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Carhartt Flex Pants

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Sustained growth Low volatility Seasonal (Apr) Forecasted flat Clothing & Fashion Company Product
Carhartt Flex Pants
What is Carhartt Flex Pants?

Carhartt Flex Pants are a line of durable, comfortable pants designed for work and casual wear, made with a blend of cotton and spandex for added flexibility and comfort. They are known for their rugged construction and practical features.

Treendly Index Treendly Forecast Google YouTube
MOM: +590.91%
How much search volume does it get?
Google searches
480/mo

Is Carhartt Flex Pants trending?

Yes. Carhartt Flex Pants growing with a month-over-month change of 2.14% over the past 5 years, with approximately 480 monthly searches.

This is a seasonal trend that peaks every April. The seasonal demand is forecasted to decline over the next year.


Why is Carhartt Flex Pants trending?

1
Comfort and Flexibility
The inclusion of spandex in the fabric blend allows for greater movement and comfort, making them suitable for both work and leisure activities.
2
Durability
Carhartt is known for its high-quality workwear, and the Flex Pants are no exception. They are designed to withstand tough conditions, making them a favorite among tradespeople and outdoor enthusiasts.
3
Versatile Style
The design of Carhartt Flex Pants is versatile enough to be worn in various settings, from job sites to casual outings, appealing to a broad audience.
4
Brand Reputation
Carhartt has a strong reputation for producing reliable workwear, which enhances consumer trust and drives popularity among both new and loyal customers.
5
Increased Demand for Functional Fashion
As more people seek clothing that combines style with functionality, Carhartt Flex Pants meet this demand, making them a trendy choice for everyday wear.

What are people saying?

24 threads
AI Insights Mixed sentiment
Discussions about Carhartt Flex pants focus on their practicality, comfort, and fit, with some users expressing concerns about sizing and quality. Many appreciate the features like Rugged Flex technology, while others seek alternatives due to fit issues.
Comfort and Flexibility
Users highlight the comfort provided by the Rugged Flex stretch technology, which allows for ease of movement during various activities.
Sizing Issues
Several users discuss challenges with sizing, including fit problems like pants riding up or being too loose, leading to frustration.
Quality Concerns
Some participants express concerns about the perceived decline in Carhartt's quality over time, prompting discussions about alternative brands.
Practicality for Work
The pants are frequently noted for their practicality in work settings, with features that cater to active jobs and outdoor use.
Community Recommendations
Users share recommendations for alternative pants, indicating a collaborative community seeking the best options for workwear.
Common questions
  • What size should I order for the best fit?
  • Has anyone experienced issues with pants riding up?
  • Are there better alternatives to Carhartt pants?
  • How does the quality of Carhartt compare to other brands?
  • What features should I look for in work pants?
Pain points
  • Fit issues leading to discomfort.
  • Concerns about quality diminishing over time.
  • Difficulty in determining the right size.
  • Experiences of pants riding up during wear.
  • Limited options for shorter or taller sizes.
r/DailyRedditDeals
Carhartt Rugged Flex Men's Cargo Pants $29.99
submitted by /u/HeftyMathematician76 to r/DailyRedditDeals [link] [comments]
HeftyMathematician76 · May 2, 2026
r/DailyRedditDeals
Carhartt Men's Slim Tapered Rugged Flex Duck Pant $59.99 [8% off]
Color: Black submitted by /u/HeftyMathematician76 to r/DailyRedditDeals [link] [comments]
HeftyMathematician76 · Feb 19, 2026
r/Carhartt
10561 Rugged Flex Relaxed Cargo Pants (and Carhartt Pant Sizing in general)
Hey everyone I’m looking at getting a pair of these - ID’d them for from a show on HBO Max called *The Pitt* - and I had a general question about sizing. I’m shorter at 5’7 and my pant/jean size has been 38x30 for years. I work a highly active (walking and stair climbing) warehouse job for context and do some yard work in the non winter months. Should I buy true to my size or possibly go up in the waist? submitted by /u/ruralmagnificence to r/Carhartt [link] [comments]
ruralmagnificence · Dec 25, 2025
r/Carhartt
First Carhartt pants ride up so badly. Did I get a bad pair?
