While True Classic Tees is mostly known for its great value t-shirts for men (check my hands-on review here), the brand is also offering a large selection of pants and shorts for men. Yes, it’s not the most intuitive for a brand initially named True Classic Tees, but that’s what happens when customers love your product and you start running out of designs for tops you can put on offer.
Since I was impressed with the quality of their t-shirts and polos, I wanted to put their bottoms to the test as well.
Today, you’ll see exactly what True Classic’s pants, jeans, and shorts look like. I’ll give you a breakdown of their design, comfort, and fit, together with my buying recommendations
In a rush? I’ll cut to the chase for you. Here’s the quick takeaway version:
Price range | From $40 to $60 with a lot of bundle options too |
Available clothes | Jeans, Chino, joggers, khaki shorts, training shorts |
Materials | Mostly combinations of cotton and stretchy materials |
Shipping | worldwide shipping available |
Pros:
- Super value for money
- Simple and effective design
- Very comfortable fit
Cons:
- The sizing isn’t always consistent
- The Comfort Chino Pants are borderline sweatpants
Our verdict:
True Classic bottoms are just like their tees: great value for money. Their pants, jeans, and shorts are well-designed and of good quality. They’re a step above similarly priced bottoms from brands such as H&M and Zara, their most direct competitor price-wise. True Classic pants and shorts are a great option if you want simple and practical pants at a great price.
Why you can trust Luxe Digital? I’ve personally tested and reviewed over 30 different clothing brands for men with Luxe Digital over the years. I also tapped into the expertise of our senior men’s style editors to prepare this review. You can check our other men’s style articles for reference. I particularly recommend that you take a look at our selections of the best shorts, jeans brands, and best pants for men.
For this review, I’ve worn six pairs of bottoms from True Classic: two different jeans, two different commuter shorts, the Comfort Chino pants, and the fleece French terry shorts. So, I’m confident that I have the experience and expertise to help you decide if this pair is worth fitting into your capsule wardrobe.
See how we test products and learn more about our HAPPY philosophy (read: Honorable Craftsmanship, Aesthetic Design, Positive Impact—on People and the Planet, Purpose, and Function, and Yielding Value) for buying luxuries.
True Classic pants hands-on review: Budget doesn’t mean cheap
There’s a common theme across all the bottoms I’ve tested from True Classic. This also applies to their tops, by the way. While the brand is very focused on offering budget-friendly men’s clothes, they’re not cheaply made.
The clothes’ fit is great and flattering. The materials are comfortable and durable. The design is smart, with a few well-thought-out features (see my photos below).
For daily usage and traveling, I very much like my Western Rise Evolution pants (check my hands-on review here), but they’re double the price of True Classic’s pants. At this price point, there’s really nothing more I could ask for.Â
Unboxing: Simple and effective
I always like to spend a little time on the unboxing experience of the products I review because that often reflects the brands’ values and attention to detail.
With True Classic’s pants, the experience is simple and effective.
The pants came in a large bag made from recycled materials.
The bag makes it easier and cheaper to ship than a carton box. It’s not just any plastic bag, though. True Classic designed a minimalist package crafted with recycled materials.
Inside, each pants and shorts were individually packed in their own branded bag – also made from recycled materials, of course.
Materials & craftsmanship: More than meets the eye
I was instantly surprised with how stretchy all the pants I tested were. The jeans, in particular, look like a normal pair of jeans on the outside, but they’re actually made with a combination of fabrics that are super comfortable to wear:
- 54% Rayon
- 24% Cotton
- 20% Polyester
- 2% Spandex
The chinos and shorts are made from a similar combination of materials to be just as comfortable, mixing Nylon with viscose and spandex.
Overall, you can tell that the brand isn’t cheaping out on the materials.
Aesthetic & design: This is where the brand shines
When it comes to the look of the pants and shorts, I think True Classic did a good job at making their products look more expensive than they do.
Now, I’m not saying these will be confused with a pair of designer pants anytime soon. But they certainly don’t look cheap. They’re smartly designed with functional pockets and long-lasting zippers.
You can easily dress them up with a shirt and sweater for a smart casual look or dress them down with a cool pair of sneakers and a simple T-shirt for a casual outfit.
Overall, I think this is the main advantage of the brand when considering its price. True Classic’s clothes are simple yet well-designed to fit perfectly. They feel just a little bit more premium than your average Zara or H&M bottoms, yet they cost about the same.
Colors: Trust in the classics
There’s a large selection of colors that you can choose from. True Classic didn’t go crazy in the color department, though. They’re mostly relying on tested classics from black to navvy blue and indiguo for the jeans and shorts. You’ll also find khaki chinos in their collection.
Comfort, fit, and sizing: Some inconsistencies
All the pants and shorts that I tested from True Classic are very comfortable. No problem here. The sizing is a bit weird, though.
I generally wear a size 32 for bottoms, so that’s what I took here. And while the jeans and chinos are perfect, the shorts, for some reason, are just a bit too tight for me.
Now, I don’t know why that is, but I recommend you check their size guide before buying online and consider getting one size up if you purchase the shorts.
Care & maintenance: As usual
There’s nothing special to be aware of in terms of washing instructions for these clothes. As with most jeans, just be careful the first time you wash them, as some of the dye might rub off other clothes in your laundry. The brand recommends washing them inside out to preserve the color.
Price: Couldn’t ask for more less
If you’ve made it this far, you already know the bottom line about True Classic’s pants. The brand offers these products at a very fair price. Shorts sell for around $40, chinos for around $50, and jeans for around $60.
There are also plenty of bundle offers that give you extra savings if you buy two or three pairs of pants at the same time. Those are good combinations of the brand’s most popular colors.
The brand also regularly offers sales and discounts, so check their official website for the latest prices.
Alternatives: Can we explore other budgets?
Look, there aren’t many viable alternatives at this price point. There are many cheap men’s clothing brands out there, but they look and feel cheap too. If you want a fair price for something that looks good, True Classic is hard to beat.
That being said, I really like Western Rise’s Evolution pants too. They are twice the price, though, so it’s not a fair comparison, but I think they’re more reliable with their sizing and more versatile. They’re a particularly good option if you’re traveling and don’t have a lot of space to pack your pants. I wrote a detailed review of Western Rise Evolution 2.0 pants.
You can visit the brand’s official website to get the latest prices and deals.
Conclusion: My final thoughts on True Classic pants
If you want to build your capsule wardrobe on a budget, True Classic is a great brand to consider. They offer a wide range of tops and bottoms at a reasonable price. All their clothes are well-designed and super comfortable to wear.Â
There are other options if you decide to increase your budget, but at this price point, you’ll be hard-pressed to find better alternatives. Just be careful with the sizing of their shorts, as they were running a bit too tight for me.
Where to buy True Classic’s bottoms?
The best place to buy True Classic’s bottoms is the brand’s official website. They regularly offer sales and discounts, especially on their bundles, so you’ll be sure to get the best price.
Frequently asked questions about True Classic’s pants
True Classic pants fit true to size, just take your usual size, and you’ll be good to go. The brand also offers a size guide on its website if you need help. True Classic shorts, however, do run a bit thigh, I recommend taking one size larger than you usual wear. Check my hands-on True Classic pants review to learn more.
True Classic was founded by Ryan Bartlett, Matthew Winnick, and Nick Ventura in 2019 in Los Angeles, California.
True Classic’s pants are made in Indonesia and designed in Los Angeles, California.
True Classic chinos are machine-washable up to 30° Celsius, and they can go in the dryer too.
True Classic bottoms run true to size, except for their shorts that run a bit small.