Eddie - 1930s

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"Oxford Bags": Wide legged, high-waisted, plaid wool and camel hair pants in blue slate plaid tropical weight wool with matching double breasted, fitted vest accompanied by white herringbone cotton dress shirt with pointed collar.

The origin of the "Oxford Bags" is attributed to dressing habits of the students at Oxford College in the late 1920s and early 1930s. The story goes like this. As you may be aware it was widely unacceptable for young men to wear knickers to school. Knickers were intended for use in sport and were inappropriate attire for any other activity. At the time golf was extremely popular and the men who attended Oxford were quick to get to the links after classes. Because they didn't wish to bring a change of pants with them to school, the men had their trousers made extra wide in order to hide their knickers underneath them. Once classes were over for the day, the men would drop their trousers and be ready for golf. Thus the name for this style of trousers was called the "Oxford Bags". (You may have noticed Buster Keaton wearing a pair of Oxford Bags in his first scenes in Steamboat Bill, Jr.)

These high-waisted, tropical weight wool trousers in slate blue plaid have deep double pleats set in extremely wide legs that measure 32" at the cuff. The waistband is full 3" wide and comes to a point at center front with an interior and exterior button. You will note the cut-away pockets in the front. The back of the trousers sport welt pockets and side tabs in order to cinch in at the waist. There are suspender buttons stitched into the interior of the waistband.