Trousers ( or pants in Canada , South Africa and the United States , and sometimes called slacks or breeches ( sometimes ) ) are a kind of clothing worn on the lower part of the body , covering both legs apart ( instead of with cloth stretching across both as in skirts and dresses ) . Trousers are an item of clothing worn on the lower part of the body from the waist to the ankles , covering both legs separately ( rather than with cloth stretching across both as in skirts and dresses ) . The word trousers is used in the UK , but some other English-speaking countries such as Australia , Canada , South Africa , and the United States often refer to such items of clothing as pants .