I recently bought a pair of the Relaxed Straight Rugged Flex Duck Dungaree (Model No. BN3279-M) and I want to love them, but they are practically unwearable due to the near-constant wedgie they give me. Has anyone else experienced this? Did I just get a bum pair? This is my first pair of Carhartts and they're exactly what I want in a pair of work pants but the fit is driving me crazy. For reference I'm 6'4", 185 lbs. and bought a 36x34. They're loose on me, not tight at all. submitted by /u/WelcomeAvailable3055 to r/Carhartt [link] [comments]
WelcomeAvailable3055 · Dec 21, 2025
r/nursing
Searching for replacement for discontinued Carhartt & Scrubstar lines of scrub pants
I've been lurking for a few months, but this is my first post! I'm currently in nursing school (ABSN) and I've also worked in microbiology for 6 years. I LOVE my Force Cross-Flex Utility Boot Cut Cargo pants & my Force Cross-Flex Jogger pants. I also love my Scrubstar Fashion Premium Performance Yoga boot cut pants. I have worn both these lines until the stitching is falling apart (& repaired a few times) and now the fabric in the butt is wearing out. They're not for school, we have wonder work everyday durable stretch comfort and I'm convinced they fit NO ONE. Does anyone know a good replacement for these lines? Similar in size/fit and/or fabric? For an okay price point? Thanks in advance! submitted by /u/ExoticCarolBaskins to r/nursing [link] [comments]
ExoticCarolBaskins · Jul 8, 2025
r/milwaukee
Any places in Milwaukee that sell these Carhartt pants?
I'm looking for these specific Carhartt pants or just a store in Milwaukee that sells Carhartt pants. submitted by /u/Legitimate_Pea_143 to r/milwaukee [link] [comments]
Legitimate_Pea_143 · Feb 21, 2025
All threads (24)
Thread Source Author Date
Carhartt Men's Micro Ripstop Cargo Jogger Pants / Medical Scrubs Pants - Pewter, Size 2XL
... suit someone! The Carhartt Men's Micro Ripstop Cargo Jogger Pants in a pewter... those who appreciate practicality, these pants are crafted with FastDry technology ... use. The inclusion of Rugged Flex stretch technology allows for ease ... of activities without restriction. The pants feature a flat-front design with ..., ensuring durability and comfort. The pants are equipped with a total ...
www.hotukdeals.com iain173 May 23, 2026
Carhartt Men's Micro Ripstop Cargo Jogger Pant Medical Scrubs Pants (S Tall Navy)
... for size S Tall. The Carhartt Men's Micro Ripstop Cargo Jogger ... size S Tall. These jogger pants are part of the Carhartt Force Cross-Flex range, renowned... work shifts. Constructed with Rugged Flex stretch technology, these joggers are ... secure and comfortable fit. The pants are tailored to offer a ...
www.hotukdeals.com iain173 Apr 4, 2026
Carhartt Rugged Flex Men's Cargo Pants $29.99
submitted by /u/HeftyMathematician76 to r/DailyRedditDeals [link] [comments]
r/DailyRedditDeals HeftyMathematician76 May 2, 2026
Carhartt Men's Slim Tapered Rugged Flex Duck Pant $59.99 [8% off]
Color: Black submitted by /u/HeftyMathematician76 to r/DailyRedditDeals [link] [comments]
r/DailyRedditDeals HeftyMathematician76 Feb 19, 2026
10561 Rugged Flex Relaxed Cargo Pants (and Carhartt Pant Sizing in general)
Hey everyone I’m looking at getting a pair of these - ID’d them for from a show on HBO Max called *The Pitt* - and I had a general question about sizing. I’m shorter at 5’7 and my pant/jean size has been 38x30 for years. I work a highly active (walking and stair climbing) warehouse job for context and do some yard work in the non winter months. Should I buy true to my size or possibly go up in the waist? submitted by /u/ruralmagnificence to r/Carhartt [link] [comments]
r/Carhartt ruralmagnificence Dec 25, 2025
First Carhartt pants ride up so badly. Did I get a bad pair?
