Written by Ben Chuang

Men's Pants Formality Scale

Where every pant type sits on the formality spectrum — from gym to black tie:

Formal & Dress Pants

These are the pants that pair with suits, blazers, and dress shoes — appropriate for interviews, weddings, galas, and business formal occasions.

Dress Trousers / Suit Pants

Fabric	Wool, polyester blend, or tropical wool
Formality	Formal — matches suit jacket or worn with blazer
Best for	Interviews, weddings, formal dinners, office outfits
Pair with	Dress shirt, suit jacket or blazer, Oxford shoes
Slim fit note	Buy slim or tailored cut — standard dress trousers are cut too wide through the thigh for slim frames

Tuxedo Trousers

Fabric	Wool or wool blend with satin stripe down the leg
Formality	Black tie — worn only with matching tuxedo jacket
Best for	Galas, black tie events, opera, formal dinners
Pair with	Tuxedo jacket, white dress shirt, bow tie, black patent leather shoes
Slim fit note	The satin stripe creates a clean vertical line that works well on slim frames

Wool Trousers

Fabric	Pure wool or wool blend — heavier in winter, tropical wool in summer
Formality	Formal to business casual depending on cut and color
Best for	Office, smart events, fall and winter occasions
Pair with	Dress shirt, blazer or sport coat, leather Oxford shoes or loafers
Slim fit note	Excellent for slim frames — wool drapes cleanly and doesn't add visual bulk

Pleated Trousers

Fabric	Wool, cotton, or polyester blend
Formality	Formal to smart casual — having a style comeback
Best for	Office, formal occasions, men who prefer a relaxed thigh with tailored appearance
Pair with	Tucked dress shirt, blazer, leather loafers or Oxford shoes
Slim fit note	Pleats add room in the thigh without looking baggy — works for slim frames who want more comfort

Pinstripe Trousers

Fabric	Wool or wool blend with vertical stripe pattern
Formality	Business formal to semi-formal
Best for	Corporate settings, business meetings, part of a pinstripe suit
Pair with	Matching pinstripe jacket, white dress shirt, tie, black Oxford shoes
Slim fit note	Vertical stripes elongate the leg — a natural fit for slim frames

Smart Casual Pants

The most versatile category — these pants bridge the gap between formal and casual, covering business casual, smart casual, and everything in between.

Chinos

Fabric	Lightweight cotton twill
Formality	Business casual to smart casual — the most versatile trouser
Best for	Office, dates, smart casual events, everyday wear
Best colors	Navy, grey, stone, khaki — neutrals that pair with everything
Pair with	Dress shirt, Oxford shirt, blazer or sweater, loafers or leather sneakers
Slim fit note	Buy slim cut — standard chinos have too much room in the thigh for slim frames. No break or slight break at the ankle.

Khakis

Fabric	Heavier cotton twill — more durable than chinos
Formality	Casual to business casual — slightly more relaxed than chinos
Best for	Weekend wear, relaxed office, outdoor casual
Chinos vs khakis	Khakis are heavier, more casual, and traditionally straight-leg. Chinos are lighter, more refined, and available in more fits.
Pair with	Polo, Oxford shirt, casual button-down, sneakers or loafers

Dark Wash Jeans

Fabric	Dark indigo denim — no distressing or fading
Formality	Smart casual — the most formal jeans can get
Best for	Smart casual dinners, dates, going out, casual Fridays
Pair with	Dress shirt or Oxford shirt + blazer, Chelsea boots or loafers
Slim fit note	Slim or straight cut — Levi's 511 or similar slim taper works well for slim frames

Deciding between fits? We compare Levi's 505 vs 501s.

