50
A gentleman knows that, just as with blazers and jackets, some trousers are true classics. A pair of superbly cut gray flannels will serve him humbly and well. Some gentlemen may attempt to fool themselves into thinking that their trousers are somehow subordinate, in every sense of the word, since they are hidden by a jacket. But a wise gentleman knows that, at some point in the day, even at a high-powered business conference, he may wish to remove his jacket, roll up his sleeves, and get down to work. He also knows that, at some point on a brisk evening, he may wish to share his jacket with a shivering lady friend. He knows that when such moments arise, he, his shirt, and his pants are left alone to face the world. He is wise if he has visited his tailor, and his dry cleaner, before he faces those moments.
51
A gentleman knows that the terms
“trousers” and “pants” may be used
interchangeably.
A gentleman uses the term “slacks”
to refer to trousers not intended to be
worn as part of a suit.
A gentleman knows that if his suit jacket
is a bit snug, he can unbutton it. He
knows, however, that if his pants are too
tight, he has no such option.
Unless a gentleman is absolutely certain
that his stomach will not spill over his
waistband, he avoids any temptation
toward beltless trousers.
When searching for a pair of
trousers, a gentleman does not
lie about his waist size—neither to
himself nor to the sales clerk.
52
A gentleman follows the guidance of a
trusted sales clerk, who understands that
one designer’s size 34 trousers may be
another designer’s size 36.
A gentleman remembers the same
realities when purchasing trousers
over the Internet.
When a gentleman stands, his pants are
long enough to cover his socks.
A gentleman’s trouser cuffs fall into a
slight “break” around his ankles and
over the tops of his shoes.
A gentleman shops for his trousers
at an establishment known for its
tailoring services.
53
A gentleman knows that only a good tailor
understands how to guarantee the proper
“break” in his trousers and a smooth fit
across his rear end.
A gentleman never cuffs his jeans.
A gentleman never has creases
ironed into his jeans.
A gentleman takes careful note of the
world around him before venturing
to wear jeans to the office, to a
religious occasion, to a concert or
theatrical performance, or even a
semiformal occasion.
A gentleman does not fill his
pants pockets with unnecessary
paraphernalia.
54
Should a gentleman assume it is
appropriate, and attractive, for
him to wear jeans to a semiformal
occasion, he mixes them with a dark
sports coat, a crisply laundered shirt,
and freshly polished shoes.
Passing fashions notwithstanding,
a gentleman never wears ripped
jeans, except on the most casual
of occasions.
If a gentleman chooses to wear
cuffed trousers, he sees that his
cuffs are no deeper than one and
one-quarter inch.
A gentleman stands tall while
having his trousers fitted.
55
A gentleman saves the extra buttons
that come with his new trousers,
knowing that he will need them to
replace the buttons invariably ripped
from his back pockets.
When planning to have a new pair
of trousers fitted, a gentleman wears
the style of underwear he most
commonly wears.
A gentleman may wish to have his
trousers fitted with both belt loops and
suspender buttons, but he never makes
use of both at the same time.
A gentleman knows that a bulky key ring,
a wallet stuffed with credit cards, or a cell
phone can destroy the line of even the
most beautifully cut pair of trousers.
56
A gentleman does not wear white
trousers, or the white shoes that match
them, until after Memorial Day.
A gentleman puts away his white
trousers, and the white shoes that
match them, after Labor Day.