8 Essential Trousers for Your Closet (Buy These Pants First)

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Trousers have existed for thousands of years and have been the default way for men to cover their lower half since the 19th century. Since they’re a garment that covers half of your body, they’ll make up a decent portion of your outfit. The cut of your trousers will also set the tone for the bulk of your silhouette, either adding or removing visual weight to the lower half of your body. So, it’s critical that they tie in with everything else for a cohesive outfit.

We developed today’s list with classic style in mind, so any of these trousers can technically be bought as part of a suit; however, their main focus will be separate from the jacket. This means that we’re looking at trousers that have already stood the test of time and will continue to look good for years to come.

Hallmarks of Quality, Classic Trousers

If you’re wondering what even makes a trouser “timeless,” These are the key elements that you should consider.

1. Timeless Fit

Corduroy pants shown on center screen
Wear trousers that are appropriately sized for your body.

You want trousers that are appropriately sized for your body, with a cut that is comfortable to wear and avoids extreme silhouettes. Naturally, this is something that we’ve spoken about before, so if you want to perfect your fit, we’ve got you covered. Be sure to check out How Pants Should Fit and 7 Pant Mistakes that Menswear Experts Avoid.

2. Versatility

Gray trousers with blue-striped Fort Belvedere socks and brown shoes.
Consider the versatility of the trousers. [Pictured: Shadow Stripe Ribbed Socks Dark Navy Blue and Royal Blue Fil d’Ecosse Cotton from Fort Belvedere]

Next, you want to consider how versatile the trouser is when creating outfits. You want a pair that can help you create the highest amount of outfit combinations possible. In other words, that bright yellow Gurkha trousers that you’ve been considering might not fit here. This will ensure that you’re getting better cost-per-wear, meaning you can invest in higher quality instead of higher quantity.

Versatility is achieved when a trouser can be combined with a majority of your wardrobe. Our Fort Belvedere socks can also serve as a great way to tie your pants with the rest of your outfit, and we’ll show you how to combine socks, shoes, and pants in our other guide.

How To Combine Socks, Shoes & Pants

3. Quality Construction

Double button pants with a blue striped shirt and wool neck tie.
Natural fibers and hand-sewn details are good signs of quality. [Pictured: Knit Tie in Solid Steel Blue-Gray Silk from Fort Belvedere]

The final tenet you should consider is the quality of a trousers’ construction. Since you want trousers that you can wear frequently, it’s key to ensure that they hold up after many wears. Trousers made with attention to detail often fit this criteria.

Hallmarks, such as the use of natural fibers like wool, cotton, and linen, are typically good signs; as well as hand-work details, such as buttons sewn with a shank. Typically synthetic materials won’t fit into this criteria. You can find out more about distinguishing quality in this guide.

How To Spot A Quality Suit

What To Consider When Selecting Classic Trousers

When curating your own selection, there are several elements to keep in mind.

1. Color

The trousers’ color will have a major impact in determining their formality. For example, navy is more somber, which makes it more formal than light brown trousers.

Color can also have an impact on the appropriate seasonality. For example, it’s much more common to see deeper darker tones during the fall and winter months, and brighter or pastel tones in the summer months. Reflecting seasonality is a wonderful way to enjoy your wardrobe pieces.

Brown Corduroy with wool Sweater
Seasons influence the outfit’s color.

Finally, color is critical when considering versatility. Some colors match with a greater variety than others. For example, navy and gray will probably match with far more items in your wardrobe than hot pink or lime green, as it pays to understand color theory when combining outfits, and you can brush up with our guides on what outfit colors say about you and how to use the color wheel to assemble superior ensembles.

2. Texture

Another key element to consider is the actual texture of the fabric, as this will have a huge impact on its formality. For example, navy, worsted wool trousers with smooth finishing is going to be much more formal than plush, navy cotton-corduroy trouser.

Texture will also help convey the seasonality of the garment. For example, Donegal tweed is typically associated with a fall and winter texture. It’s a coarse and heavy fabric designed to keep you warm. While, the relaxed, breezy weave of linen evokes the summer heat that it’s designed to be worn in.

3. Fabric Weight

Fabric weight and breathability is a very practical element to consider. This is because certain fabrics either insulate heat or help to dispel it. In other words, don’t wear linen trousers in an Antarctic winter or tweed trousers in a Saharan summer.

Blue trousers
Lightweight fabrics are a staple during warm days.

Your drape preferences will also have a large impact here. Generally, the heavier a fabric is, the more drape it will have. This will influence the overall look of the trousers on you. So, if you prefer a more structured look, a six-ounce, linen pant probably won’t be as appealing to you as a ten-ounce, tropical wool.

4. Cut

Cut is probably the most subjective element to consider. They can range all the way from Oxford bags to spray-on skinny. But, the most classic cuts will fall somewhere in between the two of these extremes. Focus on what works best for your body type. So, if you’re like Raphael with bigger thighs, consider pleated pants for a flattering cut.

