Hipster Slacks: A Great Vintage Pattern for the Perfect Modern Pant

The second garment I made after I begin sewing was a pair of pants! It seems crazy to me now that I undertook such a complicated project, but I guess it helps to be naive. They turned out great; in fact I still wear them occasionally even though they are a little big (I lost weight!). But I quickly found how really terrible the new patterns offered today are. No matter how hard I looked, nothing offered any real style that was modern and current.

And then I found Simplicity 6956, a vintage pattern from 1967 on ebay.

The copy on the pattern envelope describes them as "hipster slacks".

They are designed to be worn 2 inches below the waist and have a skinny leg! Could I really be so lucky?! In a word.....YES! I love this pattern....really... These pants are cool. I altered the pattern slightly, it is a size 34 inch waist, which is my "vanity" size in RTW, but I actually measure 36 inches (maybe a little less). I made the first pair without any change and they were too small (hope springs eternal), so I split the front and back panel and added one half inch to each in the middle. The result is absolute perfection. I made two more pairs, one in a tropical weight wool I bought at Hancock Fabrics here in Indianapolis,

and the other in a truly great wool I got from Kashi at Metro Textile's in New York.

I will certainly make more pants from this pattern. Maybe a big plaid for summer?

But next I am making this jacket in an Italian wool knit with leather inserts.

It's vintage also. I will have to redesign the collar to bring it up to date, but I am imagining it will fit like a dream……..and make me look fabulous. Stay tuned…