Your choice of pants can significantly impact the appearance of your behind. Whether you have an auspicious or modest posterior, the pant style, cut, and silhouette can make a difference. And though trendy menswear won’t replace a proper glutes workout, knowing what to look for will help you put your best butt forward.
With so many trousers and body types out there, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Every aspect, from the cut and rise to the yoke and pockets, contributes to shaping your rear end. It’s not merely about aesthetics, however. It’s also about feeling confident and comfortable in your own skin. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different styles until you find pants that look and feel fantastic.
Here, we’ve compiled a list of our 10 top picks to consider in your quest for the best pants that will also frame your assets just right for the spring and summer. Our best overall pick, Flint and Tinder 365 Pants, are the safest bet on the list—but there’s something for everyone, no matter what style you prefer.
Related: The Corduroy Pants Guide: Our Top Picks for Men
Pants That Make Your Butt Look Good at a Glance
- Best Overall: Flint and Tinder 365 Chino Pants
- Most Comfortable Pants: Fair Harbor The Compass Pant
- Best Slim Jean: Mott & Bow Benson Jeans
- Best Relaxed Jean: Alex Mill Original
- Best Authentic Chino: Taylor Stitch Foundation Pant
- Best Jogger Hybrid: Duer Adventure Pant
- Most Iconic Jeans: Levi’s 501 Original Fit
- Best Travel Pants: Untuckit Traveler Tech Pants
- Best Performance Chino: Dockers Ultimate Chinos
- Best Corduroys: Todd Snyder Corduroy Pants
- Best Wool Flannel Trousers: SuitSupply Slim Leg Straight Pants
- Most Rugged Pants: American Giant 5-Pocket Pants
12 Best Pants That Make Your Butt Look Good
Best Overall: Flint and Tinder 365 Chino Pants
Courtesy Image
Since launching in 2020, Flint & Tinder has made consistent improvements on its fan-favorite 365 Pants, and this season, they have reached their best version yet. This lifestyle chino has a heritage yet modern look with a slight nod to the military wear of the past (as most menswear does).
Made of cotton with a touch of stretch for performance, they are suitable for almost any occasion and can be dressed up with an oxford shirt or down with a chunky sweater. The garment-dyed process provides a lived-in texture, and while skinny fits are available, the straight leg with a slight taper is the most versatile for varying body types. Aesthetically, discreet buttoned welt back pockets are equally spaced, and the medium yoke makes these pants flattering for most guys’ behinds.
Most Comfortable Pants: Fair Harbor The Compass Pant
Courtesy Image
Fair Harbor is known for its commitment to sustainability, quality, and comfort. A recent standout release is The Compass Pant, a lightweight, five-pocket performance trouser with stretch fabric and a tailored silhouette. Twelve recycled bottles went into making these, so you can feel good about wearing them, too. They are also seriously comfortable; an elastic interior waistband, discreet on-seam pockets, and water-resistant stretch fabric give all-day comfort that enhances your figure.
Best Slim Jean: Mott & Bow Benson Jeans
Courtesy Image
Mott & Bow offers high-quality and fashionable denim options for men in various cuts and styles. The Benson fits snugly through the hips and features a slight taper at the hem, creating a long and lean silhouette. These jeans boast exceptional softness, incorporating a hint of stretch and a stylish light blue rinse. The slightly inverted yoke and mid-sized, proportionate pockets ensure a flattering look for most guys. Rock them all summer long.
Best Relaxed Jean: Alex Mill Original
Courtesy Image
Menswear favorite Alex Mill recently unveiled its first men’s jeans, the aptly named AM Original. The singular straight-leg silhouette is available in three washes, all offering five pockets and pairing well with just about anything. The raw indigo wash is made with untreated denim that has been pre-shrunk and will gradually mold to your creases and movements over time. The X loop on the back is a cool detail, and the pants have a deeper yoke and oversized pockets for a vintage fit that exudes relaxed, retro vibes.
Best Jogger Hybrid: Duer Adventure Pant
Courtesy Image
Duer Adventure Pant combines the best features of joggers, cargo, and performance pants—perfect for all your weekend activities or home lounging. They come with adjustable snap cuffs, allowing you to taper and keep out elements or keep them undone for breathability.
Made with naturally moisture wicking and antibacterial lyocell, cotton, and spandex for stretch and movement, they also have DWR water-repellent finish for those inevitable fall downpours. The horizontal minimal back welt pockets sit higher, giving these pants a fitted, tailored appearance to your behind.
Best Authentic Chino: Taylor Stitch Foundation Pant
Courtesy Image
Taylor Stitch excels in men’s wardrobe staples, putting artisanal thought into each garment’s craft, design, and materials. The brand’s Foundation Pant should be a cornerstone piece in your pants rotation.
Made with 100 percent cotton, it features a medium rise and slim fit that gently tapers through the thigh, knee, and leg opening. Garment-dyed and washed for a vintage feel, these will never go out of style. The two back welt pockets add minimal adornment to the butt area, not drawing too much attention.
Most Iconic Jeans: Levi’s 501 Original Fit
Courtesy Image
Levi’s 501 Original Fit Jeans might be the most legendary straight-leg jeans ever. Since 1873, they have never gone out of style and never will. This straight leg fits regularly through the thigh and sits perfectly at almost any waist.
