The New Spring Pants: Subtle Updates are Key for After 5 Style

While we are not generally fans of bold pattern pants, a quiet pattern is always great – especially this charcoal subtle plaid from Pal Zileri. If you’re not familiar with the brand, they are a 45-year-old clothing company from the Vicenza province of Italy that focuses on old world quality and modern sensibilities. These modern fitting pants clearly reflect that, in the high quality and beautifully muted pattern. Consider it a solid and wear it with pattern or solid shirts. For ex., this Ike Behar bolder gingham check shirt is a solid match.

Just like a great pair of chinos are a staple for work, the same is true for a casual night out. And you need a summer version that is lighter weight than the heavy twills you’re wearing all winter. The quality of the cotton of these Bonobos chinos feels great on – comfortable for even those hotter, sticky nights. It is offered in three fits to satisfy any gent’s fit preferences (Tailored is the most contemporary, Straight is the easiest fit, and Slim sits in the middle. We suggest sticking with Slim or Straight for these pants). The khaki color is a perfect summer neutral that will work with most everything in your closet – sport coats, button up shirts, polos and cotton sweaters. But it does come in many other colors, so at this price, it’s worth stocking up.

When you are looking to dress it up for an evening out, these wool pattern flat fronts from Zanella have a muted pin dot grid pattern that is really fresh looking for summer and looks great with a lightweight summer sweater and a pattern button up shirt. Of course, a simple white linen shirt is equally flattering to play up the pattern on the deep navy ground. Click through the ‘shop it’ button to zoom in on this image and really see the detail of it. Zanella’s Italian quality is top notch, just like their timeless style.

A pair of linen and silk blend pants is so comfortable on warm evenings, and looks so dapper for the season - especially for those nicer backyard parties, and pre-wedding festivities that happen this time of year. Made in Italy with Canali’s attention to detail, the stone grey color is a soft neutral for a navy linen blazer and a stylish patterned shirt. Like all Canali products, they are an investment, but one well worth making, since the quality is simply unparalleled. This was one of our most popular brands over the years in our retail stores, and we always stand behind the craftsmanship and timeless aesthetic that is a great fit for every gent.

When the weather gets warmer, we simply can’t overlook the power of a good pair of seersucker pants. Polo Ralph Lauren gives them a nice updated look in their contemporary, trimmer fit and flat front styling. This is key – we don’t want our seersucker pants to give off that “old gent” feel. And that’s why we chose this pair as a top pick. There’s no denying that Polo’s seersucker is one of the most comfortable warm weather fabrics, yet they’ve cut these pants to create a fresh, modern look. You can keep it simple by pairing them with a white cotton or linen shirt – even a polo. And if you want to play up the summery feel, they really do look great with a blue or pink solid linen shirt.  What shoes do you wear? Well, it is hard to beat white lace-up bucks.

We have talked a lot about the benefits of linen in the summer. And it can work in a jeans-like style just as well as a pair of flat fronts. Billy Reid’s contemporary fit linen and cotton blend pants have all the attitude you need for a casual evening out. The washed grey color is a great alternative to all the blue denim you already own. And the linen gives them a great hand. Any spring color pops with these pants, but our favorites are this melon color linen button up and this blue check shirt. White or navy sneakers are all you need to complete this easy look.

Lots of gents plan their after 5 outfit around a great pair of dark indigo jeans - and we couldn’t agree more. The dark indigo wash has a dressier look than your favorite broken-in jeans and really goes with almost anything already in your closet. . The pure dark indigo color of this pair of Hudson Jeans is rich and stylish. And with a hint of stretch, these contemporary fitting jeans look just great on most gents. You can dress up them up with a sport coat and button up shirt or keep them casual with a simple t-shirt or polo.