Pants Question

[Son of Ugly]

Hello everyone!  I've finally decided to go to faire in garb.  My garb so far (as soon as it arrives) will be a natural color "Highlander" shirt, a black 2" double ring belt, a "Knights" pouch from Ravenswood Leather, and a pair of black ankle-high tramper boots from Minnetonka Moccasin.  The problem I'm having is trying to figure out what kind of pants to wear. 

On another forum, one of the members said that she took a pair of sweat pants and dyed them brown for her husbands first garb.  I thought it sounded like a great idea as well as an inexpensive one.  I've already found and purchased a pair of dark brown sweats, but after a garb-wearing friend of mine suggested that the sweats might be a bit too warm on a hot day, I wondered if a pair of dark colored scrub pants would do the trick?  I'm not against purchasing more expensive/appropriate pants, but I thought I'd go low-budget for my first time. If I enjoy attending faire in garb (and expect that I will), maybe next year, I'll purchase something more appropriate.

Any opinions or suggestions?

[Taffy Saltwater]

Scrubs are a great idea - they're cheap and have a drawstring.  What you might want to do is carefully pick off any back pocket w/a a seam ripper.  I see them at Salvation Army/Goodwill on a regular basis.

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

Scrubs are great!  One caution I've found, though.  The ones at Walmart fall apart.  Rip when you really don't want them to (like sitting at faire and hearing a big rrrrip).

There is a great website        www.scrubs123.com

I have 2 of their scrub sets, my husband has 3.  We wear them all the time, especially for lounging around the house.  They are hospital quality, and last and last.  Another good thing:  the nurses, doctors, and techs must wash them daily, and they hold up to the washing and don't lose their color and fade and look crummy.

[Leyla]

Scrubs are great!  One caution I've found, though.  The ones at Walmart fall apart.  Rip when you really don't want them to (like sitting at faire and hearing a big rrrrip).

There is a great website        www.scrubs123.com

I have 2 of their scrub sets, my husband has 3.  We wear them all the time, especially for lounging around the house.  They are hospital quality, and last and last.  Another good thing:  the nurses, doctors, and techs must wash them daily, and they hold up to the washing and don't lose their color and fade and look crummy.

That's odd that your scrub bottoms from Walmart ripped so easily.  I've only used Walmart scrub bottoms and I wear them almost daily for work.  I even have two pairs that I bought several years ago that I'd wear to work out in the garden because they were so nice and cool and could handle kneeling in mud/dirt etc.

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

Scrubs are great!  One caution I've found, though.  The ones at Walmart fall apart.  Rip when you really don't want them to (like sitting at faire and hearing a big rrrrip).

There is a great website        www.scrubs123.com

I have 2 of their scrub sets, my husband has 3.  We wear them all the time, especially for lounging around the house.  They are hospital quality, and last and last.  Another good thing:  the nurses, doctors, and techs must wash them daily, and they hold up to the washing and don't lose their color and fade and look crummy.

That's odd that your scrub bottoms from Walmart ripped so easily.  I've only used Walmart scrub bottoms and I wear them almost daily for work.  I even have two pairs that I bought several years ago that I'd wear to work out in the garden because they were so nice and cool and could handle kneeling in mud/dirt etc.

Well, I didn't have any luck with them, and a girlfriend works in a doctor's office and is the one who told me about the website.  She says everyone in the office wears them, and the doctor is an orthopedic surgeon, and he wears them for the surgeries.  So I took her advice and love them. 

Son of Ugly, I think Leyla, Taffy, and I all agree that scrubs would be fine to wear.  And you have several choices on where to purchase them.  Have fun at faire!

[isabelladangelo]

I'd stay away from both options.  Sweatpants always look like sweatpants and scrubs are sometimes used by security/staff at various locations.  

If you are anti-sewing (you can make a pair out of linen or cotton for only a few $ right now.  Sales next weekend.), try going to a thrift store and finding a simple pair of loose fitted pants out of a light wool or linen look fabric.  

[Athena]

I don't recommend sweats, because of their weight and texture. They are heavy and will be uncomfortable on a hot day, and they have a tendency to pill.

Scrubs, on the other hand, are a great option! I've seen men and women wearing them with pirate/peasant garb and they pass quite well. They're lightweight, easy to find and inexpensive, so you can stock up.

I agree with Lady Renee about Wal Mart scrubs, they're not the best quality, but for an inexpensive starter pair they're a good choice. None of mine have torn, but they fade easily. Wash them in cold water and hang dry, away from the sun.

Good luck putting it all together, let us know how your new garb turns out!

[Son of Ugly]

Thank you all for the advice!  I think I'll check out the scrub pants option.  

Now, should I tuck the the pants into the boots, or wear them over the boots?

[Athena]

Tuck them in. That's how I see people wearing them and it makes the garb look more "period." Over the boot will scream "scrubs" but then again I have to wear them for work so I'm more prone to notice these things. 

[Son of Ugly]

Tuck them in. That's how I see people wearing them and it makes the garb look more "period." Over the boot will scream "scrubs" but then again I have to wear them for work so I'm more prone to notice these things. 

That's pretty much what I figured.  I've noticed that most of the guys I've seen at fest tend to tuck them in as well. 

Now, hopefully I can get it all together before this year's festival ends.

Thanks again, everyone!

[Scarlett]

I always suggest mens drawstring lounging pants in a solid color.  They are really inexpensive, as well as loose and comfy.  My husband wears these and they work great for him.  With the X-mas shopping season here, you can  probably pick some up around 8.99.  Make sure to get a lightweight, polyl/cotton blend and not fleece or you'll be too hot in summer.

Good luck!

[Yrose]

I first bought my husband a pair of cotton style lounge pant, but they were forever coming untucked, getting bunched up and just not "fluffy" enough on top of the boot. Swan Lace carries a great pair of draw string pants that has about a 6" cuff at the bottom and he's been happy ever since. They can also be worn with shoes and still look great.

[Son of Ugly]

Yet more ideas!  Thank you ladies!

I've purchased a pair of royal blue scrubs from a local medical supply store ($11.99 + tax) and have already removed the hip pocket.  (who knew I'd ever have a need for a seam ripper LOL) I tried wearing them tucked into my ankle-high work boots and it seemed to work.  The boots I ordered look like they will ride higher up on the leg than my work boots, so hopefully this will help in keeping the pants tucked in. (or maybe I can staple them to my leg   ) If nothing else, I'll have a comfy pair of scrubs to wear around the house.

[Tipsy Gypsy]

Maybe you could tuck the hems of your scrubs into the tops of your socks and blouse the pants over the tops of your boots. As long as you have enough length on the pants legs to do that, it ought not to show.

[Son of Ugly]

Maybe you could tuck the hems of your scrubs into the tops of your socks and blouse the pants over the tops of your boots. As long as you have enough length on the pants legs to do that, it ought not to show.

That's a good idea!  Thanks!

The pants seem to be long enough, so I'll definitely try it.  I've also read somewhere about tying off the bottoms with lengths of leather or cord.  Not sure if that would work though.