What Pants Are We Wearing?

My predictions on the style that's on it's way out and what's going to replace it!

As someone who is deeply intrigued (obsessed maybe?) by what we choose to put on our bodies, I am always on the lookout for someone whose style is inspiring. I can clock someone who has style from a mile away, and if you’re reading this newsletter, you probably can too.

Recently, I realized that what ticks my style radar first is often the pant silhouette that the person is wearing. In the early-00s, anyone who had on a skinny jean had my attention. But more recently, the pant shape that signaled style to me has been high-waisted, loose through the leg, and cropped. Perhaps the top purveyor of this shape is Apiece Apart:

I LOVE this shape! For my body type, it is absolute perfection. It hides the things I want to hide; it accentuates what I want to accentuate. BUT—and it pains me to say this—I think it is on its way out.

I’m not saying to throw all your Loose Crop styles out today. I’m sure not going to! But now’s the time to look ahead and start planning for the styles that are on their way in.

The Loose Crops have all but vanished from the runways, and they were replaced by the styles I’ll list below, some of which I’m all in on, and others I’m actively dreading!

The Floor-Grazing Trouser

This one is my personal fave! It’s basically just an iteration on the Loose Crop, but it extends all the way to the floor.

L to R: Stella McCartney, Givenchy, Carven, Miu Miu, Victoria Beckham (all from nowfashion.com)

No crops in the house! Only floor-grazers allowed! Some of these, like the Stellas, sit lower on the waist, but the Victoria Beckhams are still quite high (which works better for my body type). Suiting fabrics obviously look great, but the crisp cotton Miu Mius are beautiful, and the leather works too, although I imagine they would be pretty heavy.

Here are a few beautiful ones already available in stores:

L to R: Everlane linen; A.L.C. in perfect cream; Sezane with some cute button details; Maje light and flowy

The Loose Jeans

There wasn’t a lot of denim on the runways (there usually isn’t much), but nearly every jean I saw had this long, loose silhouette. It’s very similar to the trouser, actually. Wide through the legs and pooling on the ground. There’s kind of a 90s grunge vibe here that feels really cool and appeals to my elder millennial sensibilities.

L to R: Dries Van Noten, Stella McCartney, Chloe, Michael Kors, Undercover (all on nowfashion.com)

As you can see, most of these are lighter in tone, though I think the Kors are a great way to make this more sophisticated and even potentially office-appropriate (?).

I am drooling over these great ones I found in the shops:

L to R: Cos medium blue; these ones from Commission are $$$ but holy moly they’re good!; love the cuffed Agolde; and these trouser jeans from Rag + Bone kill two trends with one stone!

Culottes/Bermuda Shorts

I’ve mentioned these a few times before, so I don’t want to keep banging on about them, but they’re definitely a thing, and here are a few of my faves!

Leggings and Slim Pants

Guys, this is the one I am not thrilled about. As a curvier person, I was downright THRILLED when skinny pants went out of style, so it is with huge regret that I inform you they are back with a vengeance. Pedal pushers, capris—just typing these words pains me! But I’m reminded of times in the past when I found trends to be extra-cringey and then ultimately grew to love them. Maybe this will happen in this case. Or maybe I’ll stick with the baggy jeans.

L to R: Altuzarra, Louis Vuitton, Undercover, Hermes, Phillip Lim (all on nowfashion.com)

Not only am I seeing these and other legging styles on the runways, they’re also popping up among the influencers, too, as well as all over the Swans series, which makes me feel pretty confident to say they are on their way in. The good thing about them is that they make a great base layer for long-over-long layering, so you can still wear this trend while also covering your butt, a priority for me!

And now, in the shops:

L to R: Sezane with a cute little bow; these Everlanes look really wearable/flattering; Vince in a pretty cream

If we want to go full legging/bike short, these can be great under a mini dress (make them intentionally visible) or long, billowy shirt:

L to R: Splits59 (the new cool girl athletic brand) bike shorts; Beyond Yoga bike shorts; Donni pedal pushers; love this pretty lavender from Splits59 (also check out their stirrup pants); Farm Rio + Adidas super fun printed ones

I’ll try to snap some styling examples and post on instagram in the next little while. Until then, thanks so much for nerding out about fashion with me! I love writing this newsletter, and I hope its fun and useful for all of you! Let me know your thoughts on pants in the comments! :)

xx,

Joanna