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It’s time for a little brush-up; after all, fashion moves fast. Check out all the in-the-know terms and types of men's pants that should be in every modern man’s closet. After all, the more you know, the more dapper you’ll be dressed.
Do you know your size? Check out our online men’s pant measurement guide.
Different Types of Pants
This should come as no surprise, but if Haggar had a middle name, it would be Pants. For nearly a century, Haggar has led the industry in innovation with comfort and easy-care advanced fabrics at the forefront. We’ve earned the trust of Pro Football Hall of Famers®, U.S. Presidents, and most notably — you. Haggar is proud to be America’s #1 selling dress pant brand. *
Here’s a good bit of bar trivia: Haggar coined the name “Slacks” in 1938 to reference pants meant to be worn in a man’s downtime. We integrated stretch fabrics, comfort waistbands, and wrinkle-free pants into our collections in the early years of tech advancements —we just cannot be humble when it comes to our history and roots in men’s pants. Okay, so now that we’ve rung our bell, let’s dive into the modern man’s guide to everything pants. We’re shedding some light from the bottom up on the always-evolving world of menswear.
Break: A pivotal and often overlooked detail in your tailored look. Simply put, a break is where your hem meets your shoe—typically described as full, half, quarter, or no break. While a full break (midway down the heel of a shoe) is a timeless choice, no break (pants grazing the top of the shoe and showing some ankle) is modern and sleek with a straight leg. Each is dependent on your stature, preference, and your footwear choice.
Capri pants: Capris are just a fancy name for cropped pants that show some calf and ankle off. Although capris go by various funny names, i.e., clam diggers, they are generally just looser, more casual cuts meant to be paired with pool slides or rolled and tailored with loafers.
Cargo pants: Cargo pants are generally looser-fitting bottoms (or shorts) with ample patch pockets. New cuts play up raw hemlines and slimmer tailoring than yesteryear.
Casual pants: Embracing versatility, casual pants encompass a plethora of styles, from chinos to joggers, offering comfort without compromising style. The new look of street-ready casual can be worn almost everywhere, even 9-to-5 if you are vigilant in your pairings.
Chino pants: Not your Father’s chinos. This flat-front trouser gets its name from the chino cotton twill it’s crafted from. New cuts of chinos pair easily with a range of options from suit blazers to your favorite body-conscious Henley.
Corduroy pants: A thicker vertical tuft- and channel-designed fabric, generally popular for cooler weather. Corduroys are available in many different cuts and colors.
Dress pants: Dress pants are the epitome of sophistication, tailored to perfection for business or formal occasions, available in straight-legged or slim-fit options, sometimes with pleats adding a touch of refinement.
Definition of Dress Pants
Dress pants are slacks or trousers designed especially for semi-formal or formal settings. They are frequently composed of premium fabrics and are an essential component of business wear.
Features of dress pants:
- Fit: Dress pants feature tapered or straight legs and a tailored fit.
- Waistband: Belt loops may be present on the waistband.
- Materials: Wool, blends of polyester, and occasionally cotton are used to make dress pants.
- Design: Dress pants can feature pleats or a flat front, button or hook-and-bar fastenings, a concealed zipper, and occasionally a noticeable crease down the front.
Uses
Whether you're attending a wedding or gala, whether you're working in an office or attending a conference, dress pants are the way to go. In a conservative or businesslike ensemble, dress pants can be worn with a sports coat, a collared shirt, a tie, and a business suit.
Harem pants: These loose-fitting pants have a low-cut crotch and are extremely baggy at the hips and thighs with a dramatic taper at the leg. The harem cut is becoming very popular in sweat pant style fabrics.
High-rise or high-waisted pants: Pants that start at or above the wearer's natural waist. Elevate your style game with this cut to accentuate the natural waistline, offering a flattering fit with throwback appeal. Need more help on fit? Check out our online men’s pant measurement guide.
Jeans: Everyone’s favorite type of men’s pants, denim. Born in the 1800s as a workwear essential, denim pants or jeans have grown from the gold mines to the mega masses, and it’s easy to see why. The original five-pocket style and overall dungarees have certainly evolved. Modern jeans are most notably new in lightweight, dressier fabrications and richly colored hues. Jeans are tried and true paired with any type of boots, but don’t limit the latest cuts and colors to your day off. From enzyme rinses to raw denim, jeans have come a long way into our every day.
Joggers: Embrace athleisure with this loose but tapered-leg design. Joggers are popular for both physical activity and casual outings, ensuring comfort without compromising on style.
Low-rise or low-waisted pants: Low-rise pants feature a waistline that begins below the belly button. Make a statement with a lower-riding cut that offers a relaxed twist on classic silhouettes. Need more fit suggestions? Check out our online men’s pant measurement guide.
Made-To-Measure: Made-to-measure fashion sits between off-the-rack and bespoke (or custom cut) —these pieces are tailored and finished to fit your body after being initially made with standard patterns.
Pleats: A type of fabric fold used to add structure and shape to a garment. Pleats got a bad wrap in the ‘80s when baggier fabrics could look unkempt. But today’s pleats look classic and tailored with smoother, better fabrications. The antithesis, a smooth, uninterrupted cut is called a flat front.
Relaxed pants: Add a nod to fashion’s ever-evolving landscape with this retro, more-baggy-than-a-straight-leg cut, offering a wider fit throughout the leg opening. Not sure? Check out our online men’s pant measurement guide.
Running leggings: These tight-fitting, elastic pants are typically crafted from Lycra® or spandex and are meant to support athletic endeavors and are often layered with shorts.
Skinny or cigarette pants: Ankle-length cigarette pants are a type of skinny pants that are high-waisted and have a slimmer leg cut. Skinny jeans are another name for cigarette pants made of denim.
Slim fit: To emphasize the leg's natural shape from hip to ankle, slim-fit jeans have a tapered cut. They skim rather than cling like a skinny cut. These fits are form-fitting without being overly constricting. Check out our online men’s pant measurement guide.
Straight-leg pants: Pants straight from the waist to the bottom. Dress pants typically have a straight leg. Timeless and versatile, these pants offer a classic silhouette that transitions smoothly from day to night.
Suit pants: When paired with a suit jacket, dress pants are called "suit pants" and are a standard of business attire.
Sweatpants: Sweatpants are looser-fitting casual athletic pants are generally crafted of soft, absorbent fabric with a drawstring waist and elastic cuffs.
Track pants: Crafted of thin fabric and a straight-leg design, track pants are generally worn with sportswear or a matching track jacket.
Wide-leg pants: Also called bootcut and, when dramatically flared, dubbed bell bottoms. These hip-hugging styles flare out at the bottom, starting at the knee. From the 1960s to now, fit-and-flare styles have been a staple among rock stars.
* Circana Group/Retail Tracking Service, U.S. dollar sales, 3 months ending September 2023