Chinos Pants 30 @ Amazon
 Dickies Men's Traditional Work Pant List Price:  |
 Carhartt Men's Washed Duck Work Dungaree List Price: |
 Dickies Men's Flat Front Multi Use Pocket Work Pant List Price: |
 Dockers Men's 5 Pocket Khaki D3 Classic Fit Flat Front Pant List Price: |
 Dockers Men's True Chino D4 Relaxed Fit Flat Front Pant List Price: |
 Lee Men's Wrinkle Resistant Relaxed Plain Front Twill Pant List Price: |
 Carhartt Men's Twill Work Pant List Price: |
 Dockers Men's Classic Fit 5-Pocket Jean List Price: |
 Carhartt Men's Canvas Work Dungaree List Price: |
 Savane Men's Pleated Deep Dye Twill Pant |
Men's Style Guide: Three Things About Trousers by Hendrik Pohl
The modern man is much more concerned about fashion than his counterparts from 20 or 30 years ago. Shirts are no longer made equal, neckties come in countless varieties and there's a style of trouser to fit every body type. This wide range of styles, however, is not easy to master. In trousers, for example, you have to pay attention to the little details in order to make the most out of every style option that's available to you.
Pleats on Pants
It's been a matter of sartorial debate for some time. Should men pick up the relatively new fashion of flat-front pants or continue the pleated tradition of their style forefathers? As is the case with most of your wardrobe, it's a decision that should be made based on what kind of body you have.
Pleats have always served to add a little room in any pair of pants. This was fine before, back when your dad and uncles preferred trousers that did have a lot of leg room. Now that the austere, razorthin aesthetic of slim pants and skinny jeans are de rigeur, though, it's slightly more complicated. The best rule of thumb to follow is to get pleats on your pants only if you really need that extra space.
Not everyone, unfortunately, is built like a GAP model with a perfect bod and slim, slim legs. A single reverse or outward pleat, reverse ones fold inward while the outward ones are the standard style, should help hide legs that are testament to too much turkey from Thanksgiving. See to it that the cut is still relatively slim, however, and that you have just one pleat on your pants; double pleats are doable only by a select few.
Cuff It Up
Here's another relic of men's fashion from yesteryear. Cuffed pants are things you likely saw on your dad, uncle or any male character from the show Mad Men. In short, there's a period in the past that has strong links to the style. Should you get it for your own pants?
While pleats have an effect on your visual volume, cuffs work on your visual length. A cuffed pair of pants tend to make you look shorter because they break up the continuous line of your legs. It sounds like a major disadvantage for the vertically challenged, but it's a good thing for tall men or anyone in the height vicinity of six feet. With cuffs varying from one to two inches in thickness, you've got a lot of control on how tall you look.
There are two things you have to know about cuffs. First, they add formality to any pair of trousers. If you're going for a more casual style like with chinos, you might want to think twice about cuffs. Secondly, the hem has to be straight; only cuffless pants can be longer in the back.
Loops or Tabs
The two pants style options above have one thing in common: they work with what your body needs. On the loops versus tabs discussion, however, it's all about what you want, your personal preference. Your choice, however, affects other things in your outfits.
Although belt loops are standard for most pants you see in the store, there is a significant number of tabbed pants, especially if you look in the office fashion department. Tabs are much more formal because they present a cleaner look for your outfit, and because they have to fit like they were tailored for you. Once you put tabbed trousers on, a belt is out of the question since you have nowhere to place it anymore.
In short, tabs are much more style-conscious and formal, whereas belt loops are a little more functional and versatile. It all depends on what you're looking for in your fashion, and which style you feel most comfortable wearing. As long as your trousers are cut and fitted well, you'll look good anyway regardless of the style you end up choosing.
About the Author
Pohl has over a hundred articles published on dress codes and fashion tips for men. He is also the founder of online necktie retailer: Ties-necktie.com/ - a site that sells European neckties as well as cufflinks.
Quick OOTD: Fall Casual Chic Running Errands Outfit