An exclusive interview with Wide Leg Pant

By Beauxmond Brigsby

I caught up with the enigmatic, soon-to-be mogul on a sunny afternoon at a sandwich shop in Goldpond and discussed a wide variety of topics including how the world has changed after his “hiatus”, the future of fashion, and his goals for 2023. The original version of this interview was published in the January issue of Trendsettia Magazine. Parts have been condensed for clarity.

BB: I noticed the waiter looked surprised when you asked for no sauce. You didn’t even want it on the side. Is that a new thing for you?

WLP: It is. They all know me here, and I usually ask them to bring tubs of that shit. It’s a special house mix. But I’m trying to form a new relationship with excess. I’m told this year is going to be a big one for me. There will be big swings, so I’m trying to learn to love things without the extras attached.

BB: You made me second guess my choice to keep it on there.

WLP: It’s your first time, so you gotta try it. It’s some good shit. And first time’s are sacred.

BB: Career-wise, it’s hardly your first time in the position you’re in. I think I’m going to come out and ask the question we’re all dying to know.

WLP: Yeah, what’s that?

BB: What do you say to people who doubted you’d ever return to this position?

WLP: I know everyone wants me to come out and have some big declaration. Like, ‘fuck all y’all I’m coming back for what’s mine.’ But, I just don’t have it. There were hard times, for sure. I thought we weren’t going to make it back. But I’m glad people can recognize what I offer in this moment. I’m just going to keep going. Keep offering.

BB: I have to admit, I didn’t see your return happening the way it has. I was one of your doubters.

WLP: That’s how it goes. Can’t really blame you. I’ve had plenty of time to let all that shit go.

BB: Is there anything you would do different?

WLP: I think around that time I kept getting lumped in with the term ‘Baggy’ and that contributed to so much of the image I ended up having. It was easy for me to seem unclean and unprofessional because of that word… “baggy”. I think I would have learned more about branding and — you know what. Nah, there’s nothing I would change.

(At this moment, he stops his meal and looks off in the distance. I could tell he had more to say about the question.)

And you know, obviously hip-hop culture made me who I am. But the truth no one talks about is that at the time — that post-Y2K time— the Wide Leg brand was universal. People in office were utilizing the cut on national TV. Corporate America had full belief in us. Dads all over the country were just used to the idea. Incorporating me was a seamless idea for most folks back then. But everything is cyclical, so of course I’m back now and the young people are embracing me again.

BB: That feels like that thing they say in design where “good design is invisible”. Everybody was embracing you, and utilizing your brand, but they weren’t acknowledging who was responsible. Gift and the curse. That’s so different than now, when if something is hot you will get the credit, but maybe to your detriment. Is it easier to deal with that notoriety now?

WLP: (Laughs) I mean, even today people still don’t know I’m the same guy from their parents’ era.

But shout out to blue collar folks. The outdoor sports folks, too. Even though they aren’t the biggest placement and don’t have a ton of influence, those industries — industries like construction, catering, and postal workers were rocking with me even through the down years. Dickie is still one of my good friends to this day.

BB: But even he started going in the other direction.

WLP: Yeah. But the game is the game. You gotta adapt. Me and him still stayed close to the point where I didn’t feel it was just on some industry shit.

BB: What did you do during the down years?

WLP: Started a family, learned some new languages. I mean, I was still working. Projects with more niche collaborators. But I was focusing on the simple things.

BB: I wanna go back to something you said before. Which is that you had time to think about what all this means for you. Do you have any big picture thoughts about where the shift started? Why it happened?

(Nearby where we’re sitting, there’s a newsstand. At this moment, WLP put down his fork and pointed at one of the tabloid magazines. On the cover was Sensay Mathesin, one of the biggest rappers in the world, crossing the street in a fashion-forward outfit.)

WLP: Yeah. That guy. It’s really that simple.

BB: Care to elaborate?

WLP: I mean, we all know of his musical influence. But I think everything shifted when he made it cool to appear proper. And then Taper came along under that wave. Tape is a cool dude, and I respect him. We’ve only had a few interactions, and every time it was cordial. But when you get a co-sign from one of the biggest artists in the world, it moves timelines around.

