Men's Trousers Buying Guide

We all know that coveralls  would make the world an easier and more comfortable place, but that's just not always an option. Guys, you need to buy some trousers.  Lucky for you, choice of what kind to wear is all yours (and there are lots of comfortable types out there). So get excited, and think of the last guy you saw who you wished you could look like--comparable to a stellar action hero--you can be that guy. It all starts with cool trousers.

Fit

First, you'll need to find two numbers--waist and inseam measurements.

• Waist
• To get this number, simply wrap a tape measure  around the part of your torso at which you would like your trousers to rest.
• The number of centimetres will be your waist size.
• A classic look is to wear trousers right at the waist, which is where your body naturally curves in (usually just below the navel).
• A more modern look is to wear trousers lower, sometimes just above the hips.

• Inseam
• This is the number of centimetres between the crotch of the trousers and the instep of the foot.
• It's best to have a tailor or salesperson help you out with this, but if you're shy or in a hurry, you can always check the inseam of a perfectly-fitting pair with a tape measure.

Picking the Right Pair

Now that you know your size, you're ready to start shopping. Here's a quick visual guide to styles so you know what you're looking for.

The Basics

Pleated Dress Trousers  are a classic that flatters heavier men. They're a bit out of style at the moment; choose an understated pair with a single pleat to look more with it. They require a cuff for weight to hold the pleat in place. They look great in a variety of fabrics from wool  to cotton.  Wear them with your other formal pieces, like dress shirts,  nice jumpers,  blazers,  and brown or black loafers.	Flat-Front Trousers  are the most popular style for trousers at the moment. They look great on skinny guys, and tend to make everyone look slimmer, provided they fit correctly. They also work in a variety of fabrics, including wool  and cotton.  Dress them up or down with button-down shirts  or soft sweaters.	Khakis  are a great compromise between work wear and comfort. Less formal than dress trousers, but more work-appropriate than jeans. Pair with a dress shirt  and loafers for a casual office, trainers  and a smart sport shirt for a hands-on occupation. Nice weekend wear, especially in warm seasons.	Jeans  are to the street what suits are to the office; a general uniform and wardrobe staple. A variety of choices are to be made here in cut, wash, and style. Choose from skinny leg, wide leg, regular, classic, or relaxed fit,  low rise, high rise, dark denim, light denim--the list goes on. If the choices overwhelm you, wear dark wash  denim in a straight leg  cut. You can't mess that up.	Cargo Trousers  have been popular (and useful) since the late night nineties. They're a bit out of fashion currently, but if you have a lot of stuff to carry (and you're not wearing them to work), go for it. To avoid looking too sloppy, make sure the trousers aren't too big and don't overstuff the pockets.

Other Options

Linen  trousers are great in warm weather. Confine them to casual wear, because they're going to wrinkle a lot. Pair them with other laid back pieces like sandals  and a sport shirt.  If you live in a hot climate, linen suits  may be nice for work. Just keep them smooth.	Corduroy  trousers are a fun, funky option for cool weather. A thin stripe is the easiest to wear and most flattering. Mix with other autumnal colours and fabrics (i.e. a forest green sweater). No trainers--try loafers  or boots,  preferably in brown.	Parachute trousers  are a comfy choice for weekends or travel. Hard to wrinkle and rip stop fabric make them a low-maintenance travel staple. Great active wear, since they're lightweight and dry quickly.	Zip-Off  trousers are also great for informal travel. They can provide multiple clothing options for less packing space. They allow speedy adjustment for warm or cool weather. They dry quickly.	Leather  trousers are tricky to pull off, but so much fun if you can. Don't take the "leather" look too literally; mix and match with pieces from other styles, like preppy (a button-down shirt), intellectual (a velvet  or corduroy blazer ), sporty (a plain white T shirt), etc. The easiest match? A crewneck sweater.

Exercise Trousers

Trousers for the gym should be just that: trousers for the gym. No wearing them to the office or out. That said, workout pants,  sweat pants,  and exercise pants  are all comfy, move-with-you options for working up a sweat--or, eating crisps on the couch. Scrubs, however, do not belong anywhere excepting the bum of a doctor. Sizing is usually in a Small, Medium, Large, XL format, but once you have your waist and inseam, you should be able to figure it out.

Style Tips

• "Break" is the point where your trousers form a crease from hitting the front of your shoe. Trousers should only ever break once; more than that, they're too long, but if there's no break at all, you're wearing floodwaters.

• Socks are to men what underwear is to a girl in low-rise trousers. Basically, they should never be seen in an upright position. They're okay when you're sitting down, but only because the alternative (in this case, pasty, hairy legs) is much worse. Also when speaking of socks,  wear them in a colour that matches your trousers, just in case they peek out.

• Shoes  and belt  (like the one pictured left) should complement your trousers, but not necessarily match them (and if you have a nice, expensive belt and shoes already, buy trousers with them in mind).

• Read the Men's Guide to Getting Dressed for more help.

• Don't forget to strut. (See Saturday Night Fever  for help with this).

Related Guides

Clothing for Men	Accessories	Men's Suits	Shoes