I recently bought a pair of the Relaxed Straight Rugged Flex Duck Dungaree (Model No. BN3279-M) and I want to love them, but they are practically unwearable due to the near-constant wedgie they give me. Has anyone else experienced this? Did I just get a bum pair? This is my first pair of Carhartts and they're exactly what I want in a pair of work pants but the fit is driving me crazy. For reference I'm 6'4", 185 lbs. and bought a 36x34. They're loose on me, not tight at all. submitted by /u/WelcomeAvailable3055 to r/Carhartt [link] [comments]
r/Carhartt WelcomeAvailable3055 Dec 21, 2025
Searching for replacement for discontinued Carhartt & Scrubstar lines of scrub pants
I've been lurking for a few months, but this is my first post! I'm currently in nursing school (ABSN) and I've also worked in microbiology for 6 years. I LOVE my Force Cross-Flex Utility Boot Cut Cargo pants & my Force Cross-Flex Jogger pants. I also love my Scrubstar Fashion Premium Performance Yoga boot cut pants. I have worn both these lines until the stitching is falling apart (& repaired a few times) and now the fabric in the butt is wearing out. They're not for school, we have wonder work everyday durable stretch comfort and I'm convinced they fit NO ONE. Does anyone know a good replacement for these lines? Similar in size/fit and/or fabric? For an okay price point? Thanks in advance! submitted by /u/ExoticCarolBaskins to r/nursing [link] [comments]
r/nursing ExoticCarolBaskins Jul 8, 2025
Any places in Milwaukee that sell these Carhartt pants?
I'm looking for these specific Carhartt pants or just a store in Milwaukee that sells Carhartt pants. submitted by /u/Legitimate_Pea_143 to r/milwaukee [link] [comments]
r/milwaukee Legitimate_Pea_143 Feb 21, 2025
Carhartt Women's Cross-Flex Boot Cut Cargo Pant #ad
submitted by /u/ExplanationInside668 to r/Amznfinds [link] [comments]
r/Amznfinds ExplanationInside668 Oct 11, 2024
How often do you wash your Carhartt work pants?
Wondering how often I should be washing my work pants (rugged flex duck). They obviously get “dirty” every time I’m in the field, but it doesn’t feel right to wash them after every use. In your experience, how often do you wash yours? Thanks in advance! submitted by /u/AverageNapkin to r/Carhartt [link] [comments]
r/Carhartt AverageNapkin Apr 25, 2024
Anyone have and use the flex work pants?
I need some work pants and was going to go with Carhartt but curious if the Milwaukee is any good? Carthartt is about $20 cheap and I doubt there is anything worth the $20 more in the Milwaukee but just curious how they do durability wise. submitted by /u/Daniel_Boomin to r/MilwaukeeTool [link] [comments]
r/MilwaukeeTool Daniel_Boomin Apr 3, 2024
What is this model of Carhartt pants called?
I've had and worn my Carhartts on a weekly basis for probably the last 4 years. I love em to death but she's starting to get some holes in some unfortunate places that refuse to be sewed closed for longer than a week at a time. I'm looking to get a new pair to break in but the closest looking thing I can find online is this. Note the lack of extra side pockets. Any clue as to if these are still made? Thanks in advance. submitted by /u/bumpersnatch12 to r/Carhartt [link] [comments]
r/Carhartt bumpersnatch12 Feb 3, 2024
Carhartt Pants Alternative?
The Carhartt Rugged Flex Relaxed Fit Duck Double-front Utility Work Pant is my go-to pant. Does anyone else have a comparable or better recommendation? I think Carhartt quality is diminishing. Edit: Who knew there were so many great options? I hope others found the comments to be as helpful as I did. Much appreciation to the BIFL community for the advice. submitted by /u/SnoglinMcSmellmore to r/BuyItForLife [link] [comments]
r/BuyItForLife SnoglinMcSmellmore Dec 17, 2023
Carhartt factory seconds FR pants on sale
I know this type of clothing is very pricey so when I saw this I thought I'd post it here in case anyone needs them. https://dungarees.com/carhartt-102689-womens-flame-resistant-rugged-flex-canvas-original-fit-pant?cid=1157 submitted by /u/raineling to r/BlueCollarWomen [link] [comments]
r/BlueCollarWomen raineling Aug 7, 2023
60% off Carhartt Flex Steel Cargo Pant - Sz 30,38,40,42
submitted by /u/PaintedThePot to r/frugalmalefashion [link] [comments]
r/frugalmalefashion PaintedThePot Apr 26, 2023
$39.99 (Reg. $109.99) Carhartt Men's Flame Resistant Rugged Flex Relaxed Fit Canvas Cargo Work Pant
submitted by /u/m00nbum to r/RunandBuy [link] [comments]
r/RunandBuy m00nbum Nov 15, 2022
New fit for women’s Carhartt pants!!