 

Corduroy Pants

Fabric	Cotton with distinctive ribbed texture
Formality	Smart casual — seasonal alternative to chinos
Best for	Fall and winter smart casual — adds texture and warmth
Best colors	Brown, olive, tan, burgundy, navy
Pair with	Sweater over dress shirt, flannel, blazer, Chelsea boots or brogues

Tapered Trousers

Fit	Wider at the thigh, narrows toward the ankle — modern silhouette
Formality	Smart casual to business casual
Best for	Men who want comfort with a tapered fit and modern clean silhouette
Pair with	Slim fit shirt or sweater, sneakers or loafers

Cropped Trousers

Length	Ends just above the ankle — shorter than standard trousers
Formality	Smart casual — shows footwear intentionally
Best for	Warmer weather, fashion-forward smart casual looks
Slim fit note	Works naturally for slim frames — the shorter length elongates the leg visually

Casual Pants

For weekends, everyday wear, and any situation where comfort takes priority over formality.

Denim Jeans

Fabric	Denim — available in slim, straight, relaxed, and skinny fits
Formality	Casual — dark wash can stretch to smart casual
Best for	Weekends, everyday wear, casual dining, errands
Pair with	T-shirt, Oxford shirt, flannel, sneakers or boots
Slim fit note	Slim or skinny fit works best — most "regular" fit jeans run wide through the thigh for slim frames

Cargo Pants

Fabric	Cotton twill or ripstop — multiple side pockets
Formality	Casual to streetwear
Best for	Outdoor activities, casual streetwear, travel
Pair with	Fitted tee, bomber jacket, clean sneakers or boots

Joggers

Fabric	Cotton, jersey, or performance fabric — cuffed ankles
Formality	Casual to athleisure
Best for	Gym, lounging, casual errands, travel
Slim fit note	Fitted joggers work well for slim frames — avoid baggy cuts which look shapeless

Track Pants

Fabric	Polyester or nylon — elastic waistband, tapered fit
Formality	Athleisure only
Best for	Workouts, sport, lounging at home
Pair with	Athletic t-shirt or hoodie, sneakers

Drawstring Pants

Fabric	Cotton, linen, or jersey with adjustable waistband
Formality	Casual — beach, resort casual, summer
Best for	Vacation, beach, warm weather casual
Pair with	Linen shirt, graphic tee, sandals or boat shoes

Liking this look? Here's our guide on what shoes to pair with linen pants.

Seasonal & Specialty Pants

Pants built for specific seasons, occasions, or style contexts.

Linen Trousers

Fabric	100% linen or linen blend — most breathable trouser fabric
Season	Spring and summer — not suitable for cold weather
Formality	Smart casual — can dress up or down
Best for	Summer events, resort wear, outdoor dining
Pair with	Linen shirt, Oxford shirt, loafers or espadrilles

Flannel Trousers

Fabric	Soft brushed wool or wool blend — warm and textured
Season	Fall and winter
Formality	Business casual to formal
Best for	Cold weather office, smart casual events, winter formal
Pair with	Blazer, sweater, Oxford shoes or brogues

Seersucker Pants

Fabric	Cotton with puckered seersucker texture — highly breathable
Season	Summer — traditionally Southern US warm weather formal
Formality	Smart casual to semi-formal in warm climates
Best for	Garden parties, summer weddings, outdoor formal events
Pair with	White dress shirt, lightweight blazer, loafers

Velvet Pants

Fabric	Velvet — rich texture and sheen
Season	Fall and winter — seasonal fabric
Formality	Semi-formal to formal — statement piece
Best for	Holiday parties, formal dinners, opera, special occasions
Pair with	White dress shirt, velvet blazer, Oxford shoes

Gabardine Pants

Fabric	Tightly woven twill — smooth, durable, wrinkle-resistant
Formality	Business casual to formal
Best for	Office wear, interviews, professional settings
Pair with	Dress shirt, blazer, Oxford shoes or loafers

Best Pants for Slim Men

The right pant type matters — but the right fit matters more. Standard cuts from most retailers are designed for average or athletic builds, which means slim guys end up with excess fabric through the thigh that breaks the silhouette regardless of how good the pant is. Here's what works best by category:

Pant Type	What Works for Slim Frames	What to Avoid
Chinos	Slim cut, no break or slight break at ankle	Regular or relaxed fit — too much thigh room
Jeans	Slim, skinny, or slim-tapered — dark wash for smart casual	Relaxed or straight fit — reads baggy on slim frames
Dress trousers	Slim or tailored cut — wool drapes cleanly	Standard pleated cut — excess fabric at thigh looks sloppy
Linen trousers	Slim cut tucked shirt — defines the waist	Baggy linen — looks shapeless on slim frames
Joggers	Fitted cuffed joggers — the taper works with slim frames	Oversized joggers — compounds slim appearance
Cropped trousers	Excellent — shorter length elongates the leg visually	Too short crops — can look disproportionate

Which Pants Should Every Man Own?

