Types of Pants Defined for the Fashion Industry

Fashion Terms   Types of Clothes

How many different kinds of pants exist?  You probably know that there are many different types of pants.  If we were to ask you to list them all, do you think you could?  Possibly, you could raddle off 10 or 20, but it is certainly challenging to name them all. 

To help clarify, let’s first answer the question, “What is a pant?”.  All types of garments for the lower body which divide into two parts, one for each leg.

If we were to ask you to name as many pants as you can, maybe you would compile a list similar to the following: 

When discussing various types of pants should we toss in famous brands that are recognized for pants.  Should we also toss in descriptive words such as vintage, trendy, or ripped?  If yes, the list of pant categories certainly can increase.  Below is a more complete list to get your brain thinking a bit more about pantaloons.  If we asked you to list all pants, would you have come up with a list as follows?

Pant Styles

B

Baji - Baji (Korean: 바지) is a kind of traditional Korean pant that is part of the hanbok.  A baji is baggy and loose, so it is tied around the waist.  In the past, Korean men wore baji as outer clothing, but for women, it gradually became part of the inner clothing.

Bell-bottoms

Bermuda shorts - Bermuda shorts, also known as walking shorts or dress shorts, are a particular type of short trousers, worn as semi-casual attire by both men and women. The hem, which can be cuffed or un-cuffed, is around 1 inch above the knee.  They are so-named because of their popularity in Bermuda, a British Overseas Territory, where they are considered appropriate business attire for men when made of suit-like material and worn with knee-length socks, a dress shirt, tie, and blazer. They are considered more appropriate in hot subtropical and tropical climates than the typical heavier clothing favored in Europe.

Blood stripe - A blood stripe is a scarlet stripe worn down the outside leg seams of trousers on the dress uniform of the United States Marine Corps. This red stripe is 2 inches (5.1 cm) for general officers, 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) for other officers, and 1.12 inches (2.8 cm) for enlisted Staff Noncommissioned Officers and Noncommissioned Officers. Modified versions are worn on the officers' evening dress uniforms, with the scarlet flanked with gold trim, and on members of the Marine Band, which wear the traditional red stripe with a white stripe in the center.

Boardshorts - These are a type of pant for surfers and water sport enthusiast.  Boardshorts, which were originally known as Surf Trunks, later as Jams, and occasionally in British English as swim shorts, are a style of men's and, more recently, women's summerwear. These shorts were originally developed for aquatic sports, specifically for surfing.  In recent years boardshorts have become a popular form of general beach wear and all-purpose summer wear.  They are also sometimes called "boardies" in slang, especially in Australia, and "baggies" in South Africa.

Bondage pants

Braccae - is the Latin term for trousers, and in this context is today used to refer to a style of trousers, made from wool.  The Romans encountered this style of clothing among peoples whom they called Galli (Gauls).  Braccae were typically made with a drawstring, and tended to reach from just above the knee at the shortest, to the ankles at the longest, with length generally increasing in tribes living further north.

Breeches - are an article of clothing covering the body from the waist down, with separate coverings for each leg, usually stopping just below the knee, though in some cases reaching to the ankles.  The breeches were normally closed and fastened about the leg, along its open seams at varied lengths, and to the knee, by either buttons or by a draw-string, or by one or more straps and buckle or brooches. Formerly a standard item of Western men's clothing, they had fallen out of use by the mid 19th century in favor of trousers. Modern athletic garments used for English riding and fencing, although called breeches or britches, differ from breeches.

Breeching (time to put your pants on one leg at a time like a grown up) - Breeching was the occasion when a small boy was first dressed in breeches or trousers.  From the mid-16th century until the late 19th or early 20th century, young boys in the Western world were unbreeched and wore gowns or dresses until an age that varied between two and eight.   Breeching was an important rite of passage in the life of a boy, looked forward to with much excitement. It often marked the point at which the father became more involved with the raising of a boy.

