Tailor Dame: Nine ways to wear tailored trousers
Take London designer Bella Freud’s recent collaboration with M&S. Irreverent and playful, the collection reimagines rigorous pinstripes with jargon sweaters and brightly knit accessories, putting corporate dress codes on furlough.
Tailored trousers are getting quite the makeover. Once formal, now flexible, their increasingly modular aesthetic makes them true wardrobe multitaskers.
Take London designer Bella Freud’s recent collaboration with M&S. Irreverent and playful, the collection reimagines rigorous pinstripes with jargon sweaters and brightly knit accessories, putting corporate dress codes on furlough.
Dorothee Schumacher similarly disrupts the status quo with Lyocell trousers in unorthodox pink, fit with flat front pleats, fluid draping, and an unfinished ankle hem for adjusting to your perfect length.
Prefer to make a bigger statement? The Frankie Shop’s elongated front pleat on its ‘Caris’ style serves drama from waist to ankle.
Insider styling tip: Remember to tuck tops so as not to interfere with the theatrics. That goes double for wrap-front, barrel-leg styles.
Pair with elevated basics like a leather shirt or a sweater vest, and finish, if you wish, with a structured or cropped blazer. Culottes fall into this category, too. Just add a clean riding boot.
Don’t neglect fabric when scaling a look. Essentiel Antwerp’s faux leather wide-leg trousers spark oodles of potential.
The key? Play the proportion game with kitten heels and a sweetheart neckline or a fitted jacket. Likewise, textures take corduroy anywhere from denim to silk and tweed.
My personal favourite is a pair of high-rise stretchy kick flares from Reiss. Full disclosure: I live in mine: cap and Converse or blouse and ballet flats.
Not only are their styles generally available in petite, regular and tall sizes, but they boast a generous seam allowance for heels. You, see? A little flexibility goes a long way.
1. M&S x Bella Freud wool-blend pinstripe trousers, M&S, €110
2. Relaxed belted wrap-front wool trousers, COS, €150
3. ‘Claude’ high rise flared trousers, Reiss, €220
4. 726™ High rise flare corduroy pants, Levi’s, €110
5. Pleated barrel-leg chinos, COS, €79
6. Dorothee Schumacher slouchy elegance trousers, Samui, €595
7. ‘Caris’ pleated trousers with belt, The Frankie Shop, €196
8. Faux leather wide-leg trousers, Essentiel Antwerp, €225
9. Jaeger wide-leg culottes with wool, M&S, €185
