The Best White Pants for Men Are Way More Wearable Than You Think
White pants are intimidating, for sure. One careless move and you can ruin your outfit for the day and, with the wrong meal, ruin a pair of pants for life. You could take precautionary measures (e.g., stash a bleach pen and a backup pair of pants in your bag). But the good news is, unless you’re wearing an immaculate white tux at a red carpet event, you don’t have to be so precious. In fact, white pants are some of the most carefree and relaxed trousers out there. Are you really vacationing if you're not sporting linen, wrinkled, and wide-legged white pants with a breezy shirt, some sandals, and a few Bloody Marys?
Next, we have white painters’ pants. A million bucks says you couldn’t paint a house without getting a few drops on your pants. What other pants can swing from workwear to tropical vacation? White pants aren’t meant to be babied. They’re meant to be lived in without reserve, so consider every splotch and stain another mark of a life stylishly-lived. They’re a literal blank canvas that goes well with any color and any pattern.
So, if you’ve been falling back on your trusty blue jeans for too many outfits (not a bad thing), a pair of white pants is an understudy ready to take up the spotlight at a moment’s notice. Here are some of the crispiest, care-free-est, men’s white pants around.
All products featured on GQ are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
- 1/14
Levi’s 501 original fit jeans
Let’s start things off easy. Your old reliable blue jeans work almost as well in a bleached-out ivory (AKA super light wash). Compared to dress pants or chinos, a pair of white jeans is easier for most people to wrap their heads around and less daunting of a sartorial ask. And you can’t be steered wrong in the Levi’s 501, a universally-approved straight fit that pairs well with any shoe, from roughed-up boots to airy sandals.
2/14Polo Ralph Lauren washed stretch chino pant
If you’re still stuck on the (non)complexities of exactly how to wear a pair of white pants, just get yourself a pair of Ralph’s perennial best-selling chinos. They come in a range of silhouettes and styles from dad-approved, relaxed fits to the tastefully slim fit versions. The midweight cotton twill is perfect to wear even through fall and has just enough stretch to let you do a somersault at a moment’s notice. You can press them should a formal occasion call for it, or wear them rumpled straight from the clothing chair (don’t act like you don’t know what we’re talking about).
3/14Dickies relaxed-fit utility pants
A bleach-white pair of pants can be a bit harsh. Soften the tone and opt for something closer to cream or a natural cotton color like these painter pants from Dickies. They’ve got a straight fit, a grip of pockets for all your tools/snacks, and that easy-wearing off-white color that’s way less intimidating than some optic white joints.
- 4/14
Boglioli stretch cotton pants
If you’ve got a formal event to attend but don’t want to feel totally suffocated by a suit, Boglioli’s the brand all the rakishly relaxed menswear obsessives chase. These stretch cotton pants come with all the next-level tailoring details you’d expect at a bespoke shop, but without all the stuffiness. And who said dress pants couldn’t have a little stretch? For those rare occasions where you're absolutely required to dress up, these will carry you over for years.
5/14Red Kap wrinkle-free regular fit twill blend work pants
We get it—you’re intrigued, but still not quite convinced. In that case, don’t spend too much on something you’re not all-the-way-in on. Red Kap’s work pants are cheap, durable, and stylish enough to wear as your off-duty pants or as a more buttoned-up trouser.
- 6/14
Dockers classic fit Signature Khaki Lux cotton stretch pants
You may know Dockers as the khaki pants brand, but their color palette reaches beyond the 50 shades of beige. The Lux is a pair of men’s flat front pants with a regular fit that can kick it as your casual pants or show out as your work pants, pressed and creased. The cotton blend is breathable and slightly stretchy, and the sliiiightly grey undertones soften the sharp white tones.
7/14Industry of All Nations super sweatpants
Maybe you’re more of a sweatpants guy. Industry of All Nations has got you. Their cozy sweatpants feature all the sweats requisites: adjustable drawstring, loose fit, super-soft fleece. But what sets them apart is the undyed, natural cotton fibers which give them an earthy vibe. Add to that organic cotton and a recycled polyester elastic waist and these are also some of the most earth-friendly sweats/pajamas you can get into.
8/14Stan Ray 80s slim painter pants
Stan Ray’s a hot commodity in the vintage scene, but if you can’t nab a pair of their pre-loved pants, don’t worry—their modern-day iteration is just as steezy as any other skate brand. Their 80s slim painter pants feature a mid-rise and slender silhouette in a pure white fabric that makes for a stylish partner to a pair of slick boots or canvas sneakers.
9/14Story MFG. organic cotton cargo pants
If ‘90s rave pants were stripped of their hardware and color, they’d probably be these Story MFG. pants. Crafted from a lightweight, handwoven organic cotton, they’re baggy (like, BAGGY) in the best way. Plus, they have plenty of cargo pockets that aren’t just pretending to hold hammers or paint brushes.
- 12/14
Nike Nocta nylon sweat pant
“You’re not a multi-platinum musical artist, are you?” is the question you’ll constantly be asked whenever you wear these Drake-infused swishy jogger pants. Other than not pairing these with a matching white track jacket to avoid looking like you came out of a biohazard zone, don’t be afraid to toss these on with anything else in your closet, just like all your other pants.
- 13/14
Carson Wach Original 333 trousers
New designer Carson Wach has been making some great moves with his L.A.-based label, which boasts subtly punk and workwear-inspired roots. These off-white jeans use legendary Cone Mills denim and feature an intriguing take on the double knee style that you definitely won’t find in your local hardware store.
14/14Stoffa single pleat trouser
It’s hard to talk about white pants and not talk linen pants. Stoffa’s pants feel like elevated lounge pants. Or maybe played-down dress trousers? Or both? However you look at it, there’s no doubting that these linen pants are handsome as hell and can take to a dress shirt as comfortably as your most worn-in hoodie. The linen is substantial enough to stay crisp while retaining enough of its characteristic rumpled look, which is half the reason you should be buying linen pants in the first place. Wear them as suit pants, or your regular day-to-day jawnz.
