# Work slacks keep wearing out between legs - how to prevent? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 6, 2023, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-slacks-keep-wearing-out-between-legs-how-to-prevent/977769 "2023-01-06T04:44:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-slacks-keep-wearing-out-between-legs-how-to-prevent/977769/21 "2023-01-06T17:12:04Z")
> [@mordecaiB](#): > > What are the limits to what you can wear? Do they have to be black? A certain fabric? Are the ones with thigh pockets too casual? Is denim ruled out? Black and not denim. I may go with the ones linked upthread. ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-slacks-keep-wearing-out-between-legs-how-to-prevent/977769/22 "2023-01-06T20:30:59Z")
There’s a couple good ones listed. Cost-wise, maybe check out cargo pants if they are allowed. Many of those are quite heavy and can be found quite inexpensive. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2023, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-slacks-keep-wearing-out-between-legs-how-to-prevent/977769/23 "2023-01-06T23:12:43Z")
By all means, let the company know that their pants are a letdown. Because Dickies used to be better than this, I think the company might be horrified to hear it. With luck, they might put you on a list to test pants in different fabrics. No matter what else, I think they deserve to know about the problem because one of their contract providers might be substituting shoddy fabric without telling Dickies. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2023, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-slacks-keep-wearing-out-between-legs-how-to-prevent/977769/24 "2023-01-07T00:40:46Z")
Smart-Ass Answer: Change Professions ---
**Author:** ![TheCuse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thecuse/32/2854_2.png) [@TheCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheCuse)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2023, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-slacks-keep-wearing-out-between-legs-how-to-prevent/977769/25 "2023-01-07T00:42:51Z")
My Jeans do the same thing (basically). I’m lucky if a pair of jeans lasts me a year. ---
**Author:** ![DaveRaver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daveraver/32/1078_2.png) [@DaveRaver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveRaver)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2023, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-slacks-keep-wearing-out-between-legs-how-to-prevent/977769/26 "2023-01-07T19:35:08Z")
The next time you buy a pair of slacks, bring them to a tailor (such as at a dry cleaner) and ask to have a crotch liner sewed in. This will greatly reduce the friction and wearing away of that area of your pants. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2023, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-slacks-keep-wearing-out-between-legs-how-to-prevent/977769/27 "2023-01-07T21:08:02Z")
Points up. That’s what I said! ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2023, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-slacks-keep-wearing-out-between-legs-how-to-prevent/977769/28 "2023-01-08T07:43:58Z")
I’d try a larger size. There are styles that are larger in the thighs and bum. I agree a good alteration shop may also help adjust the pants for less wear. Dickies has always been a good work brand. I buy and wear a lot of Dickies jackets and pants. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2023, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-slacks-keep-wearing-out-between-legs-how-to-prevent/977769/29 "2023-01-11T08:48:57Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Aggravatingly enough, they don’t seem to sell black pants in that style. Dye is a thing. ---
**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2023, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-slacks-keep-wearing-out-between-legs-how-to-prevent/977769/30 "2023-01-11T14:23:39Z")
Duluth coupon 20% off for anyone interested: T22PC11 . Probably on their website too–they’re usually running some kind of sale. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2023, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-slacks-keep-wearing-out-between-legs-how-to-prevent/977769/31 "2023-07-27T11:37:58Z")
UPDATE: The pair of Dickies I had bought just before I started this thread miraculously lasted six months before the crotch started to wear out. Thinking that whatever quality issues were leading to my worries had subsided, I ordered another pair last month - and they’ve already started wearing thin. ☹ I have now ordered a pair of the Duluth Trading firehose cargo pants recommended upthread. At $65 with tax and free shipping, I believe this is the most I’ve ever paid in my life for a pair of pants. I will provide a further update after I’ve had a chance to wear them for awhile and see how they hold up. As an aside: I ordered these pants on Friday and have not yet received them, but Duluth Trading has already emailed me EIGHT times trying to get me to buy more stuff. Let me actually try the stuff I’ve paid for before you start badgering me for more money, would ya? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2023, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-slacks-keep-wearing-out-between-legs-how-to-prevent/977769/32 "2023-07-27T13:17:02Z")
