Two trouser trends to try
and how street-stylish strangers showed me how to wear them
There are two things you need to know about me:
1/ I’m a pants gal through and through.
2/ Pinterest is my styling bible.
I can’t tell you how often I monkey-bash a keyboard with key words like ‘Adidas Firebird pants and heels’, or ‘Doc Martin street-style outfit’, or ‘mini dress with metallic cowboy boots’, or ‘blueberry milk nails’. If I don’t know how to wear it, I ask Professor Pinterest. She will cough up image after image of inspo, after which I’ll have multiple eureka moments, rush to my wardrobe, and copy the crap out of what I’ve just clocked. I’ve even created a Pinterest board called Lise Style Inspo which feels mildly embarrassing to admit, but regularly saves my bacon whenever an I-have-nothing-to-wear existential crisis brings me to my knees. When in doubt, go back to your Pinny board, Lise.
There are two pieces I’ve been chewing over since Jan, ‘23. Cargo pants and straight-leg black jeans. YAWN FEST DOT COM.
Except not at all.
Earlier this year British Vogue published a list of the 7 Trouser Trends they’d be backing for 2023. And guess who made the cut? Ol’ mate Cargo and Lil’ Miss Straight-Leg Black Jean. I knew it!
Why? Because both these styles have longevity and are super versatile when it comes to styling. All you really need are a few good, elevated basics to make these looks sing like Lady Gaga.
Let’s start with cargo pants, because Lord knows I love anything where I can add a feminine twist to an otherwise gender-neutral pantaloon. Pinterest coughed up these images and I’ve been frothing at the mouth ever since:
In the words of Maximus Decimus Meridius, are you not entertained?
Finding the right pair of cargo pants ain’t easy. Some are unflatteringly baggy, way too wide-legged, or low-rise. Many are too thick, too hot, too pocket-y. But yesterday I landed on the perfect pair from Myer. And they were on sale for $55. They give good drape, they’re light, cool and fit like a glove. My advice is to always size up in trousers. That will give you the ‘hang’ and comfort you deserve without having a labia majora moment, y’know?
I’ll be wearing mine with:
nude strappy flats
Converse high-tops/white sneakers
unexpected/colourful heel
white v-neck t-shirt (I love this boujee one from Sezane; otherwise I love H&M tees all the way.)
fine gold layered jewellery
statement sunglasses
chunky watch
slicked hair
bold lip
Let’s move onto black straight-leg jeans. Vogue confirms that an all-black outfit can be the coolest option and the opposite of boring. When in doubt? Say it with me! Black with a twist. Which is why the right black jean, regardless of season, is a hero piece forever and ever, Amen. Want Pinterest proof?
I landed on the Levi's Middy Straight Jean. Got them on sale at Myer, but lots of retailers stock these, online and in-store. As the name suggest, they sit somewhere between a loose skinny and a boxy straight leg. This is my fourth pair of Levi’s because they just nail classic denim silhouettes and are neat as a pin. [HOT TIP: I’ve been known to unpick the hem of my Levi’s if I want them a bit longer. I’ve left these as is because they hit the right point of my ankle but know you can hem or unhem to your heart’s content!]
I’ll be wearing mine with:
black stilettos
black blouse
vintage belts
white button-down shirt
nude strappy flats
white tee
ballet flats
black bodysuit
pointy-toe kitten heels
Of course, as a basic binch, I never tire from classic, chic monochrome looks BUT it would be a piece of piss to add colour to any of these ‘fits. Bright lip, colourful scarf-worn-as-belt, poppy clutch, printed blouse/tee, bold slingback Go nuts!
Right, I’ve got a Pinterest migraine, but hopefully you’ve found some of this helpful. Let me know how you go!
xo Lise