Remember when suddenly every dude you knew was showing up to work, sports bars, golfing ranges, and your cousin’s piano recital in lululemon’s ABC pants?
I’m guilty as charged.
Building on the iconic success of the ABC line, lululemon has doubled down on designing performance-based takes of classic menswear pants like chinos, trousers, dress pants, and jeans.
Today, they’re pushing even harder to cut innovative fabrics into classic menswear silhouettes. The result is four pairs of pants unlike any I’ve tried on before. Here are my full thoughts and recommendations.
My Recommendations
Best All-Around: The Daydrift Classic-Fit Trouser
The Men’s Daydrift Classic-Fit Trouser takes my crown for lululemon’s best new all-around pants. Why? For starters, any classic-fit trouser offers serious versatility by combining elevated style with everyday comfort.
But with the Daydrift Classic-Fit Trousers, lululemon has put their own performance-driven spin on classic-fit trousers. These pants have the roomy, stylish cut of a trouser—they’ve even got a faux fly and front and back pockets, too—but everything else is much different.
The weight and material of the Daydrift Classic-Fit Trouser feel more like a loose jogger, providing carefree comfort you can wear all day. And instead of traditional belt loops, you’ll find a relaxed, stretchy waistband with a hidden drawstring.
The Daydrift Classic-Fit Trouser is elevated style on the outside, complete carefree comfort on the inside. This makes them ideal for a range of different settings where you want to look put together but still feel like you’re at home in sweats.
You can comfortably (and stylishly) rock these in casual work environments, for a walk downtown, to coffee shops and bars, and even to dinner to end the day. When you don’t want to pick between comfort and style, just split the difference and be on your way.
What I Like
They combine the stylish cut of a traditional trouser with the stretchy comfort of loose joggers.
The classic fit isn’t slim or relaxed, it’s a perfect hybrid of being spacious yet tailored.
These pants nail the balance between elevated style and everyday comfort.
What I Don’t Like
The lack of belt loops means you can’t wear these pants with a dressier, tucked-in look.
What Other Reviewers Say
Reviewers seem to really like the overall comfort of the Daydrift Classic-Fit Trouser, calling out the soft, stretchy material and roomy fit. One guy felt that the pants run a little long, which is something to consider, though you can always lighten or loosen the hidden waistband so they fall just right.
The Verdict
The Daydrift Classic-Fit Trouser walks a fine line between elevated style and everyday comfort, making them the best new all-around pants from lululemon. While they offer the stylish cut of traditional trousers, they’re made with the stretchy, breathable material of performance joggers.
You can throw on the Daydrift Classic-Fit Trouser in a casual work environment, out around town, and even to dinner and on more casual dates. With these pants, there’s no need to forgo comfort or style.
The Daydrift Trouser is cut like a traditional men’s trouser—and even has a faux fly and front and back pockets—but moves like athletic pants with a little extra material.
Most Dressy: Utilitech Twill Relaxed Pleated Trouser
The Utilitech Twill Relaxed Pleated Trouser is a full-fledged dress pant. Double pleats and all. This is the closest lululemon has ever come to a traditional men’s pleated trouser from times past—the kind of big, statement pants Steve McQueen or James Dean might have worn.
The Utilitech Twill Relaxed Pleated Trouser is made from a unique fabric blend of 58% elastomultiester (a polyester-based stretchy fiber), 31% cotton, and 11% elastane. This gives them durability and a solid heavyweight structure, while also ensuring a slight stretch and wrinkle-free nature, which I love.
These pants are tastefully relaxed and roomy with straight legs and lots of nuanced details. I’m a big fan of the double pleats, which add interesting texture and detail to a pair of pants that not only catch your eye, but also expand when you sit down, delivering both added style and comfort in one.
If you were packing for a long wedding weekend, you could use and abuse these trousers from the welcome reception to the Sunday brunch and they’ll still look spiffy and wrinkle-free on your plane ride home. And if someone pinched the fabric, they would hardly guess these were lululemon pants at all. To the touch, they feel more like thick twill cotton.
What I Like
The stylish double pleats and straight, relaxed legs remind me of big statement trousers from times past.
The unique fabric blend is at once heavyweight and structured, and slightly stretchy and wrinkle-free.
The thick twill fabric feels more like cotton than a performance fabric.
What I Don’t Like
I only wish they made more colors of these.
