Midnight Blue Corduroy Trousers - Stancliffe Flat-Front in 8-Wale Cotton - Fort Belvedere

Fort Belvedere has christened this model of trousers the “Stancliffe,” evocative of a stately English manor house secluded amongst verdant trees and rolling hills, redolent with a life of ease, sport, and gentlemanly pursuits. These trousers feature a hook-and-clasp closure for trim lines at the high-rise waist and a fully-cut seat and front for comfort and mobility that still drapes beautifully. Full to the knees, the trousers taper somewhat towards the hem for an opening that is pleasantly full but not excessive, being neither too broad nor too narrow. Exceptionalism in balanced lines is a hallmark of the Stancliffe model, with its two recessed forward pockets, two button-closure rear pockets, and an elegant right-front ticket pocket with buttoned flap, all rendered in luxurious corduroy.    

Corduroy has been the favored fabric of sporting squires, Old Money scions, and dapper gentlemen for centuries because of its supreme comfort, soft feel, and versatile styling potential. Favored as a fabric for everything from suits to accessories, corduroy is especially well-utilized for trousers because it is hard-wearing but also effortlessly elegant and refined, imparting a slouchy, casual grace to any ensemble. 

With fabric milled by Italian artisans to recreate the unique feel and quality of vintage English corduroy and then attentively assembled by Portuguese craftsmen, these trousers are made from proprietary Luxuroy™ fabric, with a generous weight of 705 grams per linear meter to ensure a pleasing drape and a double-rub rating of 20,000 for unparalleled longevity. With elegant 8-wale ribbing, these corduroy trousers are ready to take you shooting at a country estate, out on a casual jaunt with friends, and to every adventure that life has in store.

 

Most other companies use vanity sizing these days, so a size 34 actually measures 36 or more inches around the waist.

Fort Belvedere sizes are true to size, which means a size 34 measures actually 34 inches all around, or 17 inches if you measure the pants laying flat.

The Stancliffe model are true high-rise trousers, and they are sized according to your natural waist and not your hips, it is likely that you will wear a different size with us than with other brands. 

To determine your best possible fit, we suggest a two-step process.

1. Measure your existing pants

Keep in mind that these trousers have a higher rise, so if you have a pronounced mid-section, opt for one size up.

To measure your existing pants, lay them flat and measure the waist.

If you measure in inches, double your measurement, and you have the size you should get.  If you are in between sizes, size up.

For example, if you measure 17" x 2 = 34" => US/UK Size 34

If you measure in centimeters, multiply your measurement and multiply it by 0.787. If you are in between sizes, definitely size up. 

For example, if you measure 43cm x 0.787 = 33.841 => US/UK Size 34

2. Measure your waistline on your body

To find your exact measurements, we recommend using a quality measuring tape for precise measurements and, if possible, the help of a friend. 

1. Wrap the measuring tape around your natural waist,  which is usually the slimmest point around your middle body, near your navel. If you have a prominent stomach, measure around the navel at the most comfortable point. 
2. Keep the tape snug.
3. Round up to the nearest whole number.
4. If you measured in inches, you number is the same as the US size. If you are in between sizes, size up. 

For example, if you measure 33", choose US/UK Size 34.

5. If you measured in centimeters, divide your number by 2.54, and choose the next closest US/UK Size. If you are in between sizes, size up.

For example, if you measured 85cm. 85cm / 2.54 = 33.46 inches => US/UK Size 34

 

Once you have determined your waist size, we recommend you double-check each of the subsequent pants measurements for a good fit.

If any measurements require a larger size than your Waist size, for your comfort, we suggest sizing up. 

For instance, if your Waist measurement corresponds to a US/UK Size 38, but your hips are wider than 63 cm, you should size up to a US/UK Size 40 so that your legs are not squeezed. 

If any measurements correspond to a smaller size than your waist size, we do not recommend sizing down: the correct fit in the waist is the most important measurement, additional alterations can be made later for a trimmer fit.        

Waist: This measurement refers to the circumference around your body at your natural waist, which is usually the narrowest portion of your waist, near your navel.

Hip: This measurement refers to the circumference around your hips at their widest point, which is usually about two-thirds of the way down from your natural waist to your crotch.

Thigh: This measurement refers to the circumference of your leg around the thigh at its thickest point. If your thighs are of different sizes, use the figure for the larger one.  

Hem: This measurement refers to the circumference of the opening of the leg hole.

Inseam: This measurement refers to the distance from the crotch to the bottom of the trousers. Because our trousers arrive unfinished, they all have an inseam measurement of 38”. You can have the length adjusted to your preferences at your local tailor.

