Best Men's Trousers in the UK: 10 Styles Compared, From £59

The best men's trousers for most UK men are three pairs, all £59: the Bank stretch smart trousers for work, the Putney slim tapered chinos for smart casual, and the Mortlake wide-leg pleated trousers for room through the thigh. Below, ten WARDLEY styles are compared by fit, fabric and price — from the £59 everyday range to the Strand check tailored trousers at £83.

• Putney slim tapered chinos — £59.00 · belt loops, smart-casual staple
• Mortlake wide-leg pleated trousers — £59.00 · room through the thigh
• Camden tapered stretch tech trousers — £59.00 · elasticated drawstring waist
• Canary Wharf water-resistant tech cargo trousers — £59.00
• Wapping cargo trousers – tapered jogger — £59.00
• Kentish stretch corduroy trousers — £61.00 · autumn and winter
• Free tracked UK delivery on every order · 30-day returns

The pleated edit, at higher cloth. Beyond the ten styles compared above, the range also carries a pleated edit cut from heavier cloth, priced £85–£99: the Henley pleated wool-blend trousers (£99), the Windsor pleated wide-leg drape trousers (£99), the Harrogate Japanese pleated trousers (£99) and the Cotswold double-waistband pleated trousers (£85). The ten compared styles run £59–£83; the pleated edit sits above them at £85–£99.

This is a comparison of ten styles in the WARDLEY range, based on their published product details—not an independent test of every trouser brand in the UK. Check each product page for current sizes, colours, measurements and availability.

Updated October 2026 — every price below checked against the live WARDLEY range.

Quick answer: the 3 pairs to buy first

• Best for work: Bank stretch smart trousers — £59.00 · slim fit, four-way stretch, flat front and belt loops.
• Best for smart casual: Putney slim tapered chinos — £59.00 · the bridge between jeans and tailored trousers.
• Best pleated: Mortlake wide-leg pleated trousers — £59.00 · room through the thigh, full-length wide leg.

Compare all ten styles below, or shop the current men’s trousers collection. For office wear, check whether your dress code permits drawstring waists and cargo pockets.

Quick comparison: WARDLEY men’s trousers

Start here: compare Bank for work, Putney for a slim belted chino shape, Mortlake for a wide pleated leg and Camden for the lowest price in the range. Choose the cargos when pockets and a more casual look suit your day.

Fabric check: stretch describes movement, not fibre composition. Check the material and care details for the individual product rather than assuming every chino is cotton or every lightweight trouser is linen. Canary Wharf is described as water-resistant; do not treat that as a waterproof specification.

Best men’s trousers for work

Best for work: Bank stretch smart trousers — £59.00. A slim fit in four-way stretch fabric with a flat front, belt loops and slant pockets — the closest shape in this range to a tailored work trouser, and the pair to choose when the dress code is smart but the day is long.

The right work trouser depends on the office dress code. In a formal office, traditional tailored trousers may still be required. In a smart-casual office, compare Camden, Putney and Mortlake according to the shape you want and whether your workplace permits a drawstring waistband.

• Camden (£59.00): best when comfort and movement matter, especially for commuting or sitting for long periods.
• Putney (£59.00): best when you want a conventional chino shape that works easily with shirts and knitwear.
• Mortlake (£59.00): consider this when you want a wide, full-length pleated silhouette rather than a slim chino.

Colour decides how formal the Bank reads: Black and Charcoal sit closest to suit trousers, while Navy and Sand are easier to dress down with knitwear. Wear them with a crew-neck jumper or a shirt and loafers; the four-way stretch is there for the commute, not for show.

For more outfit combinations, see our smart-casual work outfits for men.

Best men’s trousers for smart casual

Best for smart casual: Putney slim tapered chinos — £59.00. Best value alternative: Camden tapered stretch tech trousers — £59.00.

For most smart-casual situations, start with a clean tapered or pleated shape. The Putney Slim Chino is the easiest bridge between jeans and tailored trousers: it works with an Oxford shirt, knitted polo, quarter zip, loafers or clean trainers. If you want a slightly more directional silhouette, the Mortlake Wide Leg Pleated Trouser (£59.00) has a front pleat and a wide, straight leg in lightweight stretch fabric. Choose it for visible volume through the leg rather than a slim ankle.

Browse the full men’s trousers collection or go directly to men’s chinos and men’s pleated trousers.

Best pleated trousers

Best pleated: Mortlake wide-leg pleated trousers — £59.00. A single front pleat, a wide straight leg and a lightweight draping fabric with stretch: the pleat adds room through the thigh while the leg falls in a clean, full-length line.

