Banana Republic Athletic Fit vs. Straight Fit: Sizing comparison [2026]
The Banana Republic Athletic Fit and Straight Fit cater to different body types by manipulating room and taper. The Athletic Fit is designed for muscular builds, offering more room through the seat and thighs before tapering to a clean ankle, while the Straight Fit provides a classic, uniform width from hip to hem for a traditional silhouette.
Here’s a complete look at both styles from Banana Republic to help you decide which is perfect for your build and style.
Banana Republic Athletic Fit
The Athletic Fit pant is a recent innovation created to solve a common problem for men with muscular or athletic legs. It provides extra space where it's needed most - in the seat and thighs - while maintaining a modern, tailored look through a tapered leg. This design prevents the fabric from pulling tightly across the thighs and allows for better movement and comfort without sacrificing style.
- What it is: A men's pant fit with added room in the seat and thighs, which tapers from the knee down to the ankle.
- Key features: More generous cut through the thighs and glutes, a leg that narrows towards the bottom, creating a clean silhouette that doesn't look baggy.
- Sizing/Fit: Designed for an athletic body type (larger quads, glutes). It runs true to waist size but offers a non-restrictive feel in the upper leg, making it far more comfortable than a slim or straight fit for this build.
- Pros: Solves the "tight thighs" problem perfectly, creates a sharp, tailored look without needing a tailor, comfortable for all-day wear and movement, modern silhouette.
- Cons: May feel too loose or baggy on men with average or slender legs, the taper might not appeal to those who prefer a classic, wider leg opening.
- Popular Styles: Commonly found in traveler pants, denim, and chinos.
This fit is for you if traditional pant sizes are always too tight in the legs and seat, and sizing up in the waist only results in a sloppy, ill-fitting look.
Shop this fit: bananarepublic.gap.com/mens/athletic-fit
Banana Republic Straight Fit
The Straight Fit is a timeless classic that offers a clean, straightforward silhouette. These pants run straight from the hip through the thigh and all the way down to the leg opening, providing a consistent width. This versatile cut is a wardrobe workhorse because it works well for a wide range of body types and occasions, from casual weekends to business-casual workplaces.
- What it is: A classic men's pant fit with a uniform cut from the hips to the ankle opening.
- Key features: Consistent leg width throughout, sits at or just below the waist, offers a relaxed yet clean line.
- Sizing/Fit: Ideal for slim to average builds. It runs true to size and provides a comfortable amount of room without being baggy or restrictive. It is neither tight nor loose, landing in a perfect middle ground.
- Pros: Incredibly versatile for different settings, timeless style that won't look dated, comfortable for most body types, easy to style with a variety of shoes.
- Cons: Can feel tight or restrictive on men with larger thighs or calves, may look less sharp or tailored compared to a tapered fit, can appear slightly "blocky" on some frames.
- Popular Styles: Available across almost all pant categories, including jeans, chinos, and dress pants.
This is the go-to fit for anyone with a slim or average frame who values timeless, versatile style over trend-focused silhouettes.
Shop this fit: bananarepublic.gap.com/mens/straight-fit
Athletic Fit vs. Straight Fit Comparison
Silhouette & Taper
The most significant difference between these two fits is the shape of the leg. The Athletic Fit has a distinct taper, meaning it narrows from the knee down. This creates a V-shape that complements a muscular build and produces a clean finish at the ankle, working well with modern sneakers and loafers.
The Straight Fit has no taper. The width of the fabric at the knee is the same as the width at the ankle, creating a straight up-and-down column. This classic cut works well with boots and more traditional footwear and offers a silhouette that has been a style standard for decades.
Room & Comfort (Seat & Thighs)
Comfort is highly dependent on your body type. For an individual with larger thighs, glutes, or hamstrings from weightlifting or sports, the Athletic Fit will be far more comfortable. The extra fabric in those key areas allows for a greater range of motion without the fabric stretching or pulling, which is a common complaint with other fits.
For men with slim or average legs, the Straight Fit provides plenty of comfort. An athletic build might find the Straight Fit too constricting in the seat and thigh area, forcing them to size up in the waist for a comfortable fit, which can lead to a gap at the back of the waistband.
Versatility & Style
Both fits are highly versatile, but they communicate slightly different styles. The Straight Fit is a chameleon - it's been a foundation of men's wardrobes for generations. It can easily be dressed up for a business-casual setting or down for a relaxed weekend. Its look is timeless and dependable.
The Athletic Fit leans more modern. The taper provides a sharper, more intentionally stylized look that aligns well with current trends in menswear. While it's equally appropriate for casual and business settings, its silhouette reads as more contemporary and less traditional than the classic Straight Fit.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right choice comes down to your body type and personal style preference.
Choose the Athletic Fit if:
- You have larger-than-average thighs, calves, or glutes.
- You frequently find that pants fit well in your waist but are too tight in the legs.
- You prefer a tailored, modern silhouette that tapers toward the ankle.
- You want to feel comfortable and unrestricted when sitting, walking, or climbing stairs.
Choose the Straight Fit if:
- You have a slim or average build without pronounced muscle in your legs.
- You prefer a classic, timeless silhouette that isn't trend-dependent.
- You dislike the feeling of a tapered or close-fitting ankle.
- You need a versatile pant that works for any occasion, from the workplace to the weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between Banana Republic Athletic Fit and Straight Fit?
The primary difference is the shape and room. Athletic Fit offers extra room in the seat and thighs with a tapered leg that gets narrower at the ankle. A Straight Fit has a uniform width from the hip all the way down to the hem, offering a classic, non-tapered silhouette.
Is Banana Republic Athletic Fit the same as a slim fit?
No, they are very different. A slim fit is cut narrowly throughout the entire leg - hip, thigh, knee, and ankle. An Athletic Fit is specifically designed to be roomy in the thigh and seat while still being tapered and slim from the knee down. It’s for someone who wants the modern look of a slim fit but needs more space for muscle.
Do Banana Republic chinos run true to size?
Yes, Banana Republic sizing is generally consistent and true to standard US sizing. Your regular waist and inseam size should be the correct choice, but the "fit" (Athletic vs. Straight) will determine how the pants conform to your body shape.
Can anyone wear the Athletic Fit?
While anyone can wear it, the Athletic Fit is specifically engineered for a muscular body type. On a person with slender legs, the extra room in the seat and thigh area might create a baggy or unflattering look. Slimmer individuals are typically better suited to a Straight or Slim Fit.
Do Athletic Fit pants look professional enough for the office?
Absolutely. The taper in an Athletic Fit pant can create a very clean and tailored look that is perfectly acceptable for most modern business-casual environments. Paired with a blazer or a button-down shirt, they look polished and sharp.
How much different is the leg opening between the two fits?
The leg opening on an Athletic Fit is noticeably smaller than on a Straight Fit, often by an inch or more in circumference. This is due to the taper and it results in the pants sitting more cleanly on top of shoes rather than draping over them.
Should I size up if my normal straight leg pants are tight?
Instead of sizing up in the waist, you should try switching to the Athletic Fit. It addresses the exact issue of thigh/seat tightness while maintaining the correct waist measurement, preventing the dreaded waistband gap.
Which fit is more modern?
The Athletic Fit is generally considered a more modern silhouette due to its tapered leg, which has become very popular in contemporary menswear.