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Made from Super 120's Italian wool, Palmer pants from Orange County-based Carnoustie have elegant styling, expert craftsmanship and tones to go with many colors.
Made from Super 120’s Italian wool, Palmer pants from Orange County-based Carnoustie have elegant styling, expert craftsmanship and tones to go with many colors.
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It’s nice living in the Southland and wearing shorts a lot, but when the agenda calls for more formal wear it’s good to know what’s trending in trousers.

Consumers looking at the cut and cost of pants will notice a resurgence to traditional tailored clothing, with quality styles at a good price, said Scot Ross, founder and owner of Antas Apparel who also is seeing a more subtle approach to designs and patterns and a coastal theme to pleats.

“The trends are moving toward more conservative windowpane, thin stripe and small plaid patterns that are more popular with the fashion-forward golfer who tends to accessorize with colorful shoes and belts,” Ross said. “We also see 75 percent flat front and 25 percent pleated trousers, with more pleated on the East Coast than the West Coast.”

Besides fit and price, many consumers place an emphasis on hues and tones.

“Colors for bottoms seem to be trending back to more traditional classic colors from where it has been in seasons past, with a lot of bright color, particularly in pants,” said Debra Miller, vice president of Design and Merchandising for Oxford Golf.

Andy Bell, president of Jones Global Sport, which oversees Bobby Jones and Sunice Apparel, concurs that pants are mild than wild this year.

“Neutrals continue to drive the focus in pants, but you’re seeing interesting shade variations to khaki and grey,” Bell said. “There is so much color in shirts and layering which (are) driving bottoms to remain neutral.”

Regardless of color or pleat preference, materials connected to performance also play a huge role in popularity, particularly with golfers.

“Performance fabrics are very important in the marketplace and more dominant than cotton,” Miller said. “Stretch is added to have better retention and ease of movement, but there’s also a strong demand for fabrics that are moisture wicking and breathable, that offer easy care.”

Combining natural fibers, such as wool and cotton, with elastic or Lycra can create additional mechanical stretch.

“The trends are away from 100 percent polyester to more natural fibers,” Ross said. “The trend today is toward more traditional luxury performance fabrics that contain nanotech moisture resistance characteristics and mechanical stretch.”

And since these are men’s items, ease of care is also a deciding factor for many.

“Performance continues to be the focus. This can mean a lot of things, but in the end the most critical components are easy care and comfort. That means stretch, stretch wool, stretch cotton, stretch poly … stretch,” said Bell, who also had the final word on the importance of washable fabrics: “Critical.