You might remember the ultra casual soft and flowing wide trouser from the early and mid ‘90s in fabrics like linen, rayon, viscose, cotton, polyester, and silk. They were wide from hip to hem. They usually had a high rise, a full or half elastic waist, or a drawstring waist. Some versions had zippers and fly fronts for a more structured appearance. These wide trousers were CASUAL and quite “beachy”. You wore them with flat sandals, espadrilles, loafers, flip flops, mules, ballet flats, huaraches, or platform sneakers. By flats, I mean heels no higher than an inch

I remember wearing the casual soft wide trouser in patterns and light neutrals with long white slouchy open-weave pullovers, and boxy silk button down shirts. The combination was overwhelming and not very flattering, but very comfortable for a hot Cape Town Summer. The soft wide pants looked better paired with a short fitted T-shirt or cropped form-fitting wrap top, which I wore too. By adding structure up top, the pants did not overwhelm my frame. Nor did I look short in the leg in flats. 

A very similar soft and flowing wide trouser has been on trend in our current fashion era. The collection below showcases great examples. They’ve been styled with casual flats, just like they should be (to my eye the vibe looks off with heels.) The lengths look dead right too. You want them no shorter than a quarter of an inch off the ground for maximum elegant swoosh and vertical integrity. 

I can’t tell you how many of my clients love the idea of the casual soft wide Summer trouser, fitted on a slew of styles, but were disappointed with the visual effect. Most of the trousers are too wide in the leg and too high in the rise. Many felt dumpy, overwhelmed, sloppy, and short in the leg wearing untucked tops with the vibe despite the long length of the trousers. 

That said, every so often we find a great pair that aren’t too voluminous, and my clients rave about the look. Wearing them with a more structured, untucked top is much more flattering. Fluid tops with welts work well because the welt tempers the volume of both the top and bottom. Semi-tucking a fluid or oversized top to create a bit of waist definition does wonders, as does keeping the length of the top short to showcase more of the waist and upper hip. Adding a fitted and short denim jacket to the mix adds further structure to the outfit. 

I like the way Massimo Dutti styled their casual soft wide trouser here. Showcasing the waist marries the roomy pieces to create a hint of structure. It’s a great alternative to dresses and skirts in the Summertime, and a more covered option than shorts. Elegant and chic yet very relaxed. Who’s going to try it?

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Bobbi Brown’s next enterprise, an interesting initiative from Universal Standard, new appointments at Vogue, and more fashion news that caught our attention in April.

• Edward Enninful is taking over from Alexandra Shulman as editor-in-chief of British Vogue.
• Meanwhile, Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz has been replaced by Manuel Arnaut after only two issues at Vogue Arabia.
• Make-up pioneer Bobbi Brown has launched a concept shop featuring apparel, wellness products, and some beauty products that will appear in five different Lord & Taylor stores and also online.
• Starting this September, New York Fashion Week will go from an eight-day schedule to seven days of runway shows.
• With its University Fit Liberty programme, plus-size clothing brand Universal Standard is offering customers the opportunity to swap out previously purchased items of clothing for different sizes one year within originally purchasing them.
• Amazon has unveiled Echo Look, a camera meant to “help you look your best.” It gives feedback using Style Check, an app that uses an algorithm to compare and rate your outfit options.
• The “Irving Penn: Centennial” exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is celebrating the work of the renowned photographer.

Fun Fashion Fact

It is said that the term “Canadian tuxedo” comes from the denim tuxedo jacket Levi’s made especially for Bing Crosby after he and a friend weren’t allowed to book a room at a Vancouver hotel because the actor was wearing a “dingy” denim jacket and jeans. Eventually he was recognized and they were allowed to stay the night. When Levi’s got word of the tale, they decided this wouldn’t happen again and created the special jacket for him.

Black-out means wearing black from head to toe, or almost wearing black from head to toe. I have some clients who like to dress this way in the Spring and Summer because they simply LOVE to wear black. In the Summer months, you can showcase skin wearing black-out, which reduces the expanse of black clothing on the body. You can also add dark grey, navy, black lace, shiny textures, flouncy silhouettes and metallics to the outfit to soften and brighten the vibe. 

The outfit on the left is warm weather black-out with a touch of grey. The outfit on the right is Summer black-out all the way. Personally, I’d have preferred the outfit on the right with metallic sandals and clutch. I’d have added white pearls to the outfit on the left to brighten things up.

There are countless ways to wear Spring and Summer black-out. To my eye, black-out looks best when there’s a range of textures and some movement in the outfit. That way the black looks less flat and more alive. Or even better, when you add hints of metallic and/or dark blue. Here are three ensembles to get the creative juices flowing. Note: each of the ensembles can be remixed with any of the pairs of shoes and either bag. The textured topper can be worn across all three looks. 

Wide Crops & Silk Top

Combine a pair of black wide cropped pants, culottes or jeans with a silky black top to create textural interest in the outfit. The shine of the black top makes a big difference. A silky cami layered over a black tee is a fun way to go. Finish off the look with metallic, navy or black footwear and bag. It’s by no means essential, but matching the bag with the footwear is an easy way to pull together your look. 

Dress & Textured Topper

Combine a black knitted or woven dress with a textured or patterned black and charcoal grey or navy topper. Finish off the look with metallic, navy or black footwear and bag. By all means wear flats with a dress. WHY NOT?

Flared Crops & Flouncy Lace

Combine a pair of trendy bottoms like black flared crops with a flouncy black top that has lace detailing. The flounces add movement to the outfit, which prevents the all-black vibe from looking lifeless. The lace adds textural interest. Finish off the look with metallic, navy or black footwear and bag. Navy nail polish is fun with the look. Tying a neckerchief to your bag is another way to go. Add jewellery, eyewear and watch as desired.

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A new trend in fashion are brands that are building their entire identities around the materials they use. Racked has put together a list of labels that are putting their fabrics front and centre.

An interesting look at the design choices and philosophy of Marimekko, the famous Finnish brand.

From animal print to denim: why hotels are upping their bathrobe game.

Meet Mia Vespers, the 25-year-old designer turning vintage tapestries into modern outerwear.

According to The Guardian, tulle is getting a fashion makeover for 2017.

Fab Links from Our Members

This article caught Kerry’s attention after reading forum member Jenn’s #30Wears thread.

As most of us dress casually at least some of the time (and some do so practically all the time), but still want to look good, The Cat thought Brenda Kinsel’s post may be of interest.

Minimalist is loving Erica Bunker’s blog and outfits.

Jenni NZ is currently looking into the Kibbe types, and discovered interesting historical info going all the way back to the 1930s here.

After the “Clear Knee Mom Jeans”, Topshop is now selling “Moto Clear Plastic Straight Leg Jeans”. Suz is baffled, and wonders if these are the new sweatpant?