Getting the trouser break right is something most men think about less than they should. Too much fabric pooling at the shoe and the whole outfit reads as unfinished, regardless of how good everything else is. Ankle length trousers solve this cleanly, but only when they’re cut and proportioned well enough to look like a deliberate choice rather than a fitting room mistake.

The ones that work are the ones where the hem sits just above the ankle bone, the leg opening is considered, and the fabric has enough weight to hang properly rather than clinging or collapsing. We’ve been looking specifically at pairs that handle this well across a range of fabrics and occasions, from tailored options that sit alongside a blazer to more relaxed cuts that work with a clean trainer.

The cropped trouser has earned its place in a well organised wardrobe. These are the pairs that make the case properly.