Casual Trousers for Men: 4 Wool Styles That Replace Jeans

The right casual trousers for men are the ones that keep a pressed crease and a clean waistband while asking nothing of you: a relaxed wool trouser, a drawstring trouser, a wide-leg trouser or a tailored cargo. Each does the off-duty work of a pair of jeans, and each sits better under a leather jacket, a knit or an open-collar shirt. If you only buy one, start with a relaxed wool trouser in a dark, muted colour.

Most men reach for denim out of habit, and there is nothing wrong with the habit. The question worth asking is what the jeans are for. If the answer is comfort, a drawstring waist in wool is more comfortable. If the answer is ease, a relaxed leg with a crease looks easier and reads sharper. This guide sets out the four casual cuts in the Christopher Noir Casual Trousers collection and when each one earns its place.

What makes a trouser casual rather than formal?

Three things: the waistband, the leg and the pocket. A formal trouser has a fixed waistband, a slim or straight leg and pockets that disappear into the seam. A casual trouser relaxes one of those three. It might swap the fixed waistband for a drawstring, open the leg into a wide cut, or add a cargo pocket to the thigh. Change one element and the trouser stays smart. Change all three and you are wearing tracksuit bottoms.

Cloth matters as much as cut. All four trousers below are cut in wool or a wool-blend cloth, which is why they hold a crease and drape cleanly in a way cotton twill and denim do not.

Which casual trouser should you choose?

1. Is a relaxed wool trouser the best first pair?

Yes. It is the closest to what you already own, so it slots into a wardrobe without rearranging it. The Noir Slad is an olive wool trouser with a flat front, a pressed front crease, belt loops at a mid-rise waistband and slanted side pockets. The leg is easy with a gentle taper, finishing at a neat hem. Olive is a useful colour here because it works with black, brown, cream and navy without competing with any of them.

2. Can drawstring trousers look smart?

They can when the front is still tailored. The detail to look for is a zip fly. A drawstring trouser with a proper fly and a pressed crease looks like a trouser from the front and feels like loungewear at the waist. The Noir Minchinhampton has exactly that: an elasticated waistband with a cord drawstring and tipped ends, a zip fly, a crease running the length of the leg and a slim-straight cut in charcoal wool. Wear the drawstring tucked in under knitwear, or leave it visible with a sweatshirt.

3. How do you wear wide-leg trousers without looking swamped?

Raise the waist and shorten the top half. A wide leg needs a high rise, so the leg line starts at the natural waist and the proportion reads as long rather than heavy. The Noir Lechlade is a cream wool-blend trouser with forward pleats either side of the fly, an extended waistband tab with a single button, a high-rise waistband and a full, wide leg with a pressed crease. Tuck the shirt in. Keep knitwear fine and close to the body. A cropped jacket or a short bomber finishes it.

4. Are cargo trousers still worth wearing?

In a tailored cloth, yes. The cargo pocket became a problem when it was paired with baggy cotton and a low rise. Put the same pocket on a slim wool leg with a crease and it reads as a deliberate utility detail. The Noir Upton is a charcoal wool cargo trouser with flapped pockets on each thigh, a flat front, a pressed crease and a tapered leg. It is the pair to wear with a leather jacket and boots.

What shoes go with casual trousers?

• Relaxed and drawstring cuts: suede loafers or a clean derby.
• Wide-leg: a loafer with some weight to it, so the hem has something to sit on.
• Cargo: boots, or a dark derby.

For the full picture on slip-ons, read Men's Loafers Explained.

Frequently asked questions

Are wool trousers too warm for everyday wear?

Not usually. Wool regulates temperature well and a pressed wool trouser tends to feel lighter on the leg than heavy denim.

What size should I order?

All four are sized by waist, from 28 to 40. Each product page advises taking your usual waist size.

How do I care for them?

All four are dry clean only. Hang them by the hem between wears and the crease will hold.

Can I wear casual trousers to the office?

The relaxed and drawstring cuts, yes, with a shirt or fine knit. For a formal office, see our guide to formal trousers.