Should You Wear Pleated Pants?

The cut will also impact whether or not you want to add a cuff to your trousers, as well as what kind of break you would like. A cuff with a full break is much more casual than no cuffs with a clean line. So, these details will play a part in how dressy or relaxed you want your trousers to be.

5. Belts or Suspenders

Belt shown center screen with black pants and white shirt
Having interchangeable buckles is always a good idea.

Finally, there’s also the practical question of how you’re going to keep your pants up – whether you prefer a belt or suspenders. Remember that belt loops are less formal than a clean waistband, but it’s all down to your personal preference.

Trousers Everyone Should Own

Fitting into our first few trouser picks, these are the foundational trousers that are versatile enough to have a spot in any classic wardrobe.

1. Navy or Dark Gray Wool Trousers

Navy and dark gray will match nearly any color within a classic menswear palette, and they can be used in nearly any outfit combination. This means that even if you rarely wear classic menswear, you’ll have a foolproof way of looking good no matter what you put on.

Dark wool Trousers
Dark grey wool trousers

Either color is formal enough to be worn with a blazer or sport coat with ease. Just make sure that you don’t pick something that’s the same color, but only one or two shades different from your trousers. There should be enough contrast between the two elements to make sure that the choice is seen as intentional. However, a jacket is not your only option.

These trousers can work just as well if you’re wearing just a shirt or even a sweater. You have a wide variety of options regarding the fabric of these pants. Which one works best depends on the climate that you live in. However, worsted wool with a medium weight is a great all-arounder. You’ll get a nice drape, while picking something appropriate for most climates. If you live in a hotter weather, something like tropical wool or fresco might be a better option because of its breathable qualities.

2. Light Gray Wool Trousers

During the Golden Age of Menswear,  mid-to-light-gray wool trousers or the equivalent of blue jeans today. This is because it serves as a neutral base that will go with nearly any type of outfit combination you can imagine.

Light Gray Wool Trousers
Light Gray Wool Trousers

Since light gray is a tad more casual than dark gray or navy, it often is the optimal choice in slightly more relaxed ensembles. This can even include darker colors or more complex patterns in your shirt, like a busier plaid, Madras, or gingham pattern. The light gray serves as a backdrop and won’t fight for attention when next to a more elaborate pattern.

3. Chinos

Chinos or khaki pants are a step-down of formality from dress trousers and are a staple in the business casual world of dress. The biggest benefit of chinos is that they generally tend to wear a bit cooler; though there are heavier weights out there if you feel the cold. Being made of cotton, chinos and khakis are generally easier to launder than wool trousers – a benefit if you’re more accident-prone.

Chinos with olive green sweater
Sandy beige chinos with an olive green sweater.

They come in many colors, from bright red to sky blue, but the most versatile option is the traditional sandy beige color. Similar to light gray, this is another neutral base that serves as the base for other elements within your outfit. This means these pants can be paired with virtually anything.

Pure white is a bolder choice as it is even less formal, so you’ll lose some of the versatility that makes khaki so good. But, if you want to wear white with confidence, then Preston will show you how here.

You can wear chinos with outfits as casual as a polo shirt, all the way up to sport coats and navy blazers. Chinos fall firmly within the business casual spectrum of dress, but will be appropriate in most situations that you’re likely to encounter. Just don’t lean too heavily into the college fraternity look.

Types of Trousers Everyone Should Consider

With the three essential trousers selected, let’s look now at the categories of trousers.

4. Casual Trousers

Casual trousers are the kind that works well for relaxing on the weekend or even a more laid-back day at the office. You’ll still want this to look good with a wide array of classically-inspired outfits – from a sport coat to a shacket. So, the color of these trousers should stay within the neutral blue or brown color spectrum. This will help maximize your ability to pair them with other items. This means you can bring in some raw denim or other jeans.

Denim with off white shirt and brown jacket
Denim jeans with off white shirt and brown jacket.

We get it. Jeans may not be traditionally considered part of classic style, so if you want to take on the iconic Levi’s 501 jeans or denim, in general, we’ve covered these in our post on how to find the best jeans for your body type.

If denim isn’t your style, there are other choices within this category. Linen slacks or lightweight wool trousers would fit perfectly in warmer climates, while cold weather options would be corduroy or moleskin trousers.

It’s really all about having something that you feel comfortable in, and that’s congruent with what you already own. Plus, casual trousers allow you to use fun, versatile colors with your accessories like your pocket square, your shoelaces, and even your boutonniere.

5. Summer Trousers

When summer is at its hottest, it can feel like you’re in another world. A dedicated pair of summer trousers will allow you to enjoy the summer season fully. What makes a great summer trousers is down to its material. The most popular options would include cotton, linen, or lightweight wool – all enjoyed for their breathability and airy weight. You could even go for shorts instead, though they’re not technically trousers, but you get the point.

Blue shorts on a summer day
Shorts are not full trousers, but they’re obviously a great choice for summer bottoms!

