PLAIN FRONT VS. PLEATS

Of the hundreds of weighty decisions we make every day, decisions that affect our personal and family’s future, few are as simultaneously less important and overly scrutinized as whether to wear pleated or plain front khakis. Unanimity doesn’t even exist on what to call the latter, some opting for the term “flat front,” others speak to their preference more plainly.

Many aficionados will tell you that pleats don’t belong on khakis any more than they do on jeans. Others will tell you that MacArthur wore only khakis with pleats. So who are you to believe? If plain fronts get you the quizzical “they don’t work for you” look, then opt for pleats.

If pleats get you the same look, you might want to start lining up a personal trainer.

Truth is, both pleated and plain fronts can look great. Pleats tend to be a little more refined, while plain fronts more casual. In fashion circles, throw all the rules out the window because the right answer today, won’t be right tomorrow.

Functionally, pleats offer a little more room, but if your khakis really fit, meaning you’re fessing up to your true size, you shouldn’t need the extra room anyway. Pleats will let you know if your pants are too tight by pulling open. Plain fronts are not as telling, but if it’s a strain to get your hands into your pockets, size up, and keep going until you’re in the size that allows you to get both hands in both pockets at the same time, with ease.

There is no doubt that pleats esthetically break up the front of a pant. If you have worn pleats for years and have recently attempted to convert back to plain fronts, your eye will have you searching for something that just isn’t there.

If this is the case, our advice is to just go with it, providing you have gotten the official nod from the only person whose opinion really matters anyway, your significant other.

As you can see, in the end, it’s really not your decision anyway. Good thing too, because you’ve got a lot of other things to think about.

 

THE FATHER OF AMERICAN KHAKIS

Recently, we made a remarkable acquaintance. More than a coincidence, this meeting was nothing less than downright destiny. We promised not to reveal his name, for he does not want the attention, even after all these years. For the purpose of this report, we will call him Mr. Smith.

What makes our acquaintance so remarkable is that Mr. Smith led the design, sourcing and production of the very same WWII khakis that served as the inspiration for Bills Khakis. Now 90+ years in age, Mr. Smith was assigned to the Philadelphia-based U.S. Army Quartermaster just prior to World War II and continued to serve in that position through the war. His job was to design and produce all uniforms for the U.S. Army, including the now iconic WWII Army issue khakis.

It’s even more coincidental that Mr. Smith lives in, of all places, Reading, Pennsylvania. Until just a few months ago, we never knew of Mr. Smith. We thank him for the time he took and stories he told, as well as the myths he dispelled… one of which is that pleats were not used for Army Khakis in order to save fabric. That decision was based on what was in style at the time and functional to the end user of the garment.

A few other interesting facts: 1) the rise and seat of the WWII khaki were made fuller to fit the average draftee, who was older and bigger than the average serviceman who enlisted prior to the draft. This longer rise and fit is still a trademark of our Model #1 today. 2) The Button Fly was phased out for zippers for obvious reasons: “A man wrestling with buttons made an easy target,” he said.

BILLS KHAKIS PROFILE: Peter Gallagher

Name
Peter Gallagher

Home Town
New York, NY

Town you reside
Los Angeles, CA

Occupation
Actor, Singer

Why you do what you do?
I still love it and I’m in too deep to quit

Favorite Distractions (Hobbies)
Golf

Proudest Moment
Every time our kids are nice to each other.

Philosophy of Life
90% of life is showing up

Greatest risk you ever took
Playing hockey with the NY Rangers at Madison Square Garden, not having been on the ice for over 20 years.

15 Minutes of Fame
It’s just around the corner, I know it.

Favorite Book
“Pastoralia” by George Saunders

Quote
“Be good dear son and let those who will be clever do noble things not dream them all day long. And so make life, death, and that vast forever one grand sweet song.”

Moment I'll Never Live Down
Flying over the handle bars and landing in the woods immediately after admonishing my family to slow down and follow me on a trail bike

How You First Discovered Bills Khakis
While discussing the beauty of khakis with “Mr. Style” of Golf Digest, Marty Hackel. Thanks Marty!

Bills Khakis Wearer Since
2003

Peter Gallagher

THE PHLIGHT OF THE PHLUMBERCOVER

There was a lot of finger pointing going on between Bills Khakis marketing team members Johnny and Chris. Missing from photo is Bill Thomas who was not available for comment.

From time to time, we send packages to editors of lifestyle, business, and fashion magazines to keep them up to date on Bills Khakis. Based on our track record of positive responses, we have built a reputation for clever, informative parcels that prove helpful to editors in serving their readers.

Of the many attempts we have made over the years to win the hearts and minds of America’s lifestyle mavens, none have flopped so miserably as our recently released Phlumbercover.

What is a Phlumbercover and what does it do? Of the 101 uses we reported to America’s leading editors, not one registered even the slightest response.

