Winter's Worst Won't Get the Better of These Pants

This time of year brings with it an aggravating amount of jacket talk. A topic that’s earned its stripes, but we’ll be the first to admit there are other aspects of a winter wardrobe that can feel a little hard done by. Namely, the pant situation.Jeans are great, but let’s face it, nothing worth getting excited over. Pants, on the other hand, at least offer a glimmer of personality. Maybe that’s down to the sudden wool fascination sweeping through menswear, or the growing realization that cords might actually be the move (we owe them an apology). Either way, there’s a whole world of shapes and fabrics to get into once you stop treating your legs as an afterthought. And with winter dressing threatening to become one long rotation of coats and knits, an exciting pair of pants might be exactly what your wardrobe needs to feel interesting again. So, while the jacket discourse rages on, we’re taking a closer look at what’s happening below the waist. Turns out, there’s quite a lot. What're you waiting for?The Rugged One These Barbour x Norbit caught my eye during my daily (productive) shopping scroll. They’re honestly a combination of a whole lot of things that shouldn’t work together. Cord, cargo and a completely confounding string belt. Yet, I’m in favor of it all. The oversized fit and heavyweight cord give them a certain countryside charm, which makes sense given they’re Barbour, while the utility details pull them somewhere altogether less obvious. A little on the casual side, but surprisingly easy to imagine working into an everyday wardrobe.The Fancy Pants OneIf you’re not familiar with West Coast label California Arts, consider yourself in our bad books. Their wool coats are what drew me in, but these pants are keeping me hooked. The exaggerated pleats and wide-leg cut make even the plainest sweater look like a considered outfit, while the “salt and pepper herringbone” adds some much-needed old-school charm. They’re the kind of pants that make me wonder why I bother with jeans at all.The Roomy OneSage Nation’s Zushi trousers are a little odd, in a good way. The barrel leg gives them plenty of volume, while the pleats stop things from looking like you’ve borrowed a pair of your dad’s old work pants. The chocolate brown helps, too. All in all, a pretty convincing argument for trying something other than straight-leg trousers.The Cheap(er) OneWith Christmas looming and your bank account already looking nervous, Zara has a pretty convincing argument for keeping your trouser budget in check. These pleated numbers have a relaxed fit and a metal-hook fastening that makes them look remarkably pricier than they really are. A win's a win.The Americana OneIf hard-working, or at least looking like it, is your thing, you really can’t go wrong with Americana, particularly when it comes courtesy of Ralph Lauren. These double-knee trousers have serious foreman energy, though thankfully you don’t need to know your way around a toolbox to pull them off. The At Ease One Gone are the days of comfortable clothing looking plain old comfortable. These days, you can have your cake and eat it too, as proven by the A, BEAMS’ more experimental clothing line. Its take on the US Army’s M65 over-pants swaps the usual stiff and predictable military-issue fabric for – you guessed it – wool flannel, making for a rather handsome alternative to the usual winter pant fare. The Reliable OneLevi’s and corduroy are hardly a radical pairing, but there’s a reason some combinations stick around. We’ve spent the last few years treating cords like they’re something to be embarrassed about, which is frankly a bit unfair. Dare I say, these inoffensive straight-leg ones make a pretty strong case for letting them back into the fold. The Bougie OneYes, these are a lot of money to spend on a pair of black pants. No getting around that. But then again, how often do you come across a pair that makes black pants feel remotely interesting? The tapered leg has this slightly unexpected cuff effect at the ankle, which I’m much more into than I thought I’d be. Add the British wool and Scottish manufacturing, and suddenly the price starts to make a little more sense. Money wool spent, I say.Some Strong Contenders:How We Test and Choose ProductsStyle means different things to different people, but knowing what's worth your money shouldn't be a guessing game. At Highsnobiety, we’ve spent more than two decades covering fashion, keeping tabs on the brands worth knowing, and figuring out which products deserve your time. We test products firsthand when possible, digging into everything from quality and construction to comfort and wearability. With more brands competing for your attention than ever, we also consider what sets a product apart. For the rest, we lean on our product knowledge, editorial research, and the taste that’s made us a trusted voice in fashion.Highsnobiety has affiliate marketing partnerships, which means we may receive a commission from your purchase. Want to shop the products our editors actually love? Visit our SHOPPER page and subscribe to the newsletter for recs on all things fashion, footwear, and beauty.