Bonobos

I work at a community college in Cicero, IL, just outside Chicago, in the academic advising and admissions and records office. I have the privilege of helping out our students with their academic careers. It’s so nice when someone comes into our office uncertain, confused, maybe even a little scared, and I can send them away knowing what they have to do to get on track.

It’s so nice when someone comes into our office uncertain, confused, maybe even a little scared, and I can send them away knowing what they have to do to get on track.

The vast majority of our students come from overcrowded, underfunded public high schools. Many are first generation Americans or new to this country, and a lot of them work and take care of their families in addition to coming to college. We make a concerted effort to do our best for them, and go to great lengths to give them the service they need and deserve.

We are located in a land-locked college district, so we cannot expand, and we do not receive much money from property taxes, since the towns which comprise our district are not wealthy. The State of Illinois is not helpful financially (thanks for nothing, Rod). We still have to provide the best services for our students that we can, strapped for cash or not.

…once I had on a pair of Land’s End chinos. They fit my waist great, but the legs were HUGE, it looked like MC Hammer on holiday in Maine.

Finding pants isn’t a walk in the park, either! I have a somewhat odd shape. I’m only 5′8″ but my legs are muscular and, I think, rather long for someone my height. So, when I’m going to buy pants, if the pants fit my waist, the legs are so roomy it’s like I can rob the store, or play host to a family of squirrels in there. For example, once I had on a pair of Land’s End chinos. They fit my waist great, but the legs were HUGE, it looked like MC Hammer on holiday in Maine. On the other hand, since I still have athletic legs and rear end, I don’t want them disappearing into what you gents would call “khaki diaper butt.” But if I try on a pair of pants that might be slim enough to flatter my legs and gluteus, guess what, the waistband won’t close, my big ol’ thighs are busting out, and I look like an aged emo kid or some kind of male prostitute.

Chinos are, by nature, supposed to be neither too formal nor too casual, with the result that they often come off as bland and indecisive.

The only dressy pants I’ve ever found that fit me well are a certain line of J. Crew chinos that are cut differently from the rest of their pants, they are called “classic fit.” They are my favorite, “go-to” pants. They aren’t perfect for all occasions, though. Chinos are, by nature, supposed to be neither too formal nor too casual, with the result that they often come off as bland and indecisive. Furthermore, I ain’t too crazy about wearing 6 different colors of the exact same pants during the week. Seriously, I have 6 pairs of the same pants, in 6 different colors. I had no choice, they’re the only thing that fits right! I could use some other pants, to say the least.

I’m really looking forward to trying on Bonobos. I have a feeling that they are designed with practicality and style in mind. I sincerely appreciate being admitted to the Band of Brothers, without which I could not have gotten my hands on these pants. I have never heard of a clothes company that offers a discount for public servants. Actually, I’ve never heard of ANY company that does this. It’s unheard of! You guys certainly are, pardon the obvious pun, cut from a different cloth!