Gray cotton twill trousers/chinos

[John M]

This seems to be impossible and keep in mind I am not looking for wool or cotton gabardine. I am looking for 100% cotton twill chinos. I almost went the route of having them custom made by Gitman ($180) but now the option for that leads to a 404 page.

I see Ralph Lauren has them in a slim fit but that isn't what I want either. O'Connell's has me covered on everything but. They even have Forest Green and Slate Blue but no (like a) smoke gray.

And then I saw these for a ridiculous $490.

https://www.thombrowne.com/us/shopping/unconstructed-cotton-twill-chino-trouser-12559502

Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[drpeter]

I share your concern: Good cotton twills, or even cotton poplins are not easy to find. I have been looking for a summer suit in dove grey 100% cotton (or even a 67/33 cotton/poly blend) and that is virtually impossible to find.

I think you have to widen your search. I have about six or eight grey 100% cotton trousers from Bill's Khakis, picked up on eBay over the years, all of them brand new for an average price of $50. Not sure if these are still available. Mine are mostly relaxed fit, some pleated in the English style, some flat front.

I looked through Bill's and the link below is the closest I could find to a pair of grey slacks (grey does not seem to be part of their vocabulary, they seem to call it mercury). It is 97% cotton, 3% elastane. It is $165. If you can live with that fabric blend, then it might be worth a try. If you hate it, I am sure you can return it for a full refund.

Again, a search through eBay, and some patience, might mean luck. When I was in the market for grey cotton slacks, I searched eBay every day for months to obtain a bunch of them! When I found a seller who had masses of Bill's trousers, I made special requests for these grey cotton slacks, and some of them helped me and set me up with one or two extras.

https://billskhakis.com/collections...tch-sateen-classic-fit?variant=31061163376751

 

[mhj]

I got a pair from Lands End recently that I'm very happy with. They are constantly going on sale for I think $40 so keep an eye out.

 

[drpeter]

Just found an example of 100% grey cotton Bill's slacks on eBay, Brand new, cuffed, $80. You could check with the seller to see if your size is available, and also whether these have room to expand, if that is what your measurements require.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1336219595...Z48t9jZmI1HAlRPZ8gB556Op8QUb8GphoC1noQAvD_BwE

 

[TKI67]

Check the Orvis ultimate khakis in granite.

 

[drpeter]

Not sure if they have changed the material for the Hamptons. but if it is the same as a few years ago, then it should be a 100% cotton twill (or drill, if you like) which is on the lighter side as far as weight is concerned. If memory serves, it is rather like a cavalry twill, with a slight ribbed texture -- the twill lines are just a tad pronounced.

 

[Dhaller]

I'm a fan of Hiltl chinos. Luxurious hand, good fit, wear well.

If you have a good menswear shop (as in they carry Samuelsohn or Canali, do MTM, that kind of thing) they have a good chance of carrying them; in Atlanta I get them at H. Stockton.

I last paid $225 for them, but I see now they're $245, and Google reveals them to be 40% off here: https://patrickjames.com/SKU/14278/...x?ParentPageID=118&CategoryID=82#.YAWyri1h1Ls

(Not endorsing the linked site - never heard of 'em - but at least you can take a look!)

DH

 

[drpeter]

I have a couple of Hiltl poplin slacks, summer-weight, but very nice. Neither of them are grey, however, they are beige. I picked them up on eBay a couple of years ago, for a small sum.

 

[John M]

I just wish O'Connell's had a gray non-gab version but oh well. They have every other color so at least there's that.

 

[blue suede shoes]

I second the above recommendation for Land's End. I got a pair of these in the dark asphalt heather and they are a very soft material of 100% cotton, although they are darker than what is shown in the picture.

https://www.landsend.com/products/m...?attributes=44967&cm_re=add-more-shopping-bag

 

[David J. Cooper]

I have a pair of BB Advantage Chinos in a dark grey. They are pretty decent if you like grey. I rarely wear them so I’m not sure they excite me.

 

[John M]

I have a pair of BB Advantage Chinos in a dark grey. They are pretty decent if you like grey. I rarely wear them so I’m not sure they excite me.

Hmm... you might have found a match for me for the time being. I don't like the fact that it is cotton/stretch mix and would prefer 100% cotton twill like O'Connell's (I don't hate stretch but I have them on some casual pants already) but for something I want to experience with, this may work. Thank you.

Thank you also to everyone for their suggestions. I also hope Jack Donnelly's version is good as well.

 

[TKI67]

Hmm... you might have found a match for me for the time being. I don't like the fact that it is cotton/stretch mix and would prefer 100% cotton twill like O'Connell's (I don't hate stretch but I have them on some casual pants already) but for something I want to experience with, this may work. Thank you.

Thank you also to everyone for their suggestions. I also hope Jack Donnelly's version is good as well.

Did you check the Orvis ultimates? They are very comparable in quality to O'Connell's, just not MIUSA. Just cotton.

 

[John M]

Did you check the Orvis ultimates? They are very comparable in quality to O'Connell's, just not MIUSA. Just cotton.

Sorry to ignore your previous post there. I actually found a pair a little less expensive on eBay so I am going to try them. If they don't work out, I will try the Orvis Ultimate ones. The ratings look mixed for something that is over $100 so I was hesitant to pull the trigger. I likely will buy them un-hemmed and see how they fit and if I like them, I will have them tailored. Is Orvis's hemming of good quality or does it look sloppy if I decide in the future to just have them do it?

Yeah, I know I am a very picky *insert word here*

 

[TKI67]

Sorry to ignore your previous post there. I actually found a pair a little less expensive on eBay so I am going to try them. If they don't work out, I will try the Orvis Ultimate ones. The ratings look mixed for something that is over $100 so I was hesitant to pull the trigger. I likely will buy them un-hemmed and see how they fit and if I like them, I will have them tailored. Is Orvis's hemming of good quality or does it look sloppy if I decide in the future to just have them do it?

Yeah, I know I am a very picky *insert word here*

I have always had them hemmed myself. I believe Orvis does a 1" cuff, and I always get 1 3/4" cuffs. I am also fussy about touching but with no break. A Trad who is not picky may need to assess whether they are truly Trad.

 

[delicious_scent]

I don't see the appeal for plain grey cotton trousers.

I thought it'd work in the past, like a more casual, versatile alternative to mid-grey wool trousers.

The more pictures I saw, the more I was convinced that it was one of the most lifeless, dreary combinations possible.

 

[ran23]

A bit darker, I had a pair of Dockers Charcoal chinos, thinking it would be practical. Took a long time to warm up to them.

 

[Patrick06790]

I have a pair of old LE non-iron chinos in a medium or battleship sort of grey that work very well with a blazer of tweed jacket. About the only use I've ever had for non-iron chinos, frankly.

Someone mentioned Orvis chinos. I have two pairs and they are non-iron without being treated. I'm talking armor here. Never have to iron them, just smooth them out of the dryer and hang them.

 

[mhj]

Are any of Orvis's other chinos of a similar cut to the Ultimates? The fit is perfect but what I don't like is the shrinkage that I experienced and the fact that must be ironed for office wear. I'm not a fan of non-iron but in this case unless you're going fishing or mowing lawn ironing is essential.

 

[John M]

I don't see the appeal for plain grey cotton trousers.

I thought it'd work in the past, like a more casual, versatile alternative to mid-grey wool trousers.

The more pictures I saw, the more I was convinced that it was one of the most lifeless, dreary combinations possible.

I am working on inserting more color into my wardrobe but that is actually what I like about gray/grey. I love gray cloudy skies too (without torrential rain) on a November Sunday.