Trousers are where most men lose the quiet luxury look. A great knit with skinny jeans or shiny suit pants does not work. The good news is that you only need three or four pairs, and the rules are simple. Here are the six styles worth owning, how they should fit, and what to wear with them.
What makes trousers look quiet luxury
- A higher rise. The waistband sits at or just below the navel, not on the hips. Your legs look longer and a tucked-in knit stays tucked.
- Pleats. One or two front pleats give room at the hip and a clean line down the leg.
- A straight or wide leg. Not skinny. The fabric should fall straight from the hip, with a small taper at most.
- The right length. A light break or no break at all. The hem should just touch the top of the shoe.
- Matte fabric. Cotton, linen, wool flannel or blends that do not shine.
- No belt, or a plain one. Side adjusters look cleaner than a belt with a big buckle.
The 6 trouser styles worth owning
1. Navy pleated trousers
Start here. Navy goes with every color in a quiet luxury wardrobe: beige, cream, grey, brown and burgundy. It is smart enough for the office and easy to wear with a polo on the weekend.
Our Navy Pleated Trousers are a cotton and linen blend with front pleats, a button tab waistband and side adjusters instead of belt loops. The leg is straight with a slight taper.
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2. Gurkha trousers
Gurkha trousers have a high, wide waistband that closes with buckles at the side. They come from military uniforms and they look sharp with a tucked-in knit. In white or cream they are the classic summer and early autumn trouser.
The Quiet Luxury Pleated Gurkha Trousers come in white, black and navy, with a straight leg and a turn-up hem.
3. Wide leg pinstripe trousers
For evenings, a darker trouser with a thin pinstripe looks dressed up without a suit. Keep the top simple: a camel or cream knit and suede loafers.
Try the Black Pinstripe Wide Leg Trousers. They have front pleats and a relaxed wide leg.
4. Linen trousers
Linen is the fabric of warm days. It creases, and that is fine. A linen blend creases less and keeps its shape better than pure linen.
We have the Linen Blend Trousers in a linen and viscose blend, and the more relaxed Linen Drawstring Trousers in cotton and linen.
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5. Chinos
Chinos are the everyday trouser. Choose a plain front or a single pleat, in beige, stone or navy, and avoid very slim fits. Our Casual Chino Pants are a good start. Massimo Dutti and Drake's also make very good chinos.
Photo: @massimodutti on Instagram
6. Grey wool flannel
We do not make flannel trousers yet, but they belong on this list. Grey flannel with a navy knit is one of the most classic winter outfits there is. Look at Incotex or Rota if you want Italian quality, or Spier & Mackay for a lower price.
How to wear them
- Tuck in your knit. With a higher rise, a tucked knitted polo or fine sweater looks clean and shows the waistband.
- Match the shoes to the mood. Suede loafers for almost everything, white sneakers for the weekend, dark leather for the evening.
- Keep the colors close. Navy trousers with a cream knit, or cream trousers with a navy knit. Two or three colors per outfit is enough.
- Add a light jacket in autumn. A field jacket over a knit and navy trousers is an easy outfit for cooler days.
How many pairs do you need?
Three pairs cover most of the year: navy pleated trousers, a white or cream pair, and one darker pair for evenings. Add linen for summer and flannel for winter when you are ready.
FAQ
What pants are quiet luxury for men?
High-rise pleated trousers in navy, cream, grey or beige, in matte fabrics like cotton, linen or wool. Gurkha trousers, wide leg trousers and well-cut chinos all fit the look.
Should quiet luxury trousers have a break?
A small break or none at all. Too much fabric at the ankle looks untidy.
What shoes go with pleated trousers?
Suede loafers are the easiest choice. Clean white sneakers work on weekends.
What do I wear on top?
A knitted polo or a fine sweater. See our guide to quiet luxury sweaters for men, or browse all men's trousers and the quiet luxury edit for men.
