Trousers are the most common item in men's wardrobe, which today comes in more than 10 varieties and styles. Despite such popularity and a wide choice, many still do not know how long trousers for men should be according to the rules of etiquette and advice from stylists. Pants that are too long can look untidy, while short ones can look comical and awkward.
And only the correct length of trousers for men will allow them to look fashionable, stylish and elegant, regardless of the style of trousers and style. The optimal length can be determined by several criteria, such as the man’s figure and height, clothing style, as well as the style of the trousers themselves and the latest fashion trends. The classic style always implies strict requirements, but modern trousers in military, sports and casual styles can be worn in different ways.
Regardless of how old a man is and what style of trousers he prefers, stylists strongly recommend following all the requirements and rules on how to select, wear and combine trousers in your look. Classic trousers are most in demand among the stronger half of society, and the rules for choosing and wearing them are fundamental, that is, an example for other styles and models.
When choosing trousers, men should consider the following tips from stylists:
- Particular attention is first paid to the width of the trousers, so that they do not fit tightly around the hips, but also do not hang down like curtains on a curtain rod;
- improper fit of trousers will lead to pockets protruding, which is extremely undesirable;
- if trousers have arrows, they should be as straight as possible;
- trousers should not interfere with the free movement of a man.
The determining factor in choosing trousers is a man’s height, and the cut also depends on it. If a man is naturally short in stature, it is worth taking a closer look at straight-cut models that do not leave folds at the bottom of the ankles. Tall men are more suitable for trousers with pleats and cuffs, which will slightly reduce the length of the legs, creating proportionality in the figure.
Expert opinion
Helen Goldman
Male stylist-image maker
The basic rule regarding the optimal length of trousers involves right choice pants size. It is extremely important to first try on this item of clothing and then decide on the size.
The correct length of trousers for men, depending on the style
The rules of fashion and wearing men's trousers are completely ambiguous; they are directly influenced by indirect factors, such as the cut and style of the trousers, the height and build of the man, general style in clothes and much more. But if we turn to the generally accepted standard, according to it, trousers should cover no more than half of the heel with shoes at the back, and leave about one fold at the front. More precise recommendations depend on the style of the trousers.
Classic
For connoisseurs of classic men's trousers, stylists advise paying particular attention to the rules for wearing them. These pants require slightly wide legs and a crease, as well as a combination with a classic shirt and jacket. They look ideal on older men, as well as those whose figure is far from ideal. At the back, the pants should fall no higher than 1 cm of the heel of the shoes or to its middle, and cover 2/3 of the shoes at the front.
Tapered
For connoisseurs of casual and neoclassical style, which means skinny trousers, stylists give other recommendations and advice. As a rule, narrow pants are supposed to have a shorter length in order to maintain their proportionality. Therefore, the optimal length of the trouser legs should be such that the top of the shoe is visible. Ideally, trousers of this cut are combined with oxfords, in which the lacing will be visible.
With a turn up and shortened
The optimal length of men's trousers, which are supposed to have a cropped style (,), should reach the ankle line on the legs. Most often, such pants require narrow tailoring, a straight cut and clear lines. If we consider trousers with rolled-up cuffs, their length options may vary.
For strict dress codes, stylists require that such trousers be abandoned. When combined with massive and high shoes, the gap between them and the cuffs of the trousers should be minimal, and only with summer lightweight shoe models can the gap be increased. With loafers or moccasins, pants should reach your ankles.
Wide and baggy
Wide-leg trousers are sporty style, which means they can be combined with sports shoes. Excessive length can become an obstacle to active pastime; ideally, the trouser legs should go down to the beginning of the sole of the shoe, but not touch the ground. Wide pants with cuffs should be long enough to cover the entire leg, but not fold into an accordion.
Do you like baggy pants?
YesNo
Conclusion
When choosing the correct length of trousers, a man should pay special attention to their style and types of models, since they provide for different style loads and rules of fit. In addition, footwear is a determining factor; for example, it is forbidden to wear short trouser styles under classic shoes and boots. Under sports shoes, you can wear pants with shorter collars. Ideally, trousers should not leave more than one fold at the bottom and slightly cover the heel of the shoe.
How long should a man's trousers be? The correct length of the trouser leg is one fold in the front. At the same time, from behind, the edge of the trouser leg touches the upper edge of the heel.
Second option: the edge of the trouser leg remains in the center of the back of the shoe (boot).This is a classic approach specifically for dress pants (with or without a suit).
