Men's Pants

How much room a leg keeps between the knee and the hem does more to change a pair of pants than anything else. Straight cut pants hold one width the whole way down; tapered pairs narrow from the knee so the hem sits clean on a shoe, and skinny pants carry that narrowing right up the thigh. In the other direction, bootcut and flared pants widen again below the knee, and wide leg pants never narrow at all.

Waist and pocket then set the register. Sweatpants and joggers run on a drawcord or elastic waist, cuffed at the ankle or left open, while dress pants keep a fitted waistband, a pressed line and slanted pockets. Utility pants add patch and cargo pockets with reinforced seams, and casual pants sit between the two in cotton twill. Look for brushed twill, wool suiting, French terry and ripstop.