Skinny Pants Are for Teen-Age Skaters Who Think They’re Gangstas

So last week I touched on the fact that the typical work environment is filled with dudes totally lost when it comes to dressing for the office. Unfortunately for guys, most male to male relationships are not conducive to fashion conversations. I get it. On one hand, you have the relentless humiliation from your buddies the instant you ask them where you should go to get your new pea coat, but on the other hand, asking the opinion of the office copy guy is just as sad. Unless laziness is the root cause of your poor clothing choices, there is hope! You just need to be pushed in the right direction.

Let’s start with something easy, pants. I alluded to Rule One in my last blog, NO PLEATED PANTS. Do you really need an explanation? Now, let’s get down to business. Basically, there are three types of cuts for men with variations of each depending on the store.

First, there is the Classic cut, the traditional casual dress pant. It tends to be tapered all through the leg with limited room for movement. In today’s trends, it’s an acceptable looking skinny pant without cutting off circulation to your manhood. This style looks good for shorter guys or guys with athletic runner-type builds.

Second, there is the Regular cut. Same basic look and style as the Classic with more room in the hips as the legs are straight through to the ankles. This is my preferred cut, as I have an average body type. It also looks good without being too constricting while sitting in the office all day.

Third is the Bootcut, an oversized pant that is much larger in the thighs and legs. It’s exactly what it says, bootcut, meant to be worn with boots. If your occupation calls for field work, it’s a viable option as it provides the movement while still looking acceptable in the office. If you’re more often found in a cubicle, I would keep these for the weekend.

Now that you know a little bit about the styles out there, you need to get to the store and try them on. When you’re at J Crew or Banana Republic or the Gap it can be awkward when the sales guys asks if you need help. Although there are exemptions, most of the time he’s working at a retail store with a side agenda to get your number, so use his option, I guarantee he knows the clothing better than you do. Don’t worry about the color right away, but grab a few different cuts to try on and see how you like them. Go for comfort, and if you really like a particular pair you might want to pick up more than one.
 
Quick Notes:  These types of pants tend to shrink a lot after the first wash so try going up one size to save the frustration of squeezing your beer gut into your brand new purchase. And don’t even think about rolling up the bottom of your pants as seen in these photos. They are just trying to show off the shoes, so you’ll buy those too.
 
Remember, style is a choice so make yours.

J.K. is a 20 something transplant to Cincinnati.  He works for a national engineering firm and is a newcomer to the fashion blogging scene.  Follow J.K.’s style for guys every other Wednesday and post questions on www.realitychicblog.com.