Buying Guide: Men's Trousers

When it comes to picking out a new pair of trousers, the world is your oyster… which isn’t always a good thing. Yes, you’ve got plenty of styles to choose from, but that can make the act of shopping for something you’ll love to wear all the more daunting.

If you’re the type to be bewildered by the sheer volume of options available to you in the world of men’s trousers, don’t worry.

The different types of men’s trousers

One way to narrow down your search for your next favourite pair of trousers is to choose category filters. These will weed out any products that aren’t what you’re looking for in order to present you with a smaller number of options that are more likely to suit you.

Below, we look at some of the most popular categories of men’s trousers. And remember, if you’re shopping online and can’t find the category you’re looking for, try using the search box to see trousers with a particular feature, such as belt loops or slant pockets.

Rise

This term refers to where the top of the trousers sits on your body in relation to your waist and hips. In fact, you might have heard a pair of trousers being described as ‘high-waisted’.

Knowing the difference between high-, mid- and low-waisted trousers can be a bit tricky, as there’s no standardised rules for exactly how these styles fit. However, you can expect mid-rise trousers to sit just above or on your hip bones. If you’ve never shopped specifically for high- or low-rise trousers before, you’re probably wearing mid-rise as standard.

In contrast, low-rise trousers sit an inch or so lower on your midriff, just below the top of your hips. This provides a more laid-back, casual look that many appreciate the aesthetic value of. Alternatively, you could opt for high-rise or high-waisted trousers, which usually sit around your natural waist - the soft area between your hips and the bottom of your ribcage.

Beyond providing extra coverage that makes it easier to tuck your shirt in and have it stay tucked, this high-rise style also helps to accentuate the length of your legs.

Stain and Water Resistant High Rise Trousers – Sand

Also available in Navy and Airforce Blue.

FROM £30

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Waistband Fit

You might find that some retailers split out their clothes by how the waistband fits. This means that you could shop for regular fit trousers or those with an elasticated waistband, providing additional comfort and flexibility.

As well as giving you that extra stretch that can make you feel more comfortable moving about throughout the day, trousers which have an elasticated waistband can be easier to take off and put on than regular trousers, helping to save you that little bit of extra time getting ready in the morning.

High Rise Twill Trouser with Stretch Waist – Grey

Also available in Black and Navy.

FROM £21

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Fabric

A popular way of categorising trousers is by the fabric they’re made from. This can greatly affect the look of the trousers, as well as how they feel to wear, so narrowing down your search by material can be very helpful indeed.

Probably the most well-known fabric-based trouser category is denim jeans, famed for their hard-wearing, long-lasting durability. You might also find specific sections for corduroy trousers, a stylish, thicker material that keeps your legs warm while adding a flair of sophistication to your outfit.

In addition to all-over fabric styles, you might also see trousers categorised by add-on materials that improve the properties of the garment without the whole item being made of that fabric. The most common example of this are thermal or fleece-lined trousers, which have an extra layer of insulating material on the inside of the trouser legs to provide warmth during the colder months.

Pegasus Stretch Waist Denim Jean – Blue

Also available in Black, Charcoal, Indigo and Light Blue.

FROM £29

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Pegasus Corduroy Trouser – Olive

Also available in five other colours.

FROM £32

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Pegasus Fleece Lined Action Trouser – Olive

Also available in four other colours.

FROM £30

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The Occasion

Sometimes, you might be able to browse trousers by the kind of occasion they’re designed for. This is particularly true for formal trousers, which are usually grouped together to aid anyone who’s shopping ahead of a big event such as a wedding or a funeral. Remember, these categories may overlap, so you might be able to get fleece-lined formal trousers for winter events, or formal trousers with an elasticated waist for added comfort.

Looking for something more casual? Most retailers have a section for casual trousers as well, helping you to find those everyday essentials you’ll come to call your favourites.

Pegasus Fleece Lined Formal Trouser with Stretch Waist – Black

Also available in Navy. 

FROM £35

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Pegasus Easy Pull On Cotton Trouser – Sand

Also available in four other colours.

FROM £21

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Style or Brand

Last but not least, you can also often browse by a particular style or brand according to your preferences. If you like a certain trouser design, such as the multi-pocketed practicality of the cargo trouser, then you can search for these types of trousers alone and compare different products based on other features such as water resistance, colour or fit.

Another popular trouser design is the timeless chino, a comfy cotton style that can be worn to events from casual through to semi-formal. These trousers are highly versatile and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion – an essential for any man’s wardrobe.

Similarly, if you’ve got a pair of trousers you love from a particular brand, you might be able to browse through trousers made by that brand only. At Chums, we offer a range of trousers by experienced maker Farah, a time-honoured favourite for stylish, well-made garments.

Pegasus Cargo Trouser with Hidden Stretch Waistband – Grey

Also available in Bark and Navy.

FROM £32

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Pegasus Cotton Chino Trousers – Airforce Blue

Also available in Charcoal, Navy and Sand.

FROM £33

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Farah Hidden Stretch Waistband Trousers – Navy

Also available in five other colours.

FROM £45

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Looking after your trousers

Once you’ve got your hands on a great pair of trousers, it’s important to know how to look after them to keep them in good condition. Proper garment care can help your favourite items of clothing to last longer, look better and feel comfier even after years of wear.

Washing your trousers

As with any item of clothing, check the garment care label on your trousers as soon as you get them out of the laundry basket. This can usually be found on one of the inside seams or attached to the inner waistband, and will tell you the specific conditions your trousers require. This can be very helpful if you’re washing a particular kind of trousers such as denim or corduroy, as these may have different needs compared to cotton.

In general, you can normally wash your trousers in the washing machine at a cool temperature. Using warmer temperatures encourages shrinkage and wastes energy. If your trousers are made of a delicate material, consider using your machine’s ‘delicates’ cycle or simply handwashing the garment.

Drying your trousers

Just as heat can be damaging in the washing machine, it’s best to steer clear of the tumble dryer for drying your trousers. You can either hang or lay your trousers flat to dry by air, but remember that having them in direct sunlight could cause bleaching of the fabric. To speed up the drying process, you could use a clean towel to gently squeeze water out of the fabric.

Ironing your trousers

Most trousers can be ironed safely, but again, check your garment care label first to be sure. Always start on a lower heat setting first before moving up to hotter temperatures and remember to iron your trousers inside out to avoid leaving any visible signs.

TROUSERS IRONING TIPS

Storing your trousers

Once your trousers are clean and dry once more, you can hang them in your wardrobe using a purpose-built trouser hanger. This helps to avoid creasing and keeps them fresh and aired ready for the next time you wear them.

Don’t have room in your wardrobe? Storing your trousers in a drawer – or packing them for a holiday – is simple. Just fold them in half so that the two corners of the waistband meet. Then roll your trousers from the waistband down to the ankle cuffs to make a compact cylinder shape.

UNDERSTAND GARMENT CARE LABELS

Men's Trousers at Chums

Here at Chums, we know how good it feels to find a pair of trousers that are just right. That’s why we offer a large selection of different styles and designs of trousers, all to help you find the perfect fit for you. Why not have a look and see what you find?

BROWSE MEN'S TROUSERS