Of course, sheer variety doesn't automatically make the pursuit of pant perfection easier. You still have to find the right fit. "I think the number of black trousers I have collected over the year demonstrates how hard it is to find the perfect trouser. Finding the best ones is like the Holy Grail," said Tank magazine editor Caroline Issa. "My advice is when you do: Buy in bulk." Ms. Issa said she tends to gravitate toward slim cigarette pants with a flat front. "These seem to lengthen my legs," she added. Her top pairs are from Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent, both several years old and no longer in production. Alas, she didn't buy multiples.