If you're looking at a pair of Service Works Chef Pants but aren't sure which size to go for, you're not alone. One of the most common questions around Service Works is simple: how do the Chef Pants actually fit?
The short answer? They're designed to fit relaxed.
With an elasticated waistband, adjustable drawstring and straight, roomy leg, the Service Works Chef Pant isn't supposed to fit like a traditional pair of fitted trousers.
Here's everything you need to know before choosing your pair.
Service Works describes the intended fit of its Classic Chef Pants as relaxed with a straight leg.
That relaxed shape is an important part of the look. Rather than sitting close through the thigh and tapering heavily towards the ankle, Chef Pants are designed to give you more room throughout the leg.
The elasticated waistband also means the sizing is more forgiving than a traditional fixed-waist trouser.
So if you're looking for the classic Service Works silhouette, we'd recommend starting with the size that corresponds to your normal waist measurement.
This is where personal preference comes in.
Service Works specifically says its trousers accommodate a wide range of sizes because of the elasticated waist.
The brand's intended fit is relaxed, so if you normally wear slimmer trousers, your usual size may initially feel roomier than you're accustomed to.
Want them neater? Size down.
Want to exaggerate the loose, relaxed silhouette? Size up.
Want them to fit as Service Works intended? Stick with your recommended size.
That's one of the best things about the Chef Pant: you can adjust the silhouette depending on how you like to wear your trousers.
For the Classic Chef Pants, Service Works currently recommends the following intended waist measurements:
XS — 26–28" waist
S — 28–30" waist
M — 30–32" waist
L — 32–34" waist
XL — 34–36" waist
XXL — 36–38" waist
The range continues into larger sizes on selected styles.
Because the waist is elasticated and also features a drawstring, you don't need the exact waist measurement you might look for when buying denim or tailored trousers.
As a simple starting point:
28–30" waist? Try a Small.
30–32" waist? Try a Medium.
32–34" waist? Try a Large.
34–36" waist? Try an XL.
However, think about how you want them to look, not just the number on your usual trousers.
If you're a 32" waist, for example, a Medium sits at the upper end of its intended 30–32" range, while a Large is intended for 32–34".
Choosing between the two therefore comes down to the silhouette you're after.
Go Medium for a neater interpretation or Large if you want more of that relaxed Service Works look.
Another thing worth knowing is that the leg length changes slightly as you move through the sizes.
The Classic Chef Pants start with approximately a 27.5" inseam in XS, increasing gradually through the size range. A Medium has an approximate 28.75" inseam, while a Large is around 29.3".
That might sound relatively short compared with traditional trousers, but remember that Chef Pants aren't designed to behave like formal trousers.
The combination of the relaxed leg and proportions creates the distinctive Service Works shape.
They're particularly good with trainers, clogs and casual footwear where you don't necessarily want masses of fabric stacking over the shoe.
It makes much more sense when you understand where Service Works comes from.
The brand's identity is rooted in hospitality and traditional kitchen clothing, where comfort and freedom of movement are essential.
Chef trousers need to be comfortable enough to wear throughout a long shift, easy to move around in and practical.
Service Works took those functional characteristics and adapted them into trousers that work outside the kitchen.
Hence the brand's philosophy:
Designed for chefs, adapted for all.
The result sits somewhere between traditional workwear and contemporary relaxed menswear.
Fit isn't the only thing that separates them from an ordinary elasticated trouser.
Service Works' Classic Chef Pants are currently made using a substantial 360gsm (11oz) GOTS organic cotton canvas.
That heavier fabric helps give the trousers their workwear character and structure while retaining the comfort of the relaxed shape and elasticated waist.
Details include fatigue-style front pockets, rear pockets and the Service Works woven label.
They're simple trousers, but that's exactly the appeal.
If you're specifically looking for a slimmer fit, yes — Service Works recommends sizing down.
Just remember that making Chef Pants too fitted starts to take away from the silhouette they're designed around.
If you're buying your first pair, we'd generally recommend starting with your intended waist size and embracing the relaxed fit.
Once you've worn Chef Pants, you'll understand why.
Comfortably.
There should be room through the leg, the waistband shouldn't feel restrictive, and the trousers should have that recognisable relaxed workwear shape.
They're not chinos. They're not tailored trousers. And they're not supposed to fit like slim jeans.
That's the point.
The combination of a relaxed straight leg, elasticated drawstring waist and durable cotton canvas is what gives the Chef Pant its character.
If you're between sizes, simply decide which direction you want to take them:
Size down = cleaner and slimmer.
Regular size = the intended relaxed fit.
Size up = looser and baggier.
The Service Works Chef Pant has gone from functional kitchen clothing to a modern everyday staple for good reason.
Comfortable, practical and incredibly easy to wear, it's a trouser that works with everything from a simple T-shirt and trainers to knitwear, overshirts and jackets.
If you've been wondering what size Service Works Chef Pants to buy, hopefully we've made the decision a little easier.
Explore the latest Service Works collection at TRIADS and find your fit.
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