3 Ways to Wear Dress Pants (2024)

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Co-authored byAlison Deyette

Last Updated: February 25, 2021

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   Wear dress pants high up on your hipbones. The waist of your jeans should come high up on your hipbones, or possibly even higher if you find it comfortable. The waist should be snug enough to fit without the help of a belt. Basically, find a waist that is not too tight or loose and does not sag.^[1]

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   Choose dress pants that lightly hug your seat. The seat, or the butt area, of your pants should be snug. That area should not sag or be so tight that you can’t comfortably sit down. Sometimes, the rest of the pants will fit comfortably, but the seat will be too loose. If this is the case, take your pants to the tailor for an alteration.^[2]

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   Allow a ½” to 1” of loose fabric around the thighs. You should be able to pinch 1/2” to 1” (1.3 to 2.5 cm)of fabric around your thighs. The pants are too tight if you can’t pinch any loose fabric at all. If there is a lot of extra fabric, the pants are too big. It’s okay, however, if there is slightly more fabric than an inch.^[3]

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   Wear a slight taper if you have a thin or regular build. The pants should get narrower towards the calf if you have a thin or regular build. The calves should be fitted, but still have about ½” (1.3 cm) of excess fabric that could be pinched. The ankles should be the narrowest part of the pants.^[4]

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   Choose a straight cut for a wider build. A tapered look is not the ideal style for a person with a wider or heavier build. Instead, opt for a straight cut. A straight cut will balance out your proportions.^[5]

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   Choose no break if you want to be trendy. A break is how far the fold or crease at the bottom of your pants in the middle of the leg comes down on your shoe. No break means that the bottom of your pants only slightly touch the top of your shoes, if it touches at all. This look is great for a trendy, modern style, and it also works well on slim and short people.^[6]

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   Wear a slight break for a contemporary look. A slight break means that the front of the pants covers a small part of the top of the shoes. This is a good choice if you want to stay up-to-date, but aren’t into trends. A slight break works for pretty much everyone.^[7]

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   Choose a medium break for a conservative style. A medium break comes down a little bit lower than a slight break. This type of break will cover about a ½” (1.3 cm) of your shoe. This look is ideal for someone with a conservative style. A medium break is also good for someone who wants to wear dress pants with a cuff.^[8]

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   Wear a full break for a vintage style. A full break comes down the farthest on your shoe. A full break covers about an inch (2.5 cm) of your shoe. This look is considered to be a bit out of style, but it works for someone who is going for a vintage look or is heavier set. The pants should be fairly wide in the calf or ankle for a full break to look right.^[9]

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   Wear Oxfords with almost any dress pants. Oxfords work well with almost any style of dress pants. They can be dressed up with a blazer, or dressed slightly down with a simple polo. Choose a pair of Oxfords with almond-shaped toes to wear with your dress pants.^[10]

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   Put on a basic pair of stilettos. If you are looking to maintain a feminine look with dress pants, a pair of stilettos are a great choice. You can wear of stilettos with a pointed toe in the office. Or, you can wear open-toed stilettos with dress pants for a night out.

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   Pair penny loafers with dress pants for a more casual look. Penny loafers are a good alternative to sneakers if you want a more casual look for your dress pants. This would be a good option for casual office attire or a brunch. Wear a pair of brown penny loafers with navy blue dress pants.

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   Choose patterned shoes to liven up dress pants. Dress pants don’t have to be formal and boring. You can liven up dress pants by pairing them with patterned or bright shoes. For example, wear a pair of floral flats or heels with ankle-length dress pants. Or, wear plaid sneakers for a casual look with dress pants.

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   Wear a pair of ballerina flats. Ballerina flats are a great choice to wear with dress pants because they are comfortable and can be dressy or casual. For a business look, wear a pair of leather or suede ballerina flats with a pointed toe. To make the look casual and stylish, put on a pair of ballerina flats that have ribbons or strings that tie around the ankle.^[11]

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