I have loved Carhartt’s traditional work pants for years, but I feel like they have gotten baggier over the years and I stopped buying them. I have been pretty discouraged because I can’t find anything else that I like. Thankfully there is good news! Carhartt now has two different fits for their work pants: Loose and Relaxed. The loose fit is the fit that has been out for years, but the relaxed is new and is much slimmer. I ordered a few pairs because I have no idea what size I am. They were just released yesterday so I’m excited for them to arrive. I’ll do my best to remember to update this post after I try them on. WOMEN'S RUGGED FLEX® RELAXED FIT CANVAS WORK PANT submitted by /u/External_Web8799 to r/BlueCollarWomen [link] [comments]
r/BlueCollarWomen External_Web8799 Aug 2, 2022
Carhartt Women's Cross-Flex Women's Utility Scrub Pant Up to 25% OFF!! https://amzn.to/3r5zpG6
submitted by /u/dr0id3r99 to r/marcazon [link] [comments]
r/marcazon dr0id3r99 Nov 24, 2021
Bought Carhartt Rugged Flex Relaxed Double Front pants - will the waist stretch out?
Got these pants, they have a little spandex stretch in them. The waist is a little tight - I'm wondering if it'll stretch out (like other non-Cahartt jeans and chinos I've had), or if I should go up a size. submitted by /u/wayneswingle to r/Carhartt [link] [comments]
r/Carhartt wayneswingle Nov 11, 2021
Alright! I been such a Home Depot addict for the entirety of the year that I started upgrading my wardrobe with them. Got these Carhart Rugged Flex pants, anyone else buy clothes from HD once in awhile?
submitted by /u/Cookiecuttermaxy to r/HomeDepot [link] [comments]
r/HomeDepot Cookiecuttermaxy Nov 4, 2021
Front Rise of RUGGED FLEX RELAXED FIT DUCK UTILITY WORK PANT
Hey everyone, The title pretty much sums it up. I’m interested in these specific pants particularly for the simple look, compared to the double front, and because the Carhartt brown is a beautiful color. The question is: what is the rise on these specific pants? https://www.carhartt.com/product/103279/rugged-flex-relaxed-fit-duck-utility-work-pant If anyone has any information on the rise measurement, please share. Please include the measurement of your pants/waist size as well. submitted by /u/GanDuff to r/Carhartt [link] [comments]
r/Carhartt GanDuff Oct 29, 2021
[Fashion] The Normcore Disruption (Or: The trend of dressing as bland as possible that buckled under its own hypocrisy and soft elitism)
(Note: This is a long one with a lot of preamble. What you're reading is my third or fourth attempt at conveying this story, and while I can’t promise you’ll be on the edge of your seat, but I can promise both general fashion drama and sneaker drama, all for one ticket). I read every comment on every writeup I post. In doing this, I can’t help but notice a sort of trend amongst a few of them. Something along the lines of, “I can’t imagine spending xyz amounts of money on shirts or shoes when the very basic essentials in my closet do me just as well.” And you’re absolutely correct in saying this. I will happily argue my beloved sneakers and various streetwear brands are good, but I’d never call them better. But what if I told you, just a handful of years ago, those very basic essentials that do you just as well were fashion? As in, those Mall Brands and ubiquitous wardrobe pieces we so often take for granted were co-opted by the fashion-fervent such that decades-old outlet sneakers were voted the best of the year and rich, beautiful internet models cosplayed as Joe Sixpack on some of the biggest platforms on the internet, to the extent that both sides of the fashion coin joined hands in irritated unison? That’s a loaded question. Let me crush it down to something simpler: What the hell is (was) Normcore? Fashion Styles: A crash course Styles, in the sense of personal fashion, are so numerous and technical at this point that the very outfit you’re wearing right now could inadvertently be considered one you’ve never heard of. The internet has only increased the speed at which these movements take wing. While throwing the words Fashion and Style and Trend in the same sentence may evoke embarrassing memories of teen magazines, the conceit of theming one’s wardrobe to one’s personal ethos is understandable and universal. Your clothes aren’t just what you own, they’re reflections of who you are (remember this). To that end, style begets community, identity, self-discovery, and monthly bank statements you try your best not to look at as you stuff it under a mountain of papers. Or maybe your style isn’t that deep, doesn’t “reflect who you are,” and the satisfaction you get out of fit pics is uncomplicated, aesthetic pleasure. I’d say the most popular style of the modern era would have to be Streetwear, which combines basically every counter-culture movement around the world into a unified voice that either