Few clothing words stretch as far as “pants” A flannel pajama bottom, a pressed work pant and a football pant with pockets sewn in for pads all qualify, and they share little beyond a waistband and two legs. So a search for the different types of pants usually means one of two things: someone trying to put a name to a style they’ve seen, or someone trying to choose the right style for a job, a team or a store shelf.
This guide is meant to help with both. GotApparel has supplied blank and custom apparel since 2007 and carries more than 8,500 products from over 160 brands, so the styles named here come from a working catalog.
What this guide covers: 29 types of pants grouped by use, cuts and fits, the pairs people confuse, what changes between men’s and women’s styles, fabrics, wholesale buying, and decoration.
Pants get named from fabrics (corduroy, denim), cuts (bootcut, wide-leg), jobs (cargo, chef, scrub) and places or sports (palazzo, capri, football), so one pair can carry two names. The sections below sort them by where they’re worn. Traits that modify a pant, such as flame-resistant, waterproof, ripstop or hi-vis, are covered under the pant they change rather than counted as separate types.
Pants Types at a Glance
| Type | Typical Fit | Usual Fabric |
|---|---|---|
| Jeans | Straight to bootcut | Denim |
| Chinos | Slim to straight | Cotton twill |
| Khakis | Straight | Cotton twill |
| Cargo Pants | Relaxed | Twill |
| Corduroy Pants | Straight | Cotton cord |
| Linen Pants | Relaxed | Linen, linen blends |
| Parachute Pants | Loose, gathered | Nylon |
| Dress Pants | Tailored | Wool blends, polyester |
| Pleated Pants | Roomy through hip | Wool blends, polyester |
| Cigarette Pants | Slim, ankle-length | Stretch cotton, crepe |
| Wide-Leg Pants | Full leg | French terry, woven |
| Palazzo Pants | Very full leg | Rayon, crepe |
| Culottes | Full, mid-calf | Woven, linen |
| Flare Pants | Fitted, then flared | Stretch knit, denim |
| Capri Pants | Mid-calf length | Spandex blends, cotton |
| Harem Pants | Dropped, tapered | Rayon, cotton |
| Sweatpants | Relaxed | Cotton/poly fleece |
| Joggers | Tapered, cuffed | Fleece, French terry |
| Track Pants | Slim to relaxed | Polyester tricot |
| Leggings | Form-fitting | Polyester/spandex |
| Yoga Pants | Fitted | Polyester/spandex |
| Compression Pants | Close-fitting | Polyester/spandex |
| Pajama Pants | Loose | Flannel, cotton |
| Golf Pants | Straight, flat-front | Polyester/spandex |
| Baseball and Softball Pants | Fitted to relaxed | Polyester |
| Football Pants | Fitted, padded | Polyester/spandex |
| Work Pants | Straight, easy | Twill |
| Chef Pants | Loose | Cotton/poly blends |
| Scrub Pants | Relaxed to tapered | Poly/cotton, stretch |
Casual and Everyday Pants
Jeans
Jeans are five-pocket pants cut from denim, the sturdy cotton twill traditionally dyed indigo on the lengthwise threads only, which is why the inside of a pair looks paler than the outside. Fashion denim tends to chase stretch and wash, while work denim chases durability and, in some trades, flame resistance. The Dickies FD23 Women’s Industrial 5-Pocket Jeans bring classic five-pocket denim into a workwear line. The Bulwark PSJ2 Men’s Bootcut Jeans use flame-resistant stretch denim, the kind worn where a workplace hazard assessment and safety requirements call for flame-resistant clothing.
Chinos
Lightweight cotton twill, a flat front and a clean, slightly dressy finish define chinos. They grew out of military uniforms before settling into everyday wardrobes, and their staying power is practical: they’re easier to care for than traditional suiting, wash like other cotton garments, and still work in business-casual settings. Most modern pairs add a little elastane for give.
Khakis
Khaki began as a color, a dusty sand-tan, and became the name for pants cut from cotton twill in that shade and similar earth tones. The word itself is Urdu for “dust-colored.” In uniform programs it still works as a color spec before it works as a cut, so when a dress code asks for khakis, it’s worth confirming the exact shade on every reorder.
Cargo Pants
Large pockets down the sides of the thighs, usually with flaps or snaps, are what make cargo pants cargo pants: tools, gloves and a phone stay within reach without a belt pouch. A loaded cargo pocket pulls hard on its seam, which is why work versions tend to use heavier twill and stronger stitching than the fashion kind. The Red Kap PT88 Industrial Cargo Pant is the straightforward industrial take, offered in two colors for crews that want pocket space and laundering durability over a trend.
