Relaxed vs Skinny Fit: Which One is Better?
When choosing a pair of pants, there aren’t an infinite number of choices to make. Most of them are made for you by the purpose of the pants- do you need dress slacks, casual trousers, or a pair of jeans? If it is for work, you will probably stick with darker colors. If not, are you pairing with a specific shirt or pair of shoes? All these decisions were made before you even started shopping.
There is one decision in choosing pants that is less about what the pants are for, and more about who they are for. Choosing the fit of your pants is the one element that is still almost completely based on the preference of the wearer. So how do you decide what your preference is?
What is Your Body Type?
While there isn’t”t a particular cut for a particular body type, asking this question lets you think through your comfort level in different cuts. If You are extremely tall and thin, a skinny fit pant leg is going to accentuate that, making you seem even more lean and tall. If you are self-conscious about being heavier, or if you are on the shorter and broader side, a relaxed fit may make your lower half look bulkier than you want.
Some men with larger feet prefer a relaxed fit on their pants to not make their shoes look as large.
When thinking of how body type impacts the cut of your pants, the only real rule is to wear what feels comfortable to you. If you think that you look awkward in skinny fit pants, you will probably look awkward in skinny fit pants.
How Will You be Wearing Your Pants?
It seems like an obvious question but it bears asking. If your job requires you to spend a lot of time driving you may prefer the breathing room a more relaxed fit allows for. If you spend a great deal of time standing, you may prefer the neat look of freshly pressed skinny fit pants.
Will you be tucking your shirts in? Does a skinny fit allow you the room to do this comfortably?
On a similar note, if your pants are part of a suit, how does the jacket fit? If you have a tailored look to your suit jacket, relaxed fit pants are going to look slouchy and out of place. A more traditional broad double-breasted suit coat may make you look top-heavy and odd in skinny fit pants. Always think of the entire ensemble when selecting elements of your wardrobe.
If you are wearing cuffed dress pants, traditional rules suggest the cuff fall over your shoes. If you choose a fitted cuffed dress pant, be aware that you are being a little non-traditional, and make sure it is clearly a stylistic choice, and not just an accident. Conversely, jeans should typically have a skinnier fit if they are to be cuffed- relaxed fit jeans with cuffs look fairly dated.
Regardless of how you choose to wear your pants, you should ensure they fit properly. Your waist measurement should be taken at your actual waist, not the hips, unless you plan to wear your pants at your hip line.
You should know how to measure inseam. Skinny fit pants are going to look more like capris if they are too short, and will ruin the lines you are going for if they are bunched at the ankle. Relaxed fit pants will end up walked on if they are too long.
Regardless of whether you choose relaxed or skinny fit pants, make sure they fit properly and coordinate with the rest of your ensemble. This choice is all yours!