Best trousers for men 2024: Arket to Issey Miyake

There’s a reason why most of your menswear-related nightmares include leaving your trousers at home, and it’s not only because you might be in need of a boxer brief update. The best trousers for men — the kind that fit like a glove on the waist and skim the top of your shoes just so — are one of the most important elements of a capsule (or a ramshackle) wardrobe.

Joggers, chinos, wide-legged pants and denim jeans all have a place in the modern man’s ‘fit rotation, but it’s with a pair of impeccable trousers that he can truly transcend dress codes. Suit trousers, worn sans jacket, can be sported business-casual with dress shoes and a contrasting blazer, or down with a white T-shirt, while dress pants can appear smart-casual alongside your new favourite pair of sneakers, or closer to smart with loafers and an open collar dress shirt. There are corduroy trousers, wool trousers, pleated trousers and even a smattering of cargo pants that can do this for your day-to-day ensembles.

What are GQ‘s best trousers for men?

Percival trousers, shot nearby GQ HQ by Jeeba Marri

Modelled by Senior Commerce Writer Owen Gough, and styled by Senior Commerce Writer Heidi Quill

Percival linen trousers | Percival Auxiliary white T-shirt | Duke + Dexter loafers

What is a smart trouser?

If we’re talking traditional, a smart trouser is one that generally comes in a regular or slim fit, often with a pleated or flat front, and with other hallmarks of a pant you might wear with a suit: belt loops, button and zip closure, etc. In keeping with these same standards, we recommend materials such as organic cotton, wool, flannel, linen, or textile blends if you’re on a budget. In 2024, though, you have a little more room for manoeuvre. More relaxed fits (such as those exemplified by Homme Plissé Issey Miyake) and even borderline baggy can work with a smart enough cohort.

Which brand is best for men’s trousers?

Once upon a time there were only a few people who could be trusted with your trousers, and most of them were tailors. Now, you have a lot more to play with: more affordable brands such as Uniqlo and Arket offer trews we love just as much as designers such as Gucci and tailoring brands like Drake’s. For a wardrobe that you can switch up for a whole series of social and business engagements, we recommend one or two pairs from each of these categories.

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