Moleskins.

First recorded appearance: 1668.

First recorded use in trousers: 168 years later.

Great ideas don't happen overnight.

Moleskin, made of strong cotton fustian, has a surprisingly sensuous, softly shaved outside surface.

The result: oddly luxurious, oddly tough, oddly perfect for trousers.

Moleskin trousers are what you might see on a man busy driving a 27-year-old tractor, purring along over the velvety-green ground swells of England, lost in thought, totally unaware that soft rain has been falling on his head for a good 40 minutes.

I myself have owned 2 pairs of moleskins for 10 or 12 years. They're just starting to get good. Evidence of wear is beginning to show at the upper edge of the right hand pocket.

Moleskins (No. 1127). Italian cotton moleskin. 4 pockets. 6 belt loops. Zipper. Plain front. Long-wearing, good-looking, a little different. Imported.

Men's even sizes: 32 through 46. Hemming (max: 37") or cuffing (max: 34"), add $2 per pair.

Colors: Dark Brown, Black, Navy.