Corduroy Pants
Raised parallel ridges called wales give corduroy pants their look, formed by weaving extra yarns into the cotton cloth and then cutting them into a soft pile. Wale width changes the personality: wide wales look rugged and retro, while fine ones read closer to a dressed-down trouser. Corduroy has a soft, textured surface and is commonly worn in cooler weather.
Linen Pants
Linen pants are made from flax fibers, one of the oldest woven textiles, and they’re prized for staying cool when everything else feels heavy. The weave is slightly textured and the fit is usually relaxed. Linen wrinkles almost on contact, and most people treat that as part of the look, though blends with cotton or viscose soften the effect. They suit beach resorts, warm-climate hospitality uniforms and summer events.
Parachute Pants
Parachute pants are loose nylon pants gathered at the waist and ankle, usually with extra zippers and drawstrings. The slippery shell gives them a signature swish, and it dries fast and packs small. They became especially associated with 1980s dance and streetwear and continue to return in stage wear, festival outfits and retro-inspired fashion.
Formal and Tailored Pants
Dress Pants
Dress pants, also called trousers or slacks, are tailored pants generally made for formal or business settings. They often feature a pressed crease, a finished waistband and a hem designed to sit cleanly over the shoe. Wool, wool blends and polyester suiting are the traditional fabrics. Customer-facing teams that want a pressed look without suit-pant upkeep often choose a dressier work pant, and in that lane the Dickies P874 Men Work Pants and the Red Kap PT60 Men Elastic Insert Work Pants are practical stand-ins. Both are 65/35 polyester-cotton twill; the P874 is wrinkle- and stain-resistant, and the PT60 adds slack-style front pockets and a zip-and-button closure, so they read closer to trousers than to cargo or utility pants.
Pleated Pants
Folds stitched into the waistband that open slightly over the hip are the signature of pleated pants, adding room through the seat and thigh. Single and double pleats are the most common, and the style usually pairs with a straight or tapered leg and sometimes a cuffed hem. The benefit is simple comfort: the pant sits easily for people who spend long hours seated, without pulling across the front.
Cigarette Pants
Cigarette pants are slim, straight, ankle-length pants, narrow enough to resemble the shape their name suggests. The hem stops at or just above the ankle bone, which shows off shoes and keeps the line uncluttered. Stretch cotton and crepe are the usual fabrics. The style suits people who want a close fit without the snugness of skinny jeans.
Wide-Leg, Cropped and Flared Pants
Wide-Leg Pants
Wide-leg pants keep a generous opening from hip to hem, creating a column of fabric instead of a tapered line. Waist height varies, but the volume at the leg is the defining feature. The American Apparel FTP00 Women’s French Terry Wide Leg Pants show the casual version: a looped-back knit that drapes without clinging, sitting between a sweatpants and a fashion trouser.
Palazzo Pants
Palazzo pants pair a high waist with fluid fabric that billows with each step. The name comes from the Italian word for “palace,” and the cut lives up to it. Rayon, crepe and linen blends are typical, which is why palazzo pants show up in resort wear and summer evenings where comfort in heat matters.
Culottes
Culottes are wide-legged pants cut to end between the knee and mid-calf, built to look like a skirt until the wearer moves. The A-line silhouette works best in woven cotton, linen and light twill, and the cut sits between a skirt and a pant, which is why culottes are often described as a skirt-pant hybrid.
Flare and Bell-Bottom Pants
Flare pants, which include the bell-bottom, are fitted through the hip and thigh and widen from the knee down. The silhouette is tied to the 1970s and keeps returning in stretch knit and denim. The nearest style in our range is the TriDri TD537 Women’s Flare Leggings, which borrows the shape in a performance fabric.
Capri Pants
Capri pants are cut to end around mid-calf, between the knee and the ankle, and the name comes from the Italian island. Capri describes a length, not a fit, so it appears on leggings, jeans and woven pants alike. The Badger 4617 Women’s Capri Leggings is how the style tends to show up in activewear: stretch fabric, a close fit, and enough length to cover the knee.
Harem Pants
Harem pants are cut full through the hip with a dropped crotch and taper to a snug cuff at the ankle, so the fabric pools around the legs. Soft rayon and cotton are the usual choices. The shape allows nearly unrestricted movement, which explains why harem pants are common in yoga classes, festivals and travel wardrobes.