Fabric Reserve For Alterations

Stancliffe pants have a generous fabric reserve of about 3 inches / 7.5cm in the waist, and about 1.5 inches / 3.8 cm in the legs.

Therefore, alterations should be easy.

Lastly, we recommend watching the video above for more details about sizing.

Because the fabric is thicker, these corduroy trousers will fit slightly more snuggly than trousers in thinner materials. In most cases this will not affect sizing unless you are between sizes, in which case we encourage you to size up. 

If you have a prominent belly, your size may be larger than you otherwise wear because the trousers will sit around, and not below, your stomach. 

If you have a slim frame, your size may be somewhat smaller as these trousers will sit at your waist, the narrowest part of your midsection, and not your hips, which is one of the wider sections.  

When in doubt, we encourage you to size up. 

When your trousers arrive, the legs will seem extremely long. This is because our trousers arrive unfinished. Take them to an alterations tailor, who will fit them to your desired length and break.  

To ensure the absolute best possible fit, Fort Belvedere specially cut and proportioned the various sizes of our trousers to match the actual dimensions of the human body. While other brands start with a model’s dimensions for their base size and then linearly shrink or expand that size, producing unrealistic and contorted fits, we started from scratch and fine-tuned the patterns for our sizes to reflect the realities of the human body. 

What does this mean? It means that on smaller waist sizes we have tapered the legs to avoid billowy fabric on slim figures. It also means that for larger waist sizes we have provided ample room for comfort and movement in the seat without compromising the trouser’s elegant lines.

An ample store of reserve fabric in the waist also means that your alterations tailor can easily let out the trousers to account for any minor fluctuations in weight, all without diminishing the beautiful look of the fit.

The Ideal Pocket Configuration. These trousers feature a total of five pockets. The two forward pockets on either side each include a recessed inner pocket that is ideal for storing small objects like rings, keys, headphones, and coins. The two rear pockets feature secure button closures. An additional ticket pocket, located on the front right side and featuring a tipped flap closure with a button, is a unique vintage feature with many practical applications.  

Corozo Buttons. Made from genuine corozo, which resembles ivory but is sustainably made from tree nuts.

Luxuroy™, the Finest of Corduroy Fabrics. Sourced from Italian mills and made to the highest standards of vintage English corduroy. Buttery soft but durable, it’s so special that we had to copyright it, and christen our creation Luxuroy™. 

Exceptional Weight of 705 glm. Woven to a weight of 705 grams per linear meter, ensuring a dense, plush, luxurious feel and heft that is still breathable and comfortable.  

Unrivaled Longevity with 20,000 Double-Rubs Rating. “Double-rubbing” refers to a standardized system of calculating how durable a fabric is based on its ability to withstand abrasion. The Wyzenbeek Test determines how many times an abrasive fabric can be rubbed back and forth against a piece of fabric before the test fabric is compromised. We wanted to ensure that our trousers would last, so we achieved a 20,000 double-rubs rating to guarantee you years of enjoyment.  

Versatile 8-Wale Ribbing. The density of corduroy trousers is measured according to wale, or how many ribs appear per inch in the fabric. Creates the most aesthetically appealing appearance with the widest variety of possible shirt, jacket, and shoe combinations. 

Vibrantly Fabric-Dyed Midnight Blue. The material is first fabric-dyed to ensure a rich, deep, and consistent color that penetrates into the fibers themselves to reduce fading. The result is an unparalleled depth of color that you can enjoy for years to come, in a variety of colors you will be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. 

All-Natural Waistband and Pockets. Ensures breathability and comfort so that your midsection never becomes sweaty and stuffy. The pockets are lined in 100% cotton: no synthetics here! 

Convenient Hook and Button Closure. Along with the smooth-functioning zipper, this closing mechanism holds your trousers together and keeps their front looking neat and flat, highlighting the plush texture of the corduroy.   

Unlined Legs for Comfort. The legs of these trousers have been left unlined as we found it was more comfortable. We think that you’ll agree when you feel our decadent cotton against your skin. 

Lined at Groin. To increase the longevity of your trousers, an acetate lining has been added at the crotch. This lining reduces friction and prevents the inseam from rubbing against the thigh. It also absorbs sweat to keep the fabric clean.   

Harmonious Nap. The nap, or directional flow of the fabric, has been tailored to appear visually harmonious throughout the garment. 