Breeks - Breeks is the Scots term for trousers or breeches.  From this it might be inferred that breeches and breeks relate to the Latin references to the braccae that were worn by the ancient Celts, but the Oxford English Dictionary (also online) gives the etymology as "Common Germanic", compare modern Dutch broek, meaning trouser.  Outside Scotland the term breeks is often used to refer to breeches, a trouser similar to plus fours, especially when worn in Scotland and engaging in field sports such as deer stalking, and the activities of taking pheasant, duck, partridge and other game birds. Whilst breeks are a neater, trimmer fit, plus twos are slightly wider with an extra 2 inches of material to fold over the knee, and plus fours a further 4 inches of material(and a wider, baggier fit).

C

Capri pants - Capri pants (also known as Three quarter pants, capris, crop pants, pedal pushers, clam-diggers, flood pants, jams, highwaters, culottes, or toreador pants) are pants that are longer than shorts but are not as long as trousers. They typically come down to between knee and calf or ankle length.  Capris are widely popular with people in many countries; especially in the United States, Europe, Latin America, and Asia.

Cargo pants - A cargo pocket is a form of a patch pocket, often with accordion folds for increased capacity closed with a flap secured by snap, button, magnet, or Velcro common on battledress and hunting clothing. In some designs, cargo pockets may be hidden within the legs.

Chang kben - Sampot chang kben (Khmer: សំពត់ចងក្បិន, Thai: โจงกระเบน, chong kraben, Lao: ຜ້າຫາງ, pha hang) is a lower-body, wrap around cloth worn in the countries of Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand.  It is the preferred choice of clothing for women of upper and middle classes for daily wear.  This practice of daily wear died out in the beginning of the 20th century. Unlike the typical Sampot, it is more of a pant than a skirt. It is a rectangular piece of cloth measuring 3 meters long and one meters wide. It is worn by wrapping it around the waist, stretching it away from the body, twisting the ends together then pulling the twisted fabric between the legs and tucking it in the back of the waist.

Chap boot - Chap boots are a form of footwear (but cover both legs so they could potentially be thought of as a sort of pant). They are tall boots which cover the whole leg up to the crotch, with a strap attached to the outer side. These straps consist of a loop of material through which a belt is threaded to hold the boots up. Thus the boots act similarly to a pair of chaps.

Chaps - are sturdy coverings for the legs consisting of leggings and a belt. They are buckled on over trousers with the chaps' integrated belt, but unlike trousers they have no seat and are not joined at the crotch. They are designed to provide protection for the legs and are usually made of leather or a leather-like material. They are most commonly associated with the cowboy culture of the American west as a protective garment to be used when riding a horse through brushy terrain.  

Chino cloth pants- Chino cloth is a twill fabric, originally made of 100% cotton.  The most common items made from it, trousers, are widely called chinos.  The material can also be made in cotton-synthetic blends.  Developed in the mid-19th century for British and French military uniforms, it has since migrated into civilian wear.  The pure-cotton fabric is widely used for trousers, referred to as chinos. The original khaki (light brown) is the traditional and most popular color, but chinos are made in many shades.

Churidar - Churidars (Hindi: चुडीदार)(Urdu: چُوڑی دار‎), (Punjabi: ਚੂੜੀਦਾਰ), or more properly churidar pyjamas (ਚੂੜੀਦਾਰ ਪਜਾਮਾ), are tightly fitting trousers worn by both men and women in South Asia.  Churidars are a variant of the common salwar pants. Salwars are cut wide at the top and narrow at the ankle. Churidars narrow more quickly, so that contours of the leg are revealed. They are usually cut on the bias, making them naturally stretchy.  Stretch is important when pants are closefitting. They are also longer than the leg and sometimes finish with a tightly fitting buttoned cuff at the ankle. The excess length falls into folds and appears like a set of bangles resting on the ankle (hence 'churidar'; 'churi': bangle, 'dar': like). When the wearer is sitting, the extra material is the "ease" that makes it possible to bend the legs and sit comfortably. The word churidar is from Hindi and made its way into English only in the 20th century.  Earlier, tight fitting churidar-like pants worn in India were referred to by the British as Moghul breeches, long-drawers, or mosquito drawers.  The churidar is usually worn with a kameez (tunic) by women or a kurta (a loose overshirt) by men, or they can form part of a bodice and skirt ensemble.

