Whether you’ve lost a few pounds or found a great deal on an off-the-rack pair of dress pants, you want to make sure your clothes fit you. More often than not, buying off-the-rack dress pants does not allow for the best fit since they are made for generic body sizes. If you can, opt for a professional fitting. Tailors and seamstresses know what to look for and can offer suggestions for your body type. They can also tailor your dress pants perfectly to your body so that every pair of pants will fit your body exactly as it should. Below are some tips to consider when picking out the right pair of pants and why they are important.
1. Waist & Size
The waist is the first measurement needed to pick the right men’s pant style, and the most important. How your pants look whether you are standing or sitting depends on having the correct waist size. A good fit pair of dress pants should never be able to slide off the body on its own, even without a belt or suspenders. Always try pants on without a belt.
2. Inseam & Length
The inseam is usually the second measurement shown on a size label and the second most important measurement. The inseam is the length inside the leg from the lowest part of the bathing suit area to the bottom of the hemline, a little lower than the ankle. Inseam measurement is important for correct length, as nothing ruins a look more than pants that are too long or too short. You want to aim for a small break in the pant leg. A break is a crease at the base of the pant leg created when the pants collapse onto the shoe. You can also opt for a cuff that weighs down the pants and has no break.
3. Side Length
The side length is the opposite of the inseam. It runs from the waist down to the hem on the outside of the leg, and can be short or longer depending on the person. Having the correct side length can keep a pair of pants from riding up too high when sitting or dragging on the ground when walking.
4. Pant Rise
Rise is the measurement from the top of the inseam to the waist. Rise tells you whether the pants will fit above the waist, at the waist, or below the waist. Knowing this measurement can also help determine whether pleated or flat front pants are best. Flat front trousers will make your silhouette more smooth and straight. They’re not for men who have muscular legs and should not be cuffed. Pleated pants are better suited for larger men and essential for those who keep their hands in pockets or for those who store smartphone, keys, or other objects in the pockets.
5. Thigh & Knee
For men with more muscular or broader legs, measuring the thigh and knee will help determine the right fit, as well as the right style. Straight or wide leg pants are more appropriate for those with wider thighs. For men with a lankier body type, straight or tapered may look better, as pants that fit too loosely may look ill-fitting or borrowed. Dress trousers should not be tight to the leg, nor billowing but, lie comfortably close to the leg without resistance but they will naturally drape more.
A good pair of trousers will prevent a distraction from your conversation and give you a professional air about you. You do not want the defining characteristic of your outfit to be your pants. Imagine walking up to business investors with baggy, wrinkled pants. All they will see is your pants and pass an internal judgement that is harder to overcome. Do not let something as simple as pants ruin great business opportunities. Hopefully you are now equipped with enough knowledge to make smart purchasing decisions when out shopping for pants.