When it comes to wearing the proverbial pants, most men are set in their ways. That's why it's been somewhat of an uphill battle for us over the past few years to get guys to buy into the idea that trousers, jeans, and chinos should fit slim through the leg and stop before they hit the top of their shoes. But just as most dudes are now on board with the idea of tailored, no-break pants, the tide seems to be changing slightly. In 2015, there is no longer a one-size-fits-all solution for putting on a pair—even if we all still do it one leg at a time. Here are the new rules of wearing pants.
1. Loose-Fitting Trousers Are Back
And by this we mean wider-leg trousers styled with snug henleys, formfitting dress shirts, or tailored jackets. This does not mean you should run out to the mall and embrace triple-pleated khakis once more. The pants that work best in a more easygoing cut are usually heavier-weight dress pants in fabrics like tweed, flannel, and corduroy, which look great with crisp white sneakers. Brands like Raf Simons, Givenchy, Bally (seen below), and Acne Studios all make great versions that even feature a slight break, which transforms any look from rigid to relaxed. The key here is to make the looser-fitting pants look like you wore them on purpose.
Where to Buy It: Acne Studios
Bally Fall-Winter 2014
2. Take a Break From Cropped Pants...
...by buying slim-fit jeans that break on top of boots and sneakers. If you're sporting a suit and tie, we're still fully on team no-break, but for jeans and a T-shirt, we can get down with the way a well-placed stack of denim can look. And if you need any more convincing, turn to the man who's been pioneering the trend for years, Mr. Kanye West himself. (It helps that Yeezy Boosts are basically designed for a stacked jean.)
Where to Buy It: Saint Laurent
3. Rise Up
For years, the rise on most pants has been creeping lower and lower, to the point that we're not even sure how anyone bends over anymore without getting major plumber's crack. So, these days, we're hoping to put an end to the trend of exposed butt cheeks by endorsing medium- to high-rise pants. Now, before you start copping grandpa pants that sit above your belly button, don't. But, as a general rule, jeans should sit on the hips, while chinos and suit pants should land just above the hip, which will allow you to tuck in your shirt without worrying about it popping out mid-meeting.
