When it comes to the best casual pants for men, here’s the good news: They’re not complicated at all. For us, for a pair of pants to be casual, they only have to meet two criteria: First, they have to be pants. And second, these pants should not be dressy. Easy! The only thing? Dress pants can also be casual pants. Yes, even the smartest, most stylish suit pants can look as dirty as a pair of carpenter pants from hell if you just know how to style them.

If you think about it, it’s really liberating. The world is your wardrobe! The possibilities are endless! Just about any pair of pants can be the key that unlocks any relaxed fit. That said, all that choice can be overwhelming. At the very least, it’s confusing for a small brain to understand.

Whatever the reason, whatever the occasion, whatever the fit — slim fit, straight fit, regular fit, relaxed fit — there’s a casual pant here for you. Whether you’re looking for sturdy twill chinos that you can wear with your slubest tees, heavily pleated pants that you can wear with big, bold button-down pants, or bungee drawstring pants to wear on a quick run to the coffee. , the right pair is calling you. And lucky for you, you don’t have to look far. Because we’ve sifted through a nearly endless array of pants (so many pants) to come up with a list of all the best options available today.

Shop by category: Jeans | Chinos | Khakis | Cargoes | Dress pants | Work pants | Sweatpants | Drawstring pants

Jeans

Obvious – maybe Also obvious. But if we didn’t address it, we wouldn’t be able to call each other GQ. Jeans have been around since the 1800s, and society would be bleak and infinitely less stylish without indigo-soaked overalls. Take them back to their roots with leather work boots, or wear them in day-off mode with a hoodie and sneakers, or pair a light-wash option with a button-down shirt and fitted blazer. There’s no situation in which the right pair of jeans couldn’t fit, making them a must-have for any wardrobe.

They make a compelling argument for the best men’s pants ever, but since we don’t want to ruffle any feathers too much, we’ll limit the Levi’s 501 to the best jeans. After all, Levi’s invented the five-pocket blue jean, and they’re just as great today as they were when they first arrived on the scene. If you only learn one lesson from this, let it be this: if you don’t already have a pair, get a pair of 501s…

Chinos

Chino fabric is a heavy-duty twill fabric praised for its military-grade toughness. Over the past 50 years, chino pants have evolved from active military attire to a staple of civilian life, ingrained in culture thanks to notable preppers and the Ivy League at large. They’re still available in every shade of khaki imaginable, but these days, some of the coolest pairs on the market subvert the fabric’s neutral origins via unexpected colors and patterns. Don’t know what to wear for an upcoming date, a trip to the park or a trip to the office? Chinos are always a safe bet.

Khakis

Like chinos, khakis remain an eternal classic of American casual style. What’s the difference? Chinos are a fabric; khaki is a color. Khakis get their name from the particular shade of light brown that became ubiquitous in the United States after World War II. They were the original camouflage, long before the appearance of spotted olive shades. GIs were returning from war and taking their dusty asses with them, ushering in a new era of civilian style. Once relegated exclusively to off-duty fare, khakis – a color that now encompasses everything from plain Jane beige to mossy olive green – have long since moved into the realm of work-appropriate clothing. In their simplicity, they remain a reliable template for designers’ most bizarre projections.

Cargoes

It’s hard to beat the cargo pants when it comes to pure utility. Even in their simplest form, the ultra-practical and – you guessed it – military-inspired pants include plenty of discreet pocket spaces, making them the pants you should wear when you want to run errands without lugging an almost empty tote with you. Over the past few years, majuscule designers and major brands have been updating the menswear staple, changing proportions and adding as many (or as few) pockets as they want. Which means it’s easier than ever to find one with the perfect fit, whether you’re looking for a casual version that you can wear with trail-ready boots or a slimmer cut to stack neatly over a pair of simple sneakers.

Dress pants

We know what you’re thinking… dress pants are not casual pants. To this we say: “open your spiritbrother.” You see, any pants can be casual pants if you really use your head. (The jury is still out on whether this rule works the other way, but the evidence so far doesn’t seem not promising.) Separate your tailored pants from their matching suit jacket and they can be free to a whole world of styling possibilities. Dress pants can be surprisingly casual and fresh with a plain tee and a pair of sneakers. in canvas, paired with a lightweight camp shirt and elevated leather sandals, and you’re about to go on a summer vacation. The key is simpler than you think: treat it like any other. what other pants in your wardrobe.

Work pants

Almost three years ago, GQ collectively panicked for the tough as hell painter’s pants from Dickies. Since then, prices for Carhartt’s quintessential double knees have reached truly astonishing heights, and every cool guy in a trucker cap and lug-soled loafers wants in on them. Luckily, the style’s popularity doesn’t mean it’s lost its initial luster – if anything, its lasting appeal means you can now buy a pair without damaging your credit card. Every brand worth its salt is creating a version of the silhouette, from longtime stalwarts of the workwear scene to some of the hippest names in the streetwear universe. Find one that fits your budget and never look back.