whispers or screams depending on the taste of its wearer. On the exact other side of that coin is Prep, a self-explanatory exploration of high-maintenance, clean-cut beauty. Bohemian (or Boho) embraces looser, pattern-intensive fabrics along with a metric ton of cardigans. For those of us with a sharp, jangly taste, Punk is a ever-evolving yet locked in time style with decades of history and iteration. If you like Punk and Streetwear at the same time, congrats, you just invented Harajuku. From there we have Surfskate, Gothic, Sportswear, Military, Techwear, Lolita, dressing like a cowboy, and we’re still just on the surface of the deep, deep water of style. If I still haven’t named one that sounds like you, don’t worry, we’re almost there. Most people will fall under a blanket style we can kneejerk describe as “Casual.” You wear clothes because you’ll go to jail if you don’t. You wear a big coat out in the snow because it keeps you warm and, so long as it does that much, who gives a KitKat damn whose logo is on the sleeve. Doesn’t mean you can’t invent a style on the spot (“I got a lot of movie shirts; I’m Cinephile Chic!”) but maybe clothes never made this particular man. Even so, certain pieces have a way of becoming well-regarded constants in even the most fashion not-curious. Chuck Taylors are as ubiquitous as bottled water; one might even have them on with Saint Laurent. Levi’s are beloved on every point on the fashion spectrum. And who doesn’t have at least one hat or shirt blazoned with the logo of their favorite sports team? (sign off in the comments if you don’t). But trends all have one thing in common: they are rooted in the feelings and sensibilities of some era or ethos. By extension, fashion trends pick from some idea currently bubbling within The Culture. It was inevitable that a trend would carry over the most basic and nondescript of casual wear. This isn’t business Casual or Modern Casual or even Casual with a capital C. This is the 21st century's most favoritest thing: a neologism. 2014 and the nymag article Magazine articles rarely begin trends, but they do have a way of solidifying them. At the very least, this is where most will be given a name. Some of the most well-loved and well-hated terms and phrases in art and fandom begin as journalists and cultural critics simply trying to describe a phenomenon. Sometimes these get out of hand (the writer who coined the Manic Pixie Dream Girl name would later ask everyone to stop using it) but critical shorthand in the context of fashion is useful for communicating what exactly some high-profile designer or average fashionista is going for. For all intents and purposes, a New York Magazine (technically The Cut, an imprint of nymag) article published in 2014 was the boots on the ground moment for what writer Fiona Duncan dubbed Normcore. Earlier usage of the term can be traced back to trend forecaster K-Hole, but it was here that the trend was given a face. Duncan had observed a sort of glamified version of what she had seen in college students and tourists in the NYC area. The difference here was in the sort of person flexing stonewash denim, blank tees, mall brands, and what we’ll be calling Dad Shoes. For one thing, these people were beautiful. Am I saying you aren’t beautiful? I’d never. What I mean is the patient zero of Normcore was the sort of person whose personal maintenance and internet presence was beyond the sort of clothes they were now sporting. Perfect hair, perfect skin, perfect nails, and perfect, modelesque silhouettes. What were these folks doing snapping Instagram fit pics in what looks like Buffalo Exchange bargain material? Apparently, making an artistic statement. Normcore at its roots To understand normcore, we need to understand its closest relative: anti-fashion. A sort of fashion Dadaism, anti-fashion is a catchall in critique that refers to any collection or individual outfit that runs counter to the trends of today. I wouldn’t call anti-fashion a style in and of itself. The term describes a phenomenon that can be found in many others. But this a word thrown around in discussions surrounding the aesthetics of early Normcore. The style is broadly categorized by a knowing lack of pomp. Less “these are the clothes I have” and more “these are the clothes I want.” Loose, comfortable pieces in desaturated colorways. There’s a sense of nostalgia to the end result, something we can at least partly attribute to the worn feeling of the various piece's composition. Take stonewash denim, a staple of the trend. Rather than cleanly colored, surgically stitched pants you’d find in selvedge denim, stonewash is faded, worn-down, and existing in a state of either perfect boot cut or absurd cuffing. This gives the look a thrifted appeal. Paired with this is footwear often hand-picked for its blandness. Like, not even Vans are bland