Do you hear that sound? That’s the swishing of a new era in men’s legwear. The slim fit’s reign is officially over, as wider silhouettes start to filter down from the fringes of fashion and into the mainstream. There was a time in even the most fashion-forward GQ editor’s style outlook when wearing a pair of wide-leg trousers was to do the unthinkable. The resistance probably hit its peak in the late 2000s, when skinny jeans hugged the thighs and hammies of men across the country. For more fashion, grooming and technology releases delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our GQ Recommends newsletter. From what to look for to the best brands to buy, here’s everything you need to know before you embrace the wide-leg look. Why Are Wide-Leg Trousers Trending?

Until fairly recently, these roomy pants were reserved for only the most forward-thinking of dressers. But as more and more celebrities, influencers and stylists have jumped onto the wide-leg bandwagon, they’ve become a very real and prominent part of the modern menswear landscape. If you’re still squeezing yourself into a pair of slim- or skinny-fit pants every morning then this guide is for you. We’re not saying you need to abandon slim legwear altogether. It’s more that welcoming some wider pants into your wardrobe could help to freshen up your personal style. It offers more scope for playing with proportions, it’s more comfortable and it opens up a whole new world of styling possibilities.