Side adjusters, belt loops, pleats or flat front trousers for formal office wear?

[Ddubs]

I'm looking to pick up some formal trousers for a smart casual office environment, mainly odd trousers to wear with a tucked in shirt. I'm undecided whether I should go for pairs with side adjusters or belt loops or if they should be pleated or flat fronts however. I'm not overly knowledgeable on the 'rules', so to speak, surrounding this kind of thing. I typically like to wear high waisted. It's also worth noting whilst I haven't expanded my wardrobe to blazers or sports jackets yet, I will be in the future and will want to pair formal trousers with these. I may also want to use these trousers for some casual purposes. At the moment, I'm looking at Rota's Manhattans, Westsides, flat front and higher rise trousers. What would you recommend?

 

[CityDweller]

You do you. If your office is like most smart casual workplaces, the vast majority of your colleagues will wear low-rise, flat-front chinos or jeans. Higher rise trousers will be uncommon, but no one will care. So if you like the look, go for it. Wear what you like. If that means stretchy pants and poly blend shirts, great; if you like the look of Manhattans and Westsides, go for it.

 

[TimothyF]

Fit is more important than features. Wear the fit you are comfortable with, and the look you agree with

 

[shortlefty]

Seems Like you can go with any of those options depending on your styling preferences.

 

[Sockett&Bones]

I find side tabs so much comfortable than having a leather strap around my waist - comfort above all.

 

[clee1982]

Side adjuster because I like one less thing…

 

[mak1277]

Just beware, if you wear side tabs, you WILL be asked daily if you forgot your belt.

 

[shortlefty]

Just beware, if you wear side tabs, you WILL be asked daily if you forgot your belt.

Seriously was an issue for at least a year. Considering i was the only person in my office who had it.

 

[KOz]

Just beware, if you wear side tabs, you WILL be asked daily if you forgot your belt.

Is this an American thing?

 

[mak1277]

Is this an American thing?

Perhaps?

My boss, the CFO of a F500 company, told me he didn’t realize they even made pants without beltloops

 

[clee1982]

No one asked me in NYC though and that’s like since 2007

 

[hpreston]

I'm looking to pick up some formal trousers for a smart casual office environment, mainly odd trousers to wear with a tucked in shirt. I'm undecided whether I should go for pairs with side adjusters or belt loops or if they should be pleated or flat fronts however. I'm not overly knowledgeable on the 'rules', so to speak, surrounding this kind of thing. I typically like to wear high waisted. It's also worth noting whilst I haven't expanded my wardrobe to blazers or sports jackets yet, I will be in the future and will want to pair formal trousers with these. I may also want to use these trousers for some casual purposes. At the moment, I'm looking at Rota's Manhattans, Westsides, flat front and higher rise trousers. What would you recommend?

As far as "rules" for odd trousers, as pervious poster's have said, there really aren't any.... Belt loops/side adjusters are personal preference as are pleats vs flat fronts....

For me personally, I prefer side adjusters (with suspender buttons on the inside) over belt loops for most trousers... more comfortable, and can add suspenders/braces when wearing a jacket....

I also go mostly for flat fronts for odd trousers and a single pleat for suit trousers.

Your questions re not specifically answered here, but I think he has some thoughts on how to get started with an odd trouser wardrobe:

Permanent Style

If you only had five (smart) trousers

www.permanentstyle.com

 

[Connemara]

I like belt loops for odd trousers and side tabs for suits. The Armoury makes their Model A and Model B dress trousers with loops and a medium rise.

I used to have a lot of side-adjuster trousers but I'm down to virtually zero. Over time, I found that any non-suit combination, like a shirt and chinos, or flannels and a jacket, didn't look right with side-adjuster trousers. This is especially true of jacket, trousers, and shirt with no tie. The whole outfit looks unfinished without a belt.

 

[clee1982]

I'm actually on the opposite, other than none dress chino I probably prefer none with belt...

 

[mak1277]

I actually like belts as an additional piece of interest. I prefer suits with side tabs but anything else I will always opt for belt loops.