With a head spinning array of pants and trousers for us ladies to choose from these days, it can be quite the challenge to work out what shape best suits our figure type and then how to best wear said particular pair of pants.
With that in mind, we have put together a selection below of the basic types to help you navigate what to pick and how to style.
Tapered Pants
Definition: Somewhere in between skinny pants and straight cut pants, tapered pants feature a normal fit from the waist to the thighs, and only get narrower past the knee to the ankle.
Pair with: We love these style of pants as they are equal parts comfortable and stylish! Opt for a pair in a luxe material like satin to make your look day-to-night, and pair with strappy sandals and close-fitting top that does not go past the waist line. As these pants cut around the ankle, make sure your footwear is up to scratch.
Jogger Pants
Definition: Originally a variation of sweatpants, joggers are a casual style of pants that were made for athletic purposes. However, with the rise of athleisure, designers have reintroduced the pants in all sorts of materials, from satin to canvas to denim. The typically have a tapered cut and elasticated cuffs at the ankles.
Pair with: Joggers are the ultimate in comfort while providing style and variety, and how often do you get a chance to combine all that? Fit them at the waist and ankles but give them some space in between, and try turning up cuffs to vary the look. Choose plain, prints or embellishments, cotton or leather; wear with tees, blazers or bombers and transition into night with heels.
Culottes
Definition: A style of pants that give the illusion of being a skirt, thanks to its voluminous legs. The hemline can end anywhere from just below the knee to above the ankle.
Pair with: Nothing looks better than a pair of culottes styled with strappy, barely-there heeled sandals, or for an edgier look, a pair of flat gladiator sandals. Suitable for both work and play, you can easily transform your look simply by swapping out your top – a cropped, off-shoulder top for Sunday brunch and a sleeveless, button-down for mid week.
Flares
Definition: Sometimes called bell bottoms, these pants are making somewhat of a comeback these days. This style of pants are fitted at the waist and hips and flare very dramatically from the knee.
Pair with: There are 2 ways you can go about this. You can either balance your overall silhouette with a sleeveless, ruffled top or opt for a simple, fitted t-shirt or blouse. Flare pants are available in many materials, but the most common is denim, which tends to lend a more casual vibe to your look, so you might want to leave this for casual Fridays or the weekend.
Palazzo pants
Definition: A style of totally-loose pants that flares from the waist itself – the complete opposite of leggings or skinny jeans. They come in many fabrics and prints and have wonderful movement, lending your entire look a natural touch of drama.
Pair with: Not all tops go with these pants as they are so voluminous. You’ll want to keep your tops close fitted, and if the occasional allows, showing some skin with drop-sleeved camisoles or cropped tops helps to balance out all that material. These pants tend to reach all the way down to the floor, so most styles of shoes will work as they can’t really be seen anyway.