enough for what Normcore is going for. Footwear tends to skew Sears in its aesthetics. All of this together paints the picture of someone with at least some interest in clothes with visual appeal yet holding strongly onto the utility and availability of these bland, bland items. The counter Normcore served to what was traditionally considered “good fashion sense” was one of the more interesting aspects of the style to its early adopters, as social media personalities and articles at the time would tell you. The Couture Counter(?) It’s fair to say a lot of what is considered high fashion carries a stigma. Less the designs themselves and more the people who buy them. To that end, Normcore was both a gateway into fashion consciousness as well as a middle finger to the established norms of what the word means. These weren’t just baggy, acid-washed jeans and blank black sweaters; these were uniforms in the war against Hype. That is, if you were to believe the philosophy presented by think pieces and forum posts in late 2014-early 2015. To bring back the conceit of the fashion styles listed earlier, Normcore was yet another expression of who you are through what you wear. In this instance, you’re normal. But you know you’re normal. You don’t buy anything out of your budget simply to fit in with what you’re expected to fit in with. You don’t buy anything because of the name attached. And while your outfits are considered, they aren’t loud for the sake of it; Normcore stands out by blending in, as it was popular to say. Alright, so enough definitions. “I like my basic clothes, my basic clothes can be just as reflective of my self as anything else, fuck Supreme, ra ra.” The thing is, attempting to define Normcore, as many journalists and early proponents and myself have tried to do, raises more questions than answers. For one, the concept of dressing “normal.” Okay… how exactly does one quantify “normal?” Normal exists in relation to the abnormal, sure, but what would abnormal then be? Normcore was observably a trend running counter to the sorts of fashion styles that tend to gather Instagram likes, but is inherently oxymoronic by any definition I just attempted. In regard to self-expression, Normcore doesn’t do a whole lot to express who someone is. Only who they are not. So, who is this for? Surprise, its actually still just about what you own Look at this shoe. Now back to me. That shoe you just looked at is the Balenciaga Triple S, and it costs north of one-thousand dollars. How, you may be totally justified in asking? It looks like something an uncle would buy at Sears. Trends, baby. Now, not everyone interested in the Normcore style was buying thousand-dollar shoes. Not everyone was interested in the Normcore style, period. Despite how I might have made it sound, I wouldn’t call what Normcore received online as any sort of embrace. Internet fashion spheres were quick to notice the hypocrisy, if not the short-sightedness, of a fashion style centered around not having a fashion style. On top of this, no one browsing Instagram fit pics would ever see Kendall Jenner sporting boot cut jeans and Yeezy Waverunners, a perfectly casual getup on first, innocent glance, and say she’s one of us. Here, we can start to put together who exactly Normcore is really for. You know how, in college, you’ll meet people eating Cup Noodles, squishing roaches in their modest apartment, lamenting their finances with a coy smile on their face, only to check their Snapchat around Christmas break and see them relaxing at their parent’s massive house, where money seems to seep through the walls? I hate to generalize, but this is where the drama really starts to germinate. By late 2015, and this is still very much early days for the trend, fashion spheres across the internet had already labelled Normcore as a sort of cosplay poverty. Not bankrupt, but it was clear by this point that the persevering proponents of Normcore were purposefully dressing below their income belt for the sake of fitting in with us peons. And I don’t mean that in a “Bill Gates buys $30 slacks” way. I mean that in a “those Waverunners Kendall Jenner was wearing cost at least $500” way. At the same time basic Dad Sneakers and black sweaters were taking precedence over high fashion, those same high fashion retailers were pivoting to designs that had long been considered “ugly” by the very standards high fashion had set themselves. And the internet fashion sphere was quick to both notice and push back. No more celebrating the very attempt to put together appealing outfits from one’s meager resources; if your fit was ugly, it was ugly, and damn whatever trend justified it. Not to say the design pivot towards more casual-presenting clothes was bad (I love Yeezy Waverunners and will defend them to embarrassing lengths), however, seeing as individual fashion styles