 As with shirts, your work pants can do double duty, but you need pants strictly for casual wear. Get at least 4 pair of casual pants (that aren't jeans), more if your climate includes multiple seasons, which leaves out most of California and Seattle. Cargo pants, chinos, and pants that are cut like jeans in fabrics like wool, linen, or corduroy are what we're talking about. If you find a pair of pants you like, then get them in a couple of different colors. Designers are offering wool and blends in contemporary styles as more sophisticated alternatives to chinos or jeans for a younger audience. This expands the options for guys who don't wear or like jeans — yes, they exist. Currently, flat front pants are all the rage. Flat front provides a better look for many guys. They should fit lower on the hip and shouldn't be cuffed. Pick the weight and fabric by the season of the year. Cotton and linen will get you through the summer months and wool for those months that have an "r" in them.
As always, pants must fit in your waist, crotch, butt, and legs. Beyond that:
Some people like chinos, some prefer cargo pants. You say tomato. . . .
Speaking of chinos, they've gotten a bad reputation over the years, thanks to brands like the hopelessly un-sexy Dockers -- the pants for the big-butted man. However, several designers have put out chinos in more flattering cuts. They're flexible, good for work and play. Buy colors other than khaki, but stay away from colors like red, orange, purple. That goes for all pants.
You have two options for pant legs: narrower-legged and fuller-legged, with jeans being the exception (see below). And you never need bellbottoms, unless you're Sly Stone or maybe Lenny Kravitz.
If pants have belt loops, they need a belt. If they have a drawstring, you'd better be in a gym, on a beach, or in your bedroom.
Don't wear sweat pants for an evening on the town. If you're heading to the gym, lounging around the house, or going to the drug store, no problem.
At a local festival, Brian was out with friends listening to music, eating kabobs and funnel cake, having a good time. For the occasion, he wore striped cotton and linen pants from West Africa: bright colors on tan, strictly for outdoor events. In hindsight, perhaps they were a bit loud, but, hell, it was a festival. Apparently, an ex of his hanging out at the same festival disagreed and was "kind" enough to say so. When he got home, there was an email waiting that said, "Don't ever wear those pants again." Brian thought emails like that explained why they weren't dating. Then again, it could have been the pants.
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