG, way to turn gaping pockets into a design feature! Now I know what to do with my calico scraps. Just think of the design possibilities with a different print in each pocket.

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  7. What great design features! I love this, and may consider stealing these ideas for myself ;-)

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  8. These are great fun pants. Love the peekaboos!

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  9. I think you need a pair of their disco pants!!!!! Actually, I almost fell over laughing when I saw the inside out smoking jacket. I bought a jacket for a character in a play and the actor loved the lining so much that he turned the jacket inside out. It was a hoot!

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  10. OMG I'm about to get lost in their web site for an hour. I just peeked at their men's trousers made from high end terry cloth, so they are are, at their essence, trousers made from sweatshirt material. I'm afraid to look at the women's clothing. Who knows what i may find/want/must buy???

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  11. What a cool find! My 19 year old already wants the sweatpant/dresspants:)

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  12. Much better peek-a-boos than saggy pants! Thanks for sharing ... - Heather

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  13. Simply adorable. I have used funky prints on facings and front pocket bags before but not thought to use them on flies and inside welts :-)

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  14. Now these are cool. I think you could totally wear them at any age. They are just that little bit different, I LOVE them! Thanks for sharing!!

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  15. I love these pants! (Though I don't see my DH wearing them!)

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  16. Those are great. I love the surprise effect.

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