Based on my limited knowledge of textiles...which reminds me of wise advice given in the army. "You don't have be brave. You just have to be braver than the guy next to you." Anyway, I don't know much about textiles but I bet I know more than at least one of you. These Etro GTH pants incorporate late 18th and early 19th century prints from European "provincial" traditions.
Like the shirt I'm wearing above, the designs were printed on the fabric using wood blocks. This practice continued until the late 19th century when machines took over. Again, it's the idea of wearing history -- whether that history is 20 years old or 300. I'm not sure the designers at Etro are aware of the history or even care. A criticism I have against designers today is they rarely know anything about what they're stealing.
But who says you have to know the history of what you're wearing? It does help to have some knowledge but most people are happy going to the mall to get what they wear. And then there are people like Bud Collins. 
Bud in his own Etro's and while I'm not sure, that shoe looks like the Italian, R Martegani.
Bud travels the world covering tennis and searching for fabric. This is an Italian fabric.
He brings the fabric back to Charlie Davidson at the Andover Shop in Boston where the goods are transported into...Art. Every pair of Bud's trousers tell a story. The investment of Bud's time and money helped created a sartorial legend. There's no reason why you can't create your own as well. Taking the test below should help you on your way.
M Magazine - September 1988 From, Blessed Are the Cracked by James Fallon
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