Trouser fit: how to choose the right one for you
Open any men’s closet and you will find at least 6 or 7 pairs of pants, from jeans to sweatpants to more dressy garments. Every year, at least two or three of these are replaced; yet although buying pants is a common and repeated act, it is not always easy to identify the right size.
In order to find a good fit for pants , one has to choose the one that fits one best, so it is necessary to know oneself, that is, to know what one’s physicality and measurements are. Almost everyone knows one’s height, but they stop there; instead, knowing how wide one’s waistline is or how long one’s leg is is the starting point for finding the garment that fits us best.
Sometimes we would like to overlook it, especially when we have a few extra pounds or do not feel our best, because we do not feel like discovering the number on the centimeter. The reality, however, is that not only will our physique not improve, but we additionally run the risk of having pants that do not enhance us at our best. Then it is better to do a little analysis of our own body so that we can choose the garments that we like the most and that give us the most satisfaction when we look in the mirror.
The key element: the belt
Very often when choosing a piece of clothing we dwell on the length. Whether it is a pair of pants, a sweater or a shirt, we lay the garment in front of the body and, looking in the mirror, try to figure out whether it will be too long or too short. Yet, this is not the most important element when it comes to the fit of pants.
The difference is made by the waistband, that is, how the pants fit at waist level. It sounds trivial, but you cannot be comfortable in pants that are too tight at the waist as well as in pants that are too loose. In the latter case, do not make the mistake of thinking that it can be solved with an extra belt or button; sure, they are useful expedients to get a small adjustment, but if the waist is too wide the whole line of the pants will be compromised.
Therefore, it is important to try on the pants in person or to carefully read the charts showing measurements to choose your size. Professional e-commerce stores clearly give these directions so you can make the best choice.
The trouser leg
Thus, having saved comfort at the waist, it is time to calculate the leg. Obviously you look at the length, considering that often prét a porter pants are a bit longer than the average height because it is easy to remedy with a hem. However, if you are among those who do not like this solution, you just have to look carefully for a pant that is the right size.
In fact, when it comes to fit, even a poorly made hem or fabric that rolls up over the ankle can be annoying, hindering movement when walking. Pants that are too short, on the other hand, may be annoying when you sit down.
However, there is not only the length: the width of the pants must also be evaluated. In this case you take into account not the thigh but the calf; in fact, if at the top of the pants the fabric can be snug, it is at the bottom that it can bother you. So choose a tight model if you like the snug feel of the fabric in contact with the muscle. Otherwise, opt for a looser model, also avoiding friction with the sock.
The best model based on physicality
Now is the time to find the model that fits best, matching your personal taste with your physicality. For muscular or abundant builds, the focus should be on the lower part of the pants, which should come down straight without binding the calf too much. Therefore, it is best to avoid skinny models, as they would make the figure look stocky and, above all, uncomfortable. An ideal pant is the cargo pant, which frees up the leg muscles and makes you feel comfortable; of course, it is not good for all occasions, but it gives an idea of what kind of fit to look for.
Unlike what you might think, however, skinny or slim fit are good for those who are not very tall, because they accompany the figure; no pockets instead because they break up the figure. In fact, slim fit pants fit just about everyone, including very tall men who will gain in elegance.
