After the dominance of the skinny silhouette, there’s a new trouser shape to try. I know it’s been around at the Net A Porter level for a while, but when you start seeing it being merchandised on A-sites at places like Top Shop and Zara, you know it’s time to try it out. The trouser intro at ASOS reads “this season’s trousers are loosening up. Baggy is better as trouser legs get wider and slouchier.” Variously called the peg, the relaxed trouser or the luxe jogger, it will certainly be a relief for many after the “nothing to hide” tyranny of the skinny but it’s going to take some effort to adjust to the look. I’m sounding old here but it’s the shape we were all wearing back in about 1985 – elasticated or drawstring waists (whoop-di-doo), fuller at the top tapering down to a relaxed and often rolled up cuff. The ankle is still the erogenous zone – a bit of a coup for anyone over 40 I’d say. There’s a whole great casual look around this trouser but I’m not doing casual today because I’m in need of an easy new look for work. I’m bored of the cigarette pant shape (even though I know it’s classic chic). I need something for those days in the office when a client might pop in – so it’s not full on smart but it’s contemporary and slick shall we say! It would also be great for a more dressed up day at the weekend or a party. Let’s have a look at how it’s been styled by various midlife chic retailers:
First of all Hush Relaxed Trouser £45
Marseille Relaxed Trouser at Baukjen £79
Tia Trousers £80 by Wishbone at John Lewis
Ted Baker Luana Luxe Jogger £109 down to £76 at HoF but not at Ted Baker stores
Mint Velvet, Left to right: Pearl Harem Trouser £59.99; Black Zip Sports Pant £69; Slate zip ankle pant £69
So, what do you think? Are you looking for a new trouser shape 2014? It’s a chance to be slightly ahead of the high street as most stores are still focusing their mainline for summer on the tapered 7/8 trouser which has been around for a few seasons now and leads into this shape but isn’t quite as cool. With the right shoes and the right proportions on top I think this is a great chic look for women over 40 and now it’s in my head (in fact I was up and wide awake at 4.30am this morning to write this post because I’d been looking at them all last night) I’m going to have to try it. Hush is the obvious place to start with its lower entry pricepoint. I think you need to go for quality on these trousers because you need the fabric to hang well, so fast fashion from Top Shop and Zara might not be the best place to start.
Let me know if you’ve tried the look and how you’ve got on with it – does it feel like an evolution of the tapered trouser or does it feel ground breakingly new? As always, I love to hear from you, it makes my day.