Recommendations for tall men: the presence of one (or even two) folds or the presence of a cuff (bend upward) on the trouser leg. This allows you to visually reduce your height or overall length of your legs and look more harmonious.
How to shorten pants correctly (life hack)
The tailor usually cuts the trousers straight. For example, you measured that you should cut 3 cm of fabric. The seamstress will cut it evenly, making the pants shorter. But from the point of view of the structure of a boot or shoe, this will not be entirely true. If the length of the trouser leg is uniform, there will usually be a fold or several in the front, but there will be no folds in the back. And when walking, the front fold only visually increases.
The secret to cutting men's trousers: cut the fabric at a slight angle (10-15 degrees). The front is shorter, the back of the fabric is longer. This way you reduce the possibility of multiple creases appearing. A lot of folds look so-so, as if the pants don’t fit, and you’re wearing your older brother or father out.
By the way: soft and thin fabric of the legs creates more folds than thick classic fabric. Linen trousers, trousers with stretch (stretch fabric). Keep this information in mind when cutting off your pants!
Stretch fabric is knitwear with elastic thread in its composition. The thread is synthetic and stretches 15-20% of its original state.
"European" trouser length
European designers and fashion designers suggest wearing trousers quite fashionably and modernly. This method is not suitable for everyone, mainly for slender young men of average height. For overweight men, this style will look a little ridiculous; tall men should also “apply” it with caution.
The main meaning of the “European” trouser length: the lower part of the trouser leg (trouser leg) only slightly touches the shoes or low shoes. The laces (if any) are completely visible. The shoes are completely on display. If the shoes are beautiful and expensive, this will help show them off to others and show off.
However: pants should be tapered at the bottom! Otherwise, outwardly everything will look extremely ridiculous.
Men's jeans length
There are no hard and fast rules for jeans. They are worn with or without folds (accordion), tucked and cropped. Jeans are yard-street pants that people don’t bother with. Although in Russia and Russian-speaking countries, jeans are often worn to the club, to work in the office, and with the family outdoors. Most of our citizens wear jeans according to the rules of trousers. And in general, this is correct, because it looks neat.
Pants with cuffs (men's)
Cuffed trousers are trousers with the edges factory folded (turned up) towards the top. Cuffs are also easy to make if you have sewing machine or by taking your trousers to a sewing workshop. It is not recommended to hem it by hand; it will not come out neatly. Cuffs are easiest to do on pants that need to be shortened (i.e. the legs are too long). Usually the trouser leg is cut or folded and hemmed inside (“inner cuffs”). By adding outer cuffs, you'll give your pants (and yourself) a new, stylish look.
Forget about the fact that cuffs are outdated or out of fashion. This is what people say who are far from the concept of style and neatness in clothing. Cuffs were, are and will always be relevant. Both on jeans and dress pants with or without a suit.
The cuffs slightly weigh down the fabric at the bottom, as a result, the trouser leg does not create unnecessary folds and lies smoothly on the shoes.
The cuffs “balance” the overall length of the trousers. For a tall person, they visually shorten long legs; for a person of average height, they center the knees. In short, cuffs are the finishing touch. You can do without them, but it’s more beautiful with them.
Men's trouser sizes
How to measure pants correctly? Just remember the two letters and their meanings: W And L
W- Waist circumference
L- Length of the trouser leg at the seam (inside, from the groin side)
Example: W34 L32
There is also a measurement based on hip circumference, but this is not a private parameter. You will see the letters W and L on the label all the time, but real professionals take into account the hip circumference when carefully and perfectly fitting the figure.
Size chart for men's trousers (trousers)
Waist(cm) | Hip circumference (cm) | RUSSIA | International standard | EUROPE | USA |
| 62-67 | 87-90 | 42 | XXS | 42 | 32 |
| 68-72 | 91-94 | 44 | XXS | 44 | 34 |
| 73-78 | 95-98 | 46 | XS | 46 | 36 |
| 79-84 | 99-102 | 48 | S | 48 | 38 |
| 85-90 | 103-106 | 50 | M | 50 | 40 |
| 91-96 | 107-110 | 52 | L | 52 | 42 |
| 97-102 | 109-113 | 54 | XL | 54 | 44 |
| 103-108 | 114-117 | 56 | XXL | 56 | 46 |
| 109-114 | 118-121 | 58 | XXXL | 58 | 48 |
| 115-119 | 122-125 | 60 | XXXL | 60 | 50 |
| 120-122 | 126-129 | 62 | XXXL | 62 | 52 |
| 123-125 | 130-132 | 64 | 4XL | 64 | 54 |
| 126-129 | 133-134 | 66 | 4XL | 66 | 56 |
| 130-134 | 135-137 | 68 | 5XL | 68 | 58 |
| 135-138 | 138-139 | 70 | 5XL | 70 | 60 |
- All data in the table are given for a man of average build (not overweight and not very thin)
- US sizes may be listed as 2.4, 6, 8, etc.
