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If you're still undecided about wide trousers, shed the fear. Now that culottes have bounced from strange to staple in a strikingly short amount of time, wider-cut trousers are fast becoming the cold-weather stand in.
The success of culottes, happened as Instyle Editor Charlotte Moore explains because, simply, they “are ridiculously easy to wear. All my smart trousers have been replaced by culottes. My current favourites are navy and velvet, from Cos, and work just as well with a sharp white shirt as with a slouchy jumper. You can show off your three quarter length boots in winter and your ankles in summer.”
The logical shift on from these then is the wide leg trouser – which and this is the key point to digest – look best a little shorter – designer Roksanda Ilincic advises for them to be 'high waisted and stop just above the ankle - they are incredibly flattering on most body types.’
While Caren Downie, Brand director of online high street retailer Finery, who’ve bought into the wide legged style with velvet, satin and flannel versions, says that 'the proportions of wide leg trousers tend to accentuate the waist which gives everyone a flattering silhouette. They’re a piece that makes a statement and can transition dramatically into an alternative evening look. They definitely demand more consideration but it’s worth it for the stand out value.”
Image: vintage bridesmaid dresses
The ideal trouser will graze the top of your foot at the longest. Trailing along the floor might look romantic, but not when it’s raining and you’ve taken on half the gutter in your turn-up. A good dry cleaner will be able to lop a little off the length if yours are too long. Having once fallen victim to a stiletto heel getting caught in the back of a flowing wide trouser, and ending up flat on my face in front of a bus, the other key point is that if you are in a heel, make sure it is on the chunky side – think of it as a balance to the width of the trouser. Otherwise a solid trainer (like a Stan Smith or Nike Air Force 1) works well for casual days.
Having too much material swathing about runs the risk of the trousers looking like they’re wearing you rather than the other way around, so opt for darker, more muted colours and subtle prints rather than brash brights.
If you’re splashing out Marni and Sportmax have chic, generously cut navy pairs (for under £300), as well as newish New Yorker Rachel Comey, who Matchesfashion.com’s Suzanne Pendlebury champions for her “ultra-wide silhouettes, which have garnered her a cult following, as she cuts a great wide leg.” M&S, Zara, Topshop and Mango have cheaper alternatives while MiH Jeans have embraced sailor-style with their Nautical Pant, a jaunty no brainer.
Flat fronted pairs will be more forgiving – beware the pleat-front. On top, aim to highlight the waist, so pair with either a short and boxy-cut shirt or jacket, tuck in a loose blouse or put with a fitted longer length knit or tunic top if you’d rather keep your waist area under wraps. Final sell: in the chill, a knee length woollen sock with a midi-boot and wide cut trouser will keep you both warm and chic – there’s nothing worse that having everything scrunched up around your ankle.
Also Read: short chiffon bridesmaid dresses
