Types of Pants

Learn all about the types of pants. Coco Chanel brought wearing trousers as a fashion statement into the world of modern couture. Since then many types of pants and trousers for women and men have evolved into our wardrobes. 

Here is the anatomy, in 10 simple points, of a pair of pants.

Here is an extensive list of the types of pants. Within each category, there will still be even more pants variations. Pants have become a favorite for formal occasions, casual wear, and even for executives in the workplace. It includes practical wear for the outdoors and for a whole range of activities. 

Baggy pants, fit at the waist and flare out. These types of pants often tie with a drawstring or have elastic at the waist. These are one of the most comfortable types of pants to wear and, as such, are extremely popular.

Bell bottoms, flare out at the bottom to create a bell shape. Popular in the 1970s, they periodically make a comeback. The bell bottom can be subtle or exaggerated.

Culottes a type of pants that are fitted at the waist but flared and cut at knee-length or shorter. They sometimes look like a skirt when the wearer is standing still. Culottes are a popular option for Summer when you want a lighter and cooler option.

Fatigue pants were modeled on military uniforms. They can also be called cargo pants or army pants and often have patch pockets on the sides. You will most often find them in olive or grey neutral colors.

Jeans are popular for all ages and can be dressed up or down. The trusty denim fabric can be dyed in different colors, stonewashed, ripped, and crimped to give a wide range of textures. 

Denim jeans have a range of styles too. High rise, low rise, bootleg, straight leg, regular cut, bell bottoms, skinny jeans, and Capri are all styles of jeans. Jeans, in particular, come in all sorts of lengths as well as sizes. Knowing the different measurements used in constructing a pair of jeans helps to know about the fit and the style. Jeans remain one of the most popular types of pants for both men and women. As I sit here typing, guess what I'm wearing? Jeans, of course!

Harem pants are full and flowing as they are gathered at the waist and at the ankles. These types of pants are extremely comfortable to wear even in hot weather and are made from fabrics such as rayon which are fine and drape easily.

Hot pants, made popular in the sixties and seventies, are really shorts. Their main feature is they are very (sometimes extremely) short.

Jodhpurs are a copy of the pants worn for horseriding and seen at horse events. They are loose to the knees and then have an added cuff to complete the style to the ankles. Worn by men and women in the riding fraternity, they have made their way into the fashion world.

Leggings or jeggings are a stretch version of pants that are tight-fitting. Predominantly made with elastic waists, they pull on and are very comfortable. Jeggings are the jeans version of the leggings, often with a faux fly and stitching.

Palazzo pants are funky and trendy as they are made of bright fabrics. Flared and flowing, they can be casual or formal depending on the accessories and the fabrics used. In order to be flattering, palazzo pants must be made from fabrics that are fine and drape easily.

Pegged pants are full in the waist and at the thighs, but taper to a pleat at the ankle.

Trousers are the more formal version of pants. Looking smart for the office, trousers are more conservative and often come with a suit-style of jacket. 

Sailor pants are loose-fitting pants flared at the bottom, and a copy of the pants worn by sailors. They often have 2 sets of buttons going down the front sides.

Straight pants, as the name suggests, are straight from the top to the bottom.

Stirrup pants are similar to leggings but have a strap at the ankle that fits under the foot. They are often made from stretch fabrics.

Stove-pipe pants are popular within the realm of jeans. They are very tight fitting covering the leg tightly from top to bottom.

Toreador pants are cropped and close-fitting. They are a copy of the style of pants worn by the toreadors as they took part in bullfighting.

Wearing pants has a far broader meaning in our world of fashion. The variety of styles, lengths, types of fabric, and choice of designs means that there really is something for everyone who would like to be seen in pants. Elegant, casual, funky, youthful, and timeless, these are all labels to attach to wearing so many types of pants.