(A year in sweatpants and joggers has been comfortable. But eventually, we will wear pants again. Whether it’s returning to in-office work, job interviews, first dates, or decadent brunches — here’s the lowdown on sporting trousers in style, just in case you needed a refresher.
Picking the Perfect PairIf you find yourself feeling like you’ve lost the plot when you look at a pair of pants off-late, then you are not alone. Given our current fixation with all things comfy, it’s pretty normal to feel a bit lost. Fortunately, we’re here to fix that.
Often emphasised on women, dressing for your body type is just as important for men.
If you have a bigger body type than most, finding clothes that tuck everything in or complement your body shape can be a difficult task but shouldn’t be hard. If regular-fit pants tug at your thighs or calves, try buying them a size up and altering them to fit. But if alterations aren’t accessible, we recommend standing by structured fits that will help give you some shape.
If you are shorter in height, we recommend trying tapered or slim-fit trousers that will help lengthen your frame. Bonus tip: Wearing socks in the same colour will help add to the illusion of length.
If you are a gym-junkie who is very muscular, avoid anything skinny-fit or else you could end up looking too top-heavy. As a general rule of thumb, try sticking to relaxed straight-leg trousers instead. And whatever you do, stay away from cropped trouser lengths as they will shorten your frame.
Not all trousers are made to weather the storm — literal or metaphorical — but men’s pants in sustainable fabrics can go a long way.
Hemp trousers won’t just give you some cool cred among your buddies but also provide you with unparalleled softness and comfort. Grown from the Sativa plant, hemp is a type of ‘bast fibre’, that offers the most deliciously soft feeling when worn and is known for growing softer with each wear. Hemp fabric is also innately resistant to bacteria and can quite literally act as your very own sun shield through its natural ability to provide UV protection.
But if you are a stickler for traditional choices, organic cotton pants should definitely be on your radar. Compared to its conventional counterpart, organic cotton is softer, hypoallergenic, and lasts for a long time. Unlike regular cotton, organic cotton is GMO-free and uses no chemicals, toxic bleach, or formaldehyde to grow, harvest or process. And since there is no chemical retention from organic cotton clothing, sensitive people with allergies can greatly benefit from wearing organic cotton pants.
Now that you’ve found a well-fitted pair of trousers in the ideal sustainable fabric, all that is left to do is style it. It seems like quite the puzzle as we swiftly but undoubtedly move away from our sweatpants.
Mark the occasion by opting for a colourfully coordinated look by playing with some contrasting hues. Think navy blue hemp trousers with a pale peach hemp shirt or a bottle green organic cotton pair with a light blue bamboo blend shirt. But be sure to tone it all down with white sneakers or plimsolls.
If pastel colours feel too frivolous for work, then styling trousers in tapered silhouettes in neutral shades don’t have to be a bore. Try on some organic cotton trousers in muted khaki or black, paired with a crisp white button-up shirt, and layer a blazer over it. Don’t forget to add some black Oxford shoes into the mix to keep things sharp.
For date nights, keep things comfortable in a classic blue organic cotton pair and team it with a casual white polo and layer a half-sleeved shirt unbuttoned over it for some flair. Don’t forget to add a great pair of minimal low-top white sneakers for comfort.
Published by: Vibhuti Vazirani/ 2021-05-31