Athletic and Lounge Pants
Sweatpants
Sweatpants are soft, casual pants made from fleece or jersey with an elastic or drawstring waist. The hem is either open and straight or gathered at the ankle, and that’s the first thing to check when ordering because it changes how the pant sits over a shoe. The Gildan G182 Heavy Blend 8 oz. 50/50 Sweatpants and the Jerzees 973 8 oz. NuBlend Fleece Sweatpants are both cotton-polyester fleece pants and long-running staples of team and spirit-wear orders.
Joggers
A tapered leg and a cuffed or elasticized ankle set joggers apart, usually in fleece or French terry. Because the leg narrows at the ankle, they sit cleanly above a sneaker without bunching. The Bella+Canvas 3727 Unisex Jogger Sweatpant is made from sponge fleece and comes in about a dozen colors, which helps when a merch line has to match a brand palette. The Jerzees 975MP NuBlend Fleece Jogger takes the same idea in a cotton-polyester blend.
Track Pants
Track pants are lightweight athletic pants made from smooth polyester, often tricot, with an elastic waist and sometimes snaps or zippers along the leg so they pull on over shorts. The Sport-Tek PST95 Men’s Tricot Track Jogger takes a modern, tapered approach, and the Augusta Sportswear 7760 Medalist Pant 2.0 comes in more than a dozen colors, wide enough to match most school and club palettes. Wind pants, such as the Sport-Tek PST74 Men’s Wind Pant, are a related style: a lightweight shell designed to help block wind during outdoor activity.
Leggings
Leggings are snug stretch pants worn for training, layering, or both. The fabric is usually polyester and spandex for four-way stretch, often with a moisture-wicking finish, though cotton versions exist. The Sport-Tek LPST890 Women’s 8.3 oz. 7/8 Legging and the TriDri TD531 Ladies’ Performance Leggings show the range between a clean studio basic and a performance cut. The category runs deeper than those two, with pocketed designs, high-rise tech tights and shorter lengths.
Yoga Pants
Yoga pants are form-fitting stretch pants with a wider waistband and, often, a straight or slightly flared leg. Heavier fabric is common so they stay opaque through deep stretches. The Sport-Tek LPST880 Women’s NRG Fitness Pant is an 88/12 polyester-spandex pant with a wide waistband, a waist stash pocket and a moisture-wicking finish, and the Bayside 9050 Women’s USA-Made Yoga Pant appeals to brands that sell on where a garment is made.
Compression Pants
Compression pants, or tights, are close-fitting athletic pants in a dense stretch knit that holds the legs snugly, worn alone or as a base layer under shorts and uniforms. Fit matters here more than in most pant categories: the garment needs to deliver its intended level of compression without restricting movement. Augusta’s Coolcore line covers two lengths with the R25CPM Men’s Coolcore Compression Full Length Tight and the R23CPM 7/8 Tight.
Pajama Pants
Pajama pants are loose sleep and lounge pants, usually flannel or soft cotton jersey with an elastic or drawstring waist. Plaid flannel is the classic look. The District DT1800 Men’s Flannel Plaid Pant and the DT2800 Women’s Flannel Plaid Pant both come in a wide spread of colorways, enough variety for holiday gift sets and group giveaways.
Sport-Specific Pants
Golf Pants
Golf pants are flat-front pants made from lightweight polyester-spandex blends that stretch through a full swing and are often finished to manage moisture. Belt loops and a clean straight leg let them double as casual trousers, and they suit courses and clubs with trouser dress codes. Stretch matters more here than in most pants, since a stiff waistband or tight thigh shows up on the first backswing.
Baseball and Softball Pants
Baseball and softball pants are polyester pants built for slides and dirt, offered in full-length, knicker and pull-up styles. Knickers end below the knee and are really a length variation, not a separate garment. The Augusta 6848 Men’s Gamer Pull-Up Baseball Pant is a simple elastic-waist option, and the Augusta 1297 Women’s Slideflex Softball Pant adds stretch for sliding.
Football Pants
Football pants are close-fitting polyester and spandex pants with sewn pockets for thigh and knee pads. The tight cut holds pads in place and leaves less loose fabric to snag. The Augusta F2562M Men’s Deluxe Game Football Pant comes in about a dozen colors, which gives programs room to match jerseys.
Work and Uniform Pants
Work Pants
Work pants are durable pants made from twill or canvas, cut straight and easy through the leg so they move with the wearer. Reinforced stitching, durable fabrics and functional pockets are common, and industrial versions are built to survive repeated commercial laundering. The Dickies P874 Men Work Pants, an 8.5 oz. polyester-cotton twill, and the Red Kap PT20 Men Industrial Work Pant are two well-known names in the category, and the Red Kap PT60 adds an elastic insert for extra give through the day. Waist sizes on the styles we stock run from 28 to 60.