You don't need 30 pairs of pants. You need the right 5-6 that cover every situation. Here's the essential capsule by lifestyle:

The Core 5 — Covers Every Situation

Pant	Why It's Essential	Covers
Slim dark wash jeans	Most versatile pant in any wardrobe — casual to smart casual	Weekends, smart casual, casual dining
Navy slim chinos	The single most versatile trouser — pairs with everything	Office, smart casual, dates, casual
Grey slim chinos	Second neutral that pairs with literally any shirt color	Office, smart casual, everyday
Charcoal or navy dress trousers	Formal coverage — interviews, weddings, suits	Formal, business formal, suits
Fitted joggers	Comfort layer — gym, lounging, casual errands	Active, casual, home

Add These Based on Your Lifestyle

If You...	Add
Work in a formal office	Wool trousers in charcoal + pinstripe trousers
Live somewhere warm	Linen trousers in stone or white
Attend formal events regularly	Tuxedo trousers
Dress casually most of the time	Stone or khaki chinos + cargo pants
Love fall/winter dressing	Corduroy trousers + flannel trousers

FAQs: Types of Pants for Men

What type of pants do most men wear?

Jeans and chinos are the most common — jeans for casual and smart casual, chinos for everything from business casual to weekend wear. Together they cover 80% of daily outfit situations for most men. Dress trousers round out the wardrobe for formal occasions.

What are the different types of pants called?

The main categories: dress trousers or slacks (formal), chinos (business casual to smart casual), khakis (casual to business casual), jeans (casual to smart casual), joggers and track pants (athleisure), cargo pants (casual utility), linen trousers (warm weather smart casual), wool trousers (formal cold weather), corduroy (fall smart casual), and specialty types like seersucker, flannel, velvet, and tuxedo trousers.

What's the difference between chinos and khakis?

Chinos are made from lightweight cotton twill, available in more fits (slim, tapered, straight), and read as slightly more refined. Khakis are heavier, traditionally straight-leg, and more casual. Both are similar in appearance but chinos are more versatile across dress codes. For a full breakdown, see our chinos vs khakis guide.

What are the most comfortable pants for men?

For casual comfort: fitted joggers or drawstring linen pants. For smart casual comfort: stretch chinos or tapered trousers in soft fabrics. For formal comfort: wool trousers in a tropical or lightweight weave. Comfort comes from fabric and fit working together — a well-fitted pair of slim chinos is more comfortable than baggy joggers that bunch and twist with movement.

What pants should slim men wear?

Slim and tapered cuts in all categories — slim chinos, slim or skinny jeans, slim-cut dress trousers. The key is avoiding excess fabric through the thigh which breaks the silhouette on slim frames. Cropped trousers work particularly well because the shorter length visually elongates the leg. Standard or relaxed fits from most retailers are designed for average builds and run wide for genuinely slim frames.

What's the difference between dress pants and trousers?

They're essentially the same thing — trousers is the more formal British term for dress pants. Both refer to tailored pants worn with suits or blazers for formal and business formal occasions. The terms are used interchangeably in most contexts. "Slacks" is another synonym, though it's slightly more casual in connotation.

More Men's Style Guides

• Chinos vs Khakis — the full comparison guide
• How to Wear a Dress Shirt With Jeans — pairing guide for your jeans
• Smart Casual Dress Code for Men — how to use your pants across dress codes
• What Is Business Casual? — which pants work for the office
• How to Measure Your Waist for Pants — get the fit right before buying
• Shoes to Wear With Linen Pants — pairing guide for warm weather trousers
• Grey Pants With Brown Shoes — color coordination guide
• Men's Capsule Wardrobe — how pants fit into a complete wardrobe system