Pant cuffs or no cuffs?

I was just wondering when pant cuffs would be suitable. When would you get cuffs for your pants? Is it more stylish or more professioanl looking?

the only time I get cuffs on my pants is on my suit trousers...I don't think that they look good on a pair of khakis or trousers when going out to the clubs, but i think they are passable during the day, worn with a conservative shirt or sweater.

Cuffs add weight and heft to the bottom of your pants and, in the right situation, look more professional and "grown-up."  In the wrong situation, they're unnecessary and just plain bad. My thoughts on when cuffs are most appropriate with:

Jeans- Never

Khakis (casual)- Never

Wool/cotton trousers (not part of suit)- Sometimes, determined on a case by case basis.  If the pant design is somewhat funkier, and meant to be worn in situations other than professional ones, I'd lean toward no cuffs.  If its more conservative, it could go either way depending mostly on personal preference.  Flat-front pants are often seen without cuffs, and pleated ones with 'em.  While that's not a terrible rule of thumb, you'll see more flat-fronted pants with cuffs these days, a look that I'm a fan of when it comes to flat-fronted suit trousers (see below).

Suit trousers-  Pleated pants: always; Flat-fronts: sometimes  (again, a funkier suit design- Gucci, Versace, et al.- may not call for it, but lots of suits with flat-front trousers can benefit from cuffs; adds a professional touch to  flat-fronted pants, which many view as less formal)

Thanks guys I appreciate it.

Instead of making a new thread I figured I'd bring one back because of how many "cuffs vs. no cuffs" there already are.

I am ordering bespoke suits.

My jacket is single breasted two button with side vents.

My trousers are defiantly going to be flat front.

I am an attorney hence I feel I need cuffs because it adds a smart and professional look to it, but then I think that you should not get cuffs flat front pants.

Also, are flat front pants traditional or contemporary? I hope they are considered traditional because I need them to match my traditional side vents. I feel mixing contemporary with traditional is not right.

Please input on any of those questions.

Thanks
John

Regardless of any rules that (hopefully dont) exist regarding pleats, I would not be caught dead in pleats. Unless you're a bigger guy who needs them because of your girth, I find them just awful looking.

Except for jeans I got cuffs on all my trousers, also on chinos. I like the look and also the additional weight.

Originally Posted by ChicagoJohn

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Regardless of any rules that (hopefully dont) exist regarding pleats, I would not be caught dead in pleats. Unless you're a bigger guy who needs them because of your girth, I find them just awful looking.
My suit pants usually come with double pleats. I am not big at all - again, I just like the look.

Originally Posted by laxexquis

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Also, are flat front pants traditional or contemporary? I hope they are considered traditional because I need them to match my traditional side vents. I feel mixing contemporary with traditional is not right.

Both are currently contemporary. Both have been popular in the past, and unpopular in the past.

Do what you will.

Frankly, I'm very slim hence I feel strongly I need flat fronts. I know that ff pants are supposed to be uncuffed, but I think cuffed pants send out a professional look which I need being an attorney.

I'm not sure I understand how cuffed pants look any more "professional" than uncuffed ones.

A nice, business-like suit will look professional with or without cuffs. Most lawyers I have worked with seem to wear no cuffs at the moment. It really doesn't matter. Don't worry about abstract rules, and don't worry about which is more professional. Pick what you like.

Originally Posted by laxexquis

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Frankly, I'm very slim hence I feel strongly I need flat fronts.
+1

I know that ff pants are supposed to be uncuffed, but I think cuffed pants send out a professional look which I need being an attorney.

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Plain front pants are not necessarily supposed to be uncuffed. An Italian tailor recently told me that that's an American rule of thumb that very few Italians would subscribe to. It's even falling out of favor among Americans. Therefore, do what you will and enjoy yourself.

I generally put 1.5" cuffs on all my dress slacks, pleated or not. The only dress slacks I don't cuff are the ones that already have some other interesting feature going for them, such as a bold pattern or a textured weave. If the slacks are already kind of busy, I leave it at that.

2" cuffs on everything i own except my jeans. Yes I spend a lot of time insisting when I need to break in a new tailor - except the old timers who just smile and nod then go to work!

Ok, thanks everyone for your input.

I think I'm going to go with cuffs.

What do you think about the back pocket style? I can choose form no pockets at all, the classic double pockets with a button or just one pocket on the one side.

If I do choose the "one pocket on one side" which side should it be?


Thanks
John

Originally Posted by ccc123

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2" cuffs on everything i own except my jeans. Yes I spend a lot of time insisting when I need to break in a new tailor - except the old timers who just smile and nod then go to work!

Is it true that shorter men should avoid cuffs, while taller gentlemen can afford larger cuffs? I've heard this before, but I'm not sure if its just a "urban myth".

Any thoughts from the distinguished members??