Styles and design · 8 October 2026 · 4 min read
What are izar pants? The wide straight trouser
Izar pants are loose, straight trousers falling from the hip to the ankle at one width. How they sit between straight trousers and a palazzo, and how to order them.
InspirationA loose trouser with a straight fall
Izar pants are loose, straight-legged trousers that fall from the hip to the ankle at roughly the same width all the way down. They are wider and softer than ordinary straight trousers, but they do not flow out like a palazzo, and they finish at the ankle rather than pooling on the floor.
The word itself is old. Izar, or izaar, has long been used in Urdu for a lower garment, and the drawstring of a shalwar is still called an izarband. Today the name is used loosely in fashion, so two shops can sell quite different trousers as izar. That is the main thing to keep in mind when you order one.
Between straight trousers and a palazzo
The easiest way to place an izar is to line it up with the trousers it sits between. What changes from one to the next is the width at the hem compared with the hip.
- [Straight trousers](/styles/trousers/straight-trousers): close to the hip, then one moderate width from the knee down.
- Izar: looser from the hip, the leg falling straight to a wide ankle. The width is set at the hip and kept, not added toward the hem.
- [Palazzo](/styles/trousers/palazzo): loose from the waist and widening further toward the floor, with lots of movement.
- [Shalwar](/styles/trousers/shalwar): very full at the seat and gathered in at the ankle, which is the opposite of an izar’s open hem.
How they are usually made
Izar pants are simple to make, which is part of their appeal. The common choices are the waistband, the hem and pockets.
- Waistband: full elastic, a drawstring, or a flat front with elastic at the back for a neater look under a short kurta.
- Hem: plain, with small side slits, or finished with lace or a border so the ankle becomes a feature.
- Pockets: side-seam pockets sit well in the loose leg and do not spoil the line.
- Fabric: cotton, lawn, cambric and linen suit everyday wear and stay cool. Crisper cottons hold the straight fall better than very soft fabrics.
What to wear on top
Because the leg is straight rather than flared, izar pants are easy to pair. A straight kameez at knee length or longer gives a relaxed, all-in-one line, and a mid-thigh kurta with side slits shows more of the trouser. A very short top makes the width look heavier, so keep it at least at the hip. Our page on kameez and trouser pairings shows how length and leg width balance.
Describing them in a quote
Since the name means different things to different people, give us numbers rather than the word alone. On the stitching form choose Straight or Wide-leg, whichever is closer, and write the width you want at the hem. The simplest way to get that number is to measure a pair you like laid flat, as our guide on measuring each trouser style explains, and add your waist, hip and length from the trouser measuring guide.
You can order them with our fabric or send your own through Stitching Only. Request a quote and the written quote confirms the shape, fabric and finish before anything is cut.
Common questions
What is the difference between izar and palazzo?
A palazzo widens as it goes down and flows at the hem. An izar keeps one loose width from hip to ankle, so it looks neater and swings less.
Are izar pants good for hot weather?
Yes. The loose leg lets air move and keeps fabric off the skin, especially in cotton, lawn or linen.
Can izar pants be worn with a long kameez?
Yes, and that is a common way to wear them. The straight leg sits neatly under a long kameez without adding bulk at the hem.