The standard V yoke will work with most body types, and the pockets are spaced well and proportionately. This signature fit is available in various washes, but the medium blue wash hits the right tone for spring.
Best Travel Pants: Untuckit Traveler Tech Pants
Courtesy Image
Wrinkle-resistant, water-resistant, and quick-drying, the Untuckit Traveler Pant is tailored for all your summer travels. The streamlined fit, slim through the hips and thighs and tapered below the knee, presents a timeless, stylish silhouette.
Deep pockets offer ample storage, while the stretch fabric ensures comfort and adapts to your movements. These pants are versatile enough to pair with any of Untuckit’s renowned shirts.
Best Performance Chino: Dockers Ultimate Chinos
Courtesy Image
Made with Smart 360 Flex technology, these Dockers Ultimate Chinos stretch vertically and horizontally, offering unparalleled flexibility and freedom of movement. The athletic fit is designed for robust thighs, while the tapered cut adds a stylish silhouette.
Additionally, the pants come with a security pocket featuring a concealed zipper and coin compartment. With a flexible waistband providing extra comfort for your derriere, these chinos give great style at a great value.
Best Corduroys: Todd Snyder Corduroy Pants
Courtesy Image
Corduroy pants are now a wardrobe staple. From wide-wale cord (more casual) to needlecord (more dressy), guys are embracing the textile once relegated to collegiate professors. Leave it to Todd Snyder to modernize corduroy in a stylish silhouette every guy can wear.
With a hint of stretch, these pants pair perfectly with tailored and casual outfits, and the handsome dark green is wearable yet unique. But it’s all about the cut and fit—the 5-pocket design gives a jean-like aesthetic that flatters guys’ behinds. Corduroy looks best tapered and tailored without being too slim or baggy, and these pants nail it.
Best Wool Flannel Trousers: SuitSupply Slim Leg Straight Pants
Courtesy Image
A pair of wool flannel dress trousers in dark gray or navy is the easiest way to add tailored refinement to your cold-weather ensemble. Crafted by SuitSupply in a brushed wool flannel from Italian Mills, the Slim Leg Straight Pants are resilient yet soft, with a rich texture that adds warmth and character.
Side tabs allow for waist adjustment, letting you skip a belt for a streamlined look, and two back jetted pockets are discreet and perfectly spaced apart to form your derriere. Dress these trousers up with derby boots or down with leather sneakers—it all works.
Most Rugged Pants: American Giant 5-Pocket Pants
Courtesy Image
American Giant Roughneck 5-Pocket Pants are wearable yet durable, as they combine the silhouette and pocket schematic of jeans with a rugged texture.
Available in many fall-leaning colors, they are made from a tough cotton canvas with a hint of stretch for performance and ease of mobility. Despite the metal hardware and heavy-duty stitching, American Giant has designed these to feel broken in from the first wear.
What to Look for When Choosing Best Pants to Make Your Butt Look Good
Cut
Invest in well-fitted, tailored pants that accentuate the shape and size of your butt rather than stifling or flattening it. Avoid overly baggy options, which tend to flatten your rear and do little to flatter your figure. Conversely, anything too skinny will reveal too much and isn’t generally a good look. Instead, opt for straight-leg, relaxed, slim, or slightly tapered trousers—not too tight and not too loose, striking an ideal balance to enhance your assets while providing comfort and style.
Rise
The rise refers to the distance from the top of the waistband to the crotch seam. Some individuals prefer a higher rise, while others prefer a lower rise, depending on your body type. If the rise drops more than an inch below your groin or below your hipbones, it’s likely sagging in the butt area. Look for a rise that sits nicely on your hips, with the waistband resting comfortably at or slightly below your natural waistline.
Yoke
The yoke, or the V-shaped seam at the back of your jeans, plays a role in shaping your rear. Choose the type of yoke that complements your body type. If you’re average-sized, stick with the standard V yoke for a balanced look. Taller individuals with larger behinds may benefit from a wider yoke, while shorter individuals with smaller behinds can opt for an inverted arc to create the illusion of height.
Pockets
Pockets are often overlooked when purchasing jeans, but their significance in how your butt looks shouldn’t be underestimated, as they serve as focal points for your posterior. Higher pockets create the illusion of a lifted butt and elongated legs, while lower pockets can visually shorten your stature. Look for pockets that are neither too close nor too far apart—symmetry is key. Additionally, pay attention to pocket size; overly small pockets can make your butt appear larger, while excessively large ones may diminish its size.
Why You Should Trust Us
In addition to writing for Men’s Journal, I have covered topics including menswear, fragrances, watches, grooming, and styling for Robb Report, Esquire, Men’s Health, and InsideHook. I served as the market editor at Esquire for several years, scouring the industry for the best garments and goods that were not only worth the investment but also made for compelling stories and good advice for our readers.
I always try to add a timeless element to whatever I write, since while trends are interesting and relevant, I’m more drawn to perennial guidance and themes. I often research items to the point of exhaustion, whether it’s coats, colognes, or turntable needles. I enjoy inspiring others around me to seek out their unique interests in things that might make their life better.
Related: I Spent 3 Months Searching for the Perfect White T-Shirt. Here’s the Best Tee