Five Plus One is our weekly series of buyer’s guides. We pick a specific category and dig up five great options along with one that’s a little outside the norm.
If you are as big of a fan of textured fabrics as me, then you probably like patchwork as well. There’s certainly a bit of debate as to where patched pants end and patchwork pants begin, but the aesthetic reasons for which people like one will likely transfer to the other. In this week’s Five Plus One, we will explore both: some pants completely made from a combination of fabrics and some that feature only a few patched panels.
1) FDMTL: Denim Patchwork Pants in Black
FDMTL is well known for their patchwork pants, and their latest Denim Patchwork Pants are one of their most solid offerings ever. Made from a multitude of black and gradient gray denims, these pants come together to form one homogeneous pair. They are made with a slim tapered cut, something that is a bit of an anomaly when it comes to the patchwork game. Each pair is made in Japan from 100% cotton fabrics, and are made to the highest of standards.
Available for $285 at Blue Owl.
2) Blue Blue Japan: Indigo Sashiko Patchwork Pants
I might have implied that most patchwork pants fit more on the relaxed side, and I stick by that, but Blue Blue Japan’s Indigo Sashiko Patchwork Pants are another great example of how well a fitted pair of patchworks can work. Made from a series of different sashiko fabrics, these pants have more texture than just about any other pair on the market. Personally, I can’t see myself wearing this pair every day, but the fantastic fabrics and indigo dyeing would certainly result in some killer fades if I did.
Available for $748AUD (~$530USD) at Corlection.
3) Engineered Garments: Cropped Patchwork Ripstop Pants
Engineered Garments is known for producing some solid garments that are just slightly more stylized than those of their competitors, and their Cropped Patchwork Ripstop Pants are an excellent example of this. While I like everything these pants offer individually—patchwork detailing, ripstop fabric, cropped pants, and fatigue pockets—I would never have thought of combining all of those details into a single piece. But it’s great that the minds over at Engineered Garments did, because the result is phenomenal.
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Available for $260 at Mr. Porter.
4) French Connection: Patchwork Wool Trousers
Though most patchwork pants appear to be constructed from more casual fabrics, French Connection laid it all on the line with their Patchwork Wool Trousers which are made from a wide range of more formal wool fabrics. I can’t say that these pants have anywhere near the level of formality of trousers with just one fabric, but they’re certainly a fun pair to add to your casual pants rotation.
Available for ~$89 at Amazon.
5) Levi’s Vintage Clothing: 1955 501 Rocket City
Where do patchwork pants end and patched pants begin? To many, I believe the answer lies in whether the garment was originally constructed with the patches or if the patches were repaired. Even though Levi’s Vintage Clothing definitely made their 1955 501 Rocket City Jeans with the patches the begin with, they’re designed to look like that isn’t the case. Regardless, they’re a great patched-up pair if that fits your style. I’d personally prefer to wear my jeans to the point of needing patches the old fashioned way, but I can definitely see the desire to receive them all made up.
Available for $298 at Unionmade.
Plus One — Frank Leder: Trousers in Overdyed Navy Patchwork
Frank Leder does a great job of releasing beautiful, traditional garments with a spark of their own, unique style. Their Trousers in Overdyed Navy Patchwork might appear to be normal pants at a glance. Look closely, however, and you’ll see that they’re made from a unique fabric that has multiple fabrics fused together from right off the loom. They’re made in a standard, straight cut with a vintage Bakelite button, making this pair just that much more special.
Available for $375 at No Man Walks Alone.
