Mmmmm Leather Pants

ceres

This thread is for my husband, although admittedly it's just as much for me. :winky:

Basically, he's decided he'd like to get some really nice leather pants. Most of the leather stores near us have closed down in the past few years, and we may end up taking a trip to the city to see if we can find anything there, but before we do I wanted to check and see if anyone here has ever bought something like this online.

I know websites that sell these thing exist and I'm also capable of using google, but does anyone have a favorite store, or one they have personal experience with that did good business? I'm also interested to know if anyone has a favorite brand.

I can imagine this sort of thing won't be $20, and he's looking for something that uses nice leather, is well-made and will last.

Thoughts?

Pheezer

You really don't want to buy these off the rack or online. You want a place that will take his measurements and tailor a pair to fit them. You're going to pay through the nose and if he ever puts on 20 pounds in the wrong spot he'll be finished with them.

ceres

That really sounds quite expensive. I was thinking $1-200... not reasonable?

Pheezer

You might be able to buy a pair in that price range but you're going to have to find a pair that fit just right as-is, which is gonna take some shopping. And the leather will be thin. And leather pants aren't so much in style, so it might be tricky even finding a place that carries a selection of sizes.

Pheezer

Basic googling tells me that motorcycle apparel stores do carry a good selection of full on leather pants, not just chaps, but they might be a bit warm for wearing out rather than just for riding in.

How tall is the guy? If he's average-ish height and within a few inches of average waist size you might not be so out of luck, if you're cool with a bit of a loose fit. The painted on rock star pants of the 70s/80s are what won't come cheaply.

ceres

I think the painted-on look may figure more prominently on my list of criteria than his. >> But I did see that leather pants seem to be marketed toward riders online, so that is definitely a place to start. I was concerned there's be a difference between riding pants and walking-around-in pants, but in the winter the extra weight might not be so bad. I don't want to meet the itch cream made for people who wear leather pants all summer anyway.

I'd really rather go to a store than try to do this online I think, just so he can try things on. I didn't really think of it before, but we do have a Harley-Davidson dealership right down the street. All those bikers gotta buy their clothes somewhere, so maybe it won't be so bad to find a pair locally after all. I think he's fairly average in the height/weight department.

The only thing that bothers me a bit is the thin leather, because if we're going to spend that much on something I don't want it to tear.

Pheezer

Tearing is going to either happen at the seams because the pants are too tight or very poorly made, or it's going to happen from falling on concrete.

So if you're buying less expensive pants, don't get a pair that he can barely squeeze on because that's gonna be how cheap leather will rip.

Also, do you not have a yellow pages? Call up the local biker clothing stores and see which ones carry leather pants.

Fats

I've purchased a fair amount of motorcycle gear from NewEnough, they will at least offer free returns and exchanges if something doesn't fit.

Riding pants you'll find on the shelf are generally designed to go over your normal pants, so they're not going to be particularily form-fitting or sexy. A pair made as part of a two-piece racing suit will be quite form-fitting, but significantly more expensive.

soxbox

Motorcycle pants are normally not that great walking-around pants - unless your intention is to look like a biker. Pants for riding will be padded (and potentially kevlar-backed) and will look much bulkier than what you probably want. That said, a leather worker is a leather worker, so some bike stores will stock non-riding clothing from the same companies. A custom-made racing suit is normally over a $1000, anywhere up to $texas.

The other option is to go looking at bdsm and fetish stores - much more likely to have the style you are after in stock - but only if such stores are easy to find in your area and you're comfortable going there (they're totally not scary places).