Harrison Ford's Pants

Coming up with original, interesting blog topics isn’t as easy as it might seem, especially for a writer like me that daydreams, plans, and outlines just about everything I put down on paper. Some writers are blessed with the ability to just sit down and start spewing out words that wind up forming a cohesive, entertaining story. In the writing biz, we call those writers “pantsers”. They do their job by the seat of their pants. I am not a pantser.

But I’m making an exception tonight. It’s the last day of the month and I feel that I need to post something despite having nothing in mind even 30 minutes ago. Nothing at all. So I’m writing about pants. Not just any pants, but the pants of one of our most iconic cinematic heroes. Yes, I’m talking about the pants of Harrison Ford. A topic that as far as Google seems to know, has never been written about before.

Men’s pants are a tricky thing. Take it from me; I’m a man and I wear pants most of the time. They have to be the right fabric. They have to provide the right fit. And most of all, they need to flatter the man’s physique. There are few things worse than a pair of goofy-looking or ill-fitting pants. Even the manliest of men can be brought to ruin by a bad pair of pants.

Or can he?

I’d argue that few men in recent history are considered cooler, manlier, or just flat-out more appealing to women than Harrison Ford. Let’s take a look at some of his most heroic roles. More specifically, let’s look at his pants. 

Photo Credit: Lucasfilm

Han Solo in Star Wars – 1977

Wow, all sorts of bad. Han Solo is one of the greatest movie heroes of all time, but even long ago in a galaxy far, far away, tight pants tucked into shiny black boots is not a good look. 

Photo Credit: Lucasfilm

Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark – 1981

This is more like it. Yes, he’s torn the knee out of this pair of loose-fitting casual brown pants, but I could wear these. They’re casual, they look comfortable, and they’re a great match for a holster and whip.

Photo Credit: The Ladd Company

Rick Deckard in Blade Runner – 1982

Blade Runner might be my favorite film of all-time and Deckard’s trench coat? Bad ass. But his flecked tweed slacks with the over-sized belt loops? Not good. Not good at all.

Photo Credit: Edward S. Feldman Productions

John Book in Witness – 1985

In the movie Witness, detective John Book must go undercover in Amish country to protect a young murder witness from some very bad men. I’ll bet all of his buddies back in the precinct gave him grief about these pants and matching suspenders when he got back. I don’t blame them. 

Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures

Jack Ryan in Patriot Games – 1992

A little dressy for my taste, but Jack Ryan was working for the CIA at the time and they’re not exactly known for their business casual environment. All in all, Harrison Ford and his pants were pretty stylish in this one.

Photo Credit: Beacon Pictures

President James Marshall in Air Force One – 1997

Even disheveled and wielding a machine gun, James Marshall still cuts a more presidential figure than Donald Trump, doesn’t he? Ford spends this movie duded up in a dark suit and I believe most fashion critics would approve. Looking good, Prez!

So what have we learned? Some guys are cool no matter what pants you put them in. Just make sure you wear some.