When it comes to best casual trousers for men, here’s the good news: They’re not at all complicated. As far as we’re concerned, for trousers to be casual they must meet only two criteria: First, they should be trousers. And second, those trousers should not be dressy. Easy! The one trick? Dress trousers can be casual trousers, too. Yes, even the slickest, sharpest pair of fancy tailored dress trousers can look as grubby as a pair of beat-to-hell carpenter trousers if you just know how to style them.
If you think about it, that’s really freeing. The world is your wardrobe! The possibilities are endless! Just about any pair of trousers can be the key that unlocks any off–duty fit. That said, all that choice can be overwhelming. At the very least, it’s confusing for one little brain to take.
Whatever the reason, whatever the occasion, whatever the cut — slim fit, straight fit, classic fit, relaxed fit — there's a pair of casual trousers here for you. Whether you're looking for sturdy twill chinos you can wear with your slubbiest T-shirts, heavily-pleated trousers you can wear with a big, bold, button-down, or a pair of elastic drawstring trousers to wear on a quick coffee run, the right pair is calling your name. And luckily for you, you don't have to look far. Because we sifted through a near-endless array of trousers (so many trousers) to compile a list of all the best options available today.
Jeans
Obvious — maybe too obvious. But if we didn't address it, we couldn't call ourselves GQ. Jeans have been around since the 1800s and society would be bleak and infinitely less stylish without the indigo-soaked dungaree. Bring them back to their roots with some honkin' leather work boots, or rock them day-off mode with a hoodie and sneakers, or pair a light wash option with a button-up shirt and a tailored blazer. There's not a situation that the right pair of jeans couldn't slot into, which makes them a requisite for every wardrobe.
They make a compelling argument for the best men's trousers ever, but since we don't want to ruffle too many feathers, we'll limit the Levi's 501 to the best jeans. Levi's invented the five pocket blue jean after all, and they're just as great today as when they first came on the scene. If you take just one lesson away from this, let it be this: if you don't have a pair already, get yourself a pair of 501s…
Chinos
Chino cloth is a hearty twill fabric lauded for its military-grade sturdiness. Over the last 50 years, chinos have evolved from active-duty army garb to civilian-life staple, cemented into the culture thanks to notable prepsters and the Ivy League set. They still come in every shade of khaki imaginable, but these days some of the coolest pairs on the market subvert the fabric's neutral origins via unexpected colours and patterns. Not sure what to wear to an upcoming date/park hang/trip to the office? Chinos are always a safe bet.
Khakis
Like chinos, khakis remain a perennial classic of casual American style. What’s the difference? Chino is a fabric; khaki is a colour. Khakis derive their name from the particular shade of light brown that became ubiquitous in the U.S. after World War II. They were the original camouflage, well before the blobby olive shades came about. GIs returned from war and brought their dusty bottoms with them, ushering in a new era of civilian style. Once relegated exclusively to off-duty fare, khakis — a colour that now encompasses everything from plain Jane beige to mossy olive green — have long since crossed over into the realm of work-appropriate attire. In their simplicity, they remain a reliable template for designers' freakiest projections.
