How to Style Madras Pants for Men

When it comes to looking preppy and fun in equal measure, you can’t do much better than madras pants! Madras pants are trendy worldwide and have been for several decades. You probably recognize them as classic legwear options on golf courses and at fancy parties stretching back to at least the 1930s. Or maybe you already own a set of madras pants yourself! In any case, you need to know how to style madras pants before you start wearing them successfully. So let’s take a look at how you can do just that.

Madras Fabric Explained

Before we go further, understand madras fabric and where it originates. After all, it’s not just any fabric with a plaid pattern.

Madras fabric resembles plaid because of its vibrant colors and its unique material. Clothmakers employ oils, vegetable dyes, and sun drying to create madras fabric. They then color the madras fabric with brightly colored checkered or plaid patterns. Striped patterns are particularly popular.

Madras material is typically light and breathable, making it a favorite choice for hot weather or summertime social occasions. That’s one reason many preppy folks wear madras trousers and shorts on boats, the beach, and when vacationing in tropical resort locations.

So, How Do You Style Madras Pants for Men?

When styling madras pants for men, you have a few key options depending on where you are hanging out and how you want your entire look to feel. Naturally, the colors or style of your madras play a considerable role in your style choices.

Try Polo Shirts in White

Madras pants look phenomenal when you wear polo shirts in white or pastel shades. Note that this will lean pretty heavily into the preppy aesthetic. However, polo shirts in white are perfect partners for madras pants because they don’t overwhelm the colorful fabric or patterns on your legs. Furthermore, polo shirts in light colors are typically very breathable and cool, so they also help to keep your body from overheating in the hot summer sun. Try pairing a white polo shirt with madras pants like these Patch Madras Pants from Berle.

Linen Long-Sleeves Are Ideal

You can do even better than a polo or T-shirt. A linen long-sleeve shirt, again in colors like white or some light pastel shades, is your best bet with madras pants. Linen long-sleeve shirts are also highly breathable and moisture-wicking. As a result, you won’t need to worry about overheating or sweating too much, whether trying to score a hole-in-one at the golf course or relaxing on the beach.

Roll Up the Sleeves

Remember to roll up the sleeves a bit if you wear a linen long-sleeve shirt with madras pants. For one, you should only wear madras pants in warm weather, not in the fall or winter. For another, leaving your sleeves down can make you look a bit stiff vs. fun-loving or preppy. As a bonus, if you roll up your sleeves, you can also show off your favorite watch!

Avoid Pairing Patch Madras with Other Patterns

Lastly, to style madras pants smartly, try to avoid pairing those trousers with other patterned clothing, including patterned socks, shirts, and especially patterned jackets or blazers. For example, if you wear a set of patch madras shorts from Berle or Vintage 1946, the last thing you want to do is also wear a patterned polo or T-shirt up top. All you’ll do is confuse viewers and make your overall select look chaotic, messy, and less than put together. In short, it’s the opposite of the feeling you want to cultivate.

Get the Look at Berle

We hope you enjoyed this guide on how to style madras pants for men! As you can see, styling madras means keeping patterns in mind and considering what colors will complement the trousers. Then, of course, your outfit needs to start with the perfect pair of trousers!

Here at Berle, making trousers is nothing new. As the oldest family-owned trouser manufacturer in the United States, we’ve been outfitting our customers for over 70 years. In that time, we feel we’ve perfected the art of making and delivering the best pair of trousers available today.

If you’re ready to upgrade your wardrobe, shop our madras pants in the Casual Collection today. Complimentary hemming is always included with your purchase!