For a long time I have been comparing men’s clothes to the women’s clothes. There is much more to men’s clothes than a backwards fly closure, let me tell you! I will not go into all the subtle and odd details one has to consider while drafting a classic men’s trouser pattern -  just a TRUE classic  fly closure draft will make you weep, not to mention sewing the thing. But besides it, men’s clothing made correctly will last pretty much forever, it is very comfortable and practical. Men’s classic trousers have more ease than woman’s trousers and you also can take them in or out at the back seam. And in general men will prefer comfort over looks, the opposite applies to women.

Do you know a man who would wear cargo pants like these?

With all this in mind, I have decided to take a pattern for men’s trousers and adapt them to my figure just to compare the comfort level. By adapting I mean change the fly closure and suppress the waist, nothing else. I chose pattern 129 from Burda style 04/2010 magazine.

Burda Style 04/2010 page 11

Don’t they look comfortable?

I have finished the pattern adjustments – the trousers needed 12 cm suppression at waist – I’ve added front dart ( hidden behind front patch pocket ) and have taken in side seams and centre back seam. I have also changed the waistband from straight to shaped.

The trousers sit on natural waist and have knee darts, back yoke and plenty of pockets. The fabric I am using is cotton drill in colour “Sand”. I will use bronze snap closures on all pockets ( the ones you hammer in ) and will double stitch most seams.

Wish me luck!