- European sizes may indicate the waist (W) and leg length (L) in inches, then multiply the value by 2.54 (1 inch = 2.54 cm) or use our table:
It's okay if the length of the trouser leg is longer than the length of your leg. The trousers can be easily trimmed in the workshop or folded with cuffs. In stores, labels immediately indicate height, for example, 182 or 188. For example, 52/172. Therefore, in length, be guided by the indicated height, and not by the length of the trouser leg. Anyway, you can only understand the length of the trousers by actually putting them on yourself.
Important! Manufacturers, fabricators, garment factories different countries(especially in China!) They often do not comply with standards, they sew according to their own patterns, plus they have their own understanding of what size a given model is. Therefore, they often put numbers that do not correspond to the tables above. Be careful, especially when ordering online. Look at the indicated dimensions in centimeters and compare them with the size in the table.
Often sizes are indicated in tables on the seller’s websites; carefully study and compare them with your data.
This video explains well the length of trousers in skinny trousers.
Video "Correct length of skinny trousers"
Classic pants
- If you find it difficult to choose the length of your trousers, take trousers with a small fold at the bottom, so that the back of your shoes is half covered.
- If you squat down and feel too tight/wide, it’s not your size.
- If you can’t find the size, then look for another manufacturer. The pattern and cut are different for everyone. Perhaps you will have luck with another fashion designer.
- If possible, avoid folds in the waistband; they make people look overweight.
The length of the trousers depends on their width. The wider the trousers, the longer they should be. The width of classic trousers at the bottom is 2/3 of the length of the shoe, i.e. One third of the shoe should be visible. For such trousers, the length at the back can reach half the height of the heel or cover 2/3 of the heel. The front of the trousers should lie on the shoe and form one crease. If the trousers are without cuffs, then the hemline has a slope: the trousers are slightly longer in the back than in the front. If trousers have cuffs, the bottom of the trousers should be straight (parallel to the floor). The width of the cuffs in trousers is from 3 to 5 cm.
Wrong length!
- The length of the trouser leg should slightly cover the boot, ideally it should reach the middle of the boot. At the back it should be to the middle of the heel.
- Pants falling over shoes should not form more than one fold.
- Pants should be of such length that socks do not show through. But when a man sits down, his socks are visible anyway. Therefore, there is a separate rule about them: they must be matched to the trousers and be of such length that bare legs are not visible - this is bad manners.
Chinos, khakis and corduroys
More casual trousers, such as chinos, khakis or corduroys, should be slightly more fitted than dress trousers. In addition, they can be worn 3 to 4 centimeters below the waist. However, it is worth paying attention to this point. If you wear chinos to work and correspond to the Business casual or Smart casual style, then the length and width of the trousers should be closer to the classic style. If you choose a casual style, then the trousers can be tapered and shorter, even slightly revealing the ankle. Or vice versa, wider and longer, so that a fold is formed at the bottom.
- When choosing the length of trousers, you should proceed from the dress code. The larger the fold at the bottom, the more informal the dress code.
- Pants should be tight-fitting, so don't be alarmed if your pants feel a little tight when squatting. This is fine.
- Don't worry if your pockets protrude a little when squatting. This is normal for chinos, khakis or corduroys.
- Avoid folds at the waist; the two-finger rule is also relevant here.
Jeans
Perhaps the most informal of all pants (we don’t take shorts into account). There are many options for how jeans should fit correctly. Basically, jeans are worn even lower than chinos. On most people, jeans that are slightly tapered at the hem look good. They should be slightly tight if we are talking about fashion and beauty. To be free, if we are talking about comfort.
1) To choose the right men's trousers, you need to walk at least a couple of steps after trying them on. They should be as comfortable as possible. It is believed that you can fit two fingers into the waistband of “comfortable” jeans. Usually, after you have walked, it is easier to understand whether these are “your” pants or not.
2) An important nuance - trousers should be held at the waist, not at the hips. This is not just a tribute to classics or fashion, but an aid in the visual correction of the figure. By nature, a man's belly is somewhat convex, and it is precisely the trousers that softly fit it and hide this small flaw. If the trousers hang on the hips, the emphasis will fall on the stomach.
