Oh my gosh! What is up with these pants?
Every so often, I receive what I call Dream Girl catalogs in the mail. These are the catalogs sent to me by designers and manufacturers that I often dream of buying from, but have never done so due to budget purposes. Tiffany & Co. sends me a Dream Girl catalog every holiday season, but then, I've purchased gifts from them, so that makes sense. Mercedes sends me a Dream Girl catalog once a year, which totally surprises me considering I have never stepped foot in a Mercedes dealership. Gucci sends me Dream Girl catalogs sporadically. I suppose the reason is that fifteen years ago, I purchased a coin purse at a clearance sale. There are countless big name companies that have me on their mailing lists. How these places get my address is beyond me. All I know is that these catalogs keep showing up in my mail.
Regardless of the how or the why, I have come to love my Dream Girl catalogs because when I look at them I like to think about what it would be like to be a millionaire with an unlimited amount of money to spend on designer clothes and cars. This is a great source of entertainment - it breaks up the monotony from the fliers and brochures that fill my mailbox every day of the week. Those are actually useful... what fun is that? Plus, I think it is good for the soul to dream every now and then. These catalogs are a fun way to visit another place and time. And even though it is all a fantasy, I find it to be a really good way to clear my mind of the everyday mundane that is so much a part of being a mother (i.e. meals, laundry, homework, curfews, etc., etc., etc.).
Today I received a Dream Girl catalog from Lilly Pulitzer. I love her clothing. The styles are classic and timeless. I think it is the flowers motifs that draw me to her lines - the bright floral prints take classic and timeless styles and funk them up a bit. Whatever it is about her designs, I am always happy when a new Lilly catalog shows up at my house. I consider the pages to be eye candy for the soul.
This afternoon, I took a minute to sit outside on the porch so that I could thoroughly enjoy my new catalog. As I was leafing through the pages, I was once again dreaming of lawn parties and soirees... just letting my mind wander and my pretend world evolve.... when all of a sudden, I turned the page and saw the pants shown above. What in the world is up with that? I had to look again. And then I looked again. And then I ran into the house and showed Alyssa. I asked her if paisley and fish patterned men's pants were now considered fashionable, because [in her mind] Alyssa is the foremost expert on fashion and upcoming trends - who better to ask? Her immediate reaction was a gasp, and then a giggle, and then a, "What the heck are you looking at?" When I told her it was the new Lilly Pulitzer summer catalog, she gasped again, and then she informed me that clearly Lilly had gone mental.
All I could think about was that I felt downright sorry for the male models who had to pose wearing these pants. How humiliating. And I cannot believe that large paisley print or giant lime green fish swimming on a sea of fuchsia is now considered fashionable design for men's slacks. Give me a freaking break. If this is what men's fashion is coming to, I'm going to have a hard time not laughing out loud in public places. Talk about over the top... this blows the top clear to Mars.
So tell me, would you let the man in your life wear these slacks? Additionally, is it just me, or are these pants as hideous as I'm making them out to be? I think in all the years I've been a fashion watcher, I have never seen anything as horrendous as these slacks.
I'm taking Lilly Pulitzer off my Dream Girl list. She blew it. And if I ever come across a million dollars, I will not be in the least bit tempted to buy her clothing line, because really... it looks as though she may be moving away from the timeless classic styles that she is so well known for. All I see here is a ghastly trend. Let's hope it doesn't take off, because if and when it does, I will not be allowing my son to wear this style. How could I? I'd die laughing.
OMGosh! Now they just need a Vera Bradley man-bag to go with them! those poor models
Posted by: robyn bedsaul | May 09, 2007 at 10:40 AM
Holy Cow. They're kind of like my Korean old lady pants, but more tailored. Now I have seen everything.
Posted by: Helena | May 06, 2007 at 11:11 AM
LOL...this one made my day. I needed a silly giggle! Then I forwarded the link to Kendell and we laughed together.
Posted by: Amy Sorensen | May 04, 2007 at 03:10 PM
That's about the funniest thing I've seen in a while.
Don't you think the models look a bit embarrassed!
Hope all is well.
