20s Men's Knickers Antique Plus Fours Houndstooth Wool Vintage VFG
I tend to think of short pants with buckled cuffs as knickers, but techincally, these trousers are plus-fours. Knickers end just below the knee. Apparently the Duke of Windsor introduced Plus Fours in the US in the mid 1920s. They were 4 inches longer than the classic knicker, and usually baggier. They provided more freedom of movement on the golf course, and showed off the wearer's patterned knit socks. These plus fours are 1920s vintage. They are styled with a flat front, and have the usual assortment of pockets - two angled bound pockets in front, two bound back pockets, one that buttons closed, and a small watch pocket in front. The pantlegs are pleated into cuffs that buckle closed.
SIZE: No size label
Waist - 30.5" (77.5 cm)
Hips - 44" (111.75 cm)
Front rise - 10.25" (26 cm)
Inseam - 24.5" (62.25 cm)
Outer seam length - 34.5" (87.5 cm)
Fixed cuff circumference - 14" (35.5 cm)
FABRIC/COLORS: Mini-houndstooth check in two shades of pinkish brown - from a distance it reminds me of chocolate milk. The fabric itself is wool with unbleached twill plackets.
TAGS: No tags
CLOSURES: The hidden front placket closes with five buttons including the one at the waistband. The cuffs use a combination of slide buckle and buttons.
CONDITION: Very wearable, with small flaws.
The two teethed cuff buckles do not match - one is silvertone and the other goldtone and larger. The silvertone buckle has a small tab of self-fabric sewn to the center with a buttonhole that fastens to the button on the other side of the cuff, allowing the buckle slide to tighten or loosen the cuff. The goldtone buckle is missing that tab piece - a former owner made do by stitching the buckle to the cuff from underneath, meaning there is currently no adjustability.
The nap has worn unevenly in some places - see closeup example. There is a subtle grayish discoloration - about 3/4 x 1/2" - on the left leg near the outside seam about half way down - see closeup. I found small area of partial thickness wear to the fabric just under the waistband in front - see closeup. There may be a few others, but they are subtle.
I measure the outside of garments, unless stated otherwise.
For menswear, the chest is measured at armpit level.
For womenswear, the bust is measured a little below armpit level, including the room created by darts or gathers.
Waist will be measured if there is one, and hips are measured about 9" below waist level. Sleeves are measured from shoulder seam or an approximation in the absence of a shoulder seam. Garment length is measured from the back of the neck, unless otherwise stated.
The measurement numbers refer to the garment, not the body inside. For best fit, measure a similar type of garment which fits you well and compare.
If the garment is shown on Josephine, my mannequin, her measurements are 31/24.5/34". Sometimes she wears a padded bra. My live models measurements vary depending on the day and year, and I don't ask them to share that.