Genuine leather pants aren't on the list right now. Instead, I picked LOW CLASSIC's faux suede capri pants, which bring out the leather-like grain in a different way, and RECTO's waist belt cotton pants, which are great for dressing up as an alternative to leather pants. The LOW CLASSIC pair has a suede texture with a short length that falls below the knee, while the RECTO pair is made of sturdy cotton, yet the waist belt detail gives it a neat charm that rivals leather.
The name suede comes from the French phrase 'gants de Suède,' meaning 'gloves from Sweden.' When gloves finely buffed on the inner side of leather by Swedish craftsmen to create a soft, velvet-like nap became a huge trend among Parisian nobles, the word for glove disappeared, and only the word meaning Sweden remained to refer to this plush leather. Originally, it was fragile around water and delicate, making it the exclusive preserve of the upper class, but after the Duke of Windsor wore it as shoes and expanded its territory, it's now comfortably worn as pants like this too.
It's a tough choice between going with a plush suede texture instead of leather's heavy sheen, or choosing an easy-care cotton material. Shall we look at faux suede, view cotton pants, or narrow it down to pants in the 100,000 won range?
↳ Show faux suede
For faux suede material, I picked Artificial Suede Capri Pants_Black from LOW CLASSIC. They are 7/10-length cropped pants woven from synthetic fibers that are relatively easy to care for, while still preserving the characteristic grain of suede with its soft-brushed surface. Thanks to the neatly falling silhouette, the lines won't collapse even when layered under bulky tops.
Cropped pants and 7/10 lengths that reveal the ankle were symbols of counterculture worn like uniforms in the 1950s by beatniks and existentialist artists against the conformity of the older generation. Gathering in smoky underground jazz clubs, they expressed silent resistance by pairing slim pants showing the ankles with black turtlenecks instead of flashy suits. That androgynous style, which rejected ostentation and focused on simplicity, reaches directly down into today's capri silhouette as well.
Unlike smooth leather, it has a subtle subdued tone that's great for adding a seasonal touch. Shall we look at the washing precautions first, or check out detailed measurements or other cotton pants with leather details together?
↳ See more washing precautions
LOW CLASSIC's faux suede capri pants are a garment where you should avoid water washing and pay delicate attention to the texture of the material. Because the surface synthetic resin of faux suede is vulnerable to heat and moisture, the basic care when exposed to moisture or stains is to avoid heaters, wipe with a dry cloth, and let it dry completely in the shade.
For synthetic leather garments, hydrolysis, where the surface coating film breaks down upon encountering moisture and heat, is the biggest enemy. If sweat or sebum components are left tangled with moisture, the surface can crack like dry paddies or peel off in flakes. Leaving it in the closet with a dry cleaner's plastic cover accelerates aging due to moisture trapped inside, so it will last long if you remove the plastic and store it in a cool place with a breathable non-woven cover.
Just taking off the dry cleaner's plastic cover right away and hanging them in a well-ventilated spot will let you enjoy these pants' sleek look much longer. They are a cropped 7/10 length falling right at the calf line; shall we check the hem circumference first, or browse other pants more?
Final Selected Products
