What started out as a vero Italian style trait, has now become a global fashion trend. And one that’s proving to have vero stay-power. We’re talking about the cropped trouser. From suit separates to jeans, the short-leg pant has trickled down from Florentine flamboyancies witnessed at Pitti Uomo and moved onto the more fashion-forward abroad. And nowadays, mainstream menswear is making the most of the cropped trouser, too.
While the bared ankle (or mankle) takes time getting used to, we’re seeing more of the cropped trouser in the office (with socks, of course) and almost everywhere on the weekend: from the rooftop bar in summer to nighttime weddings in autumn.
Feel like you’re the only one not rocking the cropped trouser? Or maybe you’ve tried the mankle look, and failed, due to too much exposure. Fear not, we’ve got the intel on how to wear cropped pants laid bare below. And what shoes work best, to boot.
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How To Wear Cropped Pants With Perfection
As the cropped trouser continues its furore, many menswear brands are releasing pre-cropped varieties, as part of their regular collections, alleviating the need for men to roll or fold pant hems to get the short look.
But, we’re fans of doing things on our own (I mean, who doesn’t like a bit of DIY action?) First up, we’ve laid out three main ways to crop your trousers, using the regular length trousers you already have at home. Not handy? Just go out and buy a pair cropped trousers, instead. Here are three ways on how to wear cropped pants.
Loose Fold
Taking a pair of your favourite trousers, simply fold or roll (loosely) the hem, two to three times, finding a trouser height that looks stylish, but never contrived. The no-fuss manoeuvre adds a tapered edginess to normal-length trousers and works particularly well with lightweight chinos or selvedge denim.
The Tight Roll
The tight roll is thinner and more cinched than the loose fold. Start by thinly folding the fabric of the hem, followed by rolling it (like you would a piece of flattening bread dough) over and up, onto itself. Stop at your desired height – never more than a few inches high.
The tight roll is more casual the loose fold: ideal for styling jeans (to show off your luxury leather sneakers) and creates a cool streetwear base to any outfit.
The Once-Up
Clean and sharp, the once-up fold is designed to crop dress trousers or separates with subtle precision. The look turns weekday suit pants into weekend wonders and makes mundane winter suits feel summery again, with a bit of exposed ankle.
Ironing the turn-up fold (and then pinning it for extra security) will keep the crop in place. But, if you’re intent on keeping the pant cropped, visit a tailor and have them alter the hem permanently.
Cropped Trousers & Socks
The cropped trouser will – more often than not – require ankle exposure. For those up to speed with common-sense hygiene, wearing shoes – sans socks – in summer, can only end one way: sweaty and smelly feet; the odour setting up home in your spotless luxury kicks or leather brogues.
Invisible socks or sockettes are, indeed, the answer. Despite their daintiness, these obscure foot coverers cut off below your mankles, leaving them blissfully exposed, without fear of smelling.
Cropped Trousers & The Correct Shoes
Now that we’ve separated the folders from the rollers (and the lovers of the pre-crop) on how to wear cropped pants, knowing what shoes and pants to wear together – with your exposed ankles between the two, is the final component.
Cropped Trousers On A Suit
Yes, this is now a thing thanks to the likes of Thom Browne. Next time you buy a suit you may find yourself asking for the trousers to be cut extra short. Keep in mind this is cool now, but maybe not next year… it may not be suitable for work either. Regardless, if you’re into the cropped suit look then opt for no sock and stick with plain coloured suits. Bright or patterned suits might attract a bit too much attention.
Cropped Trousers & Sneakers
The low-cut, white sneaker is a perfect pairing with a light cropped trouser or a wool-cotton trouser separate in the cooler months. Worn with a collared shirt and vintage shades, summer becomes cool once more, as a Talented Mr. Ripley-style dream team.
For the sock wearer, black cropped trousers pair well with dark coloured socks, opting for a pattern or bolder colour sock to disrupt the minimalism. White socks and sneakers are a nod to the ‘normcore’ trend (think Seinfeld), but it’s not so ‘Jerry’ when paired with a boat neck waffle neat in off-white; more Scandinavian and chic. Add a satiny bomber for a play on texture and an extra edge to your contemporary sports look.
Cropped Trousers & Espadrilles
Purely for summer, espadrilles were made for the cropped trouser. For a smart casual ensemble, look to white or khaki chinos and long-sleeve jersey shirt, with the sleeves nonchalantly pushed back. It’s a great driving outfit too, alongside your favourite leather duffle bag and shades; the crop giving you extra room to move.
RELATED: 5 Simple & Stylish Ways To Wear White
For an easy day at home – on the lounge or out back on the deck, slide into a pair of relaxed-fit cotton pants, the hems rolled tight, creating a cinched shape that mirrors the drawstring pull of the waist. The crop helps reign in the oversize nature of the loungewear, without compromising comfort and leg room.
Cropped Trousers & Boots
The opposite of the espadrille, the dress boot is perfect for winter or wet weather blues. And it sits nicely under a rolled denim jean or casual trouser. And the versatile boot comes in a variety of workable silhouettes. The dessert in dark tan or brown suede works well with raw denim jeans, the underside of the selvedge denim forming a white cuff on the ankle for a heritage twist.
RELATED: A Simple Guide To Men’s Dress Boots
The tight roll or fold up works well, ensuring the hem kisses the top of the tongue – never covering the boot (the whole idea of the roll is to shorten the leg) for the full cropped effect. And, unlike the aforementioned, boots require socks – sans exception. Play with a speckled marl in winter to lift the textured of something black and slick when going minimal.
Cropped Trousers & Loafers / Oxfords
The cropped smart trouser is the piece de resistance this season in menswear. It’s clean form and natural fabrication make it the perfect transitional trouser – be it, for day-to-night dressing or from unpredictable weather, changing from summer to winter and back again.
And the lace-up dress shoe, brogue or derby, is perfect for cutting a refined figure under a slim-fit cropped trouser. The sophisticated peg or one fold is the key crop hem here – nothing messily rolled, ensuring the shoe isn’t too chunky or overbearing with metallic appendages (the trousers are already ‘fashion’ enough so keep the leather lace-up classic).
Wide-leg denim – coolly distressed and faded – also works with this shoe, especially with a vintage, burgundy shoe or tan brogue with a rounded toe. Again, go for no socks, but add a pair (maybe match them to your pocket square when wearing a jacket) in winter or when dress codes require it – weddings and night-time engagements.
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