It’s probably one of the most common asks from my clients, what can they wear instead of always defaulting to jeans. Now more than ever there is a trend towards being comfortable post pandemic but whilst also looking stylish. So how do you pull this off? What trousers can you wear without looking like you are going to the office? There are a number of options when it comes to changing your jeans out for other trousers, but your shoes and the rest of your outfit also need to work with the trousers to ensure you have the whole look nailed. What I mean by this is for example wearing trainers with smart trousers, wearing chunky boots with knitted trousers or loafers with leather trousers to ensure your look is paired down, casual and perhaps the opposite of what you might normally wear with said trousers. For more styling inspiration make sure you follow me on Instagram where you can see how I pull these looks together.
Right now there are a number of trousers that I am seeing alot of, that I want to wear and also lusting after, these are rounded up below. Think about what you already have in your wardrobe and you might own a pair of smart trousers for example and it could be all about how you style them rather than buying a new pair. But if you are looking for some newness this season then check out the best pieces there is to buy online right now.
5 trousers to own right now
1. Stirrup leggings - I often clear out many pairs of leggings from Women’s wardrobes, excluding ones you exercise in, old maternity leggings or black stretch cotton leggings are a mainstay in alot of wardrobes still. I often point clients in the direct of a fabric called Ponte Roma which is a heavier weight jersey, much more flattering, thicker and will last longer. This year a new style is becoming very popular and it might make you feel like you should be horse riding as they have a stirrup detailing at the hem of them. You can of course wear ankle boots or long boots to cover this bit up but styling wise wearing loafers or trainers are a way of updating this look for this season.
2. Leather trousers - I have owned a pair of PU cropped trousers for a number of years and a pair of leather leggings that I pull out every single Autumn with out fail and get so much wear out of them. So this year I am totally lusting after a pair of leather trousers. An investment yes but after doing quite a bit of research and knowing how much I wear my PU ones I know it will be something I own and wear for years. Leg shape is really important, a tapered leg thats high waisted is very flattering and will never go out of style.
3. Knitted trouser or legging - this is something that started cropping up last year due to the huge appetite for loungewear when we were all in lockdown. The other driver of this is the rise of the co-ord in fashion, this is when 2 separates match each other in fabric, colour or print, it’s is a co-ordinating piece. Alot of loungewear is co-ordinating so the knitted trouser just takes this to another level. It’s loungewear you can dress up, wear outside with boots or trainers and also keep warm in too. I brought a set from Zara last year and styled it very much with chunky boots and the knitted hoody, but this time I want to wear it with over-sized shirts and blazers.
4. Smart trousers - it’s funny now that we are spending less & less time in an office environment we have less need to dress up and dressing for work has become much more relaxed. Saying that the trend for smartwear, suiting and wearing smart trousers has been around for a while now, what is key is what you wear on your feet to ensure you don’t look like you are going to an office (even if you are). High waisted shapes are great, be careful about pleats at the waist as more often than not these can be vey unflattering and make you look bigger than you are, so flat fronted trousers are a better option.
5. Smart joggers - these trousers have been around for a number of seasons and are so versatile to wear instead of jeans. It’s all about fabric with this trouser, ensuring they are not in a jogger like fabric but slightly smarter like crepe or heavy jersey and they have a coloured stripe down the side seam. The shape of the leg and the hem are also key, you might want a wide leg or a tapered leg and you might not want an elasticated hem so they look less jogger like. Check out my options, there are so many to choose from but these are tried and tested trousers that clients have feedback how fantastic they are.