Best pleated, lighter spend: Henley pleated linen-look trousers — £59.00. Double front pleats, a high waist and a relaxed straight leg in a lightweight linen-look fabric — the easier, warm-weather take on the shape.

Pleats earn their place when you want room through the seat and thigh without a baggy leg, or a sharper line than a flat front gives. For the fit rules, single vs double pleats and outfit combinations in depth, read our dedicated guide: how to wear pleated trousers — fit, pleats and styling. Browse the shapes in the men’s pleated trousers collection.

Men’s corduroy trousers for autumn and winter outfits

For a textured alternative to chinos, compare the Kentish stretch corduroy trousers (£61.00). Their fine-wale corduroy has stretch, with a regular straight leg, mid rise, zip fly and belt loops. Choose Kentish when you want a straight silhouette and visible texture; choose Putney for a slim tapered chino or Camden for a lightweight technical style with a drawstring waist.

Wear corduroy with a plain crew-neck jumper, an Oxford shirt or a simple overshirt. Keep the top half restrained if you want the trouser texture to stand out. For a smart-casual office, check the dress code and the fit through the waist and thigh before deciding.

Kentish is listed in Chocolate, Caramel, Navy and Black, with waist sizes W30, W32, W34, W36 and W38. Its fit note advises sizing up if you are between sizes and want a more relaxed fit. Check the selected colour and size on the product page for current availability.

Best men’s trousers for travel

For travel, prioritise a comfortable waistband, easy movement and a leg shape that still looks presentable after a long journey. The Camden Tech Trouser (£59.00) is the strongest WARDLEY option for this use because it combines lightweight stretch fabric, an elasticated drawstring waist and a tapered leg.

If you want additional utility pockets and a more technical look, the Canary Wharf Tech Cargo Trouser (£59.00) is the better fit. Its water-resistant technical fabric is also useful in changeable weather.

See the full lightweight men’s trousers edit and our elasticated waist trousers.

Best men’s trousers for warmer weather

Fabric weight and construction matter more than colour alone. Lighter fabrics and a less bulky build tend to feel easier in warmer conditions. Mortlake uses lightweight draping fabric with stretch in a wide, straight leg, while Camden uses lightweight stretch fabric in a tapered shape. Compare the leg shape as well as the fabric description; lightweight does not mean every style will fit or feel the same.

If you are dressing for work or dinner, pair lightweight trousers with an Oxford shirt, knitted polo or lightweight knit. For weekends, a heavyweight T-shirt and clean trainers keep the outfit simple without making the trousers look formal.

For a genuinely warm-weather fabric, the Cheyne linen tailored trousers (£63.00) are a straight-leg, flat-front pair in linen — the lightest option here for summer work and occasions. The Henley pleated trousers (£59.00) use a lightweight linen-look fabric with double pleats and a relaxed straight leg, for an easier warm-weather silhouette. When even a linen trouser is too much cloth, the tailored short takes over the same role: the Blackfriars tailored stretch shorts keep a clean, flat front with a little stretch for the day.

Best relaxed trousers for weekends

The Wapping Cargo Jogger (£59.00) is the most relaxed option in this comparison. It has a drawstring waist, cargo pockets and elasticated cuffs, so it sits closer to casual utility wear than a chino or pleated trouser.

If you like cargo styling but want a cleaner leg and more technical fabric, compare it with the men’s cargo trousers collection.

For a relaxed shape without cargo pockets, the Teddington wide-leg drawstring trousers (£59.00) pair a wide, straight leg in lightweight cotton with an elasticated drawstring waist — as comfortable as joggers, and cleaner with a shirt or a knit.

The tailored end

Two pairs sit above the everyday range, for occasions and sharper dressing. The Strand check tailored trousers (£83.00) are a slim, ankle-length pair in a Prince of Wales check with a pressed crease and an extended tab waistband — the check does the talking, so keep the top half plain. For evening dress, the Opera satin-stripe dinner trousers (£59.00) are a slim black pair with a tonal satin stripe down each leg, a flat front and belt loops, made to sit under a dinner jacket.

Neither is an everyday buy, and neither needs to be: these are the pairs for weddings, dinners and the days a chino is not enough.

Before you order: compare the fit you already wear

Check the waist, rise, thigh and inside-leg measurements against a pair that fits you well. Slim, tapered and relaxed describe different parts of the shape; a tapered leg does not necessarily mean a tight thigh. Use the WARDLEY size guide alongside each product’s fit notes, then check the selected colour and size before adding it to your basket.