3) If classic trousers have pockets, then make sure that they do not protrude, as this deprives the image of elegance and causes an association with a boy who has stuffed everything into his pockets. In general, trouser pockets are intended only for keys or a wallet. For everything else, there is a briefcase or some other bag.
4) It is also worth paying attention to the man’s physique in order to emphasize his advantages and gracefully hide his figure flaws. For example, straight trousers without creases and with wide legs are more suitable for a plump man, and trousers with cuffs and pleats at the waist, which will help hide excessive thinness, are more suitable for a thin, tall man.
5) Do not forget that the trousers will not hold up on their own, and you will need a belt or suspenders. The classic option is, of course, a belt. For this purpose, 6 loops are usually made on trousers. If there are fewer loops, the pants may fit a little worse. The color of the belt should match the color of the shoes, and should not contrast too much with the color of the trousers. The more modest the belt looks, the better, of course. For extravagance, you can also wear suspenders, but do not forget that you need to choose one thing. Wearing both at the same time is a sign of terrible taste. By the way, the color of the suspenders should match the color of the tie (or be as close in tone as possible)
6) Since trousers deteriorate much faster than jackets, it is worth buying them together, but it is better to take two pairs of trousers for one jacket. It is not necessary that the trousers and jacket be the same color. In this regard, you can experiment pleasantly, but you should not get carried away so as not to look vulgar.
Look interesting video about trousers:
Any trousers, both men's and women's, will look good only if they are the right length. A woman who takes care of her wardrobe, who cares what her loved ones look like, must understand what the correct length is and what length is not correct. In order not to make a mistake, remember a few rules on how to choose trousers of the correct length in order to look decent and correct from the point of view of fashion designers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEEPN50JYKM
- Trousers, both men's and women's, must be selected according to the height of the heel; in no case should the seam between the heel and the last be visible.
- Actually, a couple of centimeters of length near the floor can decide how a person will look, as if he had just lost weight or just gained weight.
- The trouser leg should reach the middle of the heel. It is very important to follow the rule about the trouser leg to the middle of the heel, it will never become outdated. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the trouser leg well to the heel.
Length of short and tapered trousers
- There is a huge difference between cropped and short pants. A woman or man in short trousers always looks ridiculous and stupid. The legs appear shorter and the body is very large.
- Almost all cropped trousers are tapered. We are talking only about those that end at the ankle.
- Slim and tapered full-length trousers can be slightly cropped.
- Remember that tapered trousers really highlight full hips and emphasize excess weight.
- For skinny jeans, you need to have very narrow hips.
Wide Leg Pants Length
- If the trouser leg is wide, then you need it to practically touch the floor. Especially if you bought such trousers in order to match your hips.
- When you start walking, squatting, turning, the pant leg will rise in any case. In addition, such trousers will make you walk very carefully, which will have a good effect on your gait and posture.
- When walking, the trouser leg should not rise very much and expose the leg.
What length should trousers be?
1. When buying them, immediately imagine what shoes you will wear them with.
2. Trousers must be adjusted to the heel in the studio.
3. Wide ones should thoroughly cover the shoes.
4. It is very beneficial to have two pairs of identical trousers (with high and low heels, with flat soles) than two different pairs.
5. Many can be worn with different heels. It depends on the fabric and cut.
6. You need to remember that if you gain a little weight, your trousers will rise up. You will need low heel shoes.
The correct length of trousers should always be taken into account by you. Nothing should spoil your image.
An integral part of a man's wardrobe is trousers. Whether it's jeans or classics, selected in accordance with the parameters, they will add solidity to any look and emphasize style. The surest way would be to try it on. However, this possibility is not always available. Therefore, if you are interested in specific sizes of men's trousers, the table will become a faithful assistant in the difficult choice of clothes. It also doesn’t hurt to know some dress code rules.
The length of men's trousers should be such that a fold forms in the front, and freely falls at the back to the top edge of the shoe. For the classic version, it is acceptable to leave the edge on the very heel of the boots. In relation to growth, stylists suggest:
- for squat representatives of the stronger sex, select the size so that folds do not form at the bottom;
- for tall people, on the contrary, the presence of one, or better yet two, wrinkles is welcome - this will help make the image more harmonious.
European style dictates wearing classic shoes with shoes on display, that is, the trouser legs barely touch the top edge of the shoe. But this option is only suitable for young people with slender legs. The legs should be tapered towards the bottom of the product, otherwise it will look funny.
By what criteria to choose?
First you will need accurate measurements of the parameters:
- height;
- hip volume;
- waist circumference;
- inner seam distance;
- the size of the external seam.
