If classic dress pants aren’t your cup of tea because they feel dowdy and boring, you might like to try something different. At the moment, your fashion forward dress pant options fall into four main styles, ranging from full length to cropped somewhere between the ankle and knee:
- Slouch pants: These are really on trend right now and I’m still searching for a pair. They were fringe a year ago and are slowly becoming more popular. They are usually high-waisted, pleated, voluminous in the hip area and skinny at the hems. Sometimes they have a paper bag waist. They are made of soft floppy fabrications and cool wool blends, looking very 80’s inspired. For that reason alone I think they are very fab.
- Skinny pants: I like to call this style of trouser “the cigarette”. They are flat fronted and cut slim through the leg. I highly recommend the Martin fit skinny pants from Banana Republic, which are made of a rayon, cotton spandex blend. Soft, stretchy and flattering.
- Soft safari pants: This style is slouchy up top and tapered at the bottom, but the cargo pockets add a utilitarian vibe. They are soft and extra drapey, often cropped and rolled up at the hem boyfriend style.
- Harem pants: Another super soft and slouchy pants style with a somewhat low hanging crotch point. The style can be dressy if it’s made of a dressy fabrication (read: not jersey knit). I opted for a cropped dressy style which are fun to wear.
You’ll probably see many other pant style variations, often a hybrid of the above four silhouettes. I’m enamored with most of the new dress pants styles as long as the lengths aren’t leg shortening. Initially it might be hard to get your head around the newer silhouettes, but things will get easier once you know how to wear the look.
Of course, feel free to stick to classic dress pants or slightly wider leg shapes. These looks are still fab and in style. But it’s my job to tell you what’s new so that you have options!
