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An Esquire writer says he bought brown Dickies 874 trousers during a road trip to wear to two weddings, pairing them with jackets and ties. His report describes how the work pants’ high rise, fabric and crease helped them suit the outfits, while noting that the fit and details still signal workwear.
Esquire published a first-person review of the Dickies 874, describing how one of its writers bought a brown pair on a Virginia road trip to wear to two wedding weekends. The account presents the work pants as a relatively inexpensive option for outfits that sit between a suit and casual clothing, while making clear that the assessment is the writer’s own experience.
The writer says he was traveling between Charlottesville, Virginia, and Durham, North Carolina, before weddings in Washington, D.C., and North Carolina. He had planned to wear gray suit trousers to the first event and combine them with a gun-club jacket for the second, but decided that brown trousers would better suit the settings and his cowboy boots. He asked his wife to route them to a hardware store so he could buy Dickies.
In the review, he points to the 874’s high rise, tightly woven polyester twill and pronounced crease as details that made the pants work with a blazer, shirt and tie. He says the rise allowed movement, while the fabric and crease gave the trousers a more formal appearance to him. He also acknowledges visible workwear cues, including the logo and wide belt loops, and describes removing the logo stitching and wearing a double-breasted blazer to cover the waistband.
The writer also recounts buying pairs with extra hem fabric and teaching himself to sew a trouser turn-up with help from TikTok videos and his wife. He says the tailoring was imperfect, but valued the pants as an inexpensive way to experiment. Esquire’s page identifies the article as an endorsement and carries a disclosure that the publication may earn a commission from links; the supplied material lists a price of about $40.
A Work Pant for Wedding Outfits
The review highlights how a familiar workwear item can serve as a lower-cost stand-in for dress trousers in some social settings. For readers weighing what to wear to an event that is not strictly formal, the writer’s account offers one example of styling practical pants with a blazer and tie. It is a personal recommendation, not evidence that the 874 will suit every dress code or wearer.
The piece also connects the pants’ appeal to their accessibility and durability, as described by the writer. Their workwear origins and relatively modest price make them an approachable option for personal alterations, though removing branding or changing a hem is a matter of individual preference.
The 874’s Workwear Roots
The Esquire writer says Dickies has sold the 874 design since the 1960s and describes it as a long-running casualwear staple. He recalls wearing Dickies as a teenager, when the pants offered an affordable way to distinguish his style from other students. In his account, people wore them in different ways, from cut-off skate pants to pressed trousers paired with graphic T-shirts.
That history informs the review’s central point: the same features that mark the 874 as workwear can also lend it a neat, structured appearance. The author compares its sheen to high-twist wool, while stressing that the resemblance is imperfect. The review does not provide independent fabric testing or a broader comparison with formal trousers.
“My pants are wrong. I need new pants.”
— Esquire writer Florence Sullivan
Fit, Price and Dress Codes
The supplied article does not establish how the 874 fits across different body types, whether its current price is the same for all colors or retailers, or how it performs over time beyond the writer’s account. Sizing and fit can vary, and the story offers no sizing guidance. It also does not say whether either wedding’s dress code explicitly permitted work pants; the writer describes the events and his own outfit choices, but not a response from the hosts.
The recommendation is based on one person’s use of one pair. Readers should treat the claims about appearance and durability as the writer’s assessment. Esquire’s commission disclosure is relevant when considering its product endorsement.
Consider the Event’s Dress Code
The report does not announce a product launch or a future test, and no follow-up milestone is specified. Readers considering the pants for an event can check the invitation’s dress code, compare the garment’s fit and finish in person where possible, and decide whether its workwear details suit the setting. The Esquire article also points readers to shopping links, with a disclosure that purchases through some links may earn the publication a commission.
Key Questions
What prompted the Esquire writer to buy Dickies 874 pants?
While driving between Charlottesville and Durham before two wedding weekends, he decided his planned gray trousers were wrong for the outfits and asked to stop at a hardware store for brown Dickies.
Why did he think the pants worked with a blazer?
He cites the high rise, tightly woven polyester twill and strong crease, which he felt gave the pants a more traditional appearance while remaining durable and comfortable to move in.
Does the article establish that Dickies 874 pants are suitable for every wedding?
No. The story is a personal account and does not establish the dress codes for either event. Suitability depends on the specific invitation and the wearer’s judgment.
What alterations did the writer make?
He says he removed the logo stitching and added a trouser turn-up after buying pants with extra hem fabric. He describes the sewing as imperfect and says his wife helped him.
Source: rss
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