Men's pants have become one of the most interesting categories in fashion. The days of choosing between chinos and jeans are long gone. Today, some of the most searched and talked about styles in New Zealand come from brands that started in climbing gyms, commercial kitchens, and Japanese tailoring studios.
At Wally, we stock some of the most distinctive men's pants available in NZ. Here's a guide to finding the right pair for how you dress and how you live.
The Everyday Pant: Gramicci
If you haven't come across Gramicci yet, here's the short version: founded in 1982 by rock climber Mike Graham in California, the brand made climbing pants with a signature gusseted crotch and built-in webbing belt. Those functional details made the pants incredibly comfortable and easy to move in. Over time, the climbing community's favourite pants crossed over into streetwear, and Gramicci became a staple in cities around the world.
What makes Gramicci special is that the comfort and functionality aren't an afterthought. Every design choice exists for a reason. The gusseted crotch gives you a fuller range of motion. The webbing belt keeps the waist secure without belt loops. The fabric choices prioritize durability and wearability. These aren't pants that look good and feel mediocre. They feel as good as they look.
Wide pants are the current hero piece. The relaxed, wide-leg silhouette works with sneakers, boots, or sandals, and the fabric has a weight that drapes well without being stiff. The proportions are generous without being overwhelming, which is the key to making wide-leg work in a contemporary context. You can dress wide Gramicci pants up with a structured blazer or down with a simple tee. They're equally at home in minimalist outfits and maximalist ones. The colour range tends toward naturals and earthy tones, which means they work with almost anything in your wardrobe.
Balloon pants offer an even more dramatic silhouette for those who want something with presence. They taper at the ankle while sitting full through the thigh and knee. This silhouette is more statement-making than the wide pants, but the Gramicci DNA keeps them wearable. These are for the person who wants their pants to be part of the outfit's visual conversation rather than just functional background.
G-Shorts deserve a mention here too. The same climbing DNA in a short format, these are a summer essential and one of the most popular items we sell. The G-Shorts maintain all the functional thinking of the full-length pants in a shorter format. The fit is generous enough for genuine movement, and the pockets are genuinely useful. For many people, G-Shorts become their default summer bottom from May to September.
The running man logo on the waistband is a small but recognisable detail that Gramicci fans know well. It's subtle enough that you don't feel like you're wearing a walking advertisement, but distinctive enough that other Gramicci fans will spot it immediately.
The Chef Pant: Service Works
Service Works is a UK brand that took the humble chef pant and turned it into a fashion piece. The idea was simple: chefs need pants that are comfortable, durable, and look good despite being worn through long shifts. Those same qualities make them perfect for everyday wear. The brand recognised that workwear represents a different aesthetic and philosophy than fashion-first clothing, and there's genuine appeal in that authenticity.
Canvas chef pants are the signature product. Heavy-duty canvas with a relaxed, straight-leg fit, elasticated waist, and practical pocket placement. They feel structured but comfortable from day one. The fabric holds its shape through weeks of wear, and the neutral colours available mean they work with almost any top in your wardrobe. The weight of the canvas is immediately noticeable when you put them on, which is reassuring. You know these aren't going to feel baggy or formless after a few washes.
Poplin chef pants offer a lighter alternative for warmer weather. Same silhouette, but in a breathable poplin fabric that works well in a New Zealand summer. The poplin versions maintain the practical elements of the canvas version while being appropriate for warmer months. If you want the Service Works silhouette year-round, owning both versions makes sense.
The workwear crossover trend has been building for years, and Service Works sits right at the heart of it. These are pants that nod to functionality and craft without looking like a costume. They work because they're genuinely functional. A chef wouldn't wear pants that didn't perform, and that standard carries through to the everyday version. You get the benefit of that tested utility when you wear Service Works.
For more detailed exploration of chef pants and their role in contemporary menswear, we have a full blog post on the topic at wally.co.nz.
The Statement Pant: Checks Downtown
For something with more personality, Checks Downtown brings Japanese-inspired tailoring to the streetwear world.
Hakama pants are the standout. Inspired by the traditional Japanese hakama garment, these feature deep pleats that create dramatic volume and movement. They're a conversation piece and a style commitment, but the response is always positive.
Pleated trousers from Checks Downtown offer the brand's tailoring in a slightly more conventional form. Wide-leg, deeply pleated, and made from quality fabrics, they sit somewhere between formal and streetwear.
If you've seen "hakama pants NZ" trending in searches, this is the brand people are looking for.
The Classic Chino
Sometimes you need something straightforward. For those days, the chino remains reliable and versatile.
Commonplace Essentials offers NZ-designed basics that include well-cut chinos at an accessible price point. These are the pants you reach for when you want to look put together without thinking too hard about it.
Barney Cools brings an Australian take on the relaxed chino, with a slightly more casual, surf-influenced fit that works for weekends and holidays.
The Weekend Short
No men's pants guide would be complete without the short.
Butter Goods equipment shorts from Butter Goods bring cargo-style pockets and a relaxed skate-influenced fit. Practical, comfortable, and good looking.
Gramicci G-Shorts are the gold standard for an active summer short. The climbing heritage means they move with you, and the built-in belt keeps things simple.
Both styles are available in our mens shorts collection.
How to Choose the Right Fit
With so many silhouettes available, here's a quick guide to matching the pant to the occasion.
Relaxed and wide-leg (Gramicci, Checks Downtown): Best for casual settings, weekends, and when comfort is the priority. These pair well with simple tees and sneakers.
Straight and functional (Service Works): Versatile enough for work and play. The structured fabric means they hold their shape and look intentional.
Tapered and classic (chinos from Commonplace, Barney Cools): The safe pick when you need to look presentable but don't want to overthink it.
The best approach is to own a range of silhouettes. Your wardrobe should have a pair of relaxed pants for the weekend, something structured for weekdays, and a statement pair for when you want to stand out.
Shop Men's Pants at Wally
Browse the full men's pants range at Wally, in store at 53 Hurstmere Rd, Takapuna, Auckland, and online at wally.co.nz. Free delivery on all NZ orders over $80.
Fit matters with pants more than almost any other category, so if you're in Auckland, coming in to try a few styles side by side is always worth the trip.