To most, he is simply referred to as Coleman. A growing legend in popular places where sand and society meet, as this picture would suggest. Over the years, Coleman has been a friend to Bills Khakis. His ideas have helped shape the brand. Coleman writes for a living, and in this case, writes on the life and times of his favorite old pair of khakis.

It can happen at any time; at home, on the beach, or simply bending over to pick up yet another Thai restaurant menu shoved under your door. (Sorry, I live in New York). It's the moment you realize that your favorite old pair of khakis has finally come to the end of its clothesline. It's unfortunately their time for that great trouser tomb in the sky. Of course Bills are made to last forever, I've read, or at least wished, and compared to other brands, they do. But come on, even Johnny Carson and Nolan Ryan had to retire sometime.

Yes, the frayed cuffs, missing belt loops and worn through knees do have that F. Scott-Hemingway-Kennedy touch football caché going for them. However, there is a point when, as my father would say, you start looking like a "complete jackass." For instance, if others can tell the pattern of your boxer shorts through your khakis, it might be time for a new pair. Or, if duct tape is involved anywhere on the garment, it's probably a good idea to start thinking about visiting your local store for a fix.

Sure, it's hard to give them up. It's similar to when you waved goodbye to your baby blanket or the day you realized nobody wants to hear you quote "Caddyshack," anymore. It's sad; you buck up and move on.

Just be thankful your Bills had a good life. They got to go to the best parties, went away on fun weekends and even managed to survive that horrible time in this country's history known as Casual Friday. They were always there, wrinkled, rumpled or all creased and eager, straight from the dry cleaner bag, ready for a new adventure.

Think about some of the other clothes in your wardrobe, that never went anywhere. What about that poor Tyrolean vest you bought drunk in Munich? It's been shoved in the back of your closet since college. Or those Prada shoes for which you paid a ridiculous amount of money, only to quickly realize Prada shoes should only be worn by girls and maybe four guys in Italy. Your Bills had a full life. Letáthemágo!

You don't have to make any hasty decisions as to when to separate. Go at your own rate, on your own terms. Perhaps you start wearing them just when you run out to get milk, (Do people still drink milk?) or maybe just when painting. They could become your "Sunday morning lie around watching golf and eating an entire roll of those cinnamon buns with the weird icing pants." It's totally up to you.

However, the day will come when you and your Bills must part, and when it does, there are options. You could donate your beloved pair to the Salvation Army or another worthy charity. However, with that choice they could suffer the indignity of ending up in a thrift store window display called "Khaki Commotion!!" Or, you might see the guy trying to force squeegee your windshield wearing them. For this, you'd never forgive yourself. There is another option, which may seem drastic, but in the long run it may be easier on both of you. Dare I say the word, "rags"? This way you can still keep your trusty khakis nearby. Sure, now they perform a different function, but hey, you're still glad to have them around, much like elderly relatives at the holidays.

You can use their wonderful well-worn twill to shine shoes, clean your clubs or merely as that rag you keep in your trunk "just in case." It's the next best thing to keeping their ashes on the mantle.

Once you've made the difficult transition, just think, soon there will be another pair of Bills arriving home from the store freshly cuffed and pressed. It's an exciting time. You're old pair would want you to move on. Sure, you'll always remember your first pair fondly. But in a matter of a few washings things will seem pretty much back to normal. So if you have a pair of Bills that may have reached its full khaki potential, you know what to do and where to go. While you're at it, get a few pairs, maybe even a pair with a smaller waist size as you know you're going to loose that 10 pounds. Yes, I know that's a shameless sales pitch (and a lie), but, safer is your attachment to many.

Virtues of the After Market

The early stages are marked by compulsive rummaging through thrift shops for rare articles of vintage clothing, antiquated sporting equipment, cracked leather chairs, and decomposing taxidermy. Those who have explored the world of the after market usually loose their taste for the activity around the same time that the notion of sporting a stranger's sport coat starts feeling a little creepy... may he rest in peace.

And then, there are those for whom the thrill of discovering a stranger's discarded treasures develops into both a healthy sickness and a near art form.

Over the years, they have developed a secret list of back alley shops filled floor to ceiling with museum quality artifacts and closet classics. They are masters of the "after market." I got a call the other day from one of the true masters. He was calling to tell me that we had reached a milestone. "Bills Khakis had finally made it," he proclaimed. I found his news curious and perplexing.

Rick had just spotted a pair of Bills Khakis at his favorite vintage clothing store in Chicago. Two sizes too big, he bought them anyway.

Rick went on to explain that few products possess the enduring qualities and longevity to reach the after market. The products that do are the backbone of an entire second tier economy where goods are produced, sold, traded back, and sold again. The compounded wealth these products generate contribute disproportionately to the health and success of our economy and the American way of life.

Never thought of it that way.

