The One with the Trews that Never Got Worn

onetrews.jpg

I can’t speak for shopping in Hong Kong at present seeing as I haven’t been back in quite a while but when I was there, it would be a given that if one cheapie clothing shop had one particular ‘trendy’ item in stock, the next ten cheapie shops would have the exact same item…maybe varying on colour and price a bit but the salesgirl would always sell it in the same year…. a rough translation would be "They’re bang on-trend this season!"  One particular year (forgotten which), in my teenage stupor, it was these trousers that were sort of loose-ish at the thighs and then taper down into an elasticated band at the calves.  They were everywhere, with/without pockets, in different kinds of checks, in all different colours (pink wool tartan anyone?).  Why I bought them in this thick houndstooth fabric WITH pockets, I still can’t quite figure out.  I haven’t worn them nor can I bring myself to chuck them seeing as I still look at them and think "But I don’t own anything like them!" so I’ve moved them through FOUR new homes without discarding them.   

I promise, they have not been worn until today and if you happen to be around the Old Street area you can testify that I’m indeed wearing them out.  The shoes need adjusting as it’s nippier than I thought outside.  It’s part golf-attire, part farming-trousers, part combat-gear… and I could only do what I love to do which is to mix in more checks and tweeds. 

Onetrews

41 comments

  1. I know what you mean by HK shopping. It’s quite funny. I used to live there as well.
    Everyone will say the pants and the rest are bang on trend now. Funny how things come around every so often. I think the pocket detail is really cool. I’d have bought them like that not without.
    Come to think of it.. I’d like to visit HK again. I miss the January bargain shopping.

  7. Wow, I actually like them! They’re really cute (and not in a bad kawaii way), and I absolutely love the way you constructed your outfit, you truly could make anything work! I especially love the shoes, they’re gorgeous! Where did you find them?

  9. I love how you quite make something good out of something you haven’t worn in ages!
    Taking the cue from you, I would be more daring in terms of mixing prints. It can get dizzying at times but it is really interesting…

  10. yeap the cheapy stuff gets quite overwhelming at times. love this outfit though. susie we need more religious daily outfit posts from you! 😀

  11. i would not say that teh pants look odd. i love the entire outfit. shoes (!!!) , pants!!!, jacket… very elegant with a tendency to edgy. cool.

  16. I have a pair of pants in a similar shape that I bought on sale at Urban in like, 2001. The only difference is they have regular pockets. I thought they looked a bit ridiculous and old school baseball when i bought them but everytime i put them on they look really good.
    the mix of prints here is lovely.

  18. I’m not quite sure how, but you make it work… That looks fabulous!

  23. You have unbelievable fashion sense! That Jacket is adorable 🙂

  25. The combination of all these plaids is fantastic! The pants are great — sort of 1920s golfer meets cargo pants.

  29. yeah you go girl, we should be proud of China, this is just how we wear it. yes! here’s come the chinese tartan 🙂

  30. I love that outfit! From your description (which I always read before scrolling down to the picture) I thought the pants would be monstrous, but I actually really like them! I would definitely wear this, but the again, I would most definitely love to wear most your outfits.

  31. Ahaha I think I have the same cheapie Hong Kong pants somewhere in my parents’ storage! Love how the mixture of checks is balanced. ^_~ Cheers from Tokyo Goth-land,
    † LA CARMINA † Gothic Lolita Fashion
    http://www.lacarmina.com

  32. I really like them actually. I’d find it hard to throw those out but like you would be scratching my head on how to incorporate them into an outfit. You’ve done well though and they look really good!

  34. Hi Susie! I’ve sort of…disappeared from comments for a while, but I’m a faithful reader.
    I’ve got to say, I really do like these pants. They’re quite nice! And thanks for commenting on the BBC Archive: I was tapped last minuted to do a presentation at my school on Victorian fashion and its symbolism in literature, and this might help!

  35. I don’t know if it was an all-Asia thing, but three-quarter-length cargo pants were HUGE, back in the day (in fact, I’m wearing one of my own old pairs as we type- handy for keeping hems out of the rain and mud!). These pants just bring back memories…and as always, the pic is proof that you can make literally anything work. 🙂

  36. Once again, you give me so much inspiration with how you put things togheter. Gives me so much courage! The jacket with all the plaid and trousers is something I must try with my clothes. Double-plaid!

  37. I used to have a pair that’s v. similiar to those from Taiwan but in, erm, shiny dusky pink fabric. It wasn’t a keeper for me. Needless to say your version is soooo much superior.

  38. I usually like your outfits, but this one is just a tad bit over the top..not a good look

  41. throwing away memorable items are always regretted, you did good on keeping them all this in as one day you’ll probably be really thankful!

Comments are closed.