Style -- 1 day ago
We’ve now reached that pleasant time of year when the winter crush is in the rear-view mirror and the promise of the warm-weather months lies ahead. But it’s also a strange juncture we find ourselves at, particularly when it comes to dressing below the belt – too warm for wool, but perhaps a bit too early for shorts. This is when choosing the right option – something lightweight, breathable and, if possible, designed in a season-friendly shade – really does matter. Below, we’ve put together a rundown of the finest trousers to zip-, button- and tie-up during the weeks ahead.
Cult brand LESTRANGE is revered for focusing on menswear staples – bomber jackets, plain T-shirts, pared-down blazers – and tweaking them to an ideal form. The 24 Trouser is perhaps the brand’s most iconic offering, due to its perfect blending of pure comfort (it’s made with a four-way stretch) and a tailored aesthetic. It’s a brilliant hybrid that can be worn to the office, the bar or during the weekend away, and is best paired with some minimalist white sneakers.
Spring style always brings to mind easy, long holidays out of town – and when you look at this design, you can’t help but imagine JFK in them, hems rolled up, wayfarers on the face and the sun beaming down over Hyannis Port. We rather like the hidden zip pocket, which ensures your essentials don’t go AWOL when you’ve had a Negroni too many.
Along with its T-shirts, boxers and knits, Sunspel also produces meticulous trousers. Take this drawstring option, for instance: its use of a cotton-linen blend means it has both the softness of the former and the breathability of the latter, and the lack of buttons and fastens gives it a clean, fuss-free appearance. It’s made in a straight fit, so is best suited for those who are looking for something a tad looser.
Sometimes, you just want an easy-to-wear set of trousers that you can slip seamlessly into when the day starts early. Vuori has gathered a loyal following in past years for marrying a sporty performance with a dressed-up look, and its Meta Pant has helped build the venture’s repute. It has the lightweight touch and stretchy qualities of a piece of activewear, yet the five pockets and buttoned waistband give it the appearance of a chino. We quite like falling back on this one when darting across town for meetings – or when on the golf course. It also comes in slim and relaxed fits.
As we all know and expect, the UK weather is not one for consistency, so spring will almost definitely see some rough patches. For such occasions, we suggest falling back on some quality denim. Here, Belstaff hits the right shade – not too dark so that it recalls the grey days of winter, but not too light that it’ll seem inappropriate on an overcast afternoon – and it has a slight stretch for ease of movement. For maximum impact, team it up with a plain white T-shirt.
Luca Faloni has long been a specialist in creating clothes and accessories that make you long for the Italian coastline: linen shirts in vibrant colours, polos that can be worn from piazza to port, holdalls to fill with a weekend’s-worth of outfits. These trousers are made from breathable, pure Italian linen and are done in a tapered fit. The dyeing process that they’ve gone through results in a splendid light-wash finish that imbues any ensemble with a touch of sprezzatura.
We’ve always admired Paul Smith’s sense of whim and fun – and here, the label plays ever so slightly with wide, loose proportions (the type of thing you can imagine someone wearing around Montmartre). The navy colourway, belt loops and rear flap pocket provides it all with a formal counterbalance, and we appreciate the internal rubber grip on the waistband so that shirts are locked in.
Want more style essentials? These are the T-shirts every man should own…
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