These Vintage Chinos Are Perfect

40 years ago, the GOAT of American menswear made a pair of pants that’ve never looked better. Here’s why I love ‘em, plus 15 links to get a pair for yourself right now.

I didn’t make the trek to the Tukahoe, NY outpost of elite tier vintage store Wooden Sleepers thinking I’d leave with my new favorite pair of pants, but that this is precisely what happened illuminates one of the many beauties of shopping for old clothes. Even when you’re on the hunt for a specific piece, you never really know what gems you might stumble upon or what’ll look good until you’re shuffling through racks and trying on random stuff.

But the moment I emerged from the fitting room in these pleated 1980s chinos, I knew they were something I had to have. They check all of the boxes I want in a pair of pants in 2024, and improve upon other chinos I’ve worn both in terms of design and by virtue of their 40+ year old age. While brand new they donned a hangtag that describes their appearance as “weathered,” years of real world wear has given the fabric a level of richness, softness, and drape that is difficult to replicate on anything new.

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