<p>I wouldn’t call David Beckham’s pants khakis, even though that’s what the blog says. (Trust me, bloggers are full of misinformation.) FWIW, he’s wearing Obeys (for skate and surf dudes), hugely popular around here in anti-khakiland.</p>
<p>I think the issue I have with khakis is the prep factor - also my taste is more downtown. But of course some of the more flat-front chino-ish alternatives are acceptable and I’m sure your kids all look awesome in them. Bottom line: Certain guys can pull them off, but there are much cooler alternatives. </p>
<p>How does this relate to colleges? Coincidentally, U.S. News has contracted me to create a division-based khaki rating system, e.g. Boston College - D1 Khaki; Wesleyan - D3 Khaki.</p>
<p>Interesting discussion about khakis. I guess I don’t have a problem with them as long as they are flat front, and the newer “modern fit”- slim fit and sitting lower on the hips. My older son (28) wears them in dark colors for work and they fit him well. My high schooler would not be caught dead in them and I don’t see other kids his age around here wearing them either- we are in S. Calif. Most of them wear very slim cut jeans, cords, and mostly shorts year round. I guess I associate khakis on high school kids w/ Catholic School…</p>
<p>Well, it’s a good thing I was referred to this thread - I might have spent the rest of my life thinking that all khaki-colored non-denim pants are “khakis!” If my S had a pair of Obeys, I would have been walking around, willy-nilly referring to them as “khakis” {{{shaking head in mortification}}}</p>
<p>re: khakis – they’re the only pants S’14 wears (or sweats, when all his khakis are in the wash). He had a concussion in football, and as he was resting in the hospital, he said “mom – this weekend – can we go get me some pants?”
me: “Sure honey – khakis or sweats?”
S’14: “Blue corduroys.”
I thought OMG – he’s had severe brain damage from this concussion! He’d never asked for blue corduroys before.
Turns out some kid in his class had them and he liked them.</p>
<p>That Massimo guy is really packed into his clothes. I’m uncomfortable just looking at him. Even his tops are tight - it looks like he can’t sit down without splitting his pants. Too bad we can’t see his face </p>
<p>That very tight leg is doesn’t look good on most guys. My son is tall and thin - muscular upper body, but thin legs (I keep telling him that he needs to work the leg muscles too, but he doesn’t listen). Fitted legs accentuate how long and skinny they are compared to his upper body - not flattering at all and also uncomfortable in a heavy or stiff fabric. BTW, that’s why most younger women have switched to leggings/jeggings with considerable stretch - those stovepipe jeans in 100% cotton are uncomfortable.</p>
<p>It seems the objection with khakis here is of the loose, sloppy, louchy sort. The Massimo and Obey “chinos” are just a closer cut version of the same thing.</p>
<p>Those skinnier cut pants are usually made of fabric with a bit of stretch. Both H and D1’s BF have worn those pants. They are actually quite comfortable according to them.</p>
<p>This pair looks appears quite uncomfortable, even with 2% spandex. I like classic menswear, so to me, that narrow leg on a guy just looks silly:</p>
<p>My H is a motion picture costumer/stylist and strangely enough this is something that we discuss in our home a lot (in fact FAR TOO OFTEN) One thing that we believe is that if you are directed to dress in a casual fashion, you are invited to be “who you are”. Go with your own instincts, respect the event, learn from others at the event and remember try not to look like your mom dressed you. (sorry moms)</p>
<p>^ That’s an awesome response! I love it and will sock that away in my memory bank. Of course I only have one left (young enough) that would really take anything I say as more then a polite suggestion from a bystander. ;)</p>
<p>Adding the bit of stretch definitely improves comfort and, I think, improves the look too. I like the skinny jeans for young men and women, assuming they have the body-type. One of the recurring problems with the chino fit is how unattractive they can be in the crotch area. I little stretch helps.</p>
<p>“Those skinnier cut pants are usually made of fabric with a bit of stretch. Both H and D1’s BF have worn those pants. They are actually quite comfortable according to them.”</p>
<p>We had to go to a funeral last spring and my son put on a pair of these skinny and shorter pants. I told him they were too tight, too low and too short and he told me I wasn’t up on fashion!!! When we got there I saw all the male cousins in their 20’s wearing the same, along with the contingent of males from my cousin’s NYC clothing manufacturing company.</p>
</p>