The Age of Big Pants Keeps Getting Bigger

We’re living in the golden age of pants. But you, loyal GQ reader, know this because we’ve been talking about it for some time: The long, pleated trousers and super-swishy pants and punked-out chinos have taken over the fashion world. While each genre of pants has its own unique vibe, the common thread between them all is skinny fits are out, and a slouchy look is the new wave. That has usually meant a little extra leg room here and there—until last week rolled around. Well-dressed men everywhere, ranging from Justin Bieber to Virgil Abloh to Swae Lee, decided to take the relaxed-fit pant and turn it up to eleven. You love to see it.

The pants have been both casual and formal, loudly colored and mutely toned. Noted sweatpant fan and baggy-fit connoisseur Justin Bieber dropped several XXL fit pics on his Instagram last week. The first included an overly baggy, nu-metal-guitarist-level pair of bright blue pants. As if one big fit weren't enough, the Biebz struck again a few days later with an equally sized lavender-colored pair. (Both pants appear to be from his clothing label, House of Drew.)

Earlier in the week at the 2019 CFDA Fashion Awards, two other high-profile stylish men—Virgil Abloh and Swae Lee—donned billowy pants on the red carpet. Abloh, the influential menswear designer, wore a textured and relatively minimal gray two-piece suit with elongated, unzipped-at-the-cuff pants. (It was Louis Vuitton, of course.)

Lee, who has proven himself to be a fearless dresser with a razor-sharp sense of style, went retro with his outfit. The hip-hop star and one-half of Rae Sremmurd wore a knitted polo and six-pocket pant from the New York–based designer Telfar Clemens. The shirt fit Lee perfectly, artfully snug in just the right places, while his pants ran straight and wide, with a flowy cuff at the bottom like a waterfall of tan cotton.

All of these pants go well beyond the tasteful slouch that has been popping up in all corners of menswear. The way-too-big look is impossible to miss, and while it might not be for everyone, it’s definitely one way to make a statement. And in the golden age of pants, all fits are welcome—even big, billowing ones with monumental levels of slouch.

Originally Appeared on GQ