The right pair of men's trousers can be the most understatedly powerful item you wear, but get it wrong, and you'll quickly dull the shine of the trending pieces you spent so much time pursuing. Yes, it's all too easy to reach for your tried-and-true slim-fit black jeans for the umpteenth time, but there's an entire wardrobe full of top-notch trews that'll look just as slick if given a chance. Here are some of the lesser-known types of men's pants that you may not have considered but should try in 2022.
Corduroy Trousers
Corduroy is one of the most underappreciated materials in men's fashion, but it can be a must-have pair of trousers when worn correctly. Menswear is experiencing a 1970s revival, so there's never been a better time to cover your legs in a cord. When dressed down and worn casually, corduroy is fantastic. To signal that you're not an Oxbridge fellow, pair dark corduroy trousers with a sweatshirt and practical leather sneakers.
Linen Trousers
Linoleum trousers used to be sweaty, misshapen bloomers that had no place in a modern man's style or wardrobe. Fortunately, designers have done a lot of work in recent years to rehabilitate them. Shapeless cuts have given way to tapered, modern leg lines flatter every body shape. And linen blends make them more practical, less prone to impossible creases – while remaining as light as air.
Try them with a linen suit for a dapper old-timer vibe, but cropped with sneakers and a plain T-shirt for a more modern look.
Twill Chinos
If you want to assert your old-school masculine credentials, invest in a good piece of workwear. Twill chinos combine quality craftsmanship with dependability and style in a perfect ménage à trews of calm that is still highly wearable. Wear them with an easy-going pair of shoes (such as anything with a contrast Vibram sole), a T-shirt or piece of knitwear, and a top with an overshirt or denim jacket for an effortlessly cool off-duty look.
Wool Trousers
The wool trouser has been a mainstay amongst industry insiders for years – and their popularity shows no signs of waning. While you'll often see them dressed down with sneakers by cool arbiters hanging outside loft offices leisurely puffing on roll-ups, these pants work just as well styled more traditionally.
Relaxed legged trousers
The skinny jeans backlash has begun. Tired of indecently outlined genitalia and attempting (and failing) to remove our skinnies with dignity after a night out, relaxed-legged jeans and trousers are increasingly appealing. When it comes to styling, contrast the extra fabric below by keeping your top half fitted to avoid accusations of dressing up in your father's closet.
Drawstring Trousers
Without being overly dramatic, wise drawstring men's trousers are the best thing that has happened to menswear in a decade. Drawstring trousers are now available in tailored styles and various materials other than jerseys. Wool and linen are the best options at the brighter end of the spectrum. You'll never go back once you've experienced how comfortable your dressed-up wardrobe can be.
Cropped Trousers
Ankle swingers, as some prefer to refer to them, are here to stay – and for a good reason. Cropped trousers are a great way to spice up a tired formal outfit by allowing your ankles to breathe in the summer while still giving your footwear airtime in the cooler months. On the weekend, sand-coloured cropped chinos will look great with a simple white shirt, premium suede bomber, and white sports-luxe trainers. Meanwhile, black cropped trousers with a grey blazer, charcoal roll neck, and oxblood dress shoes are ideal for a relaxed business-casual office.
Cargo Pants
Cargo pants have a varied history, ranging from army necessity to early-noughties oversized monstrosity. Now that enough time has passed, things have calmed down enough for them to return in a big and much more stylish way. Standard-issue khaki green goes with almost everything in navy, so consider an overshirt another workwear workhorse for a weekend look that works. Meanwhile, if light layers aren't an option, a pair of modern black cargo trousers can be worn with a white Oxford shirt, grey sweatshirt, and navy overcoat for a polished look.
