How to wear fitted/straight cut pants

Wearing fitted/straight cut pants is a trend that can be seen on many men around town. But with many attempts come some hits and misses. Here are some tips on how one should wear this style.

Pants are particularly important because they serve as a base for the rest of your outfit. They are also important because they, in large part, determine whether your body appears tall or short. A high rise with a long, straight leg will make you appear taller, while a leg broken up by boot tucks, lower rises, cuffs or other pants breaks, will make you appear shorter.

The break is the fold or bend above the cuff of the leg, which is created when the fabric of the leg is longer than your physical leg. Thus, the pant line “breaks,” or kinks, near your shin when the cuff meets your shoe. There are different degrees of breaks as shown in the diagram.

It really depends on what you prefer; however, no break generally tends to make a man look as if his pants are too short, as it may expose his shoes and socks when walking.

Formal pants should sit comfortably on your hip right below your navel. It should be close enough that it may not require a belt, but not too close as to create a bulge or cut off circulation. The flow of the pants should follow through to the break, uninterrupted by kinks, bends or general extra fabric.

Informal/casual pants can be a bit looser with the same straight cut design. It should also fit nicely on the hips and should not be baggy as to create folds. This type of pants can have a medium to full break and not look too long.

Shorts should fit slim, but not tight (a common mistake). Again, avoid pocket flair and pleats, as they may make the pants seem larger. The rise is a matter of preference. A modern pair of shorts should not go past mid knee, although shorts that are 2-3 inches shorter are acceptable.

Remember pants should show the physique of a man and should never make it seem as though sitting is not an option (too tight). So men, I urge you to continue down this road of fashion growth.

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