There are literally hundreds if not thousands of different styles of trousers on the market. With such a vast selection available, many guys have trouble finding the "perfect" style. You may choose one style of trousers, only to realize later that it clashes with your shirt or suit jacket. So, what's the best way to choose a pair of suit trousers? Keep reading for some essential tips and tricks.
Choose Trousers in the Same Fabric/Material as Suit Jacket
Trousers are available in a wide variety of fabrics and materials, some of which include cotton, linen, tweed, corduroy and more. A good rule of thumb is to choose a pair of trousers that are made of the same material or fabric as your suit jacket. If you plan on wearing a traditional
cotton suit, for instance, you should stick with a similar pair of cotton trousers. On the other hand, if you plan on wearing a
tweed suit, you should wear a pair of tweed trousers -- you get the idea. Sticking with a single type of fabric throughout your suit jacket and trousers will ensure a cohesive appearance in which all of your garments flow together in a seamless, natural manner.
Which 'Fit' is Right For You?
Trousers have gone through a countless number of changes over the years, with companies introducing new "fits" like wide-legged, tapered, flared, bell-bottomed, slim, skinny and more. So, which trouser fit is right for you? There's really no easy answer to this question, as it varies depending on your body size and personal preference. With that said, slim fit is an excellent choice for slimmer men. As the name suggests, it's characterized by a more narrow leg opening, preventing the trousers from looking oversized and baggy.
Watch the Length
Regardless of which "fit" of trousers you choose, you need to make sure they are the appropriate length. If they exceed several inches past your ankles, they are too big. Or if they fall just shy of your ankles, they are too small. A good pair of suit trousers should stop just past your ankles, no more or no less. Far too many guys make the mistake of wearing trousers that are too big, which creates a messy appearance that negates all of their hard work.
Watch Your Socks
An all-too-common fashion mistake made by guys who wear suits is choosing socks that don't match. Ideally, your socks should match the color of your trousers. Doing so allows your socks to blend in with your trousers, almost concealing them from plain sight. Wearing a pair of white socks with black trousers isn't a good idea, as it draws unwanted attention to your ankles. But wearing black socks with black trousers is a more appropriate solution that conceals your socks. The bottom line is that you should make sure your socks match your suit trousers, because when these two items do not match it will have a negative impact on your entire appearance.
Pleats or No Pleats?
Ah, the age-old question: to wear pleated trousers or trousers with no pleats? Traditional trousers were designed with two pleats, both of which typically faced forward. The purpose of pleats is to create greater comfort when sitting and more "hang" when standing. While there are still many pleated trousers on the market today, their non-pleated counterpart has gradually overtaken it in terms of popularity. Non-pleated trousers offer a cleaner and more sophisticated look, which is particularly important when dressing for a formal event or gathering. In any case, some guys still prefer the added comfort of pleated trousers. If you can't seem to decide on pleated trousers or non-pleated trousers, I recommended picking up a pair of both styles to see which one looks and feels the best.
Color/Print
Of course, you'll also need to consider the color or print when choosing a pair of trousers for a suit. A simple technique that typically works is to go with the same color or print as your suit jacket. If your jacket is black with pinstripes, for instance, you should choose trousers with a similar black with pinstripe design. There are times when you can venture into different colors and prints, but you should proceed with caution. Or when in doubt, just stick with trousers that feature the same color or print as your suit jacket. This is a quick and easy way to create an attractive formal outfit with minimal work -- and that's something that most guys can appreciate.
Quality and Craftsmanship
Don't assume that all suit trousers are made the same. Even if two pairs of trousers appear similar in terms of appearance and construction, they could feature major differences that affect the quality and craftsmanship. Some of the cheaper trousers on the market are made with low-quality fabric and poor craftsmanship, increasing the risk of damage while shortening their lifespan in the process. This is a case in what the mantra quality over quantity works best, meaning you should purchase a single high-quality pair of suit trousers instead of several pairs of low-quality trousers.
The Seat
A simple way to tell if your trousers fit poorly is by looking for horizontal wrinkles in the rear. When you are sitting, there shouldn't be any visible wrinkles, as this is indicative of a poor fit. If your trousers feature these distinct horizontal wrinkles, you'll need to either choose a different pair of trousers, or have them "taken in" by a professional tailor. Tailors can work their magic on oversized trousers, eliminating excess fabric to create a better fit.
Order Custom-Fit Trousers
You really have one of two different options when choosing suit trousers: you can purchase them pre-made from a local store and hope you find the right size, or you can purchase them custom-fitted according to your body shape and size from the style experts here at
StudioSuits. Opting for the latter is obviously the best choice, simply because it ensures the trousers will fit just right while giving you the best bang for your buck.
