Why Did Men Stop Wearing Cuffed Pants (Trousers)?

About this video

The Gazette team explores the history of trouser cuffs and explains why they’ve fallen out of favor with modern menswear. They trace cuffs from their origins in Medieval riding boots through King Edward VII’s popularization in the 1890s, their peak in the 1930s-40s, and their decline since the 1960s. The video examines six reasons for their disappearance: dated appearance, perceived proportionality issues, styling confusion, misconceptions about formality, bulkier silhouettes in slim-fit trends, and manufacturing costs.

Key takeaways

• The Gazette team argues that cuffs were originally designed as a practical solution to keep trousers clean in muddy conditions and became a status symbol under King Edward VII
• The Gazette team contends that cuff proportions should be tailored to individual height and leg opening—not exclusively for tall men—with options like 1.5-inch cuffs working well for shorter frames
• The Gazette team recommends cuffed trousers for everyday wear and personally favors a two-inch cuff, noting that cuffs provide better drape and movement when walking

Episode details: published October 23, 2023 · 62K views · 17:22 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. The style guidance summarized here is the Gentleman’s Gazette team’s own teaching and opinion, presented for education; product recommendations are theirs, not ours. Summaries are written by Self Growth Videos from each video itself.

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