Cargo Pants – Cargo pants are rugged cotton pants with multiple large pockets traditionally used to hold field dressings and other equipment. They’re typically some shade of khaki or olive but try a strong saturated neutral colour for a more modern look.
Drawstring Pants – Drawstring allows you to cinch the waist of your pants, so whether you’ve got a 30-inch waist or a 40-inch waist you can probably get away with the same pair of trousers.
Pyjama Pants – They’ll use brighter colours, more flamboyant patterns, and fabrics like wool, flannel, and brushed cotton, with napped (fuzzy) surfaces for insulation.
Sweatpants – Sweatpants are historically the oldest of these three types of pants. They have a very loose fit with an elastic or drawstring waist and possibly pockets.
Tracksuit Pants – Tracksuit pants often use a synthetic material, can have a very tight weave, and tend to have a loose fit, although some will be tighter. What sets them apart is a stripe of colour down the side of the leg.
Jogger Pants – Joggers are a modern take on sweatpants, with the same elastic or drawstring waist, and often zippered pockets to keep belongings secured. The big difference is in the fit – joggers fit much closer to the legs and give you a streamlined look.
Khaki Pants – Khakis are cotton twill pants that came from British military uniform in 19th-century India – ‘khaki’ is Persian for ‘dust’, from the colour.
Chinos – Chinos are a version of khakis made in China (hence the name) for soldiers in the Philippines during the Spanish-American war.
Men’s Jeans – Every man should have a pair of dark indigo jeans with no distressing (rips or wear and tear) in his wardrobe. Be careful with lighter colours – those are much more casual, and so, of course, is distressing.
Odd Trouser Pant – Odd trousers can be worn with a sports jacket, a blazer jacket, or even just a dress shirt or a casual button-down.
Corduroy Pants – Corduroy pants, also known as ‘cords’, are very distinctive because of the ridges, or wales. These generally come in two sizes – 7 wales per inch (wide ridges) or 11 wales per inch (narrow ridges).
Moleskin Trousers – No moles were harmed in the making of these trousers. Moleskin is a rugged cotton fabric with a thick, soft nap.
Cavalry Twill Pants – Cavalry twill, a sturdy twill weave with a diagonal cord pattern, was made to be worn with a blazer. A lot of people will avoid it because it has a synthetic feel, but it can be worn on dressy occasions, especially with a navy blazer.