Work pants branch into specialized versions that are easy to mistake for separate types. Painter’s and carpenter pants add hammer loops and tool pockets, like the Dickies 2953 Women’s Painter’s Utility Pants. Flame-resistant pants use treated or inherently FR fabric, as in the Bulwark denim above. Waterproof pants such as the Port Authority PT333 Men’s Torrent shed rain for outdoor crews, and ripstop pants like the Sport-Tek PST83 Shield use a reinforced weave that resists tearing. Overalls and coveralls are one-piece garments rather than pants, so they’re covered separately.
Chef Pants
Cut to let a cook crouch, reach and move quickly in heat, chef pants are loose and breathable, with an elastic or drawstring waist. Black and patterned fabrics hide stains. The Artisan Collection by Reprime RP553 Men’s Essential Chef’s Pant is the simple everyday version, and the Chef Designs 0P4M Women’s Airflow Chef Pants add ventilation for hot lines.
Scrub Pants
Scrub pants are lightweight, easy-care pants with a drawstring or elastic waist and a few functional pockets, available as open-leg, cargo and jogger styles. The Hanes HMB003 Men’s Scrub Open Leg Pants come in several colors, and the CornerStone CS502 Men’s Reversible Scrub Pant doubles the wear from one pair by flipping to a second color.
Pants Cuts, Fits and Lengths
A type of pants tells you what the garment is. A cut tells you how it hangs, and these terms apply across most of the styles above.
Leg Shape
Straight legs stay the same width from knee to hem. Slim and skinny cuts narrow through the thigh and calf, with skinny sitting closest to the leg. Bootcut pants fit snugly at the knee and open slightly at the hem to sit over boots, which is why work denim like the Bulwark PSJ2 uses it. Relaxed and baggy cuts add room through the hip and thigh, and tapered cuts start roomy and narrow toward the ankle.
Rise and Length
Rise measures where the waistband sits: low-rise at the hip, mid-rise near the navel, high-rise above it. High-rise is common in leggings and yoga pants because the higher waistband can provide coverage and stay in place during movement. Length runs from full through ankle, cropped and capri. Full length is standard for work and formal pants, where the hem should just touch the shoe, while ankle and cropped lengths show footwear.
Waist and Closure
Flat-front pants use a button and zip, elastic waists pull on, and drawstring waists adjust. In practice this separates a work pant from a lounge pant more than the fabric does, and elastic waists also simplify sizing for large groups.
Pants Styles That Are Easy to Confuse
Joggers vs. Sweatpants
Both have elastic waists and soft fabric, but joggers taper and cuff at the ankle while classic sweatpants stay straight or open at the hem.
Joggers vs. Track Pants
The difference is mostly fabric. Joggers use fleece or French terry for warmth, while track pants use slick polyester or tricot and often have snap or zip legs.
Leggings vs. Yoga Pants
Leggings are a broad category of close-fitting stretch pants; yoga pants are the subset built for yoga and similar movement.
Chinos vs. Khakis
Chinos are a style of cotton-twill trouser, while khaki is a color; in everyday use, “khakis” also names pants in that sandy tan or a similar neutral. Many chinos are khaki, but they also come in navy, olive and gray.
Wide-Leg vs. Palazzo Pants
Volume and fabric. Palazzo pants are wider and use fluid, lightweight cloth, while wide-leg pants can be structured, casual or cut from sturdier material.
Flare vs. Bell-Bottom Pants
Both widen below the knee, but bell-bottoms start flaring higher and spread more dramatically.
Capri vs. Cropped Pants
Capris stop at mid-calf, near the widest part of the lower leg, while cropped pants end higher, above the ankle bone.
Men’s and Women’s Pants: What Changes
Many of the same broad pant styles are available for both men and women, but sizing, proportions and fit can differ by brand and style. Work pants are sold by waist and inseam, so a pair can fit at the waist and still pool at the ankle. Athletic pants run S through 3XL and larger, and women’s lines often add numeric sizing alongside XS through 4XL, so one brand can size differently across styles. Check the size chart for each style, and for mixed teams look for unisex cuts such as the Bella+Canvas 3727.