Codpiece

Compression Shorts - Compression garment (compression garments covering the legs)

Cropped Pants - a type of pant that typically ends just above the ankle.

Culottes - Coulottes are loose fitting shorts that look more like a skirt when worn.  They are similar to a skort (garment that is mix between short and skirt) but not exactly.  A skort has a skirt panel and shorts underneath.  They were originally a pant worn by men (knee-breeches).  They are also used by some people to describe women’s panties.

Cycling shorts – yes, these pants are worn for cycling (riding a bicycle).  Cycling shorts (also known as bike shorts, bicycling shorts, chamois, knicks, or spats) are short, skin-tight legwear designed to improve comfort and efficiency while cycling.  The goal of the tight fit is to reduce wind resistance.  They also compress the legs, which can possibly help combat muscular fatigue.

D

Daisy Dukes - are extremely short, form-fitting, denim cut-off shorts.

Disco pants - pants worn for disco dancing.

Dolphin shorts - Dolphin shorts or Dolfins are a specific style of shorts for athletics.  They are typically very short and were originally made from nylon with contrasting binding, side slits, and rounded corners, a style which was popular in the 1980s.  The name is a corruption of Dolfin, the American company that first produced the original running shorts in the 1980s. One high-profile wearer of 'dolphin shorts' is the fitness guru Richard Simmons, who in 2012, boasted of owning 400 pairs of vintage Dolfins.  In 2012, it was reported that orange Dolfin shorts are specified as part of the uniform for waitresses at Hooters.

G

Gaiters - Gaiters are garments worn over the shoe and lower pants leg, and used primarily as personal protective equipment; similar garments used primarily for display are spats.  Originally, gaiters were made of leather.  Today, gaiters for walking are commonly made of plasticized synthetic cloth such as polyester.  Gaiters for use on horseback continue to be made of leather.  In Army parlance, a gaiter covers leg and bootlacing; a legging covers only the leg.  In RAF parlance, gaiter includes legging. The American Army during World War I and World War II had leggings, which were gaiters.  Above the knee spatterdashes were cotton or canvas, as were many gaiters of varying lengths thereafter. Leather gaiters were rare in military, though sometimes a calf-length cotton gaiter had leather kneecaps added. Leggings, however, were very often made of leather, but also canvas.

H

Hammer pants (Yes, this is regarding M.C. Hammer).  Hammer pants, a loose fitting trouser inspired by harem pants which originated in the Arabian Peninsula and are often mistakenly called "parachute pants", are customized/modified baggy pants tapered at the ankle with a sagging rise made suitable for hip-hop dancing.  Hammer pants were popularized in the 1980s and 1990s by rapper Stanley Burrell who would entertain/dance in them during live concerts and music videos, hence his stage name, (M.C.) Hammer.  It's hammer time.

Harem pants - Harem pants or harem trousers are baggy, long pants caught in at the ankle.  Early on, the style was also called a harem skirt.  The original so-called 'harem pants/skirts' were introduced to Western fashion by Paul Poiret around 1910, although they themselves were inspired by Middle East styles, and by şalvar (Turkish trousers).   The term 'harem pants' subsequently became popular in the West as a generic term for baggy trousers caught in at the ankle that suggest the Turkish style, or similar styles such as bloomers, the South Asian shalwar and patiala salwar; the Bosnian dimije; sirwal (as worn by Zouaves); and the Ukrainian sharovary.  Harem pants came back into fashion in the 1980s, when they were remembered for being 'costumey.'  A version of harem pants popularized in the late 1980s by M. C. Hammer became known as Hammer pants.

High-rise - A high-rise or high-waisted garment is one designed to sit high on, or above, the wearer's hips, usually at least 8 centimetres (3 inches) higher than the navel.  In western cultures, high-rise jeans were especially common in the 1970s, in competition with low-rise pants.