A Concrete Example

On a recent visit to Denver, CO, I stood among blocks of century old brick buildings and saw the future. From the corner of Wazee and 17th, no further was I from the gates of Coors Field, than from the former site of John Deere Plow Co., 1898. Street after street of restaurants, specialty shops, galleries, professional firms, gyms, antique dealers, and condominiums, all warehoused inside newly blasted facades, many marked with faint reminders of the original businesses that once thrived there. This is the place Denver calls LoDo, short for "Lower Downtown." In the heart of Lodo is a plaque marking Denver's birthplace, the Elephant Coral, where ranchers once brought their cattle by the thousands to trade stock & stock up on everything the thriving outpost had to offer. Things haven't really changed all that much. Our congratulations to the local Bills Khakis retailer, "Players," for being a part of this great urban success story. We hope you'll stop by next time you're in Denver.

BILLS PROFILE: Tom Patten

Home Town
Nashville, Tennessee

Occupation
Real Estate Developer

Greatest Risk I Ever Took
Starting my own business. I literally bet the whole ranch. It wasn't much but it was all we had.

Greatest Accomplishment
Marrying way over my head and having two great, bright, compassionate daughters.

Favorite Book
Whatever Stephen Ambrose wrote last.

Favorite Quote
William Wordsworth (1770-1850), one of the great British poets of the Romantic era wrote, "the best portion of a good man's life is his nameless acts of kindness and of love."

Favorite Distraction
I have been interested in flying and history for as long as I can remember. Like a lot of other little boys, I spent much of my time building models, mostly of WWII airplanes.

After flying for 20 years, I was in a position to buy a P-51, the airplane of my dreams. Owning this aircraft has opened a whole new world to me. It was my entre to understanding the spirit and determination of the people who risked everything during World War II so that we could have a free and democratic world. Tom Brokaw called them the "greatest generation." They are indeed.

Owning this plane has given me the opportunity to know many of these wonderful men and has given me the privilege to acknowledge their monumental sacrifices by sharing their stories at reunions and air shows. Indeed, the airplane is an eloquent piece of history, a symbol of freedom to many Americans. I am fortunate to be the curator of this marvelous machine.

Where is Bills Khakis Located?

Bills Khakis is located in the former Reading Hardware factory building in Reading, Pennsylvania. Among the building's many eclectic tenants, the most notable is Fancy Pants Brewing Company (pure coincidence, no affiliation). Every month or so we are called upon to offer our highly developed taste of beer to Joe, the youthful brew master, who crafts his beer deep beneath the 8000 square feet we occupy. This got us thinking... there are a lot of advantages to locating your business above a microbrewery.

Top 10 Reasons to Locate Your Business Above a Microbrewery

10. Beer is good food.
9. It's always 5 PM somewhere in the world.
8. Teaches you how to say no.
7. Who wouldn't want Norm's job at the brewery?
6. Beer and khakis go together like, well,... you can spill beer on khakis and it hardly leaves a stain.
5. Fridays wind down pretty quick!
4. It makes up for having a sewage treatment plant across the street.
3. The name of the brewery is Fancy Pants.
2. Banana Chocolate Stout.
1. No one ever solved a problem over a glass of white wine

PHOTO GALLERY
Bills Out of Bounds

Peter Dever Jr., a.k.a. Pedro, is the brother of Bills Khakis Golf Market Manager Matt Dever. When Pedro is not off limits, he is a master stone mason in Albuquerque, New Mexico and has served as an Outward Bound instructor.

Dear Bills:
Here I am putting Bills to the test, way out of bounds. Today skied the North Twilight in the San Juans. My off-season lift ticket cost me a lung.

Pedro.

We couldn't resist this photo opportunity featuring the guest of honor and Don Johnson. We saw it as possibly our only opportunity to mention Bills Khakis and Don Johnson in the same sentence.		Al Michaels splits the fairway at the Robert Wagner Roast. Do you believe in miracles?

Recently, a small gathering of friends came together over a round of golf to honor and roast one of Hollywood's greatest legends, Robert Wagner. Each notable participant found a pair of Bills Bermudas in his gift bag as well as other suitable pieces of equipment for the day.

You might expect to find Bills Khakis at the racetrack, but we're not talking horses here. Donald Davis' 2002 Chevrolet GFT truck sports the Bills logo as he competes in the "Fastruck" Racing series. At 355 horsepower, we've given up any hopes that anyone will catch the Bills decal. We'd rather be seen in the winner's circle. Drive fast, take chances and be safe, Don!

“HAAWGISMS”


Eddie Holden, our Bills Khakis sales rep in the deep South, is famous for his profound views on life and things in general.
"Amateurs built the Ark... Professionals built the Titanic."

A NOTE FROM BILL
Our newsletter is intended to extend a special look into our company, the people behind it, and most importantly, the personalities that really make things tick, our customers. We are looking for your letters and photographs for inclusion in our next newsletter. Tell us about your life adventures with Bills Khakis. Your contributions are not only appreciated, but necessary to create a newsletter that lives up to the above.

Contact Marge at 1-800-43-khaki or customerservice@billskhakis.com with submissions, contributions and pictures.