Certain things in life are inevitable: death, taxes, and a radical shift in fashion. Low-rise pants have been the prominent silhouette for the last 10 years, and while we've gone from flare to boot-cut to skinny legs, the rise has remained firmly below the belly button. Designers, who obviously stand to benefit from a major silhouette shift, have been tentatively suggesting high-waist looks for a few seasons now, but, mark my words, come spring, it's going to be your only option--I'd estimate that about 90% of the looks that come down the runways for spring had a natural- or high-waist fit. Now, I am just as nervous about this as you are. I am freakishly short-waisted, so I thoroughly appreciate the elongating effect low-rise pants have on my torso, not to mention the fact that I think they're far more comfortable. Nevertheless, I am willing to try something new, and I think now is the time to start introducing the high waist back into the ol' wardrobe. Wide-leg pants are a great way to ease into it, because while they emphasize the smallness of your waist, the cut of the leg is way more forgiving to the bum, hips, and thighs. Give and take, I tell you.
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Stella McCartney and Phoebe Philo are long gone, but Chloe still makes some of the best trousers. I personally have a ban on buying any more black pants for my wardrobe, but if I decide to lift it, this wide-leg pair would be high on my list.
There's something instantly menswear-y about wool tweed pants, but with their elegant drape, there's no mistaking this Dior pant for something borrowed from the boys.
And then there's this Oscar de la Renta pant, whose silhouette reminds me of something an Old Hollywood movie star would wear in the 1940s. Plus, they're Oscar, so you know the fit will be amazing.
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When you can't afford Chloe, See By Chloe is the next best thing. And the slouchy, pleated cut of this high-waisted pant is so great, I daresay I like it even better than the one featured above, from Chloe's primary line.
If you worry about the stomach pooch that may result from the above style,
Grey Ant's flare-leg trouser has a pleated front but a sleeker, more streamlined cut that is more universally flattering.
But as for pleats, I think we should not be scared of them. When placed properly, as in this Mint Jodi Arnold pant, they can be incredibly flattering. (And, bonus: This pant is now on sale too.)
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I was in the new Forever 21 in Soho yesterday, and let me tell you, there are a lot of black pants there. Like, late-'90s amounts of black pants. I have a hard time finding anything specific at that store, but my favorite pair is this one; good luck on actually finding it there.
I would normally discourage buying pants at a chain store, but the paperbag pant is a style that the low-price stores can pull off. Alloy's pant even comes with a free wide belt, key in disguising a thicker stomach (like mine).
But I think Topshop's paperbag pant looks the nicest at this price point--it actually has wool in it, and the cut is a good compromise between classic and trendy, which is just how I want to look in them.
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