Nothing demonstrates taste and a mastery of personal style like a standout pair of trousers.
Elegant pants that not only compliment the upper half of an outfit, but serve as a statement piece all on their own. The social media feeding frenzy around Japanese denim, reinforced workwear, and fine tailoring is enough evidence to say that men are starved of below-the-belt style mojo.
And why is that? Accessible trousers have undergone convergent evolution.
Us guys were so fixated on comfort and office-friendly convenience that every brand now dishes out the same formulaic design profile—stretch fabric, flat fronts, a slim fit, and the same khaki, navy, olive, and black colorway options.
In response to the criminally basic trouser scene, I’ve spent hours shopping both in person and online for pants elevated by way of exceptional details—motifs that make them truly a cut above the overpopulated techwear chinos.
Before opening a hundred Safari tabs in an aimless search for something cool, allow me to show you some of the most visually appealing pant details that will announce your style prowess to anyone who notices them.
Gurkha-Style Fastening
The Gurkha-style trousers’ history can be traced back to the early 1800s when the Gurkhas (Nepalese elite soldiers) entered into a conflict with the East Indian Company during Great Britain’s colonial expansion.
Since that first contact, Gurkhas have claimed stake in the closets of men all over—particularly those with an affinity for detailed formalwear.
The look might seem old-fashioned to some, but there has been a prominent resurgence in their popularity as men continue to care more about their appearance in the wake of the business-casual and work-from-home heyday.
Why I like it:
Trousers with the Gurkha-style waist fastening are a favorite of mine for two reasons: they have a gloriously sophisticated charm and they omit the need for a belt.
I love a good belt, but sometimes less is more. The cummerbund-inspired waist panel provides built-in support, and depending on whether a pair features buttons or a clasp system, you still get the hardware motif that a belt buckle provides.
How to wear it best:
While I originally described Gurkhas as “gloriously sophisticated,” the truth is that workwear sits at their core despite being commonly recognized as a formal attire piece today.
With that being said, they’re quite versatile.
For example, the gentleman above sports Gurkhas with plentiful pleats, cargo pockets, and an extra-wide fit. I would rock these with a distressed denim shirt and work boots any day of the week.
And, of course, they make for a stellar alternative to dress pants. The above outfit is A+ in every metric—proportion, color, and fabric. Would I opt to add a belt here knowing it’s a suit? No, the Gurkha’s got it covered.
Fabric-Matched Belts
Sometimes the best way to take trousers up a notch is by doing it in a not-so-obvious way—like a belt made from the same fabric as the pants themselves.
Instead of adding a chunky leather belt to your look, a fabric-matched belt keeps things seamless—no color clashing or cracked leather in sight.
Similar to the Gurkhas mentioned above, It’s a small detail that creates a clean, uninterrupted silhouette, and it’s becoming a popular design choice, with Officine Générale’s being the forefront of this trouser detail in their assortment of men’s chinos, corduroys, and dress pants.
Why I like it:
The outfit above featuring Officine Générale’s Owen Chino is prime evidence of why this design choice is major money.
I’m really into these pants because the fabric-matched belt is a subtle yet refined motif, and the tapered fit keeps everything looking sharp without being too tight.
I’ll go out on a limb and say most guys don’t own white belts. A black or brown leather belt can interrupt the simple elegance of an outfit with white trousers, but the self-fabric belt retains the look of a structured waistline with all of the support provided by a regular belt.
How to wear it best:
The key way to maximize the style mojo of the self-fabric belt is by tucking in the top. Otherwise, the waist would be covered and any old belt would do in that case.
You can keep the look casual by pairing self-fabric belt trousers with a simple tee or a tucked-in shirt. Throw on some clean sneakers, and you’re good to go.
For a more dressed-up take, I love the outfit featured above. This chap really leans into the monochromatic color palette and exemplifies why this detail has a place in menswear.
Sashiko Embroidery
Embroidery is often used to illustrate something—monograms, logos, or full-blown masterpieces of a tiger and a dragon locked in a fight to the death across the back of a denim jacket.
I think some of the best applications aren’t as literal. Subtle embroidery, like Japanese sashiko stitching, presents itself more like a part of the fabric than a superficial decoration.
Why I like it:
Men’s pants available 50 years ago weren’t only diverse in their design, the fabric choices available back then were broad—plaid wool trousers, floral bell bottoms, geo-print dress slacks—some really vibrant stuff.
