Men in the UK are increasingly ditching belts and opting for elasticated waistband trousers, according to data and anecdotes reported by the Daily Mail. John Lewis reported that searches for 'men's elasticated trousers' rose 150% in May versus April, while sales of its stretchy stock climbed 60%. The trend,observed among middle-aged , millennial, and Gen Z men, has turned products like Uniqlo's £24.90 Easy Ankle Trousers into bestsellers and prompted retailers such as M&S and Next to expand their offerings.

John Lewis Reports 150% Search Surge for Elasticated Trousers

The clearest quantitative evidence of the shift comes from John Lewis, as cited in the Daily Mail article: searches for elasticated trousers jumped 150% month-on-month in May, and sales of the retailer's stretchy styles rose 60%. This data point aligns with broader consumer behaviour observed at Uniqlo, where an elastic-drawstring model has been a consistent bestseller for nearly a year. The Mail also notes that Next currently offers 111 different pairs of 'laidback trews'—a range that signals retailers are betting heavily on the trend .

Uniqlo's £24.90 Easy Ankle Trousers: The Bestseller That Replaced Jeans

One specific product exemplifies the movement: Uniqlo's Stretch Easy Ankle Trousers, priced at £24.90 and available in four shades. According to the Daily Mail report, these trousers have 'been a consistent bestseller in the menswear department for the best part of a year.' The author describes them as a 'sweat-pant-cum-chino style' that men wear for Zoom calls and can pass as semi-smart office pants. The product's success suggests that men are prioritising comfort and versatility over traditional tailored fits, often replacing jeans entirely.

The 'Toddler Trousers' Aesthetic: Comfort vs. Laziness Debate

The Mail article frames the trend through a critical lens , with the author terming them 'toddler trousers' and recounting an anecdote about a woman repelled by a man's jogger-style waistband on the Tube. Critics argue the elastic look signals laziness, especially in professional settings. yet the same article acknowledges that comfort is a key driver—lockdown habits may have lingered, and expanding waistlines make stretchy styles practical. The debate taps into a deeper cultural tension: whether dressing down is a liberation or a decline in standards.

What's Still Unknown: Is the Elastic-Waist Trend Permanent or Cyclical?

The Mail presents the shift as a current phenomenon but leaves several questions unanswered. It is unclear whether the surge is a seasonal blip (May data could reflect summer loungewear) or a long-term transformation in men's attire . The article does not provide comparable data from prior years or from other major retailers beyond John Lewis, Uniqlo, M&S, and Next. Also missing is any perspective from fashion analysts or sociologists on whether similar trends have occurred in other countries. Without longitudinal data, it is too soon to declare the belt obsolete—but the numbers suggest a significant acceleration in demand.