Hip-huggers - are a style of pants worn by both men and women, generally made of denim and fitted tightly around the hips and thighs (yes, they hug the hips), while flaring out towards the lower leg.  It has been said that hip-huggers were first designed by Irene Kasmer in 1957 in Los Angeles, California.  They were worn by the mods in the mid 1960s and into the early 1970s. The late 1970s saw the return of hip-huggers in the disco scene. They went out of style again in the early 1980s, but made a reappearance in the 2000s.   The hip-huggers of the 2000s were distinguished by the tightness of the knee, as well as the lower rise of the jeans, typically well below the belly button.  Hip-huggers can be worn in a variety of different styles, sometimes "riding" low to expose the buttocks to varying degrees. There are also variations of hip-huggers created with a material designed to stretch and tighter fitting stretch materials that vary in color.

Hockey pants - are knee-to-waist protective gear for ice hockey or roller hockey players. The pants carry a variety of padding depending on whether they are worn by goaltenders or skaters (forwards and defenders), and also on the manufacturer. The pants are traditionally a one-piece garment with a lace-up fly augmented by a strap belt.  Sometimes, they are additionally held up by suspenders (particularly in the case of goalie pants).  Hockey pants are also called "breezers" in North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin (locations where Hockey is very important).

J

Jams - The Jams look was baggy and bohemian, with wild prints and clashing pinks and greens. It was a clear departure from the more subtle color combinations and detailing of existing boardshorts.  Jams is a line of clothing produced by Jams World.  Company founder Dave Rochlen was a surfer, originally in Santa Monica, California, then in Hawaii.  After reading a Life magazine article showing Russians looking comfortable attending the beach in bathrobes, Rochlen bought some brightly colored floral fabric and asked his wife Keanuenue to make a short, baggy pair of pajamas with a sewn-up fly and cut-off at the knee. They produced the first pair of Jams on December 25, 1964.

Jeans – we certainly hope that you know what jeans are.

Jean Shorts - short pant version of denim jeans.

Jinbei - A jinbei (甚平?), alternately jinbē (甚兵衛?) or hippari (ひっぱり?), is a kind of traditional Japanese clothing worn by men, women, boys, girls, and even babies during the summer. Women's jinbei have started to become popular in recent years.  Jinbei are usually worn as a form of nightwear or house wear.

Jodhpurs - Jodhpurs, in their modern form, are tight-fitting trousers that reach to the ankle, where they end in a snug cuff, and are worn primarily for horse riding. The term is also used as slang for a type of short riding boot, also called a paddock boot or a jodhpur boot, because they are worn with jodhpurs. Originally, jodhpurs were snug-fitting only from just below the knee, to the ankle and were flared at the hip; modern stretch fabrics have allowed jodhpurs to remove the flare and yet remain supportive and flexible.  Jodhpurs originally were long pants, reaching to the ankle, snug from the calf to the ankle, with reinforced fabric protecting the inner calf and knee from rubbing. The thighs and hips were flared, a traditional oriental style possibly to help with cooling the body in a hot climate.

Joggers - joggers are a type of fashionable exercise pant.

K

Knickerbockers - Knickerbockers are a form of men's or boys' baggy-kneed trousers particularly popular in the early 20th century United States. Golfers' plus twos and plus fours were breeches of this type. Before World War II, skiers often wore knickerbockers too, usually ankle-length.

L

Leather shorts – you guessed it.  These are shorts made of leather.

Lederhosen - Lederhosen (German for leather breeches; singular in German usage: Lederhose) are breeches made of leather; they may be either short or knee-length. The longer ones are generally called Bundhosen or Kniebundhosen.  The German pronunciation is [ˈleːdəɐ̯.hoːzn̩], and the English pronunciation is /ˈleɪdərhoʊzən/.

