Slim Pants
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Slim-fit pants have a snug fit through the legs and end in a small leg opening. This short guide is expanded below with the fit in full, the style's many alternate names, and the range of versions on the market, from casual to formal to work wear.
Slim Pants
Slim-fit pants have a snug fit through the legs and end in a small leg opening that can be anywhere from 9" to 20" depending on size. Other names for this style include drainpipes, stovepipes, tight pants, cigarette pants, pencil pants, and gas pipes.
Slip pants are not the exact same thing as skinny pants.
This type of pants is designed for many different occasions. When shopping the market, you will find casual slim fit pants, formal slim fit pants, and work-wear slim fit pants. They come in various colors, fabrics, and sizes.
Learn the difference between slip fit pants and skinnies.
If you enjoy learning about different pant styles, you may also have interest in learn about jeans, yoga pants, chinos, and khakis.
You can find slim fit pants from companies such as Levi's.
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The Slim Fit in Full
Slim fit is a leg shape before it is anything else: close through the thigh and calf without the painted-on taper of a skinny pant, finishing in a small leg opening, anywhere from 9 to 20 inches around depending on the size of the garment. That measured opening is what separates slim from the neighboring fits. A skinny pant tapers completely at the bottom of the leg and often needs stretch, or even an ankle zipper, to be pulled on at all. A slim pant keeps a straight, narrow lower leg instead, so it sits cleanly over a shoe and reads as tailored rather than tight.
The number of names the style has collected shows how long it has been in circulation: drainpipes and stovepipes for the straight narrow tube of the leg, cigarette pants and pencil pants for the same slim line, tight pants and gas pipes in older usage. The modern market keeps the fit and multiplies the settings. Casual versions in denim and cotton sit alongside formal slim fit pants for dress wear and work-wear versions built for the workplace, all in a wide run of colors, fabrics and sizes. For a shopper, the practical check is the leg opening against the shoes the pants will be worn with: the slim leg is designed to end close, and the opening size decides whether it stacks, sits on the shoe, or clears it.
Common Questions
How small is the leg opening on slim-fit pants?
Slim-fit pants have a snug fit through the legs and end in a small leg opening that can be anywhere from 9 inches to 20 inches depending on size.
What other names do slim pants go by?
Drainpipes, stovepipes, tight pants, cigarette pants, pencil pants and gas pipes. Slim pants are not exactly the same thing as skinny pants, which taper completely at the bottom of the leg.
For which occasions are slim fit pants made?
Casual slim fit pants, formal slim fit pants and work-wear slim fit pants are all sold, in various colors, fabrics and sizes, so the same fitted silhouette covers everyday, dress and workplace use.