What Other Reviewers Say
Guys who own a pair of Utilitech Twill Relaxed Pleated Trousers like them for the fabric and non-restrictive fit. I agree that this is one of my favorite fabrics lululemon has ever made. A few fellas said these pants weren’t long enough. I didn’t have that problem, but make sure you’re ordering the right inseam before purchasing.
The Verdict
The Utilitech Twill Relaxed Pleated Trouser is lululemon’s take on a dressy, double-pleated trouser from times past. These are big, statement pants with no shortage of texture, details, and style.
The material is the standout feature on these pants, which is both heavyweight and structured, yet slightly stretchy and wrinkle-resistant. The combined dressiness and durability of these trousers make them a prime choice for long wedding weekends when you’re cramming pants into your duffel bag at the last minute, but still need something to throw on right when you arrive. And you’ll save yourself from borrowing the only steamer in the group chat or waiting for the rusty iron in your hotel room to heat up.
These are big, statement pants with no shortage of texture, details, and style. The material is the standout feature on these pants, which is both heavyweight and structured, yet slightly stretchy and wrinkle-resistant.
Best Relaxed Fit: Daydrift Relaxed Pleated Trouser
Going for that casual, slightly baggy look? Look no further. The Daydrift Relaxed-Fit Pleated Trouser is the cooler, relaxed big brother of the Daydrift Classic-Fit Trouser.
Both Daydrift trousers are made from the same stretchy, technical fiber blend and feature a faux fly, slant pockets in the front, snap-down pockets in the back, and a stretchy waistband with a hidden drawstring. The difference is in the overall cut, shape, and style of the pants.
The Daydrift Relaxed-Fit Pleated Trousers offer more room in the waist, hips, and legs than the Classic-Fit. They also have pleats, the tiny doubled-over folds of fabric in front that add style and texture to the pants, and also expand when you sit down, offering even more unrestricted movement.
These trousers are extremely comfortable, but also quite wavy and free-flowing. If you’re used to a slim or skinny fit, you might feel like you’re swimming in these. But if you embrace more of a casual, relaxed look and aren’t afraid of a little extra material, then these will deliver just what you’re looking for.
What I Like
These are true relaxed-fit trousers with lots of extra space in the waist, hips, and legs.
The pleats add a layer of texture and style to these pants that the Daydrift Classic-Fit Trousers don’t have.
These pants are extremely comfortable due to the stretchy, technical fiber blend and roomier, more relaxed fit.
What I Don’t Like
The Daydrift Relaxed-Fit Pleated Trouser tends to slide down a bit if you don’t tie the hidden drawstring tight enough.
What Other Reviewers Say
The guys who picked up a pair of Daydrift Relaxed-Fit Pleated Trousers like them for their comfortable, relaxed fit and wide legs. One guy said he wished they added belt loops to these trousers, and I agree, wearing a belt with these would help keep them up and allow you to wear them with tucked-in shirts.
The Verdict
The Daydrift Relaxed-Fit Pleated Trouser is a spacious, stylish, and relaxed trouser. The front pleats work double-time, adding texture to the pants, while also expanding when you sit down to provide even more room around your waist and hips.
If you’re used to slim or skinny fit pants, you might find these pants to be too roomy and relaxed. But if you’re going for a casual, slightly baggier look, these will fit just right. The Daydrift Relaxed Pleated Trouser is for guys looking for a casual, relaxed trouser with a little stretch to it that they can wear just about anywhere.
If you’re used to slim or skinny fit pants, you might find these pants to be too roomy and relaxed. But if you’re going for a casual, slightly baggier look, these will fit just right. This trouser is a good fit for guys looking for a casual, relaxed trouser with a little stretch to it that they can wear just about anywhere.
Most Lightweight: Woven Classic-Fit Pleated Trouser
Can you comfortably play a round of golf in the Woven Classic-Fit Pleated Trouser? Yep. Could you wear them to a fancy restaurant on a dinner date? Yep. The Woven Classic-Fit Pleated Trouser is a lightweight hybrid trouser that’s dressy in cut but airy and sporty in design and feel.
Living in California, I usually golf in shorts because, you know, they’re about 5x as comfortable and 5x as unrestrictive as pants—especially when I’m trudging through the rough looking for a ball I sliced six ways to Sunday. But playing a round in the Woven Classic-Fit Pleated Trouser might have changed my mind for good.
The thin, airy polyester and elasomultiester material kept my legs cool, but the belt loops and slight structure allowed me to stuff balls and tees in the pockets without the pants sliding down or moving around too much while I was playing.
