If the Fall 2017 menswear shows were any indication, the baggy-pants look that's been slowly creeping back into fashion over the last few seasons is going to fully catch fire this year. (Not literally...hopefully.) If you're smart, you'll approach this shift with caution. It wasn't so long ago that roomy cuts became something of a fashion faux pas. Today, with JNCO jeans coming back on the market and sweatpants looking a little bit too much like Zubaz for their own good, the trend remains a minefield for the regular guy. That is, a guy who's on a budget, pressed for time, and doesn't have a personal stylist on speed-dial. Luckily, we are here to help you navigate these voluminous waters. Here, five ways to revisit the trend without looking like you're stuck in ’03.
It's not that denim and chino are off limits (quite the opposite), but if the casual quality of these fabrics makes you feel a little Boston bro in a bad way, try a more formal fabric like wool as a way to deflect that vibe. The bonus of upgrading is that you'll be able to wear them to work without getting side eye from your boss.
Pleats are okay in this day and age—in fact, single or double both work. The trick is not letting what's happening around your crotch make you look like Pat from Saturday Night Live. That means making sure everything hangs real loose, sits low, and creates a clean line from your hip to your ankle. Skinny and tall guys look especially good in double-pleat pants because of this.
Bunching around the ankles gets the green light from designers, but equally popular are carrot silhouettes, which are roomy through the seat and thighs and slightly cropped and tapered at the ankle. If a pool of fabric around your ankles makes you feel short and wide—or like your dad—there's no shame in going with the more tailored option.
Some guys have the attitude and lean build to pull off extra-baggy pants. Some do not. We say don't force it. If just a little bit of slouchiness feels like a big deal (see: J.Crew's not-extreme cut, above), then stop there. If you never really gave in to the slim-cut look to begin with, you can probably go Dickies-level baggy without giving it a second thought.
The easiest way to look great in baggy pants? Don't allow it to be an excuse to get lazy with your entire look. Layer them up with as much consideration as you do your nice trousers or slim-cut jeans (i.e. don't wear hoodies every day), and it won't matter that your pants happen to feel like pajama bottoms. You'll look like a million bucks.
Up Next: The Best Pair of Pleated Pants to Buy Now