Low-rise pants - Low-rise pants are pants that sit low on, or below, the hips, usually at least 8 centimetres (3 inches) lower than the navel. They are also called "lowcut jeans", "hipster jeans", and "lowriders". Low-rise pants have been available since the 1950s, in styles for both men and women, with popularity increasing in the 2000s.

N

Nantucket Reds -  Nantucket Reds are a style of trousers distributed by Murray's Toggery Shop on the island of Nantucket. The pants were featured in The Official Preppy Handbook.  Nantucket Reds were originally inspired by cotton trousers worn in Brittany.  A characteristic of Reds is that they fade to a "dusty rose" as they age.  Since their inception, the cotton canvas pants have been marketed as shorts. The distinctive salmon pink color has since been used on hats, shirts, sweaters and socks. Reds are worn predominantly by summer residents of Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and Cape Cod in place of khakis or chinos.

O

Open-crotch pants – sorry, I am not discussing this.  Figure it out yourself.

overallsOverall - An overall, over all, overalls, bib-and-brace overalls, dungarees or party bibs are a type of garment which is usually used as protective clothing when working. Some people call an overall a "pair of overalls" by analogy with "pair of trousers".

P

Palazzo pants - Palazzo pants (British English = Palazzo trousers) are long women's trousers cut with a loose, extremely wide leg that flares out from the waist. Palazzo trousers are popular as a summer season style, as they are loose and tend to be flattering in light, flowing fabrics that are breathable in hot weather. Silk crepe/crape, jersey, and other natural fibre textiles are popular fabrics for this design. Palazzo trousers are less frequently seen during the winter months, but they may be found in wool or heavy synthetic fabrics as well.

Pantaloons - women's baggy trousers gathered at the ankles.

pantalones is the plural form of pantalón. Pantalón is Spanish language for pants or trousers.

Parachute pants - Parachute pants are a style of trousers characterized by the use of nylon, especially ripstop nylon. In the original tight-fitting extraneously zippered style of the late 1970s/early 1980s, "parachute" referred to the pants' synthetic nylon material. They are typically worn as menswear. Parachute pants became a fad in US culture in the 1980s as part of the increased popularity of breakdancing.

Pedal pushers – similar to capris.  Pedal pushers are calf-length trousers that were popular during the 1950s and the early 1960s.  Often cuffed and worn tight to the skin, they are related in style to Capri pants, and are sometimes referred to as "clam diggers". The name "pedal pushers" originated from the style originally worn by cyclists, but the style quickly became identified with teenage girls.

Pencil suit pants - The pencil pants are held up by a drawstring at the waist. The pants are fitted tightly against the contours of the lady’s leg and don’t have any extra cloth. Usually it is made of stretchable material to aid the easy movement and not to cause any discomfort to the lady while sitting down. The pants completely narrow down towards the ankle and are held by a buttoned cuff at the ends. While conventional salwar kameez employs traditional cuts, crosscuts are used to stitch a pencil suit. This version of salwar kameez accentuates the curves of the female wearing it.  Pencil Suit is a variety of salwar kameez which has become a recent fashion trend. This basically follows the principles of a pencil skirt and merges it with the traditional salwar kameez.  While salwars are loosely fitted pants, pencil suits have tightly fitted pants that follow the contours of the lady’s leg. It differs from the churidar only in the lack of the ruches or the “churis” near the ankle. The kameez is of thigh length and has a side seam left open below the waist-line. This attire is often marched with a dupatta of matching or contrasting color. As most of the designer suits, a pencil suit is also embellished with beads, mirror work, zardozi or zari work. Simple and plain variants of the suit are also available for daily wear.

Pettipants - Pettipants are a type of lingerie worn by women. The name is a portmanteau of petticoat (ultimately from French petit, "small") and pants. Pettipants are similar to long shorts, though they may be made from material such as cotton and lace, and usually have ruffles down each leg. They are available in different lengths up to knee length.  When pettipants were fashionable, they were usually worn under skirts, dresses, culottes, or walking shorts for modesty or comfort. However, they are not considered a modern or popular style; currently they are most likely to be worn by squar