The Woven Classic-Fit Pleated Trouser are airy, breathable, hot-weather pants you can wear on the golf course, to dinner, and anywhere in-between.
What I Like
- The Woven Classic-Fit Pleated Trouser are both sporty and stylish.
- The airy, lightweight material is perfect for hot weather days when you want to dress better than shorts but don’t want to overheat.
- While they’re lightweight, the belt loops and slight structure to these pants make them feel secure while you’re moving around.
What I Don’t Like
- The Light Ivory color attracted dirt and stains really easily.
- I wish these came in more than just three colors.
What Other Reviewers Say
Feedback about the Woven Classic-Fit Pleated Trouser is overwhelmingly positive. In fact, I struggled to find a negative review. Guys who are rocking these love them for their lightweight, breezy nature and functionality that’s great for doing something active like playing golf or just relaxing.
The Verdict
These trousers are an easy, breezy, lightweight trouser that you can play golf, relax, or even get dressed up in. While the polyester and elastomultiester material is light and breathable, the pleats and overall cut of the pants mimic that of a traditional dressy trouser.
This unique combination makes them the perfect choice for playing a casual sport like golf, or getting dressed up. For hot weather days when shorts just won’t cut it, the Woven Classic-Fit Trouser holds up, from the morning tee time to the tucked-in dinner date.
These trousers are an easy, breezy, lightweight trouser that you can play golf, relax, or even get dressed up in. While the polyester and elastomultiester material is light and breathable, the pleats and overall cut of the pants mimic that of a traditional dressy trouser.
Should I Get Classic or Relaxed-Fit Trousers?
Ah, the age-old question. Let’s break it down. Classic fit trousers are generally considered a middle-of-the-road option that fall smack between slim and relaxed. With classic-fit trousers, you’ll find comfortable room in the waist and hips with straight legs that fall down to your ankles.
Classic-fit pants should be in the Goldilocks zone: not too tight, not too roomy, just right. When trying on classic-fit pants, look for a fit that gently hugs your physique without constricting anywhere. The Daydrift Classic-Fit Trouser does exactly that.
Relaxed-fit pants have a bigger, roomier silhouette designed with comfort in mind. With a relaxed fit, you’ll find much more space around your waist, hips, and legs, often with wider pant-leg openings, too. This creates a casual, free-flowing look that works really well for some guys. The Daydrift Relaxed-Fit Pleated Trouser achieves this look quite nicely, with added pleats to boot for a touch of elevated style in a casual fit.
When shopping for relaxed-fit trousers, be sure to get your length right. If your pants are too long, the material can bunch up around your ankles and look bottom-heavy. Opt for a length that falls right at or right above your ankle to achieve a casual, but tailored look.
What’s the Best Way to Wear Pleated Pants?
You know who wore pleated pants? All the coolest guys in history (probably). Pleats are the thin, doubled-over folds of material sewed into the front of trousers. Pants will typically either have single pleats, meaning one on each side, or double pleats, meaning two on each side.
Pleats work double-time, adding both style and functionality. Visually, pleats add elegant texture and interesting detail to the front of pants. Functionally, they expand when you sit down, increasing your level of comfort and creating even more room around your waist, minimizing the pants riding up or squeezing places that you don’t want pants squeezing.
Pleats are making a serious comeback right now, and rightfully so. They look great and increase the comfort level of pants. Why did we ever stop wearing pleated pants in the first place? I don’t know.
The Daydrift Relaxed-Fit Pleated Trouser and Woven Classic-Fit Pleated Trouser are two excellent choices for casual, pleated pants that you can dress up or down. You can, and should, toss a few pairs of pleated pants into your wardrobe. I like wearing them with a tucked-in t-shirt and loafers. It’s a simple, casual look that puts the pleats on full display.
Which Are Best For You?
lululemon has entered the world of traditional men’s trousers, only with their own performance-driven spin on them, of course.
The Daydrift Classic-Fit Trouser is the best all-around pants, seamlessly combining the elevated style of traditional trousers with the everyday comfort of joggers.
The Daydrift Trouser is cut like a traditional men’s trouser—and even has a faux fly and front and back pockets—but moves like athletic pants with a little extra material.
If you’re looking to nail that more casual, relaxed look, or you just want to add a bit more interesting style and texture to your pants, the Daydrift Relaxed-Fit Pleated Trouser and Woven Classic-Fit Pleated Trouser are two excellent options.
As lululemon keeps pushing the envelope of what’s possible in performance trousers, you’ll never have to tradeoff comfort for style again.
