Trousers have existed for millennia, and we have devoted a separate article to their history. Although they have undergone many transformations over time, sartorial tradition has kept 5 well-defined types, according to the occasion at which they are worn. They are the subject of this article. Fit, versatility and quality of fabric are the criteria that unite them all.
1. Navy and grey trousers: the foundation of any man’s wardrobe
These two colours fit almost any colour combination. Their versatility yields a large number of outfits from a small number of pieces. With navy or grey trousers in all-season wool, the most common piece for the upper half of the outfit is a navy sport jacket. Leather jackets or heavy overcoats in winter, or cotton shirts with a waistcoat in summer, are equally valid options. Lighter greys suit more relaxed ensembles, while dark grey lends itself to relatively understated outfits. An analysis of orders over the past seven years shows that only 13% of ZAVATE clients ordered separate trousers, although European menswear thinking considers separate trousers one of the best wardrobe investments. This suggests that the Romanian affordable-luxury client has not yet embraced the logic of a wardrobe built on separates. He comes to the tailor with a specific need (a wedding suit, an office suit), not with an overall vision of his wardrobe. The ZAVATE capsule wardrobe project was born of the wish to change that.
2. Chinos: the ideal choice for semi-formal outfits
Chinos sit one rung lower on the ladder of elegance. They come in a wider range of colours and are the creative man’s dream. For a man whose usual dress codes are smart casual or business casual, chinos are all he needs. Unlike wool trousers, chinos are made of cotton, which makes them easier to care for. Swap the grey sport jacket for a bomber and the cotton shirt for a linen one, and voilà: the perfect combination.
3. Jeans: classic heritage versus modern caricature
Every man needs a few pairs of jeans in his wardrobe. Rich in history and tradition as they are, jeans have fallen victim to fast fashion. The rules of classic dress, however, draw a clear line between the heritage of classic jeans and modern caricatures. Admittedly, jeans began as mere work trousers. Today, though, they can be judged by fit, versatility and the quality of the denim. Good examples gain immediate entry to the world of elegance.
4. Summer trousers: the fabric makes all the difference
In the warm season, the blazing sun can make chinos or jeans hard to bear. For men who see shorts as a compromise best avoided, full-length summer trousers remain the ideal option. Summer trousers may look like ordinary trousers, but the fabric sets them apart. The most popular fabrics are cotton, linen, seersucker and fresco (a tropical wool). Seersucker and fresco are seldom found in the shops. That is why a visit to our showroom at the start of summer can bring unexpected rewards.
5. Corduroys: the choice for autumn and spring
Although corduroys have slipped out of the limelight lately, they are ideal for autumn and spring. Earthy colours such as brown, khaki, grey or beige blend well into smart casual ensembles. With their ribbed texture, they require the pieces in the upper half of the outfit to match it. Unlike all-season wool trousers, corduroys impose fewer restrictions. Coloured socks, suede shoes or a beret are common companions among corduroy lovers.
In short, all-season wool trousers, chinos, jeans and the two seasonal options, summer trousers and corduroys, are the 5 types that deserve attention. They meet the criteria of fit, versatility and quality of fabric, especially when ordered from ateliers with positive reviews. That way, no occasion will catch their owner unprepared.
