Let’s talk about cuffs a minute, shall we? Somebody somewhere started a rumor that if your pants had no pleats, they should have no cuffs. Other than the “No… No…” part, there isn’t much logic to this. Just one of those bits of mythological quackery that suffuse the art and science of men’s clothing.
Trouser cuffs came into being as a practical matter. The turned-up cloth at the bottom of the pant leg is more wear-proof and can be re-folded to make repairing this most vulnerable part of one’s pants easier (and less costly.) I’d say this might have been thought of more in the early 19th century, or whenever it was that the Duke of Wellington started the modern trouser trend by dropping his drawers from knicker-length to the floor; but these days it would be rare to find a worn-out cuff – or a man who could be bothered to go to a tailor to have his cuffs turned. Even frugality has limits.
It’s a fashion thing, finally. And though cuffs might once have been a feature of slacks that were worn in rugged places, over time they have become a distinguishing feature of dressy pants. They give more weight to the bottom and help the pant leg fall over the shoes with more of a graceful fold. Whereas plain-bottoms seem more fitting for khakis, or chinos or other rugged, sportswear-style trousers.
And that’s the way it is now: Levels 1, 2: No cuffs. 3 and up? Turn ’em up!
Nick Hilton - Reflections 