H&M
A smart-casual wardrobe lives or dies by its shirts. Get the fabric right and one shirt can move from a Monday meeting to a Friday dinner. Here's a five-piece edit from H&M's current India range, each solving a different occasion.
1. Super Baggy Jeans, Denim Blue: Maximum room through the leg with a dropped crotch and stacked ankle, the current streetwear-leaning silhouette, best paired with a fitted top to balance the volume.
Rounded leg and a baggy fit from the seat to the hem with plenty of room around the whole leg.
H&M
2. Relaxed Jeans, Denim Black: A middle-ground fit with extra room from the thigh down; less committed than baggy, more relaxed than straight. A safe everyday choice in black.
5-pocket jeans in rigid cotton denim with a straight leg and a relaxed fit from the seat to the hem with extra room from the thigh down.
H&M
3. Loose Straight Jeans, Dark Denim Blue: Loose from seat to hem with a straight leg; the most versatile of the denim fits here, works with sneakers or boots equally well.
5-pocket jeans in rigid cotton denim with a straight leg and a loose fit from the seat to the hem with a dropped crotch and extra room around the whole leg
H&M
4. Slim Fit Tailored Trousers, Light Mole: Creased, tailored, and fitted — the piece to reach for when denim isn't appropriate. Works for smart-casual offices or evening plans.
Tailored trousers in a soft weave with a zip fly and button, side pockets and jetted back pockets with a button. Legs with creases. Slim fit that hugs the contours of your body, creating a fitted silhouette.
H&M
5. Relaxed Fit Cotton Cargo Trousers, Black: Utility-style cargo trousers with pleats and multiple pockets, in a relaxed (not oversized) cut — the pick for off-duty, function-first days.
Cargo trousers in soft cotton canvas featuring a concealed drawstring at the waist and a zip fly with a press-stud. Diagonal side pockets, flap back pockets with concealed press-studs and flap leg pockets with concealed press-studs. Sewn-in pleats at the knees. Relaxed fit for a casual but not oversized silhouette.
H&M
How to choose: Own one straight-leg jean, one tailored trouser, and pick either baggy or cargo based on whether you lean streetwear or utility-casual. That's a complete bottoms rotation in five pieces.
What's the difference between relaxed, loose, and baggy jean fits?
Relaxed adds modest extra room through the thigh; loose adds more room from seat to hem with a straight leg; baggy is the roomiest, with a dropped crotch and wide leg throughout.
Are baggy jeans still in style for men in 2026?
Yes, baggy and wide-leg denim have remained a dominant menswear silhouette; pairing them with a fitted top keeps the look balanced rather than sloppy.
Can cargo trousers be worn in a smart-casual setting?
Relaxed-fit cargo trousers in a solid colour like black can work in casual office settings if paired with a tucked-in shirt, but they're best kept to off-duty occasions.
What trouser fit is best for a slimmer build?
Slim fit tailored trousers, like the Light Mole pair here, are cut closer to the leg and tend to flatter leaner builds better than relaxed or baggy fits.
Should I buy jeans in black or blue denim first?
Blue denim is more versatile for casual dressing, while black denim reads slightly smarter and pairs more easily with formal shirts — most wardrobes benefit from having one of each.
