What Are Slacks? A Definitive Guide

Have you ever been pants shopping and thought, “Wait, what are slacks pants actually?” Dress pants? Do chinos count? Let’s put the confusion to rest.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe we tend to use the words slacks, trousers, and pants interchangeably. This can be confusing if you’re looking for something specific. So today, I’m going to answer an important question: What are slacks?

Some of you might not care. But even if you aren’t a stickler for dress codes, here’s an enticing thought. Imagine shopping for a pair of pants and knowing precisely what you need. You’d be in and out of that department store or shopping page in seconds. 

You’d up your efficiency (and efficacy) simply through understanding the world of pants. Knowledge really is power. So, here’s the knowledge.

What Are Slacks?

Slacks are a type of pant usually made from lightweight fabric, such as cotton, linen, wool, or blends of these. They’re similar to dress pants but have a looser, more free-flowing cut. This is especially true for linen or bamboo slacks made for the summer. And they may or may not be pleated.

This is how it gets its name. There’s more “slack” to its construction than dress pants would have, as dress pants are traditionally slimmer. Even as dress pants and slacks change in fit over time, slacks must be the looser option, all things considered. Relatedly, they’re more casual.

However, they’re still more formal than a pair of jeans and even chinos, which are built more ruggedly. Even more, despite their comfortable fit, a good pair will still have a nice, clean-lined cut and silhouette. Another way they’re different from dress pants is that they aren’t made in a set. They aren’t meant to match with a suit jacket.

They’re a staple in smart casual and business casual settings. However, they’re also appropriate for casual wear and cocktail wear. In a pinch, you can often even trick others into thinking they’re part of a suit if you color match properly.

What Are Dress Slacks?

Dress slacks can refer to one of two things.

A pair of slacks might be slightly slimmer, emulating the slight sheen of certain dress pants. Perhaps there’s a touch of bamboo or silk in the blend. Or maybe they just look like full-on dress pants without a jacket to partner with. These might be called dress slacks. It’s not a cut-and-dry rule. For example, perhaps you go to a vintage store and find a pair of dress pants, but its matching jacket is lost in history. Well, in this context, they may be considered slacks.

Secondly, you might style your slacks in a highly formal way, perhaps within a cocktail attire context. In this case, you may have transformed them from regular slacks into dress slacks.

It’s a living, breathing term.

Look at Bonobos’s Weekday Warrior Dress Pants. They add extra stretch for a slightly casualized look and feel. Meanwhile, Mugsy’s stretchy chinos look less rugged than typical chinos. If not for the jean-like inner seam fabric, these might be mistaken for slacks.

So, in today’s world of blended fabrics and combination designs, slacks can represent a spectrum.

Next, what is the difference between slacks and pants? Spoiler alert: It’s all terminology.

Slacks vs Pants: What Is the Difference Between Slacks and Pants

When it comes to slacks vs pants, the latter encompasses any garment that covers both legs and extends from the waist to the ankle. In fact, shorts may even count as “short pants.” As such, slacks are simply a type of pants.

But one big reason I’m exploring this is that the semantics also have regional and era-defining differences.

In older American English terminology, the word slacks was often used interchangeably with the word pants. It’s not that the definitions of each changed. Slacks were just used as a casual catch-all, like how certain southern states use the word “coke” to mean soda. Meanwhile, the word trousers is preferred over the word pants in England and continental Europe. 

So the practical takeaway from this is that if you’re shopping abroad, you’re looking for slack trousers. In North America, they’re slack pants. And if you’re shopping vintage, what’s categorized as “slacks” might not be slacks specifically because of its former use as a catch-all. And hey, outside of the sartorial-minded, we use all of these terms interchangeably anyway.

Ultimate Versatility: Styling Your Slacks

Now, I’m going to give you some quick pointers on styling your slacks. And not to brag, but I’m your guy.

I almost exclusively wear slacks when I’m not at work. For a casual day running errands, my go-to casual pants are a pair of cream-colored slacks. For parties, I wear my gray dressier slacks.

So, let’s get to it.

Wearing Slacks Casually

The most natural way to wear slacks casually is to pair them with similar garments. By that, I mean outerwear, tops, and shoes that are made for comfort but still have a level of formality.