Hope the Duluth works for you. I used to wear out pants crotches at least once a year but with Duluth I haven’t worn out a single one. Let us know how it works out. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2023, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-slacks-keep-wearing-out-between-legs-how-to-prevent/977769/33 "2023-07-27T13:22:20Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I ordered these pants on Friday and have not yet received them, but Duluth Trading has already emailed me EIGHT times trying to get me to buy more stuff. Order something from Temu. They spam you eight times an hour! ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2023, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-slacks-keep-wearing-out-between-legs-how-to-prevent/977769/34 "2023-07-27T14:31:42Z")
I bought a pair of firehouse pants about 10 years ago. The fabric was too rough and chafed. I wore them a few times and put in the Salvation Army bin. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2023, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-slacks-keep-wearing-out-between-legs-how-to-prevent/977769/35 "2023-07-27T15:12:54Z")
I have several book and tote bags purchased from Deluth. The fire hose canvas material is very tough and shows little wear. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2023, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-slacks-keep-wearing-out-between-legs-how-to-prevent/977769/36 "2023-07-27T17:55:15Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > UPDATE: The pair of Dickies I had bought just before I started this thread miraculously lasted six months before the crotch started to wear out. Thinking that whatever quality issues were leading to my worries had subsided, I ordered another pair last month - and they’ve already started wearing thin. Some folks just have the sort of oversized overactive crotch that others nickname “The Destroyer”. It’s a difficult cross to bear, but I hear it has other compensations. Perhaps you could go into a profitable video side gig. 😁 ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2023, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-slacks-keep-wearing-out-between-legs-how-to-prevent/977769/37 "2023-07-28T02:34:15Z")
where I work, they will supply you with pants for work, Dickies of course. Dickies have always sort of been crappy in my opinion. As long as they are dark or navy blue or black, and not jeans, my comany doesn’t really care. I buy dress pants at the local thrift store. The polyester lasts for ever. Usually the zipper breaks or a button comes off first. Dickies have never lasted more than a few months for me. Is that an option for you? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-slacks-keep-wearing-out-between-legs-how-to-prevent/977769/38 "2023-07-30T10:08:43Z")
I’ve worn the Duluth firehose pants at work for two days now and I like them so far. They’re VERY roomy downstairs and I feel like I can crouch or kneel in them to an extent that I couldn’t in my Dickies. The elastic waistband is nice, the pockets are deep and yielding, and the fabric feels thick and comfortable on my legs. Technically my work dress code doesn’t allow for pants with leg pockets, but they’re covered by my apron and my boss is pretty lenient when it comes to the letter of the law so I don’t think there’ll be a problem there. I’m gonna have to get the legs hemmed as they’re just a bit too long - the only inseam options available for my waist size were 30 and 32, and 30 is too short but 32 is too long so I went with the latter. My only complaint so far is that, as these pants are all-cotton, my cat’s hair clings to them much more readily than the poly-cotton blend in my Dickies, so I’m gonna have to take a lint roller to them more often between washings. The crotch gusset is visibly distinct when I examine the pants, so I’m just gonna have to see how well it holds up against my eight-to-twelve-miles-per-day work routine plus six-mile bike ride as compared to the Dickies, but I like what I see so far. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-slacks-keep-wearing-out-between-legs-how-to-prevent/977769/39 "2023-07-30T12:26:19Z")
Great! I hope it works for you. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-slacks-keep-wearing-out-between-legs-how-to-prevent/977769/40 "2023-07-30T14:07:16Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Clever. A bit mean, but clever. > > Bravo @Tibby. 🙂 Wondering if Monty Python ever did a sketch on that and what it might look. > [@carnut](#): > > By all means, let the company know that their pants are a letdown. Because Dickies used to be better than this, I think the company might be horrified to hear it. With luck, they might put you on a list to test pants in different fabrics. No matter what else, I think they deserve to know about the problem because one of their contract providers might be substituting shoddy fabric without telling Dickies. thats not like business works in 2023 … their (MBA) thinking is: - In the past we made $10 on each pant sold, that lasted 5 years. - Today we make $15 on each pant sold, and they only last 2.5 years - So, overall we make twice as much as before - Quality perception might go down, but that takes a couple of years and by then I’ll be working in a different company 2 rungs up the career ladder * * * jokes aside … I sincerely think the quality (expressed in how long a pant last) has gone done across the board … I was apalled that my last Levi’s did not last and hence were my last… 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-slacks-keep-wearing-out-between-legs-how-to-prevent/977769.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/work-slacks-keep-wearing-out-between-legs-how-to-prevent/977769.md?page=3)