I love jeans and a nice top as much as the next woman, but sometimes I like to flip this winning formula on its head. Keep the top half pared down and jazz up the bottom half with a pair of fancy pants. For those special occasions when I want to look chic and understated, statement trousers are a pleasing recipe. A neat vibe shift.
Drinks with friends? Pull on a tuxedo jacket and a statement necklace. Popping round to a neighbour’s for an evening soiree? Try party pants with a leather shirt and a standout scarf. Dialling it down a notch is the low-key approach to dressing up and with some smart styling, your statement trousers can become a versatile capsule wardrobe staple.
And I’m here for it. As a 1939 Vogue feature advised, 'There is immense chic in restrained evening elegance. There’s immense charm in the robustness and shrewd common sense of day clothes.'
We all have something sparkly or decorative hanging in our wardrobes – and I do believe that downplaying a party outfit by juxtaposing one swanky piece with everyday wardrobe essentials beats overdressing, whatever the season. And the good news? When you find the right party trousers, there’s no need to worry about buying special underwear or new hosiery. They easily give the best cocktail dresses a run for their money.
Originally published in woman&home magazine, with words by Alyson Walsh (thatsnotmyage.com).
How to wear statement trousers all year round
Add some sparkle to your top half
If you’re worried about not looking glam enough from the waist up, sling on a pair of shoulder-scraping earrings or a sparkly, showpiece necklace. Casual glamour is the phenomenon of blending day and evening wear for an effortless, go-everywhere outfit. This is the fashion formula I come back to again and again. If you're wondering what to wear on New Year's Eve or for an evening event, you can't go wrong with a pair of statement trousers and a glitzy earring.
RRP: Was £129.00 Now £91| These sparkly snake-shaped earrings make a bold statement. Made of sterling silver with sparkling cubic zirconia and a stud post fastening, they're also light and comfortable to wear - bonus!
RRP: Was £49.99 Now £25 | A key jewellery trend for 2024, a lux choker will instantly complete any look. Team with a casual white shirt and statement trousers for a chic, eye-catching look.
RRP: Was £40 Now £28 | Encrusted with pave crystals, these 18K gold plated earrings are the perfect finishing touch for any glitzy outfit - especially if you're concerned you won't see your trousers in any photographs. Sometimes more is more.
Dress them down with classic pieces
Add a cotton shirt for a classic look. Wear the shirt open over a slinky T-shirt (plain white or striped), and then add a bright cardigan or knitted tank top. Colourful trousers are a great wardrobe building block and can sit alongside stronger colours.
To me, comfort is the most important thing – and I always feel cooler and more relaxed when I combine the outstanding with the everyday. Slipping a snazzy jacket over a slouchy jumpsuit. Wearing blingy jewellery with a normcore sweatshirt and jeans. Dressing down a pair of fancy pants with one of the best denim jackets. Mixing it up for maximum style.
RRP: Was £259.99, Now £199.99 | The best leather jackets add a touch of edge to any look but they're also perfect for dressing down formal statement trousers.
RRP: £29.90 | A winter capsule wardrobe must, a grey jumper is probably one of the most versatile staples you can have in your wardrobe and will instantly dress down a pair of embellished trousers.
RRP: £95 | A tuxedo shirt doesn't need to be saved for your black tie ensembles - pair this one with a pair of smart statement trousers for a chic, timeless look. If you want a more casual style, swap it for one of the best t-shirts.
Pick a fit that works for you
Whether plain or patterned, capri pants are a universally flattering wardrobe staple and are one of my year-round essentials. This oh-so-versatile garment looks good with an oversized shirt, a silk blouse or a simple cashmere sweater. Inspired by J.Crew-era Jenna Lyons, I’ve had a jacquard Jaeger pair for years, and they work for both casual and formal occasions. Jacquard is the name given to a decorative form of weaving developed by the French inventor Joseph Jacquard in the early 19th century. Who knew?
