If your trousers fight your knees, your follower will feel it in the walk.
Trousers are the most underrated item in a leader’s wardrobe. Tangonaut‘s long guide to men’s tango trousers puts it simply: tango trousers aren’t ordinary suit trousers, and they must allow total freedom at the hips, knees and ankles, without snagging or restricting.
The cut
- Straight or slightly tapered. Clean lines without clinging.
- Room in the seat and thigh. You’ll be stepping long, crossing and pivoting. Pleats add room and a classic look.
- Avoid skinny fits and stiff denim. In a r/tango thread on suits for leaders, one dancer advises that pants should not be very tight and should allow free leg movement.
The fabric
Tangonaut separates two wardrobes:
- Practice trousers: cotton with elastane, linen or lightweight blends that breathe, survive frequent washing and may have an elastic or drawstring waist.
- Milonga trousers: fine wool or quality blends with a fluid drape and good wrinkle resistance, in classic colours such as black and charcoal.
A touch of stretch is a leader’s best friend. And avoid heavy, thick materials, as Tangonaut’s men’s outfit guide warns they limit flexibility.
Length and hem
Your follower’s feet are close to yours all night. A hem that drags, or bunches over the shoe, can catch her heel or your own toe in a cross. Aim for a clean break that just touches the shoe. Wear your dance shoes when you get trousers hemmed.
Rise and waist
A mid-to-high rise stays put when you lift your arms into the embrace and keeps the shirt tucked in. A belt is optional, but a big buckle presses into your partner. See accessories that hurt your partner.
Jeans: when and where
At practicas and casual milongas, smart jeans often pass. TangoLife London’s dress code guide says they’re often acceptable at semi-formal venues but not at formal ones, where well-fitting trousers (not jeans) are the minimum. Shorts are a no at almost every milonga. Endre Tango shares a funny cautionary tale of wearing below-knee shorts in a heatwave and getting “plenty of strange looks” (Dressing tips for milongueros).
Test before you buy
Do three things in the fitting room: a deep lunge, a slow cross-like step and a sit-down. If the fabric pulls across the thigh or the waist drops, keep looking.
Stability starts below the waist
Good trousers let your legs do their job. Dimitris Bronowski’s favourite image, “push the sand, pull the sand”, turns your walk into the most stable part of your dance (The Curious Tanguero’s simple tango stability tip).
Next: the leader’s shirt and suits and waistcoats. Full wardrobe advice is in our complete guide to tango shoes and clothes for men.
Find a store: see our guides to men’s tango shoe stores, tango clothing stores, tango stores by country & city.
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