IJP Design Tartan Trousers Review

Black Watch, White Watch, and Fuchsia 

By Pete Pappas  
On twitter @PGAPappas 

No one does tartan like the Spartan of Tartan, Ian Poulter.  And if there’s one label you need to know when it comes to tartan trousers, it’s Poulter’s fashion-forward company IJP Design. 

 

IJP tartan trousers are precisely tailored and wonderfully comfortable.  Dressy when they need to be, casual when they don’t, and always the right choice for the golf course.  I was so impressed with my first pair, the White Watch, I bought two more, the Black Watch and Fuchsia.

The only thing better than IJP tartans is more IJP tartans (more on that later).

Different colored yarns are crossed to form intermediate colors.  Similar colored yarns are crossed to form half-tone colors.  The look is spectacular.  Tartan simply evokes a range of beauty and emotion unlike any other fabric in the world. 

But IJP Design tartan trousers aren't just pants, they're attitude.  Charismatic. Menacing.  Owning the spotlight. 

 

These aren't your everyday cookie-cutter tartans.  IJP has raised the style-stakes to a whole new level. Classic but not stale, trendy but not gaudy. Think personal wattage. 

So let me be your IJP Design tartans fashion caddie for a bit here, and hit on the key points why so many golfers #WearTheTrousers 

FIT

I’m very particular about my trousers.  They’re the anchor of style.  As Poulter likes to say, “Lead with your legs.”  And for my money, it all begins with fit.

Fit isn’t just about the right size, it’s about being made the right way, and IJP Design understands this.  IJP tartan trousers sit on your hips just below your navel, as they should.  These aren’t chinos or jeans.  You don’t want these trousers wearing you. 

  

The flat front, boot-cut design is a slimming look that achieves some drape without being unnecessarily loose.  Leg room is consistent through the thigh and below the knee.

 

They don’t require a belt to stay up, but don’t cut in to your waist either.  And you’re as comfortable going after it holy-cow long on the fairway as you are just lounging around in the clubhouse.

How much your trousers gather, or break, at the cuff is a matter of preference.  I favor a full-break where my trousers develop a noticeable crease.  Others will prefer no break at all.  I believe Poulter opts for a half break? 

Whatever your preference, all of these tartan trousers are tailored with a functional side-split to rest on your shoes perfectly. 

 

The best looking trousers in the world will look all kinds of terrible if the fit is poor.  IJP Design makes sure you never have to worry about that.  When you put on a pair of IJP tartans your fit is impeccable.  And you’ll probably find your way on a few best dressed lists to boot.

LOOK

I have a dare for you.  I dare you to google image search “tartans” or “tartan trousers” and try to find a design better looking than IJP Design tartans.  It may take you awhile.  I looked but gave up.

The first time you see an IJP Design tartan up close it becomes very obvious they know what they’re doing.  Color palettes are the most vibrant and intricate of any tartan trousers you’ll find anywhere. 

 

 

I’ve owned the White Watch, Black Watch, and Fuchsia tartans for a few months now, and every time I pull on a pair I marvel at how good looking they are.  Almost stimulating. 

My girlfriend absolutely loves them – unmentionable bonus.  Strangers compliment me on them all the time.  You should be prepared to command considerable attention on and off the course.

All the tartans are milled in Great Britain with a magnificent eye for detail.  The Black Watch trousers look strong, dignified, and a bit mysterious. 

 

The White Watch trousers feature extraordinary shades of white and gray, with playful hints of pink. 

And while I normally don’t lean towards shades of red as the main color for my trousers, the lavish Fuchsia look downright fierce.  HA-ROO!  HA-ROO!  HA-ROO!

Poulter’s mantra “look good, feel good, play good” isn’t simply a marketing phrase for the Bodacious Brit’s signature company.  It’s Poulter’s personal philosophy.  And I’m a believer.  IJP Design hits the mark every time with their tartan trousers.

WORKMANSHIP

I can certainly comment about the practical advantages of my IJP tartans deep and spacious pockets.  Comfortably carry my GPS, perfect for a scorecard, pack a few more golf balls, and of course more room for money won from my best friend. 

 

I can say my IJP tartans also breathe well in warm temperatures towards the mid-70s because of the sturdy yet soft 55% polyester 45% wool blend construction. 

And the belt loop metal tag is that extra something that just makes my tartans all the more unique.  I tell my more gullible friends it’s an ion chip that keeps me in peak performance posture. 

 

But seriously, what the hell do I really know about trouser workmanship?  I don't make them, I just buy them. 

So I called on a dear friend of the family, a local Italian tailor with over 50 years of experience named Alessandro.  “Aldo,” as I affectionately call him (means “old one”), has seen just about every kind of trouser design there is.  I wanted Aldo’s professional opinion on the IJP Design tartans workmanship.

Aldo grinned when he saw “Quintessentially British” on the inside of my White Watch trousers, maybe wondering if I knew about the history between Great Britain and Italy.  I was prepared to go Switzerland if he engaged that conversation.  But he didn’t. 

And after a few minutes of inspection and looking them over, Aldo approvingly said to me, “extremely well made.”   IJP Design may have prevented a war had it been around some 70 years ago. 

 

IJP tartan trousers feature a curtain waistband that’s double stitched to help your shirt stay tucked.  Reinforced stitching makes the seams stronger and avoids folding of your pockets and waistband. 

 

The dual fastener promotes superior fit while also keeping your zipper up.  And no one, not even Poulter, is “looking good, feeling good, playing good” with an open fly. 

 

The front and back rise are crafted for the classic fit previously mentioned, leg fronts are lined to the knee for satin-soft comfort, and button yoke topstitching that defines British elegance is the finishing touch. 

 

IJP Design cuts no corners in designing exceptionally wearable and comfortable tartan trousers.  Put on a pair, and lean into life.

Final Word

“The fair have sighed for it,

The brave have died for it,

Foemen sought for it,

Heroes fought for it,

Honor the name of it, drink to the fame of it,

The Tartan!”

~ From Murdoch Maclean’s “Gentlemen, The Tartan”

IJP Design always has something new, something on sale, and some kind of very cool contest or giveaway.  First time purchasers save 15% when you sign up for the IJP Clubhouse.  And if you haven’t yet, now’s the time.

The 2013 Fall/Winter Collection is just around the corner and it’s made me realize I’m hopelessly addicted to IJP tartans.  I’ll be previewing and reviewing the new IJP Design Autumn/Winter Collection soon if I don’t overload from excitement first. 

©PGAPappas 
On twitter @PGAPappas and BlogSpot PGAPappas.Blogspot

Check out IJP Design on Twitter @IJPDesign, on Facebook IJPDesign, and their website IJP Design for the most up to date IJP news and information.