There is some evidence of trousers being worn in the Upper Paleolithic. Still, they probably originated in Central Asia, worn from the waist to the ankles and covering both legs separately (as opposed to robes, skirts, and dresses). Woolen trousers have been found in Turpan, western China, dating from the 13th and the 10th century BC and likely made for horseback riding. Trousers entered recorded history in the 6th century BC, on the rock carvings and artworks of Persepolis.  Romans disdained trousers as barbarians’ mark (although they later began using them in the north as they provided greater warmth). In the Middle Ages, trousers were worn under long tunics. Trousers in this period varied in length and were often closed at the cuff or even had attached foot coverings. Among upper-class males, by the 8th century, there is evidence of the wearing in Europe of two layers of trousers.

    Trousers get a lot harder wear than most shirts – they need to withstand walking and moving around, as well as sitting on a variety of different surfaces that could be hard on fabric over time. This means that fabric for pants needs to be strong and durable, especially for casual pants that get a lot of use. Wool is warm, comfortable, and wrinkle and water-resistant, but maybe too hot in the summertime. Polyester is also water-resistant and dries faster than wool, so it may be a better choice if you frequently get caught in the rain on your way to the office. Polyester is a good choice for dress pants in any season because it isn’t too warm or too cool. You’ll want to choose fabrics that are relatively densely woven, which lends to a stronger fabric. Heavier, thicker fabrics are also great choices for casual trousers that you expect will get a lot of heavy wear.  It’s also important that you choose a fabric that won’t lose its shape or get stretched out over time. Make sure your fabric has a bit of natural stretch and good elastic recovery to allow for movement without causing permanent bagging out in the knees or seat. Another characteristic you will likely want in almost any trouser fabric is wrinkle resistance. Pants must hold up to a lot of moving around – bending of the knees, sitting, walking around – which will cause all sorts of unsightly creases in a wrinkle-prone fabric. Thicker fabrics or those with some percentage of synthetic fibers are often more wrinkle-resistant than thinner fabrics made from 100% natural fibers (especially linen or hemp).

    When looking for trouser fabrics in a physical fabric store, you can feel the fabrics and get a good idea of what type of pants each one would be best for. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t find great fabrics online! When you buy fabrics online for making trousers, you will want to check the weight of each one to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your project. These weights will usually be listed in either grams per square meter (gsm or g/m2) or ounces per square yard (oz or oz/yd2). The general thing to remember is this – the higher the gsm or oz, the heavier the fabric will be. However, that’s really not enough to base your decision on, so below is a helpful guide to fabric weights for sewing trousers so that you can quickly determine if the weight of the fabric you’re considering is right for your project. If you’re looking for high-quality fabric to make that perfect pair of trousers, AliExpress have a great selection of sustainable, trouser-weight, European fabrics. Many of fabrics have certifications ensuring their quality and sustainable credentials, so you can rest assured that you’re getting a top-notch, well-made, and eco-friendly fabric for your wardrobe or fashion line.