This is the casual way of styling slacks that overlaps with smart casual. It all depends on context. A polo, slacks, and drivers might be considered casual at the office but more smart casual on vacation. Since slacks can be worn on the golf course, you can combine them with sporty pieces to make the combo your own. One of my go-to casual outfits is my cream cotton slacks, a cable-knit cricket sweater, and my favorite quilted hunting jacket.

These days, though, you can wear slacks with T-shirts, too. Part of this has to do with the fact that oversized clothes trended hard in the 2020s. Trend-forward guys often wore oversized pant-and-shirt sets. So, a pair of loose but not oversized slacks is absolutely acceptable with a well-structured T-shirt now.

Do you want to try out a pair of slacks with lively patterns? Wearing them with a plain t-shirt is a good way to make the pants the statement piece of the combo. Personally, even in my most casual, I like wearing my slacks with something a little more structured. I’ll often wear a popover shirt or even a henley over a crewneck.

Wearing Slacks Smart Casually

One way I differentiate a casual outfit that incorporates a pair of slacks from a smart casual one? The outerwear and shoes.

A button-down, slacks, Norfolk jacket, and sneakers outfit is casual, albeit elevated casual. Meanwhile, a button-down, slacks, cashmere shawl cardigan, and loafers are smart casual. Even if you replace the button-down with a crewneck shirt, it might still look smart casual. Again, it depends on the context. Shirt jackets also pair well with slacks and can be worn more casually or more smart casually.

If you want to lean more into the formal side of smart casual, consider blazers and sport coats. A navy blazer with slacks is a country club staple. If it’s a boat club, or if you’re on a boat, you might consider finishing that outfit off with boat shoes.

A polo, blazer, slacks, and loafers is a classic weekend look popularized by ‘80s Wall Streeters. Meanwhile, go for a button-down, tweed sport coat and tassel loafers for a professorial vibe. Even though these looks mimic a suit’s silhouette, the casual accents, textures, and fits ensure they aren’t overly formal.

Wearing Slacks in Cocktail and Semi-Formal Situations

You can really up the formality factor by going full suit mode, except with slacks instead of suit pants. Imagine a jacket, a dress shirt, dress shoes, and a tie, with slacks. It works. It’s a broken suit, but it still exudes the power of a full suit, just in a less uptight way. It’s what businessmen wear to meetings in tropical climates. 

You can wear slacks with literally any type of dress clothes, except for tuxedo separates. When it comes to cocktail attire, you can have more fun if you’re in slacks instead of dress pants. After all, you’ve already lowered the volume on the formality (without sacrificing elegance, of course).

Go for a knit tie instead of a silk one. Or wear that fun novelty tie clip. I love wearing a hunting-themed tie during cocktail hour that features embroidered bird dogs on it. It’s too whimsical for work. But at a cocktail attire reception or semi-formal event? It wears beautifully with slacks.

Semi-formal events are less formal than cocktail. There’s more overlap between cocktail and smart casual. For example, a daytime semi-formal party might call for slacks, a polo, drivers, and blazers.

FAQs

If you still have some questions about slacks, here are some answers to the most common ones!

Are Slacks Casual?

Slacks are designed to be business casual and smart casual but can be worn in the most casual situations. There’s only one exception. They can’t be worn athletically.

What Is the Difference Between Chinos and Slacks?

Chinos are far more casual, a middle-ground between slacks and jeans. Many chinos even have jean-style pocketing with a five-pocket, riveted design. Slacks are always clean-lined and built like looser dress pants.

What Is the Difference Between Slacks and Jeans?

Slacks are more formal than jeans. Jeans are rugged and meant for wear and tear, featuring practical pocketing and often metal rivets.

Conclusion: The Ever-Versatile Slack Pant

So, what are slacks? They’re a versatile spectrum garment that pairs well with casual clothes that aren’t athletic and formal clothes that aren’t tuxedo-related. The biggest takeaway I hope you have today is how easy they are to style. And now that you know what they are, I hope you’ll consider bringing a pair of slacks or two into heavy rotation.

Are you a fan of slacks? Why or why not?