How Formal Are Wool Trousers?
Considering getting a pair, but also worried about a formality clash. They the kind of thing you can wear with a nice t-shirt/sweater, or do you have to pair them with a button down or something? In pictures they look like any other pair of pants, but that could be entirely different in person.
13 Replies
some wool trouser are more caz than other tbh. grey wool textured trousers, mimimal white trainers and a white t-shirt was a lewk from the mid 2010s with scandi minimalism
few dated inspo - bit slimmer than the current trends
There’s a lot of different kinds/contexts for “wool” trousers, similar to “cotton” trousers. If you get a pair of flannels that have chino details (flat front, no cuff, on the thicker side), you can absolutely dress those down, just like khakis
Great to know, thank you.
Also appreciate the lookbook! Most of that stuff is a little nicer than my basics, but I think I'm working in that direction.
this last fit lived in my brain rent free for years
every fit from 26idt4 was a banger
based scot
Wool trousers are more formal than most, but between color, weave, pattern, cut, you can run the gamut from "The most formal" to "quite informal."
What type of pattern,cut is formal??
That's largely context-specific. Generally, the closer you approach to suit trousers -- thinner, shinier wool with a consistent texture; more traditional width/shape; pronounced crease; etc. -- the more formal.
I'd say that 'dress pants' styling would make wool (especially flannel) trousers more formal: side adjusters, pleats, cuffs, front crease
These all add a lot more character to the pants, but ratchet up formality. You could dress them down, but it'd be more of a look for sure
Cuffs are not more formal than no cuff. They're roughly equivalent except for black tie (don't do.) I wouldn't consider side adjusters more formal than belt loops personally. Pleats, similarly, are more a personal choice than a formality thing. IMO.
Realistically, formal means: finer material, darker color, subdued. In other words: worsted wool, plain weave, no pattern, dark color like charcoal or navy, that's formal. Informal is on the exact opposite side of that: the more it stands out, the less formal it is. Weaves, big patterns, bold colors, are less formal.
Cut does play some into it, generally anything very trendy isn't too formal, and anything more sedate is. Again, it's largely about being eye-catching and interesting; if it is neither, it's more formal.
Sample thing I wrote recently that's pretty related to the subject https://www.styleforum.net/threads/best-fabric-for-bespoke-trousers.729291/post-11514157
Styleforum
Best Fabric for Bespoke Trousers?
Hi all,
I am planning on getting some bespoke trousers made at a tailor in my area (NYC). I want them to be somewhat versatile, so that they could be worn with a sport coat/blazer or just a dress shirt, and work in most seasons (i.e., would rather have it be warmer than cooler, as nothing can...