The only issue is that society as a whole has moved on from such eye-grabbing designs, and unless you have a one-of-a-kind aura to pull it off, people might think you’re in a Jackson 5 costume.
I get stoked about sashiko embroidery because from a distance, it blends in, but up close, you can appreciate the intricate craftsmanship.
It’s one of those features that suggests you appreciate the finer things without any logos to do the talking.
How to wear it best:
The traditional use of sashiko embroidery was either for decoration or repair. Furthermore, jeans are the most common type of pants you’ll find with said detail.
If you’re into workwear or you’re simply a denim-head like I am, going with a full-sashiko fabric like the Kapital ones above are easy to incorporate into casual outfits, and with a bit of planning, business-casual ones that complement the textured exterior. The navy wool blazer seen here is the right idea.
If you really want to preserve its hand-made character, you could find (or commission) a pair with a grand display of handicraft with an eclectic print stitched across the entire pair.
Bold Stripes
Stripes on trousers can be tricky.
Without careful consideration, you could easily end up looking like you’re wearing conductor’s pants or pinstripe trousers straight out of a 1950s mob movie. Not exactly the vibe most of us are going for.
With a discerning search, striped trousers blow a plain pair of pants out of the water. It’s a timeless focal point and best of all, vertical stripes deliver both a slimming and taller-looking effect on the male frame even on wide fits.
Who doesn’t want that?
Why I like it:
Personally, I prefer a single bold stripe or subtle thin stripes.
Officine Générale’s Norton Pant demonstrates my favorite execution in the “bold stripes” idea—a thick white stripe down both sides. If it had been a series of thinner stripes, it would’ve veered into Adidas tracksuit territory. But with just one strong stripe, it keeps things sleek and modern.
I love these pants because they blend sporty and tailored vibes perfectly. The wide leg gives off a laid-back, comfortable feel, while the bold white stripe adds a stylish edge. They’re the kind of pants that make you look put-together without trying too hard, and that’s always a win in my book.
Simply put, even a single stripe can achieve the balance of pizazz and modern sensibility that looks good on any guy.
How to wear it best:
Without making a science project out of it, my simplest advice would be to let the stripes flow out of your top. Tucking in a plain tee looks good, but I prefer an untucked shirt, a sweater, or blazer to buffer it with horizontal visual movement. This “T” formation accentuates a man’s shoulders.
Discreet Cargo Pockets
Anybody who told you cargo pants went out of style might as well have told you that cherry pie and rock and roll went with it. They’re a menswear staple that aren’t going anywhere as far as I’m concerned.
The cargo pants they were talking about were probably the same kind popular in 2018 with ankle ties, roominess throughout the leg, and pockets big enough to sneak an 8-course meal into a movie theater.
With the right design, cargo pants can still be timeless without sacrificing too much function.
Why I like it:
When we turn the Rambo knob from ten down to three, cargo pants find the sweet spot between elevated and timeless. Officine Générale did exactly that with their Chino Kyan model of trousers, which sums up why I’m so fond of this look.
These pants are perfect for when you want something practical but still sleek. The cargo pockets add a bit of utility without making them look too bulky, and the clean, neutral color keeps the vibe minimal. I like how they’re roomy but still have a sharp, tailored cut—ideal for a casual but put-together look.
With the main cargo pockets close to the main fabric panels, they avoid an audaciously tactical look that’s best left at boot camp. The lack of any ankle fastening also makes these pants far easier to style with low-top sneakers. Finally, the cotton twill fabric drapes neatly unlike the crinkled appearance of performance cargos made from synthetics.
How to wear it best:
Pairing cargos with something slimmer up top such as tees, dress shirts, or a tucked denim shirt allows the pockets to add just enough detail to keep the outfit interesting without becoming a bulky disaster.
For something a bit more refined, cargo pants can easily work with a fitted sweater and leather sneakers. Go for neutral tones to keep things sharp, and throw on a casual blazer or a wool coat for when you need to step up the look on colder days.
When it comes to trousers, the right details can make all the difference.
Unique touches like subtle stitching or uncommon fastenings can elevate your look without jumping the shark. And now that you know what to look for, the search for elevated trousers won’t be a time-consuming expedition, either.
So, if you’re ready to step up your style game, keep an eye out for these standout elements—even if those withered khakis in your dresser resent you for it.
