Chinos that Fit from The Savile Row Co.

Why is it that most off-the-peg trousers are total pants? They are the one area where I feel that I haven't been able to find the perfect fit since I started my search for style on this blog. Shirts, jackets, suits, socks: all fit fine. And, of course, bespoke and made-to-measure trousers. But off-the-peg trousers or chinos are often not quite right. Too fitting around the calf, nearly always too low in the waist (why? most shirts are too short, so how are we meant to keep them tucked in?), shapeless, too long, too short and so often too tight. If they do fit well, they can be eyewateringly expensive. I recently came across an exception at Savile Row Company. 

Available in classic and slim fit in navy and brown

I was given a pair of chinos by Savile Row Company. Based in Savile Row, the company has been family-owned since 1938. They sell a range of formal and smart-casual clothing as well as made to measure shirts online. As for the trousers, although inexpensive they fitted well, avoiding many of the shortcomings I've identified. 

I selected a pair with a flat front and a slim, but not tight, fit. Ostensibly non-iron, I haven't tested that claim yet, but the cloth is more robust than many chinos, so at £40 a pair (£70 for two). Several readers have asked me to mention more affordable clothes from time to time and I'm glad to have found something here that is good value. Savile Row Company.

This is a sponsored post.

Friday Favourites: Archer & Peyton socks, Spoke trousers

Archer & Peyton socks

I've mentioned Archer & Peyton before. Produced in Italy in a wide range of colours and designs, they are well-made and comfortable and among my favourites.

Contact Archer & Peyton for more information and to buy.

Spoke

An update on another brand I've mentioned before. Spoke have returned their manufacture to the UK. Their speciality is not only matching size to waist and leg but also to build/body shape. 

I've tried a pair of their 'Bulletproof' chinos which fit perfectly. The fabric, quality and cut are very good. Highly-recommended from Spoke.

Tom Cridland - support British-designed trousers on Kickstarter

Tom Cridland makes trousers in Portugal from luxury fabrics; cotton first, wool and cashmere later this year. They spent a year ergonomically testing the cut - a slim fit (with no elastase, polyester etc diluting the quality of fabric) that retains both comfort and functionality. They wanted to create an arty brand with bold, beautiful colours and developed unique shades of classic beige and navy, as well as brighter blue, orange and pink. 

Tom Cridland started the brand with a government loan and is now looking to finance further expansion through a Kickstarter campaign. Tom told me more:

'This is a labour of love for me. I'm 24, started the business with a small government loan and it's been steadily growing ever since. This Kickstarter campaign could make or break my first collection!'

I've road-tested a pair of the chinos. Slim-cut, the cotton fabric is soft but durable. This is a young brand that deserves our support. Here is the link to Kickstarter where you can pledge money in return for trousers and find out more.

Spoke chinos - a good fit and made in Hoxton, England

None of us is the same size and few clothing manufacturers pay much more than lip service to this fact. I recently ordered a pair of chinos (British-made, note) from Spoke whose unique selling point is the effort they make to cater for different sizes.

They do this by asking for details of not only your size, but also your build - and they'll send you a tape measure of you need one. The sizes progress in increments of 1 inch between 30" and 36", so there is generally a size and fit for all.

Mine are navy blue and are a comfortable, slim, but not too slim, cut. The fabric is a soft Italian fabric which comes in a variety of colours. Best of all, they're stitched together in Hoxton, London - so these are genuine British-made trousers - all for £79.

 See Spoke's website for more information.

With thanks to Spoke for providing a pair of trousers for use in this review