True High Rise. Cut with the proper high rise typical of the Golden Age of Menswear. A higher rise naturally elongates the leg line for a more flattering figure and is more comfortable because the waistline sits around a natural flexing point. 

Beautiful and Durable Twill Back. Also known as a “Genoa Back,”. The tightly woven twill creates a durable protective layer that maintains the structure of the garment and contributes to its longevity. The subtle lines of the twill also mirror the appearance of the exterior of the corduroy and feel delightfully soft against the skin. 

Flat Front. The best styling option for these trousers: it causes no distortion of the cords and emphasizes the flattering vertical lines of the fabric. 

Full Cut and Perfectly Proportioned. Each size pattern has been carefully fine-tuned to ensure a correct fit that accommodates actual human dimensions and proportions. Because few trousers correctly accommodate the size of men’s thighs, we have ensured a roomy and comfortable seat that doesn’t appear boxy or billowy: the cut flatters your body without constricting it. 

Inspired by the Golden Age of Menswear. To capture the classic and timeless look of vintage menswear, these trousers have been cut so that the leg tapers down towards the knee. The opening, however, has a more contemporary fitted opening and not the dated, extremely wide leg holes of yesteryear. As a result, these trousers represent the very best of both worlds.    

Intentionally Constructed Belt Loops and Hanger Loop. Designed to accommodate a variety of widths. We have also included a center hanger loop so that when removing your trousers on the go, you can easily hang them up to avoid creases, even if you are without a hanger. 

Long about midnight, the world turns deep blue, but these trousers bring that wonderful shade into the daytime. Like navy, this midnight blue shade is extremely versatile in Classic Menswear and so these trousers can become for you the perfect staple piece around which to build countless outfits.    

Combining Midnight Blue Corduroys with Shoes & Socks 

Blue is the most common color in menswear, and these dark blue trousers will afford many opportunities for both casual and formal ensembles. 

For a more sedate look, consider simple pairings that employ other shades of blue and neutral colors. This approach allows for incredible versatility but thanks to the rich hue of the trousers themselves, there is no risk of your look appearing boring. Light blue and very blue provide perfect contrasting harmony, while navy or royal blue could be utilized for a more tone-on-tone effect that is distinguished and formal. A similar understated effect but with more pop can also be achieved through blues paired with warm colors, like orange, red, or yellow.    

To emphasize the formality of these trousers, consider pairings that incorporate gray or black and white: they go a long way in imparting dignity to these trousers. You can also achieve a more dramatic look with the introduction of red through a more grounded color, such as navy or midnight blue. Conversely, purple socks can help bring out the indigo shades in the trousers.    

For footwear, contrast or complement will provide the greatest visual interest: unique texture, like suede, or unique detailing, like the open lacing system of a derby, will harmonize with the weave of the trousers. Dark browns and black will help to emphasize a formal air, while medium browns can ascend or descend the Formality Scale. For times when a little boldness is in order, inject red with oxblood, maroon, or claret shoes. 

Boots, especially boots with contrast elements like suede, are always an excellent companion to corduroy because of the intersection of transitional-weather seasonality and unexpected texture. These trousers will appear elegant with a wide range of boots, from any shade of brown to black, and even to more unusual shades like reds, grays, and even some blues.  

In general, be wary of pairing corduroy with hot-weather footwear. As a rule of thumb, the fabric is simply too heavy for use with any style of shoe with which you might wear no-show socks.

For a casual look that remains elevated and elegant, let’s employ simple navy silk socks set off by a pair of brogue cognac slip-ons. A blue shirt completes the look.      

To achieve a more dramatic look, we can offset these dark blue trousers with a buff sport coat reminiscent of yellow, which we emphasize with yellow and navy socks worn with brown derbies. A blue paisley tie helps to connect all of the elements.  

A mottled-gray sport coat with football buttons is the perfect casual companion to these trousers, especially when paired with a blue and brown striped white shirt and blue tie with micropattern, topped off by an elegant pocket square. Two-tone socks in navy blue transition elegantly into mottled dark cognac and brown monk straps.   

In general, the weight of corduroy requires a certain balance between your upper and lower half which is easily accomplished by layering. The simple addition of a sport coat will go far in making an outfit with corduroy look exceptional: focus in particular on textured fabrics, such as tweed, that will contrast while harmonizing with the cords of the trousers. Be wary, however, of hot-weather textured fabrics like seersucker, which is too seasonally incongruous to wear with corduroy.

You can achieve a similar effect with knitwear, such as a tennis sweater in the warmer months or cardigan in the cooler: add a scarf during colder weather to ensure that your upper half is as insulated as your lower.