“I obviously bought popular trousers, but I wore them like stealing someone else’s pants?” Many men have had such troubles. A pair of men’s dress pants can not only support the aura in business occasions, but also be stylish in casual moments. But in the face of a variety of versions, fabrics and brands, it is actually not that difficult to choose the right one. This guide starts with the fit issues you are most concerned about, and takes you step by step to unlock all the skills of buying and maintaining trousers, and novices can also copy homework directly.
1. Look at the fit first: choosing the right cut is more important than buying expensive
The fit is the soul of the trousers, and no matter how expensive the fabric is, it will be in vain. When I was purchasing, I met a customer who had a standard figure of 175cm and 70kg, but bought a pair of European loose trousers, but the waistband was loose, the pants were long and mopped on the floor, and I had no energy at all. Later, she changed to slim-fitting trousers with an Asian cut, and immediately wore a sense of neatness. In fact, as long as you choose the right version according to your figure and scene, you can avoid most of the minefields.
Fit type | Core features: | Suitable for the crowd | Adapt to the scenario |
|---|---|---|---|
Slim suits | The legs fit the thighs, the cuffs are slightly tucked, and the three-dimensional cut is made | Those who are well-proportioned and pursue capable style | Interviews, business meetings, appointments |
Straight-leg trousers | The width is consistent from the hip to the foot, and there is no restraint cut | All body types, especially slightly chubby people | Daily commuting, office, semi-formal occasions |
tapered trousers | Loose hips, tapered trouser legs, 3D cut | Pear-shaped body and thick thighs | Business casual, Friday casual wear, daily travel |
Loose trousers | The trouser leg is roomy, and there are many double-pleated trousers | Those who like retro style and are overweight | Weekend casual, retro wear, home office |
In addition to the basic fit, high-waisted trousers are suitable for men with a low waistline or want to optimize proportions, and cropped trousers can expose the ankles, which is a great height effect, and is especially suitable with leather shoes. If the trousers you buy don’t fit, don’t rush to throw them away, small modifications such as shortening the hem and narrowing the waistband can give it a new life, I often recommend customers to find a professional tailor, and dozens of dollars can solve the problem.
2. Fabric selection: texture and function should be taken into account
The comfort and luxury of the trousers are all supported by the fabric. When purchasing business suits for the company before, I compared more than a dozen fabrics, and finally chose the wool blend trousers of Super 120s – which have the delicate texture of pure wool and add elastane, so they will not wrinkle even if they sit for a long time. The characteristics of different fabrics vary greatly, and choosing the right one can accurately match your needs.
- The first choice for high-end textures: wool and wool blends: pure wool trousers are warm and breathable, the higher the yarn count, the more delicate the weave, Super 100s is suitable for daily life, Super 120s can be used for formal occasions. However, pure wool is easy to wrinkle, so it is recommended to choose a blend with 10%-20% polyester fiber, which has better wrinkle resistance and is more affordable.
- Commuting needs: anti-wrinkle and non-ironing fabric: polyester fiber and cotton blended fabric is the “gospel for migrant workers”, the characteristics of iron-free fabric allow you to wear it out in the morning, get off work or crisp, fold it when you go on a business trip and put your suitcase is not afraid, almost all of my sales colleagues around me have one.
- Comfortable and breathable: Tencel and Modal: Tencel fabric and modal trousers are suitable for spring and summer, with strong moisture-wicking ability and soft touch, but the disadvantage is that the wear resistance is slightly poor, and it is more suitable for daily casual wear.
- Special needs: Functional fabrics: choose thin breathable fabrics in summer in summer, and the weight is recommended to be less than 200g; In winter, choose a style with a warm inner lining with thickened winter, and the feedback from customers in the north is very practical.
3. Color pattern: Wear the right scene to avoid embarrassment
The color and pattern of the trousers directly determine the style and adaptation of the outfit. I have seen people wear white trousers to serious meetings, which is particularly abrupt; There are also people who use dark striped trousers with shirts to easily hold business occasions. Remember the principle of “choosing solid colors for formal occasions and playing with patterns for casual occasions”.
Core matching formula: Business formal wear: black trousers/navy blue trousers/dark gray trousers + white shirt + blazer Business casual: medium gray trousers/khaki trousers + knitwear + leather shoes Casual occasion: light gray trousers/burgundy trousers + polo shirt + casual shoes
In terms of patterns, striped trousers are especially popular, with pencil stripes that are slender and delicate, suitable for thin men; Dark stripes are low-key and textured, and are the “safety card” of business occasions. Pane trousers and herringbone are more retro style, and you can wear a unique style with a solid color top, but be careful not to exaggerate the pattern to avoid looking messy.
4. Size Fit: Accurate measurement is key
“Unfit” is the biggest minefield of trousers, and the core of solving the problem is to accurately grasp your size. As a buyer, I found that many people buy trousers only by looking at the waistline, but ignore the hip circumference and trouser length, resulting in either the crotch jamming or mopping the floor. Share a set of measurement methods that I commonly use, which can be easily done at home.
- Waist circumference: Use a soft ruler to wrap around the thinnest part of the waist, don’t tighten it too tightly, the tightness of a finger can be inserted is the most appropriate, pay attention to distinguish between Asian sizes and European and American sizes, European and American sizes are usually one size larger.
- Hip circumference: Around the fullest part of the buttocks for a week, this is the key to determining whether the trousers are stuck in the crotch, and the slightly chubby cut trousers will leave an extra 2-3cm of allowance at the hips, making it more comfortable to wear.
