Dress pants with stretch

[sc12]

Hello everyone! As I said in my introduction post I've found these forums to be really helpful over the years and appreciate the expertise and good judgment that is out there!

I have a very specific phobia: dress pants. With rare exceptions, I don't feel comfortable wearing them feel and prefer pants with stretch, and that are slim fitting. Does anyone have recommendations in this regard? I know that some brands like Z Zegna have various pieces in techno/stretch fabrics but I've yet to find pants that are suitable for dressing up. Thank you!

 

[Anachronist]

First of all a warm welcome to SF!

With regards to your enquiry, the challenge to bridge is the fact that stretch fabrics lead to very body or rather leg hugging pants, which is more commonly associated with a more casual or sporty appearance even in a suit. As long as that visual effect or perception is clear and acknowledged, we're set to go

Whilst I understand the desire for flexible fabric for slim fitting pants, personally I would recommend to go for clothes makers, who use woolens that achieve a "stretchiness" through their special weave (often termed "natural stretch") rather than through the inclusion of elastic fibers like Elastane or, if at all, only a very small proportion of the latter (e.g. 1% or less). The prior typically wear and look better over the long run. The artificial elastic fibres often begin to sag or give in the frequently stretched zones (such as knees) over time and the pants start looking "off" shape soon.

As said, Zegna is good, but definitely on the pricy side, whilst I personally challenge their value for money (their fabrics are wonderful, no doubt, but other companies used great woolens as well and craftsmanship is not the best IMO)
T.M. Lewin from the UK is a nice alternative at good value for money: https://www.tmlewin.co.uk/stretch-suits.html
Boggi from Milan/Italy also has a good selection on natural stretch wool suits: https://www.boggi.com/en_DE/clothing/suits/filter/stretch-wool/

If you can find a suit that is additionally full canvassed and not fused, that would be the optimum.

 

[sc12]

First of all a warm welcome to SF!

With regards to your enquiry, the challenge to bridge is the fact that stretch fabrics lead to very body or rather leg hugging pants, which is more commonly associated with a more casual or sporty appearance even in a suit. As long as that visual effect or perception is clear and acknowledged, we're set to go

Thanks very much, Anachronist! This is very helpful advice. I would be looking to wear the pants in question with a sport jacket (I have lots of those, but not many pants that I like). I appreciate your points about wear and the risk of an inappropriately sporty appearance. Thanks again.

 

[Anachronist]

You're very welcome. I do admire (and envy ;-) people who have the figure for it and can wear slim fit with elegance, but for most folks this is a risky terrain. If it suits you, you can always look well and appropriately dressed depending on the general style of your outfit and the occasion. I just wanted to provide a starting point and hope some more people can chime and recommend some other good sources.