Ben Davis. The Best Pants God Gifted Man
vtg. ben davis advertisement
Ben Davis’s famous slogan “Plenty Tough, Union made”. image from surplus.market
The Ben Davis brand was founded by the descendent of Jacob Davis who, with Levi Strauss, created the first blue jeans for workers. Staying true to his family heritage, Ben Davis formed a work wear company local to San Francisco in the 1930s, feeding the need of sturdy and tough work clothes for the Bay Area’s diverse working class. I will be reexamining Ben Davis’s history, how it stayed true to it’s slogan and a comprehensive review of two models: the Gorilla cut and Original Ben’s.
prideful Chicanos, in the heart of LA image from history.com
What started in the heart of San Francisco, the livelihood of cast-iron brick buildings full of workers and denim pants, spanned to Los Angeles, home of rap and Chicano culture. Brought into fame by rappers Dr. Dre and Easy E, it created a loyal audience in the Latino community. When walking through the streets of LA, a common sight was twill cotton pants paired with a half zip shirt, courtesy of Ben Davis. Their slogan, “Plenty Tough” was synonymous with the brand that built long-lasting workwear pants. As Los Angeles faced gentrification and the slow death of the once grand Chicano heritage, Ben Davis’s were eventually forgotten.
However, some bunkered down to keep this tradition alive. Especially Greenspans, a local business to South Gate, which is a stronghold for finding piles on piles of Ben Davis clothing. If you dig deep enough, you may be able to find union made tags; their loyal customers also brought back “Plenty Tough”. That’s how Ben Davis was brought to my attention. 2 years ago, I would scroll mindlessly (and I still do) across Tik Tok. I encountered Albert’s video in the spring of 2021 about a cotton twill pant perfect for the upcoming summer. I jumped the gun on two cuts Ben Davis offered, the brown Original Ben’s and it’s wider cousin, the black Gorilla cut. One thing I can guarantee is that “plenty tough” is no joke.
(Left): black gorilla cut.
(Right): brown original Ben’s image from bendavis.com
Even waiting for the package was nerve wracking. As a bigger guy, finding pants with a perfect length and width, in the thigh, is a gold mine. I ripped the package open the moment the USPS driver handed over the parcel; what I found was THE perfect pant. The waist on each cut hugs your hips with warmth and love like no lover could ever do for you; a belt isn’t even necessary. The pants draped over my thigh like a glove and the 10.5 inch leg opening was all that I needed. Essentially, it hit all the right spots. The moment you wear the pants, however, it’s stiff and creased. From my experience, it takes one or two washes to soften the twill fabric. After the wash, the pants stay softened for the rest of their life span. For me, they’ve held up for the past 2 years. One fascinating detail is the western pocket which is a niche detail to an otherwise ordinary pair of black work pants.
Some problems I have with the pants: not made in the USA and slow restock of other colors and sizes. Although the pants are not constructed with American labor, I’ll let it slide because the cotton is grown in the states. The big problem is how unavailable these pants are. If you find the color of the pants you want, the waist size is out of stock. If you find your waist size, the length is out of stock. It takes forever to get the pants. However, fast shipping, responsive customer service and just the thought of these wonderful pants soothe and calm the frustration of a slow, never-to-be-expected restock.
I found myself wearing the black Gorilla cut with sneakers such as the Onitsuka Tigers (review coming soon, courtesy of Colin), Reebok Club C’s , and my Converse Chuck Taylors. For my brown Original Ben’s, the cut is slimmer and has more of an elegant flair, which I pair with my two loafers from G.H. Bass and Doc Martens. School and short day trips to LA were the occasions I’d bring out my pairs for a joyride. Comfort was no issue as I was able to walk, sit, and run all day long due to the roomy thigh and flow.
Whether you’re a skater wanting baggy cotton pants (something other than the oversaturated Dickie’s 874), a hands-on type of person needing to get grimy, or the average Joe trying to enjoy a full cut, Ben Davis’s are there to meet the needs of each and every person. God’s gift to man is Ben Davis, fulfilling the needs of everyone, from blue collar workers to Chicanos and now to this blog and my idea of the perfect pant.
sources: Plenty Tough – The History, Philosophy, & Iconic Products Of Ben Davis
