Red trousers. When did these become fashionable for elderly gentlemen?

[TheTecknician]

I don't mean bright red crimplene flares that my Mum sported back in 1975. I mean the off-maroon corduroy and chino strides that have become alarmingly de rigeur over the last few months. They have now supplanted the beige (or pale blue) zippered jacket as the must-have fashion attire for the over-80s.

My old man pegged it three and a half years ago at the age of 88. He wouldn't have been seen dead in any shade of red or beige!

I remember the dull red jeans and sailcloth tops used by both sexes of serious yachties or traditional boats. Matched the varnish.

There is a picture of my dad on there 🙈🤦‍♀️

https://www.cottontraders.com/pleat-front-cord-trousers/AC16196.html?dwvar_AC16196_color=Port#q=Moleskins&start=13&li

At least the my Parent's generation don't wear the 'golfing check trousers'

I met Portillo a few times through work when he was an MP : just wanted to say I thought he really rocked a very dark classic suit and overcoat, even though I hated him for being a Tory.
Met him again filming on an archaeological site a few years ago, when he was actually wearing red trousers and a purple shirt- didn't look nearly as dapper and highlighted his slightly imperfect proportions.
Bring back the formal suit, I say!
Red trousers are not a flattering garment for the large of arse or short legs!
Sorry Michael, I know that's a bit personal, and I did enjoy your travelogues. But ditch the red trousers.

😂

And this https://fuckyournoguchicoffeetable.tumblr.com/ I used to love this

The website classifies the ‘seen in the wild’ photos as Toff, Hipster or Lunatic.

my uncle wears them, he is probably best described as a ‘gentleman farmer’ and could fit all of those at the same time.

I’ll be sure to let Eric the Milk(man), John (pig farmer) and Joe (gardener) know that they’re not normal people!

I blame the dozens of antique hunting programmes. The likes of David Harper.

There's an elderly gent who lives near me who I've never seen in anything else. He's been chairman of the local Tories since God was a boy. He still runs the annual quiz night. The picture round is always 'guess the location' from his 1950s holiday snaps. I think he's wearing red trousers even in those. Probably the same pair.

And Charlie Ross. Usually sporting red trousers and his MCC tie.

It's a class thing rather than an age thing. I haven't looked at the blog posted above for years but I used to think it was hilarious when I first started working in the City and was surrounded by red trouser types.

George Ferguson, former Mayor Elect for Bristol was well known for them .

I have to ask why do people think they look stupid?

As I said above DH wears them. I think they look nice. My uncle who lived abroad for years always wore them too.

IIts just personal taste surely?

I mean I really dislike (light) pink shirts on men. I think they look very ‘Del boy’ ish/car salesman looking although admittedly with the right skin tone, pink can look ok. It’s just not a colour I like in clothing in general, not even on baby girls. But that’s just a taste thing too.

Neither red trousers or pink shirts will ever look cool but I don’t think thats the vibe the people wearing them care about? And red trousers make a nice change from navy and beige chinos.

Looking like you have two overgrown sticks of rhubarb for legs can't ever be a good look.

But take the ubiquitous beige trousers, they look like two baguettes? You can make comparisons about everything ?

According to Tatler it originated in the 19th century. Ex high ranking officers who were likely to be from the landed gentry wanted to continue expressing their officer status when they retired. Unable to wear the uniform or medals they took to representing their former status with red trousers.
I suppose it just caught on and has continued to be a trend. Like all fashion it has significance for those in the know. It’s all about your tribe.