Comments on: How do I keep my keys from chewing through my trousers?

Question: How do I keep my keys from chewing through my trousers?

grouse — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 04:35:33 -0800

How do I keep my keys from chewing through my trousers? The threadbare spot on one pair has developed into a hole. This is probably related to the fact that it's where I place my keys in my front pockets.

By: Reggie Digest

Reggie Digest — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 05:09:16 -0800

A. Don't put your keys there, and/or
B. Put your keys inside something, like one of those leather key-wallet thingies.

By: ubiquity

ubiquity — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 05:35:04 -0800

It's hereditary. I daresay your father had the same problem. It's too late to get new parents, so the best solution is to learn to sew. Pocket insides are easy to mend because no one sees them, so you can be quick rather than neat. And sewing is a skill you will be glad to have acquired.

By: Chunder

Chunder — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 05:45:42 -0800

Ubiquity's solution (sewing, not replacing parents!) only works if your trousers have "proper" pockets; recent fashion is coming up with cheap designs where the trouser material actually forms the front of the pocket - and once the trouser material is holed, that it. :(

I've had a couple of pairs of trousers go the same way - I suppose that they could be repaired by patching from the inside of the pocket, but I've resorted to changing pockets to my jacket.

I haven't seen the "key-wallet thingies", but another solution would be to get one of the belt-loop clips and have your keys dangling. Not particularly ideal or secure... and more than a bit annoying having them jangle all the time!

By: sexymofo

sexymofo — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 05:49:33 -0800

Reduce the number of keys you carry. Use one of those detachable keychain to leave keys behind when possible.

By: Carol Anne

Carol Anne — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 05:55:10 -0800

Men's Keycases--one of these should solve the problem.

By: anaelith

anaelith — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 06:39:44 -0800

Wear loser pants, so that the extra bulk of your key+whatever else you put in your pocket isn't stretching the fabric as much, this will keep the key from rubbing as much and as forcefully, and save your pants.

By: grouse

grouse — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 06:51:32 -0800

Well I've had my pockets resewn a couple of times, but eventually the outer fabric starts wearing anyway.

Thanks for the good suggestions so far. They would probably do the job but are annoying for other reasons.

Looks like there are no easy fixes—maybe I should just deal with having to buy new trousers every once in a while. I'll try to put the keys in my jacket pocket when I'm wearing one.

By: werty

werty — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 07:39:04 -0800

When you do buy new pants, look for ones with interior change/key pockets. Several of my slacks have this: halfway down the right front pocket is a smaller one sewn against the thigh. Keeping your keys in there may be a little less comfortable, but it will flatten the keys and keep them from ruining the exterior fabric.

By: nax

nax — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 07:39:54 -0800

If you don't mind jingling, hang your keys off a belt loop via a carbiner.

By: poweredbybeard

poweredbybeard — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 09:08:15 -0800

Yes, do that.

By: HotPatatta

HotPatatta — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 09:18:17 -0800

If you don't mind jingling, hang your keys off a belt loop via a carbiner.

carabiner

Get a man purse or messenger bag and throw your keys in there.

By: grouse

grouse — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 09:18:39 -0800

With all respect, I think that looks kinda dorky. I'd rather buy new trousers every once in a while than have things hanging off my belt loops.

Keycases look awesome except that I already have more stuff than I want in my pocket.

I think werty has the best suggstion so far.

By: hangingbyathread

hangingbyathread — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 09:30:49 -0800

http://key-port.com/

By: HotPatatta

HotPatatta — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 11:57:58 -0800

^ I gotta get me a Key Port!

By: Kellydamnit

Kellydamnit — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 12:47:01 -0800

With all respect, I think that looks kinda dorky. I'd rather buy new trousers every once in a while than have things hanging off my belt loops.
It does, but if you pick a loop right by your pockets you can dangle the keys from there into your pockets, and no one would be the wiser unless they were looking pretty close.

It'll keep the points of the keys from cutting into the fabric.

By: IndigoRain

IndigoRain — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 12:55:21 -0800

anaelith: "Wear loser pants"

But only losers wear loser pants!! (Sorry anaelith, I couldn't resist. I'm sure you know how to spell looser and just made a typo.)

I use those coiled stretchy wristbands for my keys, and then use a carabiner to clip them to my purse. Of course, if you don't carry a man-purse...

By: wexford_arts

wexford_arts — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 13:10:05 -0800

Sew a little elastic loop inside your pocket (use a snap to fasten it and unfasten it) and attach the keys there. You get the stealth carabiner effect that way with all of the convenience and a fraction of the dorkiness.

By: Hogshead

Hogshead — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 14:38:33 -0800

I used to have this problem (keys and change wearing holes in my front pockets), but only with trousers from one particular retailer: Gap. Stopped buying trousers at Gap, no more holes in my pockets. Can't explain it, but there you are.

By: grouse

grouse — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 15:07:18 -0800

IndigoRain: I didn't realize that anaelith meant "looser" until your comment. Thanks.

These were Old Navy (owned by Gap) trousers. Hmmm.

By: honest knave

honest knave — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 15:14:37 -0800

Since you're at Cambridge, Grouse, I'll give you a Cam-specific answer. Sorry, everyone else.

You can get a unisex bag at Cambridge Leather Bags, on Sussex Street. They also sell other similar organisational items, such as the key wallets mentioned. Expect to pay about £20.

Since we're talking Cambridge, note that my first recommendation is not truly worthy of The Discerning Chap. A more appropriate sartorial choice would be the wastcoat; you could place your keys in one of the pockets, on a fob.

By: anaelith

anaelith — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 16:08:16 -0800

No, no, loser pants. Pants which are merely loose but not falling off (keeper pants) are probably not loose enough!

OK, yes, typo, and it's been sitting there glaringly on my recent activity page all bloody day. I thought about making my own jokey comment, but I kept hoping that maybe there was one person out there who hadn't noticed. Or no.

By: chrominance

chrominance — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 17:11:50 -0800

What werty said. The flattening out of keys helps, but also the fact that in a small space like the change pocket, your keys don't move around as much (if at all). It's the friction that causes the wear on the fabric, so less friction = less wear.

It may mean you have to drop some keys, though.

By: BrotherCaine

BrotherCaine — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 23:26:04 -0800

Orienting all of the key "teeth" to point in the same direction, putting them on a single ring, and folding the ring so that part of it is in front of the "teeth" helps reduce wear.

By: honest knave

honest knave — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:25:47 -0800

Oh, also. Some trousers also have a smaller pocket on the *inside* of the pockets, which is nice for keys, mobile phones, coins, or anything else which might clink and wear.

By: Harald74

Harald74 — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 05:01:03 -0800

I put my keys on my desk at work and on a key hanger at home. That way they don't spend so much time in my pockets, and my trousers last longer.