oxford bags

A student wears oxford bags to a university lecture.

Definition

Noun (plural only):
- Wide-legged trousers: "oxford bags" refers to a style of very wide, loose-fitting trousers that were popular in the 1920s and 1930s, especially among students at Oxford University. The legs are notably baggy, often with a circumference of up to 40 inches at the hem.

Usage Examples

• (He wore the extremely wide trousers associated with Oxford fashion.)
• (The trousers were made with a very wide leg opening.)

Advanced Usage

• "oxford bags as a historical fashion statement": The trousers were originally a rebellion against the more fitted styles of the Edwardian era, symbolizing youthful nonconformity.
  • The revival of oxford bags in the 1960s mirrored the earlier decade's desire for relaxed, unconventional clothing. (The wide trousers returned as a symbol of casual rebellion.)

Variants and Related Words

• Oxford (adj): relating to Oxford University or the city of Oxford.
  • The oxford shirt is a different garment, often confused with oxford bags. (The shirt is a separate item of clothing.)
• Bags (n, informal): trousers or pants.
  • He put on his best bags for the evening. (He wore his best trousers.)

Synonyms

• Wide-leg trousers: trousers with legs that are wide from hip to hem.
• Palazzo pants: women's wide-legged trousers, similar in silhouette but typically made of flowing fabric.

Related Idioms

• "to have a pair of oxford bags": to own or wear these distinctive trousers.
  • She found a genuine pair of oxford bags at the antique shop. (She discovered authentic vintage wide trousers.)

Notes for Language Learners

• "oxford bags" is always used in the plural form (like "trousers" or "pants") and cannot be singular.
• The term is specific to fashion history and may not be widely recognized outside of vintage clothing enthusiasts or British cultural contexts.