Slacks vs. Pants: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Slacks are a type of pants, typically more formal, made of finer fabric, while pants refer to all kinds of legwear, from casual to formal.
Key Differences
Slacks are usually made of higher quality fabrics like wool, cotton, or synthetic blends, designed for business or formal wear. They often have a more structured fit. Pants is a more general term encompassing all types of lower body garments, including jeans, khakis, chinos, and slacks.
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Dec 17, 2023
In fashion, slacks often have features like pleats, a crease, and are worn in professional settings. They tend to come in neutral colors. Pants can vary greatly in style, color, and material, suitable for various occasions, from casual to formal.
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Dec 17, 2023
The term slacks often implies a level of dressiness and is used in contexts where a neat appearance is required. Pants, on the other hand, is a broader term that includes all types of lower body garments, irrespective of formality.
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Dec 17, 2023
Slacks typically have a looser fit compared to some types of pants, offering comfort while still maintaining a formal look. Meanwhile, pants can range from tight-fitting, like skinny jeans, to loose-fitting, like cargo pants.
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Dec 17, 2023
In terms of cultural perception, slacks are often associated with professionalism and a polished look. Pants, due to their wide variety, are associated with versatility and can signify anything from practicality to fashion-forwardness.
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Dec 17, 2023
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Comparison Chart
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Slacks and Pants Definitions
Slacks
Slacks are often made of quality materials like wool or fine blends.
Her wool slacks were perfect for the winter business meeting.
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Dec 11, 2023
Pants
Pants are a general term for all types of clothing worn on the lower body.
She bought new pants for her hiking trip.
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Dec 11, 2023
Slacks
In fashion, slacks are associated with a polished and professional look.
For the corporate event, she picked out black slacks and a blazer.
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Dec 11, 2023
Pants
Pants come in a wide range of materials, including denim, cotton, and synthetics.
The breathable cotton pants were perfect for the summer heat.
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Dec 11, 2023
Slacks
Slacks typically come in neutral colors to maintain formality.
His beige slacks complemented his navy blue shirt well.
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Dec 11, 2023
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Pants
In fashion, pants can be adapted to various trends and occasions.
For the concert, he chose flashy, metallic pants.
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Dec 11, 2023
Slacks
Slacks usually feature a straight-leg design and may have pleats.
The navy slacks he wore had a crisp, pleated front.
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Dec 11, 2023
Pants
Pants can fit differently, from skinny to wide-legged styles.
Her wide-legged pants were in vogue this season.
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Dec 11, 2023
Pants
Pants can vary in style from jeans to chinos to dress trousers.
His favorite pants were the casual khakis he wore on weekends.
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Dec 11, 2023
Slacks
Lacking in activity; not busy
A slack season for the travel business.
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Dec 10, 2023
Slacks
Lacking in diligence or due care or concern; negligent
A slack worker.
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Dec 10, 2023
Slacks
(Linguistics) Pronounced with the muscles of the tongue and jaw relatively relaxed; lax.
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Dec 10, 2023
Pants
To utter hurriedly or breathlessly
I panted my congratulations to the winner of the race.
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Dec 10, 2023
Pants
An outer garment that covers the body below the waist, usually to the ankles, and is divided into sections to fit each leg separately
She decided to wear pants instead of a skirt. He bought a new pair of pants.
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Dec 10, 2023
Pants
An outer garment that covers the body from the waist downwards, covering each leg separately, usually as far as the ankles; trousers.
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Dec 10, 2023
Pants
An undergarment that covers the genitals and often the buttocks and the neighbouring parts of the body; underpants.
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Dec 10, 2023
Pants
Rubbish; something worthless.
You're talking pants!
The film was a load [or pile] of pants.
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Dec 10, 2023
Pants
Of inferior quality, rubbish.
Your mobile is pants — why don’t you get one like mine?
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Dec 10, 2023
Pants
A garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately.
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Dec 10, 2023
Slacks
A mixture of coal fragments, coal dust, and dirt that remains after screening coal.
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Dec 10, 2023
Pants
(usually in the plural) a garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately;
He had a sharp crease in his trousers
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Dec 10, 2023
Pants
(usually in the plural) underpants worn by women;
She was afraid that her bloomers might have been showing
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Dec 10, 2023
Slacks
(dated) Semi-formal trousers which are less formal than those that are part of a suit but nowadays are considered suitable casualwear in most offices. (Takes a plural verb even when referring to a single pair; may be referred to as a pair of slacks.)
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Dec 10, 2023
Slacks
Slacks are formal trousers, typically worn in business or professional settings.
He chose a pair of grey slacks for the job interview.
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Dec 11, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What are slacks?
Slacks are formal trousers, typically worn in business or professional environments.
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Dec 17, 2023
Are slacks suitable for all seasons?
Slacks can be worn in all seasons, with fabric weight varying according to the weather.
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Dec 17, 2023
What are some common styles of pants?
Common styles include jeans, chinos, cargo pants, and dress trousers.
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Dec 17, 2023
What are pants?
Pants is a general term for any lower body garment, including jeans, trousers, and slacks.
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Dec 17, 2023
What materials are slacks usually made of?
Slacks are often made of finer fabrics like wool, cotton blends, or synthetic materials.
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Dec 17, 2023
Can pants be formal?
Yes, pants can be formal, such as dress trousers or suit pants.
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Dec 17, 2023
Are slacks and dress pants the same?
Slacks are a type of dress pants, but not all dress pants are considered slacks.
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Dec 17, 2023
Can slacks be casual?
Slacks are generally formal, but some styles can be more casual.
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Dec 17, 2023
Can pants be made of denim?
Yes, jeans are a popular type of pants made from denim.
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Dec 17, 2023
What occasions are appropriate for wearing slacks?
Slacks are suitable for business, formal events, and professional settings.
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Dec 17, 2023
Can pants have different fits?
Yes, pants can range from skinny to relaxed or wide-legged fits.
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Dec 17, 2023
Do slacks require special care?
Yes, slacks often require careful laundering or dry cleaning due to their finer material.
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Dec 17, 2023
What's the difference between jeans and pants?
Jeans are a specific type of pants made from denim, often casual.
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Dec 17, 2023
Do slacks come in different colors?
Slacks usually come in neutral colors, but there are exceptions.
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Dec 17, 2023
How do I choose the right size in pants?
Pants size is based on waist and leg measurements, often in inches.
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Dec 17, 2023
Are there different waist styles in pants?
Yes, pants can have different waist styles like high-waisted, mid-rise, or low-rise.
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Dec 17, 2023
Can both slacks and pants be worn with a belt?
Yes, both can be worn with a belt, especially if they have belt loops.
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Dec 17, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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