Posted by: Lucinda | May 04, 2007 at 02:44 PM
Suddenly the ridiculous "hammer" pants of the 80's don't seem so bad. At least the model on the right was allowed to express his true feelings on the apparel, while the model on the left is wondering where on earth he left his dignity...
Posted by: Trish D | May 04, 2007 at 01:51 PM
Never....and I repeat....NEVER would my husband or my 3 sons wear this kind of crazy pants. Although I think some of the fabrics would make a very nice sundress!
Teresa
Posted by: Teresa Wilkins | May 04, 2007 at 12:03 PM
I am trying to think of ONE MAN I know that would wear these in public. Can't think of a single one...
Posted by: tracy whitney | May 04, 2007 at 10:53 AM
SNORT .. . the hairdresser in my life wouldn't wear those! I don't think . . . I'll ask him Saturday when he's doing my hair.
Posted by: heather | May 03, 2007 at 09:33 PM
Here are the reasons for those pants: 1. It was a dare. As in I dare you to put those in the catalog. 2. Drinking was involved. After a few cocktails they thought these were going to be the next thing. 3. There is a hidden camera.
Posted by: Becky H | May 03, 2007 at 06:42 PM
I would let Jason wear these. We have a 'don't question my fashion' clause... so I'd go ahead and let him make a fool of himself. However, I feel safe in saying he'd NEVER wear them.
They are so over the top I can't stop looking. I am REALLY glad you shared with us. Totally made this morning um... bright. LOL!
Posted by: May | May 03, 2007 at 10:32 AM
OUCH! Those are bad. P&PT for Lisa's mom....
Posted by: slammie | May 03, 2007 at 09:00 AM
Two words: Clinton Kelly. He'd wear them. (You know - What Not to Wear, but I guess he probably wouldn't take his own advice on those pants. I can totally see him in them.) Or maybe even Carson Kressly from Queer Eye.
Susan.
Posted by: Susan | May 03, 2007 at 07:21 AM
i can't imagine any man i know wearing those. my brother won't wear the plaid shorts all the boys are wearing, i wonder what he'd think of these. those i just can't even find the words for. i would laugh at any man i saw wearing those. i don't even think i'd want to wear them.
Posted by: meg | May 02, 2007 at 11:13 PM
The guy I work with wore something like that to work once (he's 30) and he was told not to wear them again. Need to inform you about Lisa (babys mom). Just found out the she had contractions - several every 5 minutes - on Sunday. Spent Sunday and Monday in the hospital. They got the contractions to stop (baby not due for another month and a half). She was informed that if she has more than 5 contractions on any day she is suppose to get to her doctors. They figure the baby weighs around 5lbs and is about 18 inches long. He is in the breach position. They say if she should deliver early the baby would be alright, his lungs are developed enough. But right now every thing is alright. No baby yet. We told her to tell the little one to stay quiet for a few more weeks. He needs to gain weight and develope some more. Will keep you posted as I learn more. Randi
Posted by: Randi | May 02, 2007 at 10:39 PM
I have to believe she is designing for one of four men:
1. The guy who read The Preppy Handbook from cover to cover and believed the authors when they said that it was cool for men to wear cordoroy slacks with tiny whales or turtles embroidered on them (and considering that Brooks Brothers has pulled some of those patterns out of the time machine in the last couple of years, who is to say this might not be slightly on trend?)
2. The guy who loved his JAMS in the 80s and has secretly dreamed of a way to somehow incorporate inappropriate choices of bottoms in to his wardrobe now that all things 80s are cool again.
3. Golfers. Surely plaid pants get boring on the course.
4. Southern gentlemen. Having had a certain New Orleans trained attorney with his seersucker suits as a friend for many years, I've given up questioning the appropriateness of certain fashion choices. Then again, see numbers 1, 2, and 3 as further back up!
Posted by: jenidallas | May 02, 2007 at 10:39 PM
Those are horridly ugly. Wow! My eyes are hurting after looking at them. And nooooooo, I would never EVER let my husband wear something like that. Not that my opinion would matter because the kids he teaches... they'd laugh him out of town! LOL
Posted by: Barb | May 02, 2007 at 09:17 PM