Yahoo Finance You Need a Pair Of Grandma Trousers
Grandmas are good for lots of things: unwavering love and support, comfy chairs, biscuits, wisdom, a broad knowledge of daytime television. They might even have a small dog with a pleasant vibe. Also, via the dusty curtains, cushions and carpets in their living rooms: 2021 summer trouser inspiration.
Warm weather trousers are always a tricky item. Jeans are fine, but a bit dull (sorry jeans). You're probably all navy-d out after a winter of wearing all navy. Block bright colours are fun, but run the risk of making you look like someone who is in a group chat with Matt Hancock (get me a dubious PPE contract while you're in there, yeah?). So what to do?
Enter the tapestry trouser, a style that combines a vibrant pattern with a vintage feel. Trousers inspired by old carpets and retro curtains. Think faded pastel florals, checks, paisley and patchwork, all at the same time. They're a bit DIY sew bro, a bit designer, a bit purveyor of rare antiques. They're also more than a bit: 'Woah, where did you get your trousers from?'
Don't worry, I'll tell you.
At Noah there is a very nice pair of carpenter work trousers in stiff ecru canvas with a washed out floral print that, at first sight, makes you feel like you need to sharpen the contrast on your screen. But that's the whole point. This is print and fabric that looks like it has already been sun-bleached on the terrace of a Provence summer house for a few days. At Aimé Leon Dore, Noah's neighbourhood frenemy in the Neo Prep space, there are two pairs of flowery work pants in paisley sunflower print and green, with small motifs of what look like begonias (thank you Mr Google). They have the appearance of jeans, but come in a linen-mix that's light enough for a day in a pub garden.
On the Tokyo style side of things there's Beams Plus, which tends to deal in an appealingly Japanese refraction of American Ivy style. Its patchwork, block-print trousers come with a generous fit, a drawstring waist and a lightweight cotton construction; the kind of print that you could imagine on the dusty carpet of a Rhode Island members club. South2 West8, one of the more niche brands under the Nepenthes umbrella (Needles and Engineered Garments are also part of the family) has a pair of tartan trousers that appear straightforward, but have a subtle paisley lurking beneath the check. And though yes, he's British, Nicholas Daley always has a billowy tapestry trou in his locker, which channel his twin loves of Shibuya street style and classic Japanese craftsmanship.
And finally, it's impossible to discuss the patchwork-meets-tapestry manifesto without dedicating a section to Emily Adams Bode, the designer who essentially brought the trend into existence with her mish-mash menswear that literally uses old quilts and curtains to create one-off pieces. A pair of her lovely trousers might be made from deadstock French tapestry, or something salvaged from a home in upstate New York. Harry Styles chooses her designs when he fancies a day off from full Gucci.
Summer 2021 is the summer of fun (if you can get a booking), so make sure your trousers match your new-and-improved sunny disposition. Don't thank me. Thank grandma.
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