Pants. Trousers. Slacks. Leg sheaths.
Call them what you will, but donât ever underestimate their place in the sartorial food chainâthose things you wear on your lower extremities can make or break an outfit. And although thereâs a time and a place for jeans, athleisure gear, chinos, 5-pocket pants, and even cargo pants, this isnât either. Because today, friends, is all about the best trousers for men. The kind you can dress up, specifically.
Now, that doesnât necessarily mean stodgy and traditional. Some of these trousers are in the elevated-resort-wear camp. Some are casual but will be perfectly at home in the office. Regardless of their niche, though, Iâm confident that your legs will find their soulmate somewhere down there.
Which is a sentence I didnât think Iâd be typing when I woke up this morning, but here we are.
Key TakeawaysÂ
To find the best menâs trousers, I began by researching dozens of pairs and their materials, construction, customer reviews, photos, and more. The resulting eight are the best of the best across a range of categories from elevated yet comfortable resort-wear to traditional office fare. My top overall pick is Sid Mashburnâs ever-versatile Dress Trouser, followed closely by the wallet-friendly Coofandy Classic Chino.
Why theyâre great: Thatâs it. Youâre done. Youâve left no stone unturned in your search for the best men’s trousers in all the land. And now, at long last, here you are in the presence of Sid Mashburnâs oh-so-aptly named Dress Trouser. Youâre working with 17 colors and various fabrics like high-twist wool, twill, and wool hopsack. These flat-front dress trousers are versatile, handsome, and made to last.
Who are these for? You could just as easily stock up on a curated selection of these trousers for a lifetimeâs worth of elevated escapades as you could cherry-pick some core colors for work or special occasions. Put another way, itâs the Swiss Army Knife of pants.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Sid Mashburnâs Dress Trouser features a slim cut that may not be the best look or feel for bigger guys.
Sizes: 32â44 | Material: Various | Colors: 17 | Care: Dry Clean
Why theyâre great: Billy Reidâs eponymous, Alabama-based brand has been gracing the masses with flawless menswear since 1998. Perfectly exemplifying its elevated slant on timeless pieces is the Billy Reid Twill Flat Front Trouser. Sturdily constructed of chambray-like cotton-linen twill, these trousers have a comfort level that is off the charts.
Who are these for? The Twill Flat Front Trouser is approachably priced and suitable for any occasion, landing it firmly in the sweet spot for most guys.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Although Reidâs flat-front men’s trousers are available in a variety of other materials and colors, the twill pant is available only in navy. Although this is a perfect neutral color, the twill pant is the only option on my list with only one colorway available.
Sizes: 28â40 | Material: 50% Linen, 50% Cotton | Colors: 1 | Care: Dry Clean
Why theyâre great: You. Yes, you. The guy reading the part of this article about LâEstrangeâs Tropical Wool 24 Trouser. Donât ever discount the untold powers of a motherf**king pleat. That was aggressive, but Iâm only kind of sorry.
Because these 100% merino wool stunners are worthy of your full attention, what with their hidden elastic waistband, breathable, high-twist, crease-resistant fabric, and impossibly handsome, yes, pleats.
Who are these for? Social and professional occasions are like snowflakesâno two are alike. If youâre of this mind, then youâll appreciate the comfort and versatility that the Wool 24 Trouser offers. It takes a deft hand to pull off both, but I believe in you.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: It may be a tough pill to swallow for some of you, but pleats = niche these days. Be the silent majority. Be the trouser-related change you wish to see in the world. Vote Pleats.
Sizes: XSâXXL | Material: 100% merino wool | Colors: 2 | Care: Machine Wash
Why theyâre great: I see you, Amazon Essentials Flat-Front Chinos. I see your 13 colors and cotton-poly construction. I see your stylish straight leg. And yes, I see your 31,000+ 5-star Amazon reviews. This either makes me creepy, or it makes me a guy with an eye for one of the best budget-friendly, quality chinos out there. Fingers crossed for the latter.
