Cuffs on Suit Pants - no break?

[jt10000]

The amount of break depends on the look you want, and also the width and material of the pants. If the material is stiff, like denim or heavy chinos, and the legs are narrow, then no break is fine. But if the material is very soft and the pants leg is wide, no break is going to result in the pants flopping around. It'll look bad.

With suit pants I like a tiny break in front. This keeps the leg "anchored" and reduces flopping.

 

[tobiasj]

^^ Sure, but what about cuffs?

 

[RDiaz]

I always ask for no break. Problem is, tailors want you to have a break it seems. So, it is hit or miss.

I've decided to just wear pants lower than usual when asking for alterations.

 

[tobiasj]



I've decided to just wear pants lower than usual when asking for alterations.

ingenioso

 

[moiseskline]

I would prefer half break.

 

[Chase H]

^^ Sure, but what about cuffs?

Sorry to necro, but I, too, have this question. For lighter fabrics, should one choose smaller cuffs or no cuffs as opposed to larger cuffs for heavy fabrics?

 

[Ivar]



Sorry to necro, but I, too, have this question. For lighter fabrics, should one choose smaller cuffs or no cuffs as opposed to larger cuffs for heavy fabrics?

The lighter the fabric, the more you'll benefit from cuffing your pants. Cuffs make the pants drape better.

 

[Chase H]

I posed the same question to the proprietor of Thick as Thieves, and he essentially said the opposite. I will admit that somehow the idea of thick cuffs seems more fitting for a heavy tweed, but I've never owned a suit, and I sometimes have funny ideas. Is it just a matter of taste? Also, once a pant is cuffed, am I right in thinking that if one wishes to shorten the inseam, one must remove the cuffs? It seems that otherwise, the crease from the bottom of the cuff would be on the outside of the new cuffs.

 

[Chase H]

I posed the same question to the proprietor of Thick as Thieves, and he essentially said the opposite. I will admit that somehow the idea of thick cuffs seems more fitting for a heavy tweed, but I've never owned a suit, and I sometimes have funny ideas. Is it just a matter of taste? Also, once a pant is cuffed, am I right in thinking that if one wishes to shorten the inseam, one must remove the cuffs? It seems that otherwise, the crease from the bottom of the cuff would be on the outside of the new cuffs.

 

[Grayland]



The lighter the fabric, the more you'll benefit from cuffing your pants. Cuffs make the pants drape better.

I agree.

 

[Ivar]



I posed the same question to the proprietor of Thick as Thieves, and he essentially said the opposite.

What was his argument? It's pretty simple, really: the cuffs lend extra weight to the bottom of the pants, making them less flimsy.

 

[Chase H]

He didn't really have an argument. I just asked him which he recommended, and he said he prefers cuffs on heavier fabrics.

 

[Ivar]



He didn't really have an argument. I just asked him which he recommended, and he said he prefers cuffs on heavier fabrics.

I see. Most people on here, including me, always cuff their pants, but there's no rule for or against it -- it's just down to style.

 

[Chase H]

I think I'll try it, if only to appease the style gods. I once had an opportunity to acquire some blue cuffed trousers with a white windowpane at a thrift store. I loved the look of the cuffs on them, hated the pleats. I declined, not knowing that I could have pleats removed by a tailor. I suppose I'll have to buy some pants like that some day.