Off-white and white are often the go-to options for lovers of the Golden Age of style, as white becomes neutral for the rest of the ensemble. Just make sure to keep the condiments away from them while at the barbecue. However, if you love bolder colors like pink, light blue, or sage green, this is a great opportunity for you to incorporate them into your trousers.

Of course, seersucker is another summer staple. While white and blue-striped seersucker is most traditional, you can also find something like a navy instead. Perfect for summer days. To learn more about making summer outfits, check out our summer style guide.

Beat the Heat in Style! Summer & Hot Weather Outfits for Men

6. Patterned Trousers

While it’s easy to find patterned shirts and jackets, not as many of us consider patterned trousers. Plain colors offer pairing simplicity, but there’s also a large number of outfits that can be made from patterned trousers. This is because a pattern can allow you to integrate a wider range of colors into your outfit. It can also help you tie different elements together.

This will generally work best when the body of the trouser features a more formal color and will reduce the risk of the trousers appearing overpowered when combined with the other elements of your outfit.

Illustrated men's outfit from the golden age.
Patterned trousers can be an interesting addition to you wardrobe.

You can play with this by choosing a pattern, and a color that either contrasts or complements the body. Some classic pattern options include grids, plaids, windowpanes, and houndstooth. These patterns provide unique visual interest that makes outfits more memorable.

7. Earth-Toned Trousers

Another often overlooked option for trousers is earth tone shades. While grays and blues tend to make up more contemporary wardrobes, these earth tones will cover far more garments than might initially meet the eye.

What exactly is an earth tone? It’s going to include all shades of brown, dark and olive green, and even mustard yellow. These colors pair just as well with your blues and grays.

Earth Toned Trousers
Earth-Toned Trousers

They’re especially great for transitional seasons like early spring and even fall. These seasons showcase how nature is a great inspiration when combining colors with earth tones being especially prevalent in budding plants and falling leaves. Don’t be surprised to see corduroy, other heavier cotton weaves, and wool for their insulating properties.

Like chinos, these fabrics and colors will be firmly on the business casual spectrum of dress, but they can still be dressed up if desired. They’ll pair incredibly well with most sport coats since their fabrics are typically within the same spectrum of formality.

8. Work Trousers

While we’re all about looking our best here at the Gentleman’s Gazette, we understand that sometimes function is more important than form. This means that you’ll need a pair of workhorse trousers to wear when it’s time to get down and dirty. Yes, even Raphael does not wear a suit to do chores. To learn what we really wear at home, check out our pajamas guide.

Men’s Classic Pajamas, Slippers, & Robes (Dressing Gowns)

Having something a little more rugged will ensure you’ll protect your other trousers while cleaning or yard work. What’s most important about this pair is that they are durable enough to take a beating, while also being comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time.

Denim pants depicted as Work Trousers
A good pair of work trousers is handy for when you’re going to get down and dirty.

You can even consider wearing a previously mentioned pair once they’ve been worn down but are still wearable. If we’re going to source a specific pair of work trousers, go for a pair that is both hard-wearing and easy to clean. Some great choices here are from duck cotton, cotton canvas, or even corduroy.

Although the color choice really shouldn’t matter here, something in a neutral shade means you can just throw them on while still looking reasonably put together. After all, you never know when the neighbors will pop around.

Conclusion

With our list of eight essential trousers, you’re bound to be set for a multitude of situations. You’ll have an arsenal of pants to mix and match for classic ensembles.

Do you agree with our picks, or do you feel we left a life-saving trouser tip off the list? Let us know in the comments.

Outfit Rundown

Kyle in a navy suit jacket, blue-and-white striped shirt, and mid-brown trousers, along with dark brown belt and chukka boots, and accessories from Fort Belvedere
Kyle’s Outfit features mid-brown trousers of a medium weight, for a business-casual feel.
Mid Blue Silk-Wool Pocket Square with Hunting Motifs from Fort Belvedere

Fort Belvedere

Mid Blue Silk-Wool Pocket Square with Hunting Motifs

Shadow Stripe Ribbed Socks Grey and Burgundy Red Fil d'Ecosse Cotton - Fort Belvedere

Fort Belvedere

Shadow Stripe Ribbed Socks Grey and Burgundy Red Fil d'Ecosse Cotton

Today, I’m wearing a navy suit jacket with a Fort Belvedere pocket square; a blue-and-white striped button-down shirt, brown trousers, and brown chukka boots, along with Fort Belvedere socks. Check out the Fort Belvedere shop for socks like these.

Reader Comments

  1. There aren’t 8 essential anything.
    Essential trousers?
    Grey flannels and chinos.

  2. I live in the south, hot and sticky summers. Would Sears suckered trousers be considered light cotton?

  3. Nice work and easy to understand for the sartorial novice. When it comes to work pants though my opinion is to wear what the tradies (Australian slang for tradesperson) wear. It is an unofficial uniform that has practicality foremost in mind. There is an expression- the right tool for the right job. Clothes-occasion may be used in the same way.

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