Essentials
5 trousers every man should own
By sneakersInn team · Updated
The five trousers every man should own are dark jeans, navy or khaki chinos, grey tailored trousers, linen trousers and one pair of relaxed cargo or drawstring trousers. They cover the office, church, weekends, hot days and travel, and they work with the same shirts and shoes.
| Trouser | Fabric | Wear it to | Wear it with |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Dark jeans | Indigo denim | Weekends, travel, casual Fridays | Tees, oxford shirts, knits, sneakers |
| 2. Chinos | Cotton twill | Office, dates, church | Oxford shirts, polos, loafers, derbies |
| 3. Grey tailored trousers | Wool or wool blend | Office, events, with a blazer | Dress shirts, knits, oxfords, loafers |
| 4. Linen trousers | Linen or linen blend | Hot days, beach events, holidays | Linen shirts, polos, sandals, loafers |
| 5. Relaxed cargo or drawstring | Cotton, ripstop or twill | Errands, travel, festivals | Tees, overshirts, retro runners |
1. Why dark jeans?
They are the most worn trouser in most wardrobes. Dark indigo with no rips looks neat enough for a casual dinner and tough enough for daily wear. One pair in a straight or slightly tapered leg is the right start. See chinos vs jeans for when to wear which.
2. Which chinos should I buy?
Navy first, then khaki or stone, then olive. Chinos are the trouser between jeans and suit trousers, so they cover most of the working week. Look for a flat front and a leg that narrows slightly to the ankle.
3. Do I need tailored trousers if I own a suit?
Yes. Suit trousers wear out faster than the jacket, so wearing them on their own shortens the suit's life. A pair of grey wool or wool-blend trousers goes with a navy blazer, a white shirt or a fine knit, and works for the office and events. Charcoal or mid-grey are the most versatile.
4. Why linen trousers?
Because Accra is hot. Average highs are around 31°C for most of the year (climate of Accra), and linen is the coolest trouser you can wear. A drawstring or elastic-back linen trouser is relaxed; a flat-front pair with belt loops can go to a daytime wedding with a linen shirt.
5. Are cargo trousers back?
Yes, in cleaner, less bulky cuts. A relaxed cargo or drawstring trouser is practical for travel, errands and festivals. Keep the pockets flat and the colour plain. Our guide on how to wear cargo trousers explains how.
How should trousers fit?
Check the waist, seat, thigh, taper and length:
- Waist: sits without a belt holding it up.
- Seat: no sagging or pulling across the back.
- Thigh: you can pinch about 2 to 3 cm of fabric.
- Taper: the leg narrows gently to the ankle.
- Length: touches the top of the shoe with a small break or none.
Our full guide is how trousers should fit.
What colours work together?
Navy, grey, khaki, olive and dark indigo all go with white, light blue, black and grey tops. If your trousers are neutral, you can wear any shirt colour without thinking.
Questions
What shoes go with chinos?
Loafers, derbies and clean white sneakers. See the 5 types of shoes every man should own.
How many pairs of trousers do I need?
Five, one of each type above, is enough for most men. If you work in an office, add a second pair of chinos or tailored trousers.
Does sneakersInn sell trousers?
Menswear (knitwear, quarter-zips, outerwear, shackets, denim jackets, jackets and suits) is coming soon. Meanwhile, pair your trousers with sneakers from our shop.