are all rooted in the same earnestness to express oneself, the one style that was abjectly not that was inevitably going to be cannibalized online. Of course, high-end imitations of low-end styles are only one side of this coin. Trendy but still affordable pieces were always hallmarks of the Normcore style: Carhartt beanies, New Era fitted caps, cable knit sweaters, to name a few. Even the style so focused on not having a style prioritized certain pieces that soon became necessary for proper representation of the aesthetic. Even so, none were as pervasive or as despised in the wider fashion sphere as one infamous pair of trainers. We could’ve started the writeup here and encapsulated the Normcore trend just as well, so sweeping was this item’s influence, its fandom, and its hate-dom. Is this item aesthetically pleasing? Is it the perfect microcosm of “stand out by blending in?” Is it an abomination, an ugly parasite that does not deserve and never has deserved its customer base? Did this item, twenty-years old at the time of its cultural boom, deserve to be awarded as one of the greatest of the decade? Better question: How about some sneaker drama? The Fila Disruptor II Fila is nothing new to anyone who played Crazy Taxi on the Dreamcast. A century-old sportswear brand from Italy, Fila is identifiable by bright splotches of red and blue that don nearly all of its products. It’s well-known, but not popular. Considered less for its aesthetic factor and more for its “I need athletic clothes to beat up while I do athletic shit” factor. The primary footwear release from Fila had long been the Disruptor II, virtually identical to the Disruptor 1, and looks like this. Wow. Sexy. In an era where shoes have only gotten sleeker and stripped-back in their construction, Disruptors are chunky in a way that looks like they’re daring you to call them out on it. The sole is big for the sake of being big, adding an inch or two to the wearer’s height. The stitching is comprised of enough yards of linen to make Karl Marx blush. The tongue sticks out like it wants to French kiss your ankle. Its brand name is plastered on its exterior no less than five times, like the shoe is the star of Memento and the mystery is how to get back to the Journeys store in the mall. It’s an Air Force One that got drunk, fell down the stairs, and got a neck tattoo. It’s like if someone looked at the character models in Sonic Adventure 2 and their only criticism was that the shoes aren’t big enough. The sole must be ribbed because triangles are the strongest shape and the whole thing would buckle under its weight otherwise. Neil Armstrong slipped these on to go take a piss break at the outhouse on the moon. … I don’t love them. But it’s not about me; the early appeal of the Disruptors is much like the early appeal of Normcore as a whole. A hallmark of the style was chunky, ugly sneakers. Running parallel to that was clothes that could be bought for a steal compared to the high-priced expectations of fashion. So, events played out a bit like this: Chunky, ugly sneakers take precedence over more expensive footwear. Rich co-opters of Normcore turn to Boutique fashion like Balenciaga’s $900 Triple S. People notice that the $60 Fila Disruptor looks sorta similar to the Triple S and buy that instead. Rich co-opters of Normcore start buying the $60 Fila Disruptor, making the shoe certifiably “in.” I almost wish it were more complicated than this. Like you’ll find all trend pieces go the way of, Fila Disruptors are a product of a sort of hype ouroboros. Their availability and value price made them a no-brainer for anyone looking to get in on the latest “thing,” and its popularity among those who can do a lot better than availability with value price, ensured their prevalence in the fashion zeitgeist. But appearing on the feet of Ne-Yo and Emily Ratajkowski wasn’t the only thing contributing to the Disruptor’s rise; nostalgia, or the burgeoning love for defunct or seemingly defunct brands was, and still is, very in. I remember at the height of the Disruptor’s prevalence a good number of people who thought Fila had gone bankrupt long ago, but nope. We now lived in an age where Foot Locker was reportedly selling out of the shoe entirely. It was doing better than Vans! (unthinkable where I’m from; In Seattle they give you a pair of Vans with your birth certificate). As for sneakerheads, well, they sounded like me just a minute ago. In sneaker collecting circles, unanimously, some of them having only seen these shoes for the first time, hated the Disruptors in the sort of bipartisan dogpiling you rarely see in the community. Of course this meant memes, and a change.org petition, but it also meant an echo of the criticisms facing Normcore as a whole. In short, a sort of “okay, so we’re the dumb ones for buying into sneakers because of the name and the hype, but in that case, what the hell do you call this?” I don’t doubt that at least a few people took to the Disruptors totally divorced from whatever hype they carried, nor do I understand, but the sneaker community could take some solace in the fact that this was a disposable trendy fashion piece like all the other disposable trendy fashion piece. One that no one was ever gonna take seriously. Right? Right. 