Who are these for? Any no-frills guy who appreciates quality, style, and simplicity.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: These pants can either be too long or too tight in the waist. Some tailoring may be necessary as expected.
Sizes: 28â38 | Material: 60% Cotton, 40% Polyester | Colors: 13 | Care: Machine Wash
Why theyâre great: Traditional. Classic. Smart. Get the job done. Easy on the wallet. These are but a few of the many ways to describe Coofandyâs Classic Chino. Available in six colors, these brass-tack trousers can be dressed up, down, and⦠yeah, those are pretty much the ways.
Who are these for? Fancy yourself a human on earth who sometimes goes places where even the finest of sweatpants wonât pass muster? Great. These are for you.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The rayon-polyester construction of Coofandyâs Classic Chino is anything but a luxurious blend. That said, itâs more than comfortable and durable enough to justify the budget-friendly price.
Sizes: SâXXXL | Material: 70% Rayon, 30% Polyester | Colors: 6 | Care: Machine Wash
Why theyâre great: Say it with me nowââluxuriousâ and âfancyâ are not mutually exclusive adjectives. In fact, some of the most luxurious things you can wear give the middle finger to traditional garments instead of falling in line. [Steps off soapbox. Clears throat.] Exhibit A: Paul Stuartâs Linen Drawstring Trouser.
Iâve worn these devil-may-care trousers (in easy-breezy light blue) to brunches, work functions, dinners, on beach walks, on the couch⦠I could go on. Outfitted with a drawstring waistband, these 100% linen pants are leisure incarnate.
Who are these for? Paul Stuartâs drawstring trousers are all about you. You, the discerning gentleman who refuses to compromise. Even in the face of poolside shenanigans. Even on the laziest of Sundays.
You know what youâre wearing. You know how incomprehensibly comfortable they are. And you donât need the sartorial approval of your adoring fans. Couldnât hurt, though.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Glorious though they are, Paul Stuartâs drawstring trousers are anything but a wardrobe staple. If you donât yet have the basics covered, then you may not be ready to graduate to these guys.
Sizes: 32â42 | Material: 100% Linen | Colors: 5 | Care: Machine Wash Cold
Why theyâre great: State & Libertyâs focus is on athletic-fit garments typically made of performance fabrics. Its Athletic Fit Stretch Suit Pants are every bit as stretchy, comfortable, and tailored to muscular legs as the name implies. Theyâre thoughtfully constructed with extra wiggle room integrated into the glute, thigh, and quad areas for maximum comfort and maximum range of motion.
Who are these for? If youâre reading this, then you probably already know how difficult it can be to find the right fit for muscular, athletic builds. Being the niche, quality-focused brand that it is, State & Liberty should be one of your first stops when it comes to nailing the fit every time.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Although I have no doubt that you could find a solid pair of trousers here if you have an average or slim build, youâre likely still better off browsing some of the other options on this list.
Sizes: 28/28â42/36 | Material: 12% Rayon, 8% Nylon, 74% Polyester, 6% Spandex | Colors: 19 | Care: Machine Wash
Why theyâre great: Have I worn my wind- and water-resistant Public Rec VIP Chinos to the office paired with an equally comfy and stretchy Public Rec polo? Yes. Have I worn them sockless with casual white shoes and a smart t-shirt? Yes. Will I one day wear them, and nothing but them, on a tee box with a Transfusion in one hand and a driver in the other? Stay tuned for updates.
Who are these for? In a word: everyone. Straddling the line between dress trousers and athleisure gear, these chinos are some of the sneakiest pants out there (in a good way).
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Public Recâs VIP Chinos are by no means a substitute for a proper pair of menâs dress trousers, so youâll need one or more of those, too. That said⦠I wonât tell if you wonât.
Sizes: 28/28â44/36 | Material: 100% Polyester | Colors: 5 | Care: Machine Wash
Buying Considerations For The Best Trousers For Men
Size & Fit
You can have the best menâs trousers out there, but the look isnât going to land if they donât fit well. Too long. Too short. Too loose. Too tight. Fall victim to any combination of those fit faux pas and not only will you draw the wrong kind of attention, youâre likely going to be uncomfortable as well.
