ABSTRACT
In 1950, Sleex appeared poised to relegate traditional trousers to the attic. Sleex were a beltless pair of pants which featured a waistband split on each side with zippers, thereby allowing adjustment for variations in girth and in the seat. A rubberized ring around the inside of the waistband ensured a snug fit and held the wearer's shirt in place. When Sleex were test-marketed in 50 cities in fall 1949, demand ran "far beyond expectations". Its manufacturer, the Esquire Sportswear Co., then introduced them to the mass market in May 1950. The firm turned out 150,000 pairs during the remainder of the year, roughly one-third of its total sportswear production. The product failed to make a lasting impact on the nation's fashion scene. However, variations on the beltless idea have continued to gamer a healthy portion of the men's pants industry, sans side zippers.
