Decades ago, pants were considered scandalous attire for women, but today, they’re a classic staple in any woman’s wardrobe. Depending on the style, pants can take you from a day on the job to an exciting date night – and everything in between. We’ve put together some of the pants styles you should definitely have in your closet, as well as a few tips for styling them.
1 – Trousers
Trousers are one of the dressier pant styles that are perfect for work or even a night out after work. If you’re not a skirt girl, they’re the ideal choice in office wear, and they’re so easy to style. You’ll definitely want a few pairs of classic black trousers in your office – they look great with nearly anything.
Of course, you don’t want them to look boring. According to The Fashion Tag, you should select trousers in quality fabrics so you have a posh vibe, and you’ll usually want to go with high waist pants for the office. Pair them with a simple white silk blouse and then go bold with accessories. Another option is to style them with a bright blazer and a pair of studded pumps.
Styleoholic also notes that navy trousers also look elegant for the office. Straight cuts or skinnies are the best choices for work. Pair navy trousers with a black shirt and gray coat for a modern look. Try them with a floral blouse, a long white jacket, and pumps. Or put together navy trousers, a plaid shirt, camel jacket, and leopard flats for a chic office outfit.
2 – Leggings
Leggings aren’t just for yoga, working out, and lounging around the house anymore. In fact, fashion A-listers like Victoria Beckham, Rita Ora, and Vanessa Hudgens wear them everywhere. Available in many styles and colors, some of the hottest trends in leggings include:
- Leather Leggings – Think back to Oliva Newton-John in Grease in those high-waisted leather leggings.
- Printed Leggings – Tie dyes, animal prints, geometrics, and florals are all hot.
- Embellished – Embellished leggings include fun details like zippers, knee patches, studs, sheer panels, and pockets.
Need some ideas for styling leggings? Turn leather leggings into a dress-up look by adding a basic t-shirt, a dressy blazer, and a pair of stilettos. This outfit is perfect for work and transitions into evening drinks.
Leggings also look great with a chunky knit sweater, turtleneck, and over-the-knee boots. Or Refinery29 even suggests wearing them under a romantic, lace skirt with a crop top.
3 – Jogging Pants
Celebrities have proven that jogging pants and sweatpants can be turned into a fashion statement. The truth – you can be comfortable and stylish at the same time, and stars like Selena Gomez, Rihanna, and Kendall Jenner are all fans of jogging pants (even on the red carpet).
Of course, there are a few tricks you’ll need to know if you’re going to turn jogger pants into on-trend street style. Take a page from Bella Hadid’s style and pair a pair of joggers with a Nike crop top and a pair of high-tops. Or try a velvet pair of jogging pants and elevate the look with a denim jacket and booties like Kendall Jenner did.
Kourtney Kardashian made sweatpants look sexy by topping them with a sheer top so you got a glimpse of her strappy bra. Add edge to the look by wearing your jogging pants with a tough moto leather jacket and a pair of gold pumps.
4 – Palazzo Pants
Palazzo pants were popular back in the 1960s and 1970s, and they’ve recently made a big comeback. The super-wide leg, loose, flowing pants are easy to turn into an effortlessly chic outfit. Whether it’s chilly out or the weather is warm, you can style these pants for any season.
One idea is to style them with a simple tee. This keeps your look casual and lets your pants stand out. Heading to a party? You’ll want a pair of silk palazzo pants and a pair of strappy sandals. For summer, white palazzo pants look cool and crisp with a floral top.
Crop tops and tank tops look great with palazzo pants, especially since you have so much material on the bottom. Make them office-ready by adding a cami and topping with a dressy blazer. The perfect pumps and a structured handbag will have you ready for a day at work.
5 – Cargo Pants
Cargo pants aren’t just for the guys – they were a huge hit with the ladies in the 1990s. If you love utilitarian style, you’ll be happy to know they’re hot all over again. According to InStyle, cargo pants trace back to World War II, but you’ll find designs today from the hottest designers, such as Prabal Gurung, Givenchy, and Balenciaga.
Celebs like Emily Ratajkowski, Rihanna, Bella Hadid, and Hailey Baldwin all love rocking cargo pants, and with a few style tips, you can, too. For a sporty, edgy look, wear your cargos with a leather biker jacket and add a pair of ankle boots. Give cargo pants a feminine twist with a lacy blouse and strappy sandals.
Want to wear your cargo pants to work? Add a button-down shirt and pumps for a professional look. Or you copy style maven Victoria Beckham and wear cargos with a blazer and a low ponytail for a style that’s all business.
