You recognise warm men's trousers by the weight of the fabric, the inside and the weave. Trousers with a brushed inside are the warmest against the skin, a fabric with a little wool in the blend gives a wintery character, and a herringbone weave looks warm and sturdy. All three are better suited to cold weather than light summer trousers. In this article we compare the options and show how to combine them.
Why ordinary trousers feel cold in winter
Many trousers are made of a smooth, relatively thin fabric that drapes beautifully and hardly creases. Indoors that is often fine, but outside such a fabric can quickly feel cold. Legs cool down fast because they move a lot and are barely protected. Winter trousers solve this with a different choice of fabric, not with a thicker cut.
Option 1: the brushed inside
With a brushed fabric, the inner side is lightly roughened. This creates a soft, almost flannel-like surface that holds warmth and feels pleasant against the skin. On the outside you see nothing of it: the trousers simply look polished and smooth.
The pleated trousers with a brushed inside in coffee brown are a good example. The pleats give some room in the thigh, which leaves a thin layer of air between fabric and skin, and coffee brown is a warm colour that suits winter. Prefer something classic? The black version goes to the office as easily as to a dinner.
Option 2: a fabric with wool in the blend
Wool is naturally insulating and stays warm even when it is damp. Trousers of pure wool usually need more care. A blend that includes some wool gives a slightly warmer, drier feel and a richer look, while the other fibres provide shape retention and comfort.
The tapered pleated trousers in beige are made of a blend that includes viscose, a little wool, lyocell and elastane. The tapered leg narrows towards the ankle, which looks lovely with a winter boot or a loafer with a warm sock. Beige also works well in winter. Combine the colour with dark knitwear for contrast.
Option 3: herringbone
Herringbone is a weave pattern in which the threads run in a zigzag. This gives the fabric a fine texture and a slightly sturdier feel. The pattern gives the fabric a wintery look, even if the thickness is comparable to plain trousers.
The slim-fit herringbone trousers in taupe grey combine that texture with a sleek cut. Taupe grey is a colour that works with almost everything: black, navy, beige, white and brown.
The three compared
| Brushed | Wool blend | Herringbone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warmth on the skin | High | Medium to high | Medium |
| Look | Smooth and polished | Rich and soft | Textured and classic |
| Best for | Cycling, outdoors, cold offices | Dinners, office, weekend | Office, wintery occasions |
| Combines with | Merino polo, turtleneck | Dark knitwear | Shirt with cardigan |
How do you combine winter trousers?
Combine warm trousers with a top layer of a matching weight. Tops that are too thin make the trousers look heavy, and sweaters that are too thick make the whole look bulky. Three combinations that work:
- Coffee brown with black: the brushed trousers with an open merino wool polo in black. Rich, calm and warm, suitable for the office and a dinner.
- Beige with white: the tapered trousers in beige with a wool cardigan with a tailored cut in beige over a white shirt. A light, refined winter look that stands out among all the dark outfits.
- Taupe with navy: the herringbone trousers with a navy knitted polo and brown leather shoes. Classic and always correct.
Colours for winter trousers
In winter, trousers may be warmer in colour than in summer. Coffee brown, taupe, charcoal and cream are richer than the standard grey or navy and immediately give an outfit a seasonal feel. Brown is also forgiving: splashes of water and dirt show less than on a very light or a deep black fabric. If you are unsure, choose one warm colour and one more classic pair in black or grey.
How to test the warmth in the shop
- Feel the inside. Turn the leg inside out. A soft, slightly rough inside holds more warmth than a smooth lining.
- Hold the fabric up to the light. If you can easily see through it, it also stops little wind.
- Read the label. Some wool, viscose or a brushed finish points to a winter fabric. Pure thin polyester is usually meant for the whole year.
- Sit down. Winter trousers must also stay comfortable with a thicker sock and when seated.
Fit in winter
If you wear thicker socks or long underwear in winter, take that into account for the fit. Pleated trousers or a slightly roomier leg give more comfort than very tight slim-fit trousers. Also pay attention to the length: in winter you often wear higher shoes or boots. Trousers with a small break drape better over them than trousers that end exactly at the ankle.
Care
Winter trousers have a hard time: rain, splashing road salt and wet bicycle saddles. Let wet trousers dry first before you brush away dirt, and wash them no more often than needed. Airing often works better than washing for a wool blend. Take a look at the care instructions for the right temperature per material.
Discover all trousers for men, see complete work outfits in the Office collection for men and read on our page about merino wool why a merino polo is the ideal partner for winter trousers.
Shop the look
Frederick: pleated trousers, coffee brown
Frederick: pleated trousers, black
Harrison: tapered pleated trousers, beige
Ulysses: herringbone trousers, taupe grey
Trenton: open merino wool polo, black
Maximilian: wool cardigan, beige
Frequently asked questions
Which trousers are warmest in winter?
Trousers with a brushed inside feel warmest against the skin, because the roughened surface holds warmth. A fabric with wool in the blend or a herringbone weave is also warmer than smooth summer trousers.
Can you wear light trousers in winter?
Yes. Beige, winter white and cream look refined in the cold months, especially combined with dark knitwear or a beige wool cardigan.
Should winter trousers fit more loosely?
A little more room is pleasant if you wear thicker socks or an extra layer. A pleated model gives that room without the trousers looking wide.
