Men's Pants Buying Guide
When buying pants, always try them on; you want to make sure that they will fit, and just think of new pants like preparing for a long tripyou want to pack your junk well! With men's pants, there are a lot of styles available to you, and it really depends on your personal taste!
What Are the Basic Types?
Slightly Less Common Trousers
More Options
Tips on Fit and Sizing
Most men's pants are sized with two numbers: '''waist''' and '''inseam''' measurement, in that order.
* Measure your '''waist''' by wrapping a tape measure around your torso wherever you want your pants to fall. Keep a finger or two between the tape measure and you, so that you have a bit of breathing room and space to tuck your shirt in.
** If you're going the classic and respectable route, measure at your proper waist, where your body creases when you lean to the side. '''Tip: find your belly button. That's your waist level.'''
** Younger and trendier men often wear their
pants lower, along their hips. This is a riskier way to go, as you may show off parts of yourself intended for private use, but if it's really where you want your pants to fall, use that measurement.
** A smart man will never leave his gut hanging out over his pants. Don't give in to pride and insist that you wear the same size jean you wore in college'''let go of your delusions and buy pants that fit.'''
* Measure your '''inseam''' by taking a tape measure up your leg (or letting someone else do it) and running it to where you want the crotch of your pants to lie. That height is your inseam. Make sure to measure along your leg and directly perpendicular to the floor on up.
** If you're squeamish or wimpy about being measured, take the pair of pants that fit you best and measure the inseam (and waist) there. It's just the seam that runs on the inside of the leg.
** Better to purchase pants that are a little too long, rather than a little too short. A tailor can shorten anything, but said tailor can make very few things longer.
* You should end up with dimensions, in inches, that look something like 30x32. That is your pant size.
* To get fancier, if you want to calculate the '''rise''' of your pants, it's the distance from the crotch to the waist. It will dictate how high your pants sit. Many pants will come in
socks peeking out of your pant leg when standing. If you can, your pants are too short and you've got those "flood waters" you were teased about in grade school.
* Your pants should look good on you. Look in a
comfort. Sit in them. Walk in them. Still feel good? Good.
* If they are too long, take them to a tailor.
* Make sure pants coordinate with the clothes already hanging in your closet. Your pants should work with your
shirts.
* How do you want to keep your pants up? You can have
suspenders or you can have a belt. You cannot have both.
* Your shoes and belt should complement your pants.
navy.
* Your socks should be in the color scheme of your pants, not your shoes.
*
Cuffs are a mature and polished look. Cuff length should never exceed an inch and a half.
*
Baggy pants are rarely a good idea unless you have your own rap label.
* Are you happy in them? That counts. Is your girlfriend or boyfriend happy when you wear them? That counts too.
* Want to know more? Read the
Men's Guide To Getting Dressed.
Related Guides
Related Products
International Resources
For this resource in your home country, please see:
!
FR: Mode Homme