If you donât plan on dialing the fit-in with a tailor, then take your own measurements and sync them with the size chart of the company youâre shopping from.
Style
Most of the best menâs trousers on this list have a dressier style, but thatâs far from your only option. A colorful and stylish pair of linen pants or some high-waisted jeans, for instance, can and will serve you well, provided the rest of your outfit is equally elevated and thoughtful. And as with any trousers for men, nailing the look takes confidence and leaning into your own unique sense of style.
Material
Twill. Linen. Travel-ready pants constructed entirely of polyester. The top trousers for men donât discriminate when it comes to what theyâre made of. So, before picking up your favorite pair, donât sleep on their material composition. Pick materials and styles that play nice with the climate youâre in, and consider when and where youâll be wearing your pants.
How We Chose
As a fashion and grooming writer at FashionBeans, I compare, test, and research the products that make a gentleman a gentleman. If it can be worn, carried, or used in a way that elevates your look and feel, Iâm into it.
For this review, I pored over trusted sources, customer reviews, materials, construction specifications, and my own experience to understand what makes the best trousers for men. After researching and comparing dozens of pairs, the resulting eight are what Iâm calling the best of the best. Some of my key considerations include:
Comfort: Not all menâs trousers are created equal. If you live in a warm climate, then lightweight and breathable materials like linen (among many others) will be the most comfortable and region-appropriate.
Live somewhere more seasonal? Opt for wool or a heartier blend of fabrics. The material pulls a lot of weight when it comes to comfort, but only you can decide what feels right on your legs. For the purposes of this list, I made every effort to prioritize versatile, functional, comfortable trousers.
Customer Reviews: I pored over multiple product reviews in search of both positive and negative throughlines to help inform my picks for the best trousers for men.
Adaptability: When you hear the word âtrousers,â whatâs your knee-jerk judgment? Stodgy? Conservative? Traditional? Maybe, maybe not. Either way, keep in mind that although trousers can and should be dressed up, itâs up to you to determine what that means. From the office to cigars on the 19th hole, the top trousers for men are what you make of them.
Why Trust Us?
Kelly is a long-time writer for FashionBeans and an all-around menswear enthusiast. In addition to hours of independent research, Kelly relied heavily on his own experience to find the best trousers for men. Heâs also written prolifically on the topic, covering the best menâs pants, best jeans, joggers, cargo pants, and thermal underwear, to name a few.
To substantiate that experience, he researched dozens of trousers, poring over materials, construction, customer reviews, and his own closet to pick the best of the best. If thereâs a stranger to trust for pants-adjacent advice, itâs Kelly.
Final VerdictÂ
The best trousers for men should be comfortable, occasion-appropriate, durable, and form-flattering. Tall order? Not if you know where to look. And as fate would have it, you do. First, to my top pick of Sid Masburnâs Dress Trouser. Secondâespecially if budget is top of mindâto Coofandyâs Classic Chino.
FAQ
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The perfect fit for you depends on your body type and what youâsubjectively, of courseâfind to be comfortable. That said, there are a few unwritten fit rules you should abide by. The waistband should fall around your actual waist (in other words, they shouldnât ride low), the leg openings should allow a full range of motion without being too long or too short, and the overall fit should be deliberate and compliment your build.
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Outside of jeans, most Americans use the catch-all term âpantsâ to describe the garment you wear over the length of your legs. And casual trousers are indeed often called pants, but also chinos, slacks, and any number of other styles. Trousers, specifically, have a few telltale features like belt loops, a zipper, and a waistband.
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Depending on where you are in the world, âpantsâ and âtrousersâ are largely interchangeable words. In Americaâgenerally speakingâtrousers are a dressier species with zippers, belt loops, buttons, and sometimes pleats and cuffs. Pants, on the other hand, can include anything from casual khakis and joggers to chinos and other trouser styles.
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