The Clothes Hound

You know, if you really dig there are some great stories about certain clothes. We’ve heard about the original Levi’s, Rene Lacoste’s polo, and regimental stripe or club ties. The story of Bill’s Khakis is just as good.

Bill’s Khakis makes its home in downtown Reading, Pennsylvania in a renovated warehouse building that was once home to the Reading Hardware Company and now appears on the National Historic Register. Bills Khakis chooses to locate here to serve as an example that a 21st century business can still compete in a city that was built on a 20th century economy. Bills Khakis has been named to Inc. Magazine’s Inner City 100 five times, as one of America’s 100 fastest growing inner city businesses.All khakis go through a supreme period of greatness. The fabric has been worn into an ultimate stage of softness and comfort.

Because of the unique origin and attention to detail, Tuttle has decided to offer Bills Khakis. Their Vintage Twills are constructed from 7.8 ounce imported cotton twill but made in the USA and are machine washable. Visit Tuttle to see these and other “classics” from Bill’s Khakis.

The price range for a pair of boxer shorts can run from 6 pair of Hanes boxers for $18, i.e. $3 a pair, to $340 for a pair of Reale Boxers from Brioni. The latter are bespoke constructed from West Indies Sea Island cotton. Bespoke, for those not in the know, is when apparel (typically suits and shirts) is made from multiple measurements resulting in a custom pattern of a single client’s torso. Multiple fittings and adjustments, along with other elements such as waistband, pleats, side vents on the thigh, and fabric contribute to the final cost.

Short of bespoke, stock specials customized from ready-to-wear models are next in the high priced pecking order. Lorenzini offers off-the-rack specials at retail for $200 for a pack of 3 pair. Tuttle has been offering boxers from Derek Rose of Saville Row (famous for bespoke suits) for years. For the Holiday season one can choose from Derek Rose’s Blue Check or Regimental Stripe cotton boxers at $45 per pair. A pair in navy silk goes for $88.