2018: The highest of highs and the lowest of lows Footwear News is one of the largest and most respected sites for sneakers, general fashion, and all things hype. At the end of the year, the FN Achievement Awards recognizes the best and most important releases among athletic brands, designers, and starting in 2014, the all-around Shoe of the Year and you can probably gather where this is going. Yes, at the end of 2018, the winner of the Shoe of the Year award was none other than the Fila Disruptor 2s. Now, FN’s article announcing the win did do its best to explain the decision, noting the shoes collaborations with designers like Liam Hodges and Pierre Cardin, as well as its surge in popularity and ubiquity across the whole retail spectrum. Nevermind that 2018 was the year of the Cactus Jack Jordan 4s, the Yeezy 500s, the Concords (that’s a shoe that needs a writeup, my god), as well as my beloved Levi Jordan 4s that I will fight for until the skin wears off my knuckles. Nevermind the fact that Disruptors did not show up on any other high-profile Best Of 2018 list. Nevermind that pretty much nobody with a vested passion for shoes beyond Instagram trends remotely liked these things. They had won, regardless. Unfortunately, this would be both the Disruptors, and Normcore as a whole’s, final win. Normal becomes normal again From here on out, every Normcore and Normcore-adjacent hashtag was bombarded with scorn and borderline cyberbullying. Four years is already a very long half-life for a fashion trend, however, and these hashtags were already looking a little barren. By this point, articles about the death of Normcore were outnumbering those sharing even the most remote of praise. Normcore’s death was a slow one, and largely came down to a general waking up to its hypocrisy and self-celebrating nature. It rejected couture, but still defined itself by a sense of superiority. It was for everyone, but only the rich and/or beautiful were ever truly celebrated. Its garbage sneakers were awarded for their impact, only to return to as irrelevant as they were just months before. The thing with “standing out by blending in” is, inevitably, blending in is all you’ll be doing. The entire episode was summarized succinctly by Kristin Iversen of Brooklyn Magazine, wherein she wrote, “… maybe even more insidious, is the idea that a “normal” style is something that should be happily embraced. There’s a reason adolescents rebel against their parents. And there’s a reason that young adults reject the teenage style choices that are now part of normcore. The reason is that we grow up, and many of us figure out that our identity is something to manipulate, it’s a thing we can control, a narrative for us to construct.” There is, I find, a sort of accepted norm to every fashion style, regardless of whichever one you gravitate towards. Looking a certain way, owning certain things, subscribing to a certain philosophy even. And while I do love the community that builds around any one style, I do agree that a style whose sole motive is to fit in with everyone else is abjectly counter-intuitive to the idea of fashion as self-expression, as community, as art. Am I happy Normcore is dead? Well, I’m not happy that someone somewhere lost a style that maybe made them feel like they had a gateway into something that might’ve felt inaccessible before. And I hope those people found something new out of all of this. And I hope they found some new shoe that isn’t Fila Disruptors. submitted by /u/freemanboyd to r/HobbyDrama [link] [comments]
r/HobbyDrama freemanboyd Jun 13, 2021
I bought a pair of the new Carhartt flex pants, and they are game changers!
The flex when you need them too but feel like regular Carhartts. I'm showing way less plumbers crack! Really comfortable to work in. Deep pockets too so stuff doesn't fall out when you lay down. My only complaint is no hammer loop. submitted by /u/Mesoposty to r/Carhartt [link] [comments]
r/Carhartt Mesoposty Feb 8, 2020
Duluth Firehose Work Pants - Flex or No?
I feel a little ridiculous posting this but there are no stores around me that carry Duluth and these pants aren't cheap! For those that use the Duluth Firehose Work Pants - did you go with the Flex or standard version? What's the difference? How's the fit? Curveball - does anyone recommend the Carhartt Washed Duck work pants over the Duluths? submitted by /u/supyeast to r/TheBrewery [link] [comments]
r/TheBrewery supyeast Sep 14, 2018