Tape’s run opened the door for dudes like Cuff. Then eventually you get guys like Jogg, Track, & Lounj. All guys that came from the Skin-E camp. All the while, Levi was doing his thing with the 501 movement. Then the big houses get involved, and you start seeing collectives like Techpack have their fun, too.

And then the trickle down effect is too much to stop. The rest is history.

BB: You’re spot on. But that’s funny. What does it feel like to have that same artist co-sign you so many years later? That’s gotta feel good, right?

WLP: It is what it is. The behind closed doors-ness of it all makes most of these things seem like it was some huge Come-to-God moment. But he liked what I offered and I gave him what I gave him. I don’t really know if there’s much else to say. He’s got a pretty deep fixation on the future, and I think he thinks I fit into those plans, but I’m just trying to stay here in the moment.

BB: Well, then. If you won’t indulge in some extra sauce, indulge me a bit elsewhere. What’s the future hold for you?

WLP: Oh gosh.

BB: I mean it in terms of the big picture. I can sense you don’t have an attachment to the spotlight anymore. You are as laid back as they come. But you also seem to know exactly how and why your run ended last time. Do you care to stay put this time or are you okay fading away again?

WLP: Well. Fame is fame. It’s going to come and it’s going to go. I should know that better than anybody. But there’s only so many ways you can act in the spotlight. I had the spotlight at a time when it wasn’t cool to have the spotlight. It was when I was outside of the spotlight, where I realized you can act however. There’s a freedom that I’m glad I got to experience. So I’m just going to keep honoring that freedom if people will have me in this current moment.

(Laughs) I guess that’s a longwinded way of saying “I’m just gonna be me”.

BB: Is that self-branding part of the business plan now?

WLP: In some ways. But it’s really just the life plan. In embracing myself, I think I can embrace what I offer. And it’s silly to say, but what I offer is room to grow. Room to make mistakes. I’m a guy who wants to take it easy most of the time. Who knows how difficult work can be on somebody. So what I offer is more room… for myself and — yeah — I guess the brand, too. More room around those ankles.

And I’ll add: I think we’re in a time where people just want to open it up. You should be able to do that. You shouldn’t have to get it right on the first try. You should want the open comfort and the most fabric to get you from one place to the next. It’s hard enough getting up some days.

BB: I think that’s exactly why the culture is gravitating towards you now. In all my research, that seems to be why everyone wants to work with you in this moment.

WLP: So yeah. If that’s my mark on the world, well I’m glad I was consistent. I helped two generations feel like they didn’t have to be too buttoned up.

(Shortly after this, a butterfly landed on the edge of our small table. We sat in silence for a beat as WLP took a long moment to watch the butterfly’s wing movement.)

BB: This sauce! You weren’t lying.

WLP: It’s good, right?

BB: Phenomenal. Okay, so I’ve been struggling with a title for this interview. But now that I’ve talked to you, I’m curious what you think. I’m gonna throw some options at you, if that’s okay.

WLP: Sure thing. Hit me.

BB: “The Open Expanse: The Enduring Cool of WLP.”

WLP: Eh. Not bad, but a bit much.

BB: “Don’t Hate the Tailor, Hate the Game”

WLP: Catchy and effective. I’m not mad at it.

BB: “Relax’d Fit: WLP’s Comeback Season”

WLP: Sure, sure.

BB: Okay, and here’s the last one: “Return Of The Mack”

WLP: Also very catchy.

BB: Well?

WLP: I think you should go with your gut. It’s your interview.

BB: You’re not gonna help me pick??

WLP: Oh, no. I can’t. I trust you to make the right choice. I’m just happy to be involved.

BB: Well, that settles it, Ladies and Gentleman. That’s WLP’s way of telling me nicely that I’m doing too damn much.

WLP: (Laughs) I think you’ll figure it out.

Got an appetite for the scoop? Subscribe to Trendsettia Mag today so you can tune in next month when we unveil our other exclusive interview with Critical Thinking Portion Of Test. She’s got a lot of thoughts about why she’s ripe for this moment, and how everyone who overlooked her will regret that choice.