Not keen on capri pants and find yourself turning to the best wide leg trousers or feel more comfortable styling cargo pants? Then turn to your go-to fits as you're more likely to wear them on repeat.
RRP: Was £89 Now £59 | These sequins are made from recycled bottles and the trousers are fully lined for comfort and extra coverage. One of the best plus size clothing brands, these wide-leg trousers, from Live Unlimited will flatter all figures, skimming your curves to enhance your shape. Machine washable - a bonus for sequin partywear, they can be worn as part of a set or as separates.
RRP: £65 | If you're a fan of the look but not sure how to style metallic trousers, we'd turn to this pair from Gap. They come in a vintage gold finish, which has a softer, more flattering tone than the brighter silver styles that are popular this season. Gold trousers will work with neutral basics to give them a party pop, but they can also be dressed up with heels and a sparkly top.
RRP: Was £65 Now £32.50 | These Jacquard-print trousers look seriously luxurious but can be easily dressed down with one of the best white shirts or a form-fitting cashmere jumper.
Choose your shoes wisely
If you’re opting for wide-leg, fancy trousers, avoid tripping over the hems by teaming with a platform sandal or chunky trainers. Low-heeled ankle boots and a belt look neat with a cashmere sweater and party pants.
RRP: Was £130 Now £78 | Dress up your statement trousers with these party-ready suede platform shoes from Boden - perfect if you need a little extra height to stop your hems from hitting the floor.
RRP: £85 | The best white trainers are a must in a shoe capsule wardrobe - and you can't go wrong with a pair of classic Stan Smiths. These will add a cool, sporty edge to any statement trousers.
RRP: £75 | Pair these flatform stompy boots from M&S with your wide-leg trousers for a breezy, but weather-appropriate winter look. Layer up with a knitted jumper and one of the best winter coats.
FAQs
Woman&home fashion editor Rivkie Baum adds these tips for styling statement trousers.
What top to wear with patterned trousers?
When it comes to what top to wear with statement trousers the key is balance. While the very brave might choose a pattern clash (if you do, keep it tonal). The easiest way to work this into your look is by going for a simpler, block-coloured top to let the trousers do the talking. Pick out a colour from the print of your trousers and coordinate with that hue for a cohesive look.
In terms of top shape, that really will depend on the cut of your trousers. Slimmer silhouettes can take floatier top halves, while wide-leg trousers will want more streamlined tops that highlight your shape to stop your figure from being overwhelmed by fabric.
Are printed trousers in style?
Printed trousers are a winner for spring/summer 2024 and it is a trend that very much ushers in feel-good fashion. When it comes to finding the right pair for the months think about this year's fashion colour trends as a base for your palette. Bright and pastel hues will both play their part in making this twist on a classic a win for the season ahead. Ideal for holiday wardrobes and dressy summer weddings, when selecting patterns, look out for geometric prints and fabulous florals to up the ante.
How many patterns are too many in an outfit
If you're new to matching patterns, generally speaking, you don't want to have more than two patterns within one outfit. If you're new to wearing statement printed pieces, such as trousers, it is easier to pair bold trousers with a block-coloured top, selecting a colour from the pattern, as mentioned above.
When it comes to mixing two prints, think about colour, tone and pattern style to make this work. The easiest way to do this is to keep your look tonal, as this will stop your outfit from becoming overwhelming. You can also try mixing similar patterns, playing with scale, for example large and small polka dots, or two striped patterns together.
Any more than two patterns can get messy, and while rules are made to be broken, master combining two prints together seamlessly, accenting with block colours where needed before trying to add any other statement prints to the mix.
A statement trouser is a great way of injecting colour and print into your wardrobe. While going bold on your bottom half might feel like a brave move, stick to silhouettes you're familiar and comfortable with to make the transition as seamless as possible. And always wear your statement style with pride so that you're wearing the print and not the other way around.