• Camden: its published waist guide is S 29–31in, M 31–33in, L 33–35in and XL 35–37in. Compare your waist with that guide rather than carrying a letter size across from another brand.
• Putney: sizes are labelled by waist in inches, with W30, W32, W34, W36 and W38 options. The product fit note advises taking the larger size if you are between sizes.
• Mortlake: this is a wide fit with a full-length leg. Check the product’s sizing information and how the hem will sit with your shoes; a wide cut does not establish the right waist size.
• Kentish: regular fit with a straight leg and mid rise. Choose using the listed waist size in inches; the fit note advises sizing up between sizes for a more relaxed fit.

Henley: relaxed fit, sized S–XL against a published waist guide — S 30–31in · M 32–33in · L 34–35in · XL 36–37in.

Teddington: wide fit with an elasticated drawstring waist. Its fit note advises sizing up between sizes for a relaxed fit.

How should men’s trousers fit?

A useful fit starts at the waist and thigh, not the ankle. The waistband should stay secure without excessive tightening. The seat and thigh should allow normal movement without pulling. From there, choose the leg shape according to the look you want:

• Slim: closer through the thigh and lower leg.
• Tapered: roomier above the knee, narrowing towards the ankle.
• Straight: a more consistent width from thigh to hem.
• Relaxed: more room through the seat and thigh, often with a softer drape.

For most smart-casual outfits, a tapered or clean straight leg is the easiest to combine with loafers, trainers and Chelsea boots. Read our tapered vs straight-leg trousers guide for a more detailed comparison.

Which trouser colours are most versatile?

Black, charcoal, navy and stone are the easiest colours to repeat across a smaller wardrobe. Stone and beige work well with navy, white, blue, olive and brown. Black and charcoal are easy with grey, white, camel and darker outerwear. Neutral colours also make it easier to reuse the same trousers across office and weekend outfits.

What shoes work with different trouser styles?

• Chinos: loafers, minimal trainers or Chelsea boots.
• Pleated trousers: loafers for a sharper look; minimal trainers for a more relaxed one.
• Tech trousers: clean trainers, loafers or simple boots depending on the top half.
• Cargo trousers: trainers and casual boots suit the utility styling best.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best men’s trousers for everyday wear?

For everyday smart-casual use, chinos and tapered trousers are the most versatile because they can be dressed up with a shirt or down with a T-shirt and trainers.

Are elasticated waist trousers smart enough for work?

They can be in a smart-casual office if the rest of the trouser has a clean shape and restrained detailing. A tapered style such as Camden looks more office-appropriate than a cuffed cargo jogger.

Are pleated trousers good for larger thighs?

Pleats add room through the front of the trouser, which can make them more comfortable through the thigh. The pleats should still lie flat when standing; if they pull open strongly, the fit is too tight.

What is the difference between chinos and trousers?

Chinos are a casual-to-smart cotton-style trouser category that usually sits between jeans and formal tailored trousers. “Trousers” is the broader category and includes chinos, pleated trousers, cargos, technical trousers and formal styles.

Which WARDLEY trousers are best for travel?

For a cleaner smart-casual travel look, Camden is the strongest fit because of its lightweight stretch fabric, elasticated drawstring waist and tapered leg. For more utility pockets and weather resistance, choose Canary Wharf.

How much should good men’s trousers cost?

In this range, prices run from £59.00 for the Camden tech trousers to £83.00 for the Strand tailored check. What moves the price is the fabric and the construction: pleats, a pressed crease, an extended tab waistband and occasion fabrics such as linen sit at the top; lightweight stretch styles sit at the bottom. Pay for the pair that matches how often you will wear it — a work pair worn twice a week earns its price in a way an occasion pair worn twice a year does not have to.

Which trousers work for larger thighs?

Pleated styles are the reliable answer: the Mortlake front pleat and wide leg, and the Henley double pleats and relaxed straight leg, both add room through the thigh without a tight seat. Wide and relaxed fits such as the Teddington (£59.00) give the same ease in a plainer shape. Whatever the style, pleats and creases should lie flat when you stand — if they pull open, size up.

Ready to compare styles? Browse all WARDLEY men’s trousers, including chinos, pleated trousers, lightweight trousers and elasticated waist trousers. WARDLEY offers free tracked UK delivery and 30-day returns.

Need help choosing a size?

Email support@wardleylondon.co.uk with the style you are considering and the measurements you need. Check product-specific measurements before ordering. Dispatch takes 1–2 working days, with delivery in 6–10 working days from order. Read delivery details and 30-day return conditions.

One thing this guide cannot settle from a screen is the fit on your own leg. Our companion piece, how should men’s trousers fit, works through waist, seat, break and taper, with the checks to run when a pair arrives.

One staple deserves its own treatment: men’s chinos — fit, colours and what to wear them with.

Keep reading: the best smart trousers for the office, and chinos vs trousers — what the difference actually is.