6 mistakes that millionaires don't make with their pants

Feb 09, 2024

By Paloma González

Do you know how to wear dress pants so you’ll look like a millionaire? It’s a good idea to look to men who dress for success so you can pick up some of their style tips, their tricks, and learn how they put together outfits. At the same time, we share some common mistakes that you’ll want to avoid.

The style that characterises the look of many successful men is one of quiet luxury (to use a current term) or old money (to use an earlier one). It’s a matter of paying attention to classic details and picking items that have a long shelf life. If you do, you’ll know that you always have some perennially stylish basics to choose from regardless of the size of your clothing budget.

If you look at men who are experts at pulling off this look—like Prince William, David Beckham, or actor Jacob Elordi—you'll discover that the secret is not complicated. Instead it’s a simple matter of some good combinations of pieces, timeless elements given contemporary updates, and avoiding conspicuous brand names or logos. It’s a sophisticated and expensive-looking style that is also subtle and understated—and it can be replicated by anyone.

A good place to start is by recognising those pieces that are part of the old money uniform, like dress trousers. Then, learn how to wear dress pants and other clothes in a way that works with your own personal style.

Learn how to wear dress pants, and some common mistakes to avoid.

Unless you buy bespoke clothes, your trousers may not fit you perfectly. If your pants are either too long or too short, it’s hard to project an air of quiet luxury.

Key to upping your personal style is knowing where to find a good tailor who will make the necessary alterations to ensure that your trousers fit your body and your proportions. An experienced tailor will ensure that everything looks more balanced and is sized perfectly. If you aren’t ready to spend what it costs for bespoke trousers, a tailor making precise alterations can come close to creating a similar effect.

You don’t want to wear clothes that are too big or too small. If you lose or gain weight, then you need to do one of two things. The first option is to adjust when you can (bearing in mind that it is easier to fix something that is too big than something that is too small). The second is to sell, donate, or discard what no longer fits and then replace them.

Clothes that are the wrong size will be uncomfortable, and they will also, quite simply, make you look bad. That will impact your confidence, self-esteem, and even the way you relate to others.

Sometimes buying a pair of pants that are the popular style of the season can help you look contemporary and current, but beware that every trend doesn't work for everyone. There are some that won’t be a fit for you, perhaps because they don’t flatter your figure or match your personal style, and it's better to skip those.

In general, you should avoid trends that are too extravagant or faddish. They have shorter lifespans and can quickly look dated, and then you’ll have to head out and spend again.

Pay attention to every detail.

A secret to dressing well is learning to get more use out of the pieces you already have in your wardrobe. Remember that it’s okay to mix and match, creating different combinations.

For the quiet luxury look, dress trousers can be worn beyond the office, weddings, and elegant events. They can also be combined with T-shirts, polo shirts, and trainers, to create a more casual and relaxed style, which will still have a certain level of elegance.

You may already know this approach by the name “smart casual", characterised by a combination of more formal and more casual pieces.

If you want to spend less and also be more environmentally responsible, all while maintaining a perfect look, then you need to take care of any rips or holes that result from the normal wear and tear on your trousers and other garments. If a button falls off or there’s an easily repaired tear, take care of it. But if the damage to your pants is impossible to fix, then it’s better to replace the item.

For example, if your trousers look shiny from washing, if they are too torn, or if the fabric is wearing through and is in danger of splitting when you sit down, then the best thing to do is to throw them out and look for a new pair—focussing on purchasing a long-lasting quality pair when you do.

Yes, there are some colours that sharp-dressed men don’t wear. It’s not because those colours are necessarily bad, but rather because stylish men focus on the ones that flatter them the most, on classics that outlast passing trends, and on more subtle and elegant prints.

Brighter colours are allowed, as long as they fit the occasion and the setting. Avoid options that border on the loud or garish. In the end, the goal is that you, and not your brightly coloured trousers, are the focus of attention.

First published on gq.com.mx