Common Pants Fabrics
| Fabric | Best For | Main Advantage | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton | Chinos, jeans, sweatpants | Soft, breathable | Can shrink, holds moisture |
| Polyester | Track, athletic, football, golf | Durable, commonly used in moisture-wicking performance fabrics | Less breathable |
| Cotton-polyester blend | Sweatpants, work pants | Balances comfort and durability | Less breathable than pure cotton |
| Spandex | Leggings, yoga, compression | Adds stretch and recovery | Needs blending to hold shape |
| Nylon | Wind pants, parachute pants | Lightweight, weather-resistant | Slick, less breathable |
| Denim | Jeans | Rugged, ages well | Heavy, slow to dry |
| Twill | Work pants, chinos | Diagonal weave, strong | Can feel stiff when new |
| French terry | Joggers, wide-leg | Looped back, moderate warmth | Heavier than jersey |
| Fleece | Sweatpants, joggers | Brushed, insulating | Warm in heat, pills over time |
| Linen | Linen pants, culottes, palazzo | Cool and airy in heat | Wrinkles easily |
| Ripstop | Work, outdoor | Resists tearing | Crisper hand feel |
| Flannel | Pajama pants | Brushed, soft | Shrinks if mishandled |
Fabric weight is the detail most buyers check last. A lightweight cotton jogger and a heavyweight fleece one can look the same in a product photo and feel completely different on a cold morning outdoors.
Choosing the Right Pants by Use
| Use | Pants to Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday wear | Jeans, chinos, khakis, cargo | Durable and easy to style |
| Warm weather | Linen pants, culottes, capris | Light and breathable |
| Workouts | Leggings, yoga pants, compression, track pants | Stretch and moisture control |
| Lounging | Sweatpants, joggers, pajama pants | Soft and unrestricted |
| Trades | Work pants, painter’s pants | Reinforced and pocketed |
| Healthcare | Scrub pants | Light, easy-care, practical pockets |
| Food service | Chef pants | Breathable and loose |
| Golf and clubs | Golf pants | Stretch with a trouser look |
| Sports teams | Baseball, softball, football pants | Built for the game’s demands |
| Customer-facing roles | Chinos, khakis, dressier work pants | Pressed look with low upkeep |
Buying Pants Wholesale
Most blank pants can be ordered without a minimum quantity. A small number of styles, including the Champion fleece pants, the Jaanuu scrubs and the Boxercraft flannel pants and joggers, are available only with customization, so it’s worth checking a style’s listing before assuming it ships plain. Sizing across the pants category runs from XXS through 5XL, depending on the style.
Our pants come from brands that include Gildan, Jerzees, Bella+Canvas, Port & Company, District, Sport-Tek, Augusta Sportswear, Red Kap, Dickies, Bulwark, Hanes, CornerStone, TriDri and Badger, with availability varying by style. Color depth varies a lot from one style to the next, so confirm your palette before committing, especially on single-color performance styles. Dye lots can also shift between production runs, which matters if you plan to reorder. Orders over $199 qualify for free shipping within the continental U.S, so buyers can add coordinating apparel without necessarily increasing the shipping charge.
Decorating Pants
Pants decorate differently from shirts, and the fabric usually decides which method makes sense. Fleece sweatpants and joggers tend to take screen printing well, with the leg and hip as common placements. Smooth polyester can bleed dye into a print, so a test run before a full order is wise. Stretch leggings and slick performance fabrics need a method suited to their stretch and surface; heat transfer is one option, and our decoration team can advise on artwork and fabric. Embroidery generally works best on twill work pants and denim, where a small hip or pocket logo holds its shape wash after wash.
Custom decoration has a 6-piece minimum per design, with styles mixable where applicable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are different pants called?
Most pants get their name from a fabric (corduroy, denim, linen), a cut (bootcut, wide-leg), a job (cargo, chef, scrub), or a place or sport (palazzo, capri, football). Knowing which direction a name comes from makes new ones easier to decode.
What are the different types of pants for men?
Men’s wardrobes lean on jeans, chinos, khakis, cargo, work pants, golf pants, sweatpants, joggers and track pants, with dress pants and pleated trousers for formal settings.
What are the different styles of women’s pants?
Women’s pants, sometimes called ladies’ pants, span leggings, yoga pants, capris, wide-leg, palazzo, culottes, flare and cigarette pants, linen pants, joggers, and uniform styles such as scrub and chef pants.
Are joggers a type of pants?
Yes. Joggers are pants defined by a tapered leg and, usually, an elasticized cuff. Many are made from fleece or French terry, though joggers are also produced in other fabrics.
Is there a minimum order for custom pants?
Custom decoration has a 6-piece minimum per design, with styles mixable where applicable. Most blank pants can be ordered without a minimum, apart from a small number of styles sold only with customization.
If you’re outfitting a team or stocking a shelf, start with where the pants will be worn, then narrow by cut and fabric. Our support team can help match styles to your order at support@gotapparel.com or 1-866-847-8678, and the decoration team is at decoration@gotapparel.com / 1-866-217-1729.