Here’s just a sample of the many things you can do with a Phlumbercover:

• Nighttime Aquarium Cover
• Festive Ankle Sash
• Aging Rocker’s Microphone Dangle
• The Original Quilted Quicker-Picker-Upper
• Grande, Non-Fat, Double Mocha Frappuccino Cup Holder
• Lap Dog Thigh Pad
• Snow Groomer's Lens Cleaner
• Mini Twister Game Board
• Patchwork Enthusiast Computer Screen Saver

How could something so original, so relevant, so eye-catching, fail so miserably in its intended purpose? In hindsight, maybe the Phlumbercover was a really stupid idea with no practical use in today’s world. We won’t know the full extent of the Phlumbercover’s failure for some time. Short term flop or long term public relations disaster?

Or perhaps, just maybe, one last package is still buried somewhere deep in a stack of mail on an editor’s desk. When found, it will finally be opened, generating the biggest public relations coup of our time, to be studied by thousands in business schools across the country. History may still smile on the Phlumbercover.

 

THE READ FROM READING (PA)

Local Flavors

Take one look at folks around Reading, Pennsylvania, and you’ll quickly see that we enjoy the finer things in life, many of which have strong roots in our early Dutch/German settlers. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner, or any meals in between, we love things with flavor. Here are the secrets of several of our basic food groups.

DESSERT

Shoofly Pie - This pie is pretty much beyond description. It only takes one bite to get hooked. The secret to anyone’s special recipe is anyone’s guess. The pie’s less-than-appetizing name comes from the early Pennsylvania Dutch bakers who would cool their pies on window sills, making easy pickings for flies trolling for a snack. Thus the name “shoo fly” pie. Tastes best with whole milk! Ingredients: molasses, brown sugar, pie crust, flour, 1 egg, baking soda, corn syrup, shortening.

SNACKS

Potato Chips - It’s debatable, but “Goods” potato chips have become a local favorite. What’s the “secret” ingredient that makes Goods great? It’s not a special potato, rare sea salt or even a unique cooking process. No, the secret ingredient is lard. Fat equals flavor in just about everything from to ice cream to steak, so why not potato chips? As for where Good’s gets their lard, our investigation stops here. Ingredients: whole fresh potatoes, salt, lard and something called TBHG. Whatever TBHG is, it can’t be as bad for you as the salt and lard.

Pretzels - Brands like “Bachman” and “Unique” sit atop Pretzel City’s list of widely distributed pretzel brands. Reading earned its moniker as “Pretzel City” for the abundance of pretzel makers and love of chomping on the salty snack. Each has its own twist or style. Dip pretzels in beer, cola, milk, or best, ice cream. Ingredients: Wheat Flour, Salt, Sunflower Oil, Corn Syrup, Malt Syrup, Yeast.

BREAKFAST SIDE

Scrapple - It’s hard to get a good read on what scrapple actually is. Scrapple’s root word “scrap” may give some indication. Each scrapple maker will have you believe that they have a secret “family” recipe that dates back to Daniel Boone. Truth is, there’s little doubt about what makers say goes in scrapple (mainly pork). The more disturbing question is how much of what part(s) of the pig get used. These are the ingredients as best we can confirm: pork, ground whole wheat flour, cornmeal, salt, salt, more salt, pepper, nutmeg, cloves, rubbed sage and dried thyme. Add water.

REWARDS

Beer - Our many local brews include Stout’s and Yuengling (the later of which holds claim to being America’s oldest brewery). However, only Legacy Brewing can truly call Reading home. Legacy brews its beer right downstairs from our headquarters in the heart of downtown Reading, PA. You would think this would give us a leg up on proprietary information, like the recipe for Legacy’s most famous flavor “Hedonism Ale.” While we don’t condone reckless consumption of this variety, one or two pints weekly is well within moderation. The following recipe is the best we could get out of Scott, Legacy’s brew master: hops, barley & water.

 

 

HAWGISMS

Eddie Holden (a.k.a. “The Hawg”), our Bills Khakis sales rep in the deep South, is famous for his stories and profound views on life...

“I’m willing to concede that, for now, computers are here to stay."

 

 

 

 

 

DAN O’BRIEN, PORTLAND, OREGON SENDS THIS SHOT FROM NORMANDY, FRANCE AND THE FOLLOWING CORRESPONDENCE

Omaha Beach, Colleville-sur-Mer

It's May 7, 2003, a day after my beautiful wife's forty-second birthday and six weeks after the U.S. bombed Baghdad. I'm looking at a cloudy, unwelcoming expanse where young people -- kids, really -- never thought twice and most definitely sacrificed all they had. What you don't see in the picture is world history, a fascist dictatorship, or the 84-year-old man from Maryland who had more stories to tell than our rented Citroen would allow. What was I thinking out there before I spied my wife and our 12-year-old daughter standing on a cliff with a camera and a wave? I'd like to say I understood the meaning of 425,000 dead, wounded and missing troops from four different continents, but I’m not capable. My mind instead was doing spin-loops, trying (futilely) to send out prayers of thanks and gratitude . . . while realizing how lucky of a man I am.

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 Customer Service at 1-800-43-KHAKI or customerservice@billskhakis.com with submissions, contributions and pictures.