The (literal) rise of the ‘best cropped trousers for men’ in recent years is a welcome development in menswear. Where women enjoy legwear of every conceivable length, men have been stuck with shorts and traditional trousers, at least for the last few decades. (NB: We’re not counting three-quarter length pants and neither should you.)
It’s hardly a 21st-century trend, though. Men have been cropping their trousers in one way or another since Roman times when the sun-kissed conquerors stole some style inspiration from the heathens they were defeating in colder climates. But while empires rise and fall, a good menswear staple is eternal.
If you’re looking for a more recent touchpoint, try the mid-1950s, when the best cropped trousers for men became the legwear of choice for Riviera jet setters. Taking a cue from Capri pants – popular amongst women at the time – cotton or twill trousers finished at the lower shin or ankle, allowing for a sockless look with loafers. After that, streetwear types were the next group to hike up their hems. Then realised that the best cropped trousers for men have many of the same benefits as pinrolled jeans or chinos: they let your ankles breathe, make you look taller, and let you display your prized sneakers. ”
How To Style Cropped Trousers
For some traditionalists, of course, a raised hem brings a raised eye-brow, but follow a few rules and you can’t fail to look stylish. First, keep the vibe strictly Mr. Ripley, says stylist Alex Longmore: “The cut [either slim and tailored or deliberately wide] is the most important aspect of a the best cropped trousers for men, so pair with simple white tees and Cuban collar shirts – cotton and linen are your best bet for authenticity.”
To get mathematical about trouser length, the safest way to wear cropped trews is with the hem sitting about an inch above your ankle. Let it slide any further up your shin and you run the risk of looking like a teenager on a growth spurt. The only exception, perhaps, is the skater trend, where a higher break can be used to show off a pair of white tube socks and your new limited-edition sneakers. But the second it looks like you’re wearing pedal pushers, take them off and find something that actually fits you. With your wallet in mind, these brands offer the real cream of the cropped.
The Best Cropped Trousers For Men
Wax London Cropped Kurt Trouser
Wax London may well be the sleeper hit of this century. This pair of trousers combine the comfort of a jogger and the look of structured trousers, possibly the best answer to mixing loungewear and workwear correctly. Perfect if your reason for cropping is a trainer collection you don’t want to be subtle about.
Unrecorded Chino Cropped Trousers
There’s a reason why
Frescobol Carioca Slate Blue Tailored Cropped Trousers
Inspired by the Brazilian art of the bat and ball, Frescobol Carioca is a British take on Copacabana sentiments that now extends to a full summerwear line, which includes the best cropped trousers for men. Plus, it’s a lot cheaper than a return flight to Ipanema.
River Island Brown Dogstooth Cropped Trousers
River Island has long been a high street stalwart, and for good reason. Since 1948 (though known by a different name at that time), the family-run venture has peddled modern trends at modest price points, meaning you don’t have to drop a bomb to look the bomb.
AMI Tapered Cropped Cotton-Twill Trousers
There’s a reason Parisians think they’re better than everyone else. It’s because they are. And for that, we’ve to thank French labels like AMI – a global brand that lets everyone share in some good, old-fashioned je ne sais quoi. Expect chic tailored tapering on the brand’s best cropped trousers for men.
Reiss Slimfit Chino Cropped Trousers
Extra pounds usually clinch extra quality, but that doesn’t warrant a bank loan.
Boohoo Man Straight Fit Cropped Trousers
While BoohooMan falls way below on cost, it’s more than an equal match for more expensive brands in terms of style. Which, considering the Love Island endorsements and tighter-than-tight fits, may come as a surprise. The Manchester-based retailer does clean and classic very well, and that’s all you need for the best cropped trousers for men.
Uniqlo Relaxed Cropped Trousers
‘Made in Japan’ isn’t a bankable term solely reserved for the electronics industry. Uniqlo, a label nearing its 70th birthday, proves that the Land of the Rising Sun is also a land of quality apparel. Don’t expect any self-cleaning gadget functions – just well-cut, well-made essentials in all the basic colours you could want.
Mango Pleated Cropped Trousers
For summer wardrobes, it’s better to look towards a country that actually gets sun-like Spain – and Barcelona-based label Mango has a habit of making the trendiest of trends wearable. Case in point: its range the best cropped trousers for men.
COS Relaxed Crepe Wool Cropped Trousers
If H&M is the everyday boy-next door, consider COS – a label under the same umbrella – as the cooler, older brother, probably attending art school. Which is no bad thing. The cuts are flattering, minimalist and guaranteed to appeal to anyone studying a BA in Sculpture at Central Saint Martins.