- Pants length: Measure from the waist to 1-2cm above the ankle (cropped pants) or cover the ankles (full-length trousers), the length of trousers for small people is usually less than 98cm, and the length of trousers for tall people is more than 110cm.
- Thigh circumference: Around the thickest part of the thigh, the slim model is 1-2cm smaller than the actual size, and the loose model is 2-3cm larger to ensure that movement is not restricted.
If you have a special figure, such as a thin waist and wide hips or too tall, it is recommended to choose tailor-made or MTM (semi-customized) services, and now many brands provide online tailoring services, and you can buy well-fitting trousers without leaving home, which is very cost-effective.
5. Brand price: choose not to spend money on demand
Different budgets and needs correspond to different brand choices. I have sorted out the high-reputation brands in different price ranges, from 100 yuan entry to 1,000 yuan advanced, to help you choose the right one or not the expensive one.
Price band | Recommended brands | Core strengths | Purchase channels |
|---|---|---|---|
100 yuan (100-300 yuan) | Uniqlo, Semir | Cost-effective, mainly wrinkle-resistant fabrics | Tmall flagship, offline stores |
1,000 yuan (500-1500 yuan) | Heilan House, Youngor | Asian tailoring, suitable for the Chinese figure, solid craftsmanship | JD.com’s self-operated and offline counters |
High-end (above 2,000 yuan) | Zegnia, Armani | Pure wool, European tailoring, top texture | Brand official website, high-end shopping malls |
Customized | Red-collar workers, people from Yibang | MTM service for a precise fit | Online platform, offline experience store |
When purchasing, you can pay attention to outlet discounts or end-of-season promotions, and you can buy high-end brand out-of-season models at half price, which is super cost-effective. However, it is important to avoid low-priced trousers from fast fashion brands, many of which are made of inferior fabrics and deformed after wearing them a few times, which is not cost-effective.
6. Detail craftsmanship: look at the quality from the details
When people who know how to buy trousers, they will first look at the details and craftsmanship, which is the key to distinguishing between good and bad. When I helped customers purchase before, I returned all of them because of the rough keyhole process of a batch of trousers. These details not only affect the aesthetics, but also determine the service life of the trousers.
- Hardware accessories: YKK zipper is the first choice for zippers, smooth and not stuck, and the service life is 3 times longer than ordinary zippers; Buttons and hidden buttons should be firm, preferably metal, not easy to rust.
- Stitching process: The chain seam is stronger than ordinary flat seams, the stitch density at the seam of the trousers is higher, and more than 10 stitches per centimeter are qualified.
- Practical design: the non-slip waist can prevent the trousers from sliding, and there is no need to lift the pants frequently; The diagonal slip pocket fits the body better than the straight slip pocket, and it is not easy to shake the mobile phone; The trouser loop is easy to store and avoid wrinkles.
7. Washing and maintenance: the secret to extending the life of the trousers
A good pair of trousers can last for 3-5 years with proper maintenance. It is a pity that many people shrink their expensive wool trousers because of the wrong washing method. Share a set of practical cleaning and care techniques, simple and easy to operate.
- Washing: Pure wool trousers are recommended to be dry cleaned, blended or polyester models can be machine washed, but choose cold water gentle mode, use neutral detergent, avoid exposure to the sun, and hang to dry.
- Ironing: Wool fabrics are ironed with medium temperature steam, and the temperature is controlled below 150°C; Polyester models are ironed at low temperatures, and a damp towel is applied to better restore the shape of the trousers.
- Storage: Hang with a pants clip hanger to avoid folding and causing dead folds; Insect-proof camphor should be put on the trousers that have not been worn for a long time, and the dust cover should be put on.
- Stain treatment: Coffee stains and oil stains should be wiped with wet wipes in time to avoid stain penetration, and do not use bleach to avoid damaging the fabric.
Procurement perspective: Yigu’s suit pants purchase suggestions
As a Sourcing Agent who has been deeply involved in clothing procurement for many years, I would like to say that the core of trousers purchase is “adaptation to the scene + precise fit”. When purchasing from a company, I will give priority to wrinkle-resistant fabrics and Asian tailoring styles, taking into account employee comfort and business image; For personal purchases, it is recommended to “prefer small rather than big”, slightly tighter trousers can be modified, and too loose ones are difficult to save. In addition, pay attention to the fabric composition list, avoid the low-priced “100% polyester” and choose blended fabrics containing wool or Tencel, which are more cost-effective. Finally, remind that when trying on, you must do a few daily movements, such as sitting down and raising your legs, to ensure that your movement is not restricted, which is the key to fit.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: How to choose between cropped trousers and full-length trousers? A: Priority is given to cropped trousers under 175cm in height, which is taller; Full-length trousers are available for more than 175cm, and it is more formal with leather shoes. Full length is recommended for business occasions, and nine-point for casual occasions is more fashionable.
- Q: Are it worth buying trousers with elastic waist? A: It is very worth it, especially for sedentary office workers, the elastic waist or adjustable waistband can reduce the sense of restraint, and it can be worn when the weight fluctuates, which is very practical.
- Q: Light-colored trousers are easy to get dirty, how to maintain them? A: Add color bleach agent when washing to keep the color bright; Wear a dark top every day to reduce stains; Store separately when storing to avoid staining dark clothing.
- Q: Which is more cost-effective, custom trousers or ready-to-wear? A: If the budget is sufficient or the figure is special, customization is more cost-effective and can fit accurately; If the figure is standard, the 1,000-yuan ready-to-wear is more cost-effective, and it is more preferential to buy during the event.