What are sponge-bag trousers?

Question

I've seen these mentioned in novels, and a web search only turns up mentions of people (such as Mussolini) wearing them. Context in most cases suggests formal wear. Where does the name come from, and does it refer to style or fabric?

Answer 1

I happened to be researching this question at the same time that you asked it and I have found four different answers: 1. baggy pants; 2 checked pants; 3. striped pants; and 4. chino-like pants. As you look over the references that I have posted below, you will see a striking difference between what the Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English (DSUE) and the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) give as the etymology of this term.

Personally, I’m inclined to believe the DSUE on this one given the literary quote that I found about the military cap looking like it had once been used as a sponge bag (a toiletry bag), which gave it the name ‘sponge bag cap’. Military pants from this era were made from wool serge, which can stretch and lose its shape, and would have been worn tucked into boots so they would have been baggy, esp. at the knees. It is over time that terms are applied to other situations and gain new meanings. Since this term has been applied to both formal wear, the clothing a prince would wear at school and clothing an officer would wear in the literary references given below, it probably is more about wool dress pants than a pattern. However, the OED is a very respected source and maybe the Scots have chinos in checks.

References:
Sponge-bag cap and trousers – an officer's peaked cap with the grommet removed from the crown, with consequent floppiness; trousers that have become floppy, esp. baggy at the knees: both, army: WW1. (Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English, 1984).

Sponge bag trousers – a pair of men’s checked trousers, patterned in the style of many sponge bags (Oxford English Dictionary, 2001)

Sponge bag (Brit) a small, usually waterproof bag for carrying toilet articles (Random House Dictionary of English, 1966)

For such social exercises as weddings, funerals, the race course at Royal Ascot or garden parties at Buckingham Palace, you'll need a morning coat a long grey or black coat worn with a waistcoat and **striped (sponge-bag) trousers.** Top hats are rarely worn to weddings but always worn to Ascot. Conversely, the English seldom wear tuxedos (in England called a dinner jacket or black tie) to weddings but seem to for just about anything else. White tie is for formal balls and state dinners.
http://www.forbes.com/1997/06/28/weddings.html

Unlike his brother before him, Harry is not a prefect or elected member of ‘Pop’ as prefects are called, from the days when a school debating society, founded in 1811, met at a sweetshop selling lollipops.
He therefore does not wear **‘sponge bag’ trousers, similar to chinos,** or the flashy, personalised waistcoats sported by William and other prefects.
http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=636152003

An Open Letter to the Very Young Officer
(From the Journal of the Royal United Services Institution, Vol. LXII., February to November, 1917)
Don't, Blanc Bec, demean yourself by wearing a fearsome **sponge-bag cap**--drooping over one eye; it does not look soldierly, and is therefore not "it"; nor are slacks, turned up to display your fancy socks.
http://regimentalrogue.com/srsub/openletter.htm

I went into a shop to buy a trench-coat. The shopman came forward with an air which said quite plainly, "You are a second lieutenant. You have just obtained a commission from the ranks. You think you do not want a complete outfit. It is my business to show you that you are mistaken. You want a complete outfit. Your Sam Browne is second-hand. You picked your boots up from a Salvage Dump. **You[r] cap was used once in your bathroom at home as a sponge-bag.**
http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/docs/books/gutenberg/1/1/6/2/11629/11629-h/11629-h.htm

The M1905 standard service dress cap was done in khaki serge, lined with black oilskin. The rigid visor was covered with khaki cloth, and there was also a thin leather chinstrap fixed by two small buttons… Officers wore several variations on the regulation dress. Head�wear was almost invariably the service cap modified by the removal of the wire stiffener which then gave the whole cap its characteristic floppy shape.
****
Straight khaki trousers were gathered below the knee into khaki puttees, and black ankle boots were worn. The only unit insignia worn on the tunic at this date were the regimental titles - brass lettering showing abbreviated forms of the regimental name - worn on the shoulder straps. To this came the M1902 service dress trousers, also in khaki serge.
http://www.landships.freeservers.com/british_ww1uniforms.htm

British Army ww1 (wwI, world war one) Officer's uniform consisting of tunic and breeches in the correct color **wool** with rare exact lace on the cuffs is US$ 199 (UK Pounds 99, Euro 155) for the set including custom tailoring and delivery anywhere in the world. The cap is US$ 30 ( UK Pounds 15, Euro 26)if ordered with the uniform, otherwise US$ 45 ( UK Pounds 23, Euro 37) if ordered singly.
http://www.replicaters.com/ww1britisharmy.htm

Answer 2

Sponge Bag Trousers

Answer 3

It is an English expression used to refer to mens trousers worn with formal outfits. Special occasion pants like tuxedos, morning dress etc.

Answer 4

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Once they are washed, as long as you keep them in a clean place, they don't need to be washed again until baby has worn them. I have packed for me, fiance and baby. Me: Dressing gown Slippers Pj's Large top to wear in labour Make-up Thick socks Thin socks Cheap/disposable knickers (don't want to bleed on your nice ones) Maternity pads Breast pads Towels for a shower Money for cafe/shop and phone Loose top and loose trousers for going home Wash bag (toothbrush, toothpaste, flannel/daily facials to wash face, shower gel, razor, shampoo, shower scrunchie/sponge, make-up remover wipes) List of phone numbers Fiance: Change of clothes and underwear Money for cafe/shop and phone Food, snacks and drink Baby: 3-4 vests 3-4 stretch suits All-In-One/snowsuit for going home/going home outfit (top, bottoms, jacket, booties) Hat Scratch mitts Dummy (if you plan on using one) Bib/burping cloth Teddy/rattle for the journey home (if it's quite far) Blanket to wrap around baby on the way home I've also packed 10 nappies And, of course, car seat.

Answer 5

They are probably baggy with drawstring waists, like an old-fashioned sponge bag.