It’s a known fact that pants are not the focus of the well-dressed man’s ensemble. It is the face that directs the personality, and any good ensemble will draw the observer’s eye towards the face.
Elegance and grace in pants – the mark of the gentleman.
It’s a known fact that pants are not the focus of the well-dressed man’s ensemble. It is the face that directs the personality, and any good ensemble will draw the observer’s eye towards the face. So the purpose of trousers is to move the eye and attention towards the upper body. A well chosen and well made pair of trousers will retain a sleek and unbroken line no matter what the position of the wearer – standing, walking, or seated in a chair.
Another characteristic of the well-made pair of trousers is the design of its pockets.
It is but practical to say that a man carries various articles necessary in everyday life in his trouser pockets – his wallet, his keys, his cell phone. And a good pair of trousers will be able to hold these articles without bulging out unnecessarily or looking unsightly. As a matter of fact, this is a very good way to test the fit and quality of readymade wear. Put on the trousers, put your daily necessities into the pockets, and see how the trousers look in the mirror. If they look unsightly, perhaps it’s best that you look at another pair.
Your garments should fit themselves to you
When you choose a pair of pants, make sure that you choose those that fit themselves to the natural flow of your body. They should be wide enough at the waist to accommodate the waist reasonably comfortably, and then there should be a gentle taper all the way to the ankles.
The trousers should still be wide enough at the ankles to easily accommodate your feet. If a pair of trousers feel tight around the feet as you slip them on, it’s best to change them – they’re too tight at the ankles, and will look unsightly when you wear them – or at least detract from the elegance of your outfit.
The lines of any pair of trousers should be smooth and natural – they should flow comfortably.
At no point should the trousers bulge out and break the flow of the garment.
If you see anything like this while trying on a pair of trousers that you are buying, you should immediately choose another. It’s very important that the gentle tapering shape that I mentioned from waist to ankle be present. Above all, the well-dressed man does not wear trousers that suddenly widen below the knee.
And the fit of any pair of trousers at the waist should be so good that they hug the body even without the use of suspenders or of a belt. Also, the waist of a good pair of trousers should be AT the waist, and not particularly higher or lower than it. Low-waisted trousers are particularly unsightly, and should be avoided. If you’re a trifle on the short side, you can try wearing trousers that are slightly high-waisted. Such trousers make the legs look longer, and so make a man look taller.
Other important details
Remember, if you use a belt, rather than suspenders (as a great many people do) that you can go for a slightly looser fit that provides for a better fall and flow for the garment.
It’s best not to go in for pleated trousers. Such trousers tend to bulge out, making a person look overweight at worst, and ill-dressed at best. The same goes for cuffs – they tend to look slightly out-of-place.
And remember, these rules tend to apply to jeans as well as trousers. While jeans are certainly casual dressing, there’s nothing in the world that says you shouldn’t make a statement in casual elegance.
