“Cuffing” refers to the act of rolling up the bottom end of pants or trousers. Most men don’t use this technique which is free and handy. Cuffed pants create neat and sharp impression while exposing shoes and socks, an ingenious manner of showcasing sartorial shrewdness.
Practically, cuffing pants can be useful if the pants are too long or if you want to keep the hem away from dirty surfaces, such as when walking through mud or rain. Cuffing can save the garment from fraying unnecessarily and age faster.
How Cuffing Pants Improves Outfit
“Cuffing” instantly changes the way how pants and shoes interact. It defines clear outlines of bottoms and allowing each element to come into view.
Style
Cuffing elevates style, it lends you an edge and modern feel to overall all appearance.
Modify Length
Length customization according to one’s requirement is the biggest benefit of cuffing pants.
Adds Interest
Cuffing can add visual interest to an outfit. It creates a focal point on the lower part of the body, drawing the eye down and adding a bit of texture or colour.
Shows off Shoes
Cuffing can also be a great way to show off a pair of shoes. When you roll up your pants or jeans, you can reveal the top of your footwear.
Changes Proportions
Cuffing can also change the proportions of an outfit. By rolling up the hem of your pants, you can make your legs appear longer or shorter, depending on the desired effect.
Casual Touch
Cuffing imparts a more casual touch to an outfit. Rolled up sleeves or pants can make an outfit appear more relaxed and effortless.
What Type Of Pants To Cuff
When it comes to cuffing pants, there are several styles that work well. Some of the most popular types of pants that support cuffing include:
Jeans
Straight or slim jeans are a classic option for cuffing. Cuffed straight-leg jeans are impeccable wear for splashing at beach and playing with kids.
Chinos
Chinos are an ideal item to wear cuffed. They works well with loafers or boat shoes.
Khakis
Khakis are another type of pant that can be cuffed for a more casual look. Cuffed khaki pants paired with polo shirt and penny loafers is peerless outfit to spend sundays.
Joggers
Joggers are a comfortable, casual style of pant that can be cuffed at the ankle for a sporty, laid-back look.
Cargo Pants
Not ancient cargo pants, but modern and slimmed down versions that look fluid with cuffed hem.
Cuffing vs Rolling
Although there is minute difference between rolling and cuffing pants, but still both approaches differ in some ways.
- Cuffing employs about an 1-1.5 inches of cuff width to fold, which is ideal to attain sophistication with casual vibes. Rolling is considered more casual way of turning pants up. Rolling best functions when the width of the fold is less than an inch.
- Cuffed hem looks neater and can be undone without creating wrinkles. Rolling, however, appears haphazard and leaves the fabric slightly crumpled.
- You can cuff almost all styles of trousers, but rolling only fits tapered trousers.
- You can’t wear rolled up pants to any dressier event. Contrarily, cuffing pants can still work up to business casual situations.
Can I Stack All Pants
Stacking means allowing the excess pant material to bunch around ankles or shoes. It works superbly with jeans. In case of tailored dressy pants, one should opt for cuffing in lieu of stacking them.
When Not To Cuff Pants
While cuffing is instant blessing, you better avoid it on following events.
Formal Occasions
Cuffing pants is generally not appropriate for formal occasions, such as weddings, job interviews, or business meetings. In these situations, it’s best to wear pants that are tailored to the appropriate length and have a clean, polished look.
Baggy or Wide-leg Pants
Cuffing flared or loose pants can create a bulky, unflattering appearance. These styles of pants are better left uncuffed to maintain a more streamlined silhouette.
Patterned & Textured Trousers
Cuffing pants with a easily discernible pattern or texture, such as corduroy or plaid, can create a disjointed or busy look. In these cases, it’s best to let the pants speak for themselves without adding any extra details.
Shorter inseam
Pants with a cropped length can give an awkward or unflattering appearance. If your pants are already on the shorter side, it’s best to leave them uncuffed to avoid drawing attention to their length.
Cuff Once
Single cuff is instant and convenient to most men. It compliments several pants and shoes combo. In addition, it is apt for semi-formal settings with lace-up shoes.
To make one cuff, put on ironed and fitting pants else the cuff will give you a clumsy appearance.
- Start with right side. Ensure the right cuff width you want to wear.
- Grab the of hem with both hands and fold the pants once.
- Set the cuff by creasing the fold.
- Do the same on other leg.
- Check the cuff height is equal on both legs.
High cuff
It is a dead casual look which only work with jeans. The cuff height may range from 2-4 inches. Prefer high cuff during sport activities or when you are doing household work.
Note: You should not wear high cuff in formal scenarios.
Double Cuff
A double cuff sits somewhere between a single and high cuff. The best way to get a double cuff is to wear slightly longer pants, jeans or chinos. It sits higher, lets fresh in, and appears more laidback.
Besides, you can wear a double cuffed pants with high-ankle sneakers, casual loafers such as- tassel or penny. Double cuff also complements boots since higher cuff display more boot and appeals the onlooker.
- Start with right side. Ensure the right cuff width you want to wear.
- Grab the of hem with both hands and fold the pants once.
- Now holding the first cuff fold it again onto itself and you get a double cuff.
- Smooth down the cuff by adjusting the fold.
- Repeat on other side.
- Ensure equal cuff height on both legs.
