Back in late July, I got my hands on a pair of Boyant trousers. The first time I tried them on, they were a bit too long, so I took them to the tailor for a quick hem. But then... the unexpected happened. "Sister Vi" left, and just like that, my trousers were stuck at the tailor's for two whole months while I sat at home, eagerly waiting 😂.
Boyant is a Swedish indie brand that’s all about trousers. Their mission? To bring new life to classic designs by blending traditional elements with modern twists. It’s an interesting proposition, and whether they succeed in their vision is yet to be seen. Despite being relatively new, the brand has already caught the attention of GQ, which certainly got me even more excited. I’ve always had a soft spot for Swedish and Nordic brands, so I was eager to see what Boyant had to offer.
Boyant's lineup is simple but purposeful: two cuts – the First Cut (a tapered fit) and the Classic Cut (a relaxed, more traditional fit). I actually like this minimalist approach. With fewer products, they can focus on getting each one just right 😉.
Boyant kindly sent me a pair of Classic Cut chinos in sand. After an excruciating two-month wait (thanks to my tailoring adventure), here’s what I’ve learned about these trousers:
Boyant Classic Cut Sand.
The fabric of these chinos is Cavalry Twill, made from 100% cotton sourced from the British fabric house Brisbane Moss. First impression? The fabric is thick - like, the thickest I’ve ever owned. But don’t worry, it’s not the kind of thick that makes that annoying “thud” sound with every step. Instead, it has a firm structure that feels substantial yet comfortable.
If you look closely at the Cavalry Twill fabric, you'll notice the double ridges.
When you get up close, you'll notice the signature double twill lines in the Cavalry Twill fabric. This isn’t your average twill; it’s a unique double-weave design. If you take a closer look, you’ll spot two parallel lines running along each twill ridge, giving it a distinctive, textured feel. Boyant’s fabric has been lightly brushed, which adds a subtle sheen, giving the trousers a refined look without being overly glossy.
The trousers have a perplexing pleat placement. The main pleat isn’t along the pre-existing crease but forms a triangle with the inner pleat, giving it a unique structure.
Now, the pleats on these chinos are a bit of a mystery. The main pleat doesn’t align with the pre-existing crease but forms a triangle with an inner pleat, which can be a bit confusing at first. Boyant explained that this design was made to provide extra comfort, allowing for better movement around the hips and crotch. Ironing these pleats was easier than I anticipated, thanks to the sturdy fabric that holds them well in place.
However, the three pleats do give the front of the trousers a slightly bulky look. Combined with the thick fabric and lighter color, these chinos wrinkle more easily than I'd like. So, I decided not to judge them by the standards of formal trousers. In fact, the natural wrinkles make them more like chinos with just enough classic tailoring details to elevate them.
The real standout feature of these trousers, though, is the waistband. The matte brass clasp with four adjustment levels, placed off-center to the right, adds a touch of bespoke luxury. It’s a nice detail you don’t typically find in ready-to-wear trousers.
These chinos are made in Portugal, and the craftsmanship is top-notch. From the reinforced stitching at the pleats to the carefully finished pocket edges, you can tell these trousers were made with attention to detail.
The "fish tail" at the back waistband helps with movement, while the four adjustable levels inside allow for flexibility in size.
The sand color and straight-fit design make these chinos easy to wear, whether you're going for a casual look with a t-shirt and sneakers or something more smart-casual with a shirt, blazer, and loafers.
If we’re judging these chinos by the standards of dress trousers, they might fall short because of the pleats. But, honestly, with their thick fabric and relaxed fit, they’re never meant to be formal anyway. These trousers are all about comfort, understated elegance, and just the right amount of interesting details to make them stand out.
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