Casual Wool Pants

[caleb]

Today is December 1st, there's snow on the ground here, and for better or worse winter is on its way.

Cold weather has me thinking about warm clothes, particularly casual wool pants. Something made of wool that could replace jeans from now until things thaw out in March. I'm not thinking about dress trousers, just something to wear around the house and around town.

Do any of you wear wool pants in the winter? If so, do you have any recommendations?

I've run across two pair that have caught my attention.

The first comes from Bemidji Woolen Mills. They're semi-local to me, so I could stop by to tour the Mill and have them hemmed in person. I like that.




The second option is a pair of Filsons. They're not locally made, but looking at the picture the fit might be better. I'd have to order them sight unseen, though.



Any thoughts? Are there any other companies or mills that should be on my radar?

Alternatively, is wearing wool pants too evocative of militia nutcases clad in military surplus holed up in the Idaho mountains? Should I just be sticking to jeans instead?

[chasea]

Any thoughts? Hell yes. Do it.

[rowdyhillrambler]

I had a pair made last year here in town. We have a place that makes civil war re-enactment gear. Yea, that is crazy and it is a wild place. It is in a once abandoned 1950s skating rink. However, there is a tailor on hand to fit you. They then tailor the pants, shirts whatever. They even have a lot of the original patterns. I had them make me a pair, $85 and that was a steal. I LIVED in them last winter.

I recently received a Filson catalog in the mail. Some similar cuts at 3x the price. But, if i didn't have my local guy, i would have jumped in.

[big shanty]

Get the Filsons. I've bought 3 items from them.....a piece of luggage 20 years ago, a wool vest about 8 years ago, and a wool flannel last month. In 20 years I will still have all three. Just had a broken snap replaced on the luggage (for free). Great company, excellent products. They also have a growing selection of tall-sized items and garments sized by chest size. I liked being able to buy a flannel sized like a sport coat! I actually had a 4th item....a waxed cotton jacket (a 42 tall). I liked it a lot. My girlfriend at the time bitched about the smell (it reeked of crayons). I ended up selling it.

Besides, the Bemidji pants look like high-waisters that will occlude your tits.

[Roman]

I've been happy with the clothes these guys contract:

Results for Mens Preorder Items

Seems close to your price point for the others, and they're made in NYC.

[maunahaole]

Besides, the Bemidji pants look like high-waisters that will occlude your tits.

That's how they roll in the iron range.

Filson makes nice stuff, but seriously, buy the local product as they have an idea of how stinking cold it gets there.

[christian]

I have the Filson pants (plus a double-Mac, a wool packer, a vest, a wallet, a 257 and a 243). Their wool clothes are good.

[professerr]

I don't need them now in the SF area. My heavy wool Filsons were fine pants, but something about the cut always made me feel like the belonged to a fat old guy. Can't really clean them easily, though don't need to often.

Slightly different approach to your problem would be these: Katahdin Iron Works Fleece-Lined Canvas Utility Pants: Jeans | Free Shipping at L.L.Bean
Fleece lined, water resistant cotton. Just got a pair, and they are excellent. Might not be warm enough for your area.

[Matthew J]

I have a pair of Filson Mackinaws. Verywell made and warm. In fact so warm I have only had cause to wear them about three times the last three years in Chicago.

Temps well over 60 today. More to come tomorrow. Forecast shows temps dropping a bit next week, but nothing that will prompt me to pull on the Mackinaws.

[soupless]

I've been happy with the clothes these guys contract:

Results for Mens Preorder Items

Seems close to your price point for the others, and they're made in NYC.

I'll second that, give Epaulet a look. They're not far and I pop in regularly. Stuff is good looking, for sure.

Good selection of colored shoeloaces.

[caleb]

I've been happy with the clothes these guys contract:

Results for Mens Preorder Items

Seems close to your price point for the others, and they're made in NYC.

That's an interesting concept. I like the idea that you can pick your cut and then they make it for you.

Along those lines, is it possible to buy pants patterns somewhere? I have a feeling that if I brought a pattern to Bemidji Woolen Mills they'd make me a pair of pants to order. I don't want a set of high water pants, but I've been swaddled in their wool since I was a toddler and it's absolutely top notch. I'd be willing to put some effort into getting them to make some modern pants since they're basically making lifetime garments (their wool is better than Filson's). So, where the heck do I get a pattern?

[maunahaole]

You may be better off trying to buy fabric from them and having a pair tailored. They may not be set up to do a one off pair.

[brunop]

filson. damn they're warm! maybe too warm. even for new england.

[caleb]

My mother in law showed up with a pair of the Bemidiji Woolen Mills pants for me this holiday season. Yup, they're high waisters (navel-ish). They're also really, really well constructed, heavy, and durable looking. I'm hoping to stop by the mill before too long to have them hemmed, but they're as awesome as a could have hoped.

[davids]

High waists? Pleats?

first-ladies-reagan.jpg

[caleb]

High waists? Pleats?

[davids]

roz-chast-regifts-of-the-magi-features-the-three-kings-in-the-desert-bringing-lousy-new-yorker-c.jpg

[maunahaole]

What does John Elway have to do with up-pants?

[mumbleypeg]

The Bemidji pants look exactly like LLBean guide pants. I have had Bean and Filson and liked both.