The main thing is to always focus on the shape in centimeters. Many manufacturers and websites offer different values, but you can never go wrong with centimeters. True, you still need to know the correspondence between our and foreign sizes.
Also, global manufacturers often indicate dimensions in inches. One inch in recalculation is 2.54 cm.
Men's trousers size chart:
| Waist circumference, cm | Hip circumference, cm | Russian trouser size | International letter | EUR/GER/FR |
| 62-67 | 87-90 | 42 | XXS | 42 |
| 68-72 | 91-94 | 44 | XXS | 44 |
| 73-78 | 95-98 | 46 | XS | 46 |
| 79-84 | 99-102 | 48 | S | 48 |
| 85-90 | 103-106 | 50 | M | 50 |
| 91-96 | 107-110 | 52 | L | 52 |
| 97-102 | 109-113 | 54 | XL | 54 |
| 103-108 | 114-117 | 56 | XXL | 56 |
| 109-114 | 118-121 | 58 | XXXL | 58 |
| 115-119 | 122-125 | 60 | XXXL | 60 |
| 120-122 | 126-129 | 62 | XXXL | 62 |
| 123-125 | 130-132 | 64 | 4XL | 64 |
| 126-129 | 133-134 | 66 | 4XL | 66 |
| 130-134 | 135-137 | 68 | 5XL | 68 |
| 135-138 | 138-139 | 70 | 5XL | 70 |
How to choose the right model
An important factor is the style and cut of clothing. If the fit is incorrect, comfortable wearing is out of the question. How long should trousers be - how to visually hide the disadvantages and emphasize the advantages?
- The type of cut with cuffs at the bottom of the legs is suitable for a lanky man. This move can visually shorten your legs.
- Small wrinkles in the waistband area will give the silhouette a little dimension.
- Straight-cut models with fairly wide legs and a low rise are suitable for thick-set, slightly overweight people.
- Pockets should not be filled so that they do not bulge; it is acceptable to put a wallet in them.
The length of the trousers is calculated according to height. There is a corresponding summary showing the compatibility of height and the parameter indicated on the pants label.
Sizes of men's trousers - table according to height:
| Height - indicated on the trousers, cm | Your height - when the trousers fit well, cm |
| 156 | 154-158 |
| 160 | 158-162 |
| 164 | 162-166 |
| 168 | 166-170 |
| 172 | 170-174 |
| 176 | 174-178 |
| 180 | 178-182 |
| 184 | 182-186 |
| 188 | 186-190 |
| 192 | 190-194 |
| 196 | 194-198 |
| 200 | 198-202 |
How to shorten trouser legs
Don't be upset if the leg size is a little larger. All factory-made models are sewn according to a template, so naturally there will be some problems with the footage. Contact the studio and they will certainly help you. You are required to:
- take with you the shoes with which you plan to wear the item;
- decide what the length should be, making sure that during the control fitting the waist of the product is exactly where it should be.
The trouser legs are cut not exactly in a circle, but at a certain angle. They will be slightly shorter in front and longer in the back.
The number of centimeters trimmed is directly affected by the composition of the fabric. For example, it is better to wash cotton items before deciding to cut them. Such fabric can shrink, and stretch cotton, for example, stretches.
How to correctly measure the required parameters
The sizes of men's trousers in Europe and the USA do not always coincide with Russian ones, so you should know how to take measurements correctly:
- for obese men, OB is measured taking into account the convexity of the abdomen at the highest points of the body;
- the size chart of almost all foreign manufacturers indicates the length of the inner seam: start measuring from the groin area to the end of the ankle;
- The size of the seam on the outer side begins to be measured from the waist and also to the end of the ankle;
- Waist circumference is measured by the level of wearing the belt.
Basic concepts about trouser styles
Denim pants in a man's wardrobe are a fundamental item for creating any look. This casual wear. There are simply a lot of types and variations of combining them in different styles. They are distinguished by two main factors:
- leg width;
- landing height.
Types of trousers
The most popular style is straight-cut jeans, which will suit a person of any body type. This is a classic model, which in black version can also serve as a replacement for a trouser suit in the office. The trouser legs lie freely on the shoes without covering them.
Jeans The loose-fitting design provides freedom of movement. They don't hug your hips, but they aren't baggy either. Convenient for work and for walking.
Relaxed trousers Skinny (narrow) - suitable for thin young people with long beautiful legs and narrow hips. Otherwise, they will look simply ridiculous. There are a couple more narrow models that can be chosen not only for very skinny guys.
