Transition from winter to spring by pairing a slip or tunic with cool-weather leather pants or jeans.
Man Repeller’s Leandra Medine described the dress-over-trousers trend as “a good and easy way to make old clothes feel fresh”.
And, as we begin to transition into warmer weather, there’s no need to choose between shivering in a summery dress and being sensible in slacks – you really can have it both ways while reinvigorating your wardrobe. For the past few seasons, the trend has been simmering on the surface of fashion circles – the 90s look slowly dripping, like cold-pressed coffee, into the mainstream. While the thought of pairing a dress with pants can seem like one of those trends you are reluctant to relive, the modern take is sleek, clean and flattering for many figures. As we begin to say goodbye to winter, sweater dresses are the perfect way to do it. The key here is to play with proportion and not to be alarmed by the notion of wearing long over long – that’s what this trend is all about.
A slip dress in a sheer fabric worn over leather pants offers textural contrast – Liam’s Spring 2015 Flicker 3/4 Dress in its shimmery transparent bronze is the ultimate layering piece for evening. Emma Watson led the way in 2014 when she wore Dior Couture to the Golden Globes. It was a classic, demure but fashion-forward look that proved there really is a place for pants on the red carpet and we’ve found a perfectly elegant pair in World’s Barbican Trouser, the relaxed cigarette-fit making these essential for layering loose slip dresