Club Obi Wan

I was wondering if anyone had checked out this place.
http://www.billskhakis.com/
They are advertised on WLS radio in Chicago all the time as "made in the USA from original WWII military patterns." I was just wondering what anyone thought of the ones they had in comparison to a pair of Indy pants or shirt. If nothing else maybe if enough of us bugged this family owned company and gave them a pattern to copy we might be able to get a fairly authentic state side version of the Indy pants and shirt. Any thoughts?
Lindiana

Yes I checked their site.They have some great stuff but a bit pricey....

I own a couple of pairs, but only because a local store that handles 'seconds' had a load of them arrive, and I got them for 10 bucks a pop! They're as good as they advertise. OVER engineered in the strength department, and well worth the price they quote. Not exactly Indy, but definitely military strength and design, and have a GREAT watch pocket on the plain front version !!! Regards. Michaelon

Great... just what I need. More stuff to add to my wish list.

Honestly, Renderking, I believe once you got a pair of these, you'd be saying 'best trousers I've worn in 20 years!', and that's no lie! I love my LLB's too, but these Bills blow them away. Like I said, they're NOT Indy style, but true military chinos. Regards. Michaelson

I e-mailed them with a link to the Indygear site as to whether they might consider a version closer to the Indy design. Hopefully I'll get some reply, you'll know when I know.
Lindiana

You're a good man, Lindiana. We'll see what happens.

Just found out: all new pants come in 39" unfinished lengths, and they don't do alterations. I asked becuase some pics on their site show cuffs.

After having mine for a while, they're definitely 'wash' affected. If tossed in the dryer, they shrink. Best hung up on a hanger and allowed to air dry. When washed, they return to their original length. When wet, they're HEAVY!!!!! Regards. Michaelson

winter pants, eh?

I mean physically heavy when wet. The regular weight knaki is a good winter weight trouser, though. They even have a deep watch pocket...something I insist on having installed on my trousers. Regards. Michaelson

Renderking Fisk wrote:Great... just what I need. More stuff to add to my wish list.

Don't I know it!!

Do they have pocketflaps on the back pockets? And I assume there are two back pockets?

bink?

They do sell light weight options for those of us in the Humid south.

They advertize on the Glenn Beck program nationally. They rave about these pants.

What do you suppose would be the best color. British Khaki?

I purchased a lightweight pair, and they're VERY light and comfortable...very good for our humid weather. Absolutely NO good in cold weather, though. The standard trousers are a very heavy weight material, but roomy enough to wear in warm AND cold weather...they just have the odd shrinkage/stretch back out pattern that one has to get used to. No, neither of mine have back pocket flaps, but then both of mine are plain front standards. Maybe the pleated versions have them? Regards. Michaelson

Bill's also makes an "adventure"-style shirt, as well: http://www.billskhakis.com/shop/shirts_khaki_shirt.html. While the shirt doesn't have epaulets, nor pleats running all the way down through both pockets (only on the pockets themselves), its vintage, over-engineered, pre-shrunk 100% cotton construction is amazing! My shirt sees regular wear (even through the 100+ degree summer days here in Tucson...). This is a shirt I'd wear on a real safari, and I actually brought (and wore) mine to the QM Summit last year. Pricey? Oh, yeah, but like Aldens, a real investment in comfort and utility, and probably the best "real" adventure shirt in my closet. Check 'em out, if you've got a few extra shekels. Sizes run large (I usually wear a Large, but own a Medium...).

Sincere regards,

Henry Jones, Sr.