In the past, winter was a season that made most men layer up instead of exposing their fashionable side. But now, things have changed, and men are looking dashing in winter by blending the best of both worlds seamlessly—keeping warm and looking great.
This approach is due to some fabulous trends revving up the men’s trouser industry. For retailers who want to maintain a strong appeal in the cooler season, this article will highlight the 5 most popular men’s trousers trends for autumn/winter in 2022/2023.
Table of Contents
The market for men’s trousers
Five great men’s trouser trends for autumn/winter
Final thoughts
The market size for men’s trousers
In the global apparel market, the trousers category has a revenue of about US $138 billion in 2022. Between 2022 and 2026, the market is projected to see a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5%. This growth is due to steady increase in demand for trousers, especially among the fashion conscious.
Another reason for the growth is the incorporation of offline and online stores. Since people have started using online portals and mobile apps more, the online segment is expected to expand, with a CAGR of 6.4% between 2021 and 2028.
The category of men’s trousers includes everything from shorts to slim-fit denim and sweatpants. However, the cloth trouser segment dominated the industry by contributing about 40% to the total revenue in 2020.
With that in mind, here are five trends that retailers who aim to capitalize on this growth and boost their sales can look out for to offer a great autumn/winter selection.
Five great men’s trouser trends for autumn/winter
Leather pants
Leather pants, as the name implies, come from pure leather. Most of these pants are inherently slim-fitted and tight because of their texture. It’s also possible to find synthetic variants of faux leather.
Some popular leather pants styles are the bell or flare bottoms, which feature wide bottom hems. There’s also the bootcut and jogger series with elastic bands at the ankles. Also worth noting is that leather pants have found their way into the denim community with leather jeans.
But skinny leather pants are by far the most popular style and will remain highly popular this season. Another style is straight-leg leather pants which are less restrained around the waist, thighs, and ankles.
Leather pants come in different colors like brown, blue, and other eye-catching colors. Men can style these pants with an insulated down coat, regular button-down shirts, and trench coats. The black pants pair well with white or black turtlenecks for monochrome lovers.
These leather pants could be worn to work in some situations, but they are perfect for outdoor gatherings like late-night parties, reunions, and thanksgiving. The pants can also be suitable for simple outings such as wine tastings, lunch with a partner or colleague, or a short picnic at the park.
Wide-leg trousers
Wide-leg trousers are a formidable trend as they are classy with a flare design. Moreover, this versatile piece is super easy to pair with other outfits. And they come in various fabrics that consumers can choose from, like cotton, wool, and linen blends which are all perfect for the winter and autumn seasons.
Corduroy is another variant that consumers can rely on for durability and thickness for warmth. Also, denim wide-leg flare pants are another great alternative for autumn and winter that men love.
Consumers can pair wide-leg bottoms with tonal shirts or turtlenecks to get a distinctly casual look. For a semi-formal look, jackets will do the trick. And while turtlenecks are the usual pick with jackets, consumers could also kick things up a few notches by incorporating the entire attire into a suit. On the other hand, a crisp button-down shirt with wide-leg pants and a jacket is perfect for a cocktail dinner.
Wide Leg trousers in darker hues like dark blue, army green, brown, beige, and stone are ideal for formal events. Plaid is also a good pick and can easily pair up with white v-neck tees. Also, customers can opt for cropped wide-leg pants for a contemporary look.
Wide-leg trousers are suitable for many occasions such as business meetings, work, and family reunions, all thanks to the classy appearance they give.
Tapered trousers
Tapered trousers usually come in stretch fabric which gives a comfortable feel against the legs and helps the pants stretch around the thighs for that overall slim fit look. Consumers that want breathable bottoms can opt for cotton-blend tapered pants, while wool and poly cotton bottoms are ideal for a lower temperature.
Customers can combine striped tapered trousers with a solid-colored t-shirt for a cool casual look. Stone or beige-colored tapered pants with button-down shirts and a vest is a nice combo for a business casual look.
Nailing a formal look with tapered pants is easyby adding a dress shirt and blazers to the ensemble. Also, instead of a shirt, customers could add a turtleneck, and still keep the formal and classy appeal.
Split-hem trousers
These trousers are usually made from cotton and wool, as well as cotton twill. Denim and linen are also sustainable and durable fabrics for trousers like these.
During autumn/winter, split-hem pants in sturdier and thicker materials tend to be more popular. This means fabrics like corduroy, denim, wool, and linen tend to see a higher rate of sales.
Front split-hem pants work well with solid colored Cuban collar shirts for a laid-back casual look. These pants are also great with oversized polo shirts or hoodies for the perfect sporty casual style. The side splits are game-changers, especially when paired with darker shades of overshirts for fancy events.
Denim split-hem trousers tick the box for comfort, a sharp look, and versatility. Customers can rock these pants with any top, like a twill office shirt to nail the business casual look or a chambray shirt for a great touch. For men who want a bit more class, ruffled or puffy-sleeved shirts are also a great combo with split-hems.
Sweatpants
Men’s sweatpants have evolved from simple sportswear to an attire for more casual purposes. Sweatpants are usually made from fleece or French terry. The difference between both fabrics is that fleece has a velvety nap on the back of the cloth, while french terry has loose loops.
This means that those who love a softer texture can opt for fleece sweatpants, while those who prefer a rougher texture can go for the french terry variant. Other remarkable fabrics that are winter-friendly are suede, denim, satin, faux leather, and silk.
Standard length sweatpants with cuffs are great for consumers that need an attractive piece for having brunch. Cropped sweatpants are versatile bottoms that boost comfort as casual wear or for hitting the gym. And consumers who want more functionality will lean towards pocketed sweatpants.
Baggy sweatpants are great for men who want to boast their street style or need the perfect pants to lounge in. Tailored sweatpants are a good match for men who want a slimmer and smart look. Finally, jogger pants are the perfect go-to for athletic customers due to their loose style and adaptability.
Sweatpants go well with graphic tees for a casual look. They also look good with different kinds of jackets during the winter, like the insulated down coat and fleece jacket. However, since sweatpants are inherently casual, they may be unsuitable for most formal occasions.
Final thoughts
Men’s trousers are an essential piece of clothing for layering during the autumn/winter season. This year’s trends will include items such as sweatpants for casual park visits, split-hem trousers, wide-leg pants for formal gatherings, leather pants, and tapered trousers that are versatile for both formal and casual settings. These trends will help fashion retailers maintain their appeal throughout the cooler season, and will be the perfect addition to any online catalog.
