MetaChat - AskMecha: how big a fasion sin are high waters?

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29 January 2007

AskMecha: how big a fasion sin are high waters? I have a pair of corduroys that I really like, but they're about an inch or two too short. They're comfy and still in good shape ... am I dork? →[More:]

Or rather, do they make it obvious I'm a dork? I caught a lot of flak in middle school for high waters, so maybe I'm just sensitive? When I say "an inch or two too short", I mean you can see an inch or so of my socks even when I'm standing up.

Of course, I caught a lot more slack for wearing Sears Toughskins when all the cool kids we wearing Jordache, but if I were to find a pair of Toughskins that fit me today, I would feel like a cool-ass mofo wearing them.

post by: danostuporstar at: 10:23 | 28 comments

Do you have boots? If you wear them with boots, then your socks won't show and it won't be as apparent that they are high waters. (I never heard that expression before.)

posted by typewriter 29 January | 10:28

My first really cool pair of sneakers were Jordache... ah, the memories:)

(Concerning your problem--hey, dude--if you're alright with it, who gives a fuck what someone else thinks. Unless of course you work in an office, where they have a dress code, and would frown on this stuff. If not--go with it!)

posted by hadjiboy 29 January | 10:31

Jordass.....teehee. I love it. Those horrible white stitched ass pockets! I wore Levi's straight leg or 501 jeans when all of my gfs were wearing those Jordache monstrosities, and they all made fun of me, but who has the last laugh now?

Yeah, two inches of sock is a lot. But if you love them then wear them. Rock the dork look! Embrace your inner dorcus majorcus.

posted by iconomy 29 January | 10:31

Make them into cut-offs and rock them in the summer.

posted by rainbaby 29 January | 10:39

Boots isn't a bad idea. I don't have a pair of (office work suitable) boots right now, but that might change.

I do like them, but wouldn't marry them or anything. I still wear them; I guess I'm asking is how much weight I should give the self-conscious feeling it get when I look down at my shoes during smoke breaks.

on preview...cords in the summer? You just want to get wedgies don't you?

posted by danostuporstar 29 January | 10:40

err *me* to get wedgies. (But if you enjoy them too, it's all good.)

posted by danostuporstar 29 January | 10:41

Personally, I avoid high waters. Big "no no" in my book. On equal terms with (and especially horrid if mixed with) black shoes/sneakers and white socks.

But you do whatever you like!
And I nth the boot thing. "Boot cut" jeans are just high waters, really.

posted by CitrusFreak12 29 January | 10:45

I caught a lot of flak in middle school for high waters, so maybe I'm just sensitive?

OMG, me too!

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 29 January | 10:50

how much weight I should give the self-conscious feeling

If it's too much for you, then yeah, I'd suggest you use them as cut-off slacks too.

posted by hadjiboy 29 January | 10:51

You could always let the hem out if there is enough of an allowance. If you don't mind the frayed the frayed look, that is.

posted by LoriFLA 29 January | 10:59

Wait, I shouldn't wear white athletic socks with my sneakers?

posted by tr33hggr 29 January | 11:03

Oh, and I say two inches of sock standing up is a lot. Too much, unfortunately- I think you have to heed the feeling saying they look bad, or you'll always feel weird when you wear them. I'm becoming more and more confident in how I look by getting rid of clothes that make me feel ugly. I say cut them into shorts to wear around during the summer.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 29 January | 11:08

I think you should roll them up a bit more and wear bright orange socks.

posted by agropyron 29 January | 11:12

Wait, I shouldn't wear white athletic socks with my sneakers?
Black sneakers? I'd say no, don't.
It just looks bad.

Note: Couldn't tell if you were joking or not. If you were, disregard. :P

And as far as making the highwaters shorts for the summmer, I think that really depends on how wide the legs are. I tried doing that a few times, and the tighter (for lack of a better term) they are around your legs, the longer they have to be so they don't look terribly strange. I made and wore a pair that I referred to as "shipwreck pants" that I cut and frayed at around the mid-shin level. Men's capris, really. I didn't wear them too often, either.

posted by CitrusFreak12 29 January | 11:13

(Oh hell. I forgot to un-small!)

posted by CitrusFreak12 29 January | 11:14

Ooooh, black sneakers. Ok, though I broke that rule consistently in my Chuck wearing days.

posted by tr33hggr 29 January | 11:18

dano if you truly want to be cool, just rock a 'messenger cuff' like my little buddy Frye here:

≡ Click to see image ≡

posted by lonefrontranger 29 January | 11:49

Messenger cuff, yes. Highwaters, no.

posted by Specklet 29 January | 12:04

Man, highwaters show off your ubercool Converse hightops!

posted by mischief 29 January | 12:41

Thanks for the input, all. Not looking good for the old cords. I'll ask mom about the hem.

posted by danostuporstar 29 January | 12:56

Are you a dork? Yes.

The question you're really interested is- Do you care? I suspect not. Just wear them.

posted by Doohickie 29 January | 12:58

There's a kind gentle way to get rid of the pants. Let them be your yardwork or painting pants. They'll still get to feel useful and you'll get to say goodbye gradually.

. in memory of favorite shirt 1997-2001

posted by auntbunny 29 January | 13:18

You could sag your pants and show off a couple inches of boxer instead of a couple inches of sock. This look also requires some big DJ headphones and a backpack.

posted by mullacc 29 January | 13:57

My very serious and proper grandfather once said to my grandmother as they and several other members of the family were walking down the street, "Hey, Theresa, why don't you throw a party?" We were all perplexed until he added, "You could invite your pants down to meet your shoes."

Best joke I've heard ever.

The ladies have more leeway than the gentlemen on this one: 1" of sockage when standing is too much for a guy, but maybe OK for a woman, depending on the pant/sock/shoe combination.

posted by Rock Steady 29 January | 14:23

Ladies can wear them with flip flops and pass them off as capris.

But if you're gonna rock the floods, dano, go all the way. Pocket protector. Bow tie. Total geek chic. You know, like the kid in the Van Halen "Hot for Teacher" video. "Sit down, Waldo."

posted by jrossi4r 29 January | 14:44

ta-da

posted by casarkos 29 January | 15:57

You could sag your pants and show off a couple inches of boxer instead of a couple inches of sock. This look also requires some big DJ headphones and a backpack.
... and the removal of at least half of your brain.

Dude, if you care at all about the way you look, those pants are a big non-no. I generally couldn't care less what people think of the way I look, but I would never wear them. Some things just can't be overcome, no matter how cool you are.

posted by dg 29 January | 17:54

note that in casarkos' link, however that all those 'man-pris' are being worn with boots / high shoes.

and... um, that 'short, skinny pants for men' look sucks if you ask me. I really dig messenger cuffs on dudes for casual wear mind you, but those skinny capris are just taking the 'metrosexual' trend a smidge too far. Keep in mind (stereotype or no) that the orientation of most of the dude designers trying to push these is not exactly hetero.

damn, I'm old.

posted by lonefrontranger 29 January | 18:31

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