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The Bottom Line Trousers Shopping Guide Portrait
Photo by Rojan Maguyon

The Bottom Line: A Guide to the Perfect Trousers

The modern trouser has become fashion’s most important player, and these are the styles leading the charge.

It’s easy to let a statement jacket or graphic tee take all the credit, but for content creator Chico Cruz, the real work has always happened below the waist. A great pair of trousers doesn’t just complete an outfit. It defines it.

That feels especially relevant today. Somewhere along the way, pants stopped being an afterthought and became the main character. Men now debate pleats, obsess over silhouettes, and spend an alarming amount of time discussing inseams. What was once a basic wardrobe staple has become one of fashion’s most closely watched categories.

Pleats Ahead

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Photo courtesy of Issey Miyake

Issey Miyake’s iconic pleated trousers combine architectural design, fluid movement, and all-day comfort—proof that classics endure.

Back to Basics

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Photo courtesy of Levi’s

Straight-leg pants remain the ultimate wardrobe workhorse—versatile, timeless, and best exemplified by the enduring Levi’s 501.

Leg Room

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Photo courtesy of Uniqlo

Barrel-leg pants offer a fresh, curved silhouette that feels modern yet approachable. Uniqlo’s version makes the trend easy to wear.

Nothing to Prove

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Photo courtesy of Massimo Dutti

For timeless dressing, Massimo Dutti delivers relaxed tailoring and understated elegance that instantly elevate everyday staples.

Frequently Asked Questions

Men are increasingly focused on silhouette, fit, and details like pleats and inseams, making trousers a defining piece of an outfit rather than an afterthought, according to GQ Philippines’ style team.

Pleated pants combine architectural design with fluid movement and all-day comfort, as seen in Issey Miyake’s iconic pleated trousers, proving that a well-executed classic silhouette never truly goes out of style.

Barrel-leg pants are a curved, modern silhouette that offers a fresh alternative to straight-leg styles, striking a balance between structure and ease, and popularized in recent seasons by brands like Uniqlo.

The Levi’s 501 remains the ultimate wardrobe workhorse thanks to its versatile, timeless straight-leg cut, which has stayed a menswear staple across generations without needing reinvention to stay relevant.

Massimo Dutti delivers relaxed tailoring and understated elegance that instantly elevate everyday staples, offering timeless dressing for men who want their trousers to look considered without appearing overly formal.

The GQ Philippines Team

Editor

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