Will Trousers Remain in the Modern ‘Office’ Suit?

“There are moments, Jeeves, when one asks oneself, ‘Do trousers matter?'” P.G. Wodehouse’s Bertie Wooster, famous elegant gentleman of fiction, may have been on to something for today’s world.

Today, the digital age has turned the board meeting to video conferencing and the office worker to home worker. What does this mean for the classic office suit, the uniform of every office man for the past century and beyond? Advancements in various technologies mean a laptop can be a gateway to work even before breakfast. With ever more freelance positions working from home all based around the computer and the internet, the webcam can often serve for the vast majority of visual interactions with colleagues and bosses. These face the comical realisation that the trousers and shoes that were once prided skins of status and elegance are no longer seen. Is this the end of the trouser? Given the human condition of applying feudal hierarchies and consumer culture to all aspects of life, will a new opening (ahem!) materialise for designer undergarments?

The Potential Demise of the Trouser

The suit trousers form part of a familiar uniform. They came to Britain in the Victorian era, likely due to Urbanisation allowing the population to live on paved streets. This meant the practical breeches and socks of before gave way to more flattering, draped coverings. Tradition has it that Edward VII popularised the central crease having fallen off his horse. He was then taken in by a local household who pressed his flat-fronted trousers with the now familiar lines. Today, we are used to all manner trousers.

But what are the flaws? Abandoned low flies. Gaining weight and bursting them. Losing weight and forgetting a belt. Ultimately, the end of trousers signals a liberation. This is not the first time the trousers have been associated with radical social action. During the French Revolution, the Aristocracy wore luxurious silk breeches known as ‘culottes’. The Revolutionaries identified themselves as `sans-culottes`, wearing trousers instead of these shorter items.

Now, the reverse is true. We proudly drop our trousers to display just what kind of men we are. The freelancer is not bound by the society-enforced custom of covering the legs.

Work From Home High-end Underwear

There has long been a strong market for high-end boxers. However, the prime emphasis has been on one exposing the waistband above low-slung trousers.

There is, of course, no finer nor more potent aphrodisiac than the words ‘Calvin Klein’ stamped across one’s crotch. With the end of trousers in sight, we will likely see more of such spectacles as Versace’s ‘Barocco Animalier’ briefs in the finest gold viscose at £60.

This striking design is not the Versace but demonstrates the ability to combine glam into your future work wear.

Trouserless Accessories- Dressing for work

For many, getting ready for work is a vital ritual. Not all can relapse to the degraded student existence of studying with little more than a t-shirt, trackies and a pot noodle. Therefore, with freedom from trousers comes freedom to experiment and express with exposed accessories.

Perhaps this new progression could see a return to sock suspenders? Albert Thurston have been renowned suppliers of braces for holding up trousers. But without them, their line of high quality sock suspenders at £20 per pair could be the new statement.

Maybe we shall see a resurgence of the Regency-era breeches and high stockings? We could be on the brink of a hosiery golden age. While Uniqlo have become London’s favourite sock retailer with quality wool socks in an array of colours, the personal budget for the trousers could be reinvested in such suppliers as Pantherella- who have been responsible for manufacturing for the likes of Selfridges from their Leicester factory.

What of the shoes? With exposed legs the footwear shall be the first to fall, if not already cast out from beneath the laptop table. Nevertheless, this situation of socked work lies on the basis of expecting to recover the shoes for going out, most likely to whatever coffee shop has the most plug sockets and complimentary WiFi. When the trousers go, it is the Albert Slipper that shall rise as the choice of the Carehome-Chic dandy.

This Victorian invention of luxurious velvet has a leather sole for saunters around one’s estate, perfect for jaunts to Iceland. These are available from many London suppliers such as Tricker’s, Church’s and Edward Green.

So, if you ever work at home, be a pioneer. Take a stand for the common man. Free yourself of waistband and zips and expose your legs to freedom and the cat. Ensure your top half is pristine and no one will be any wiser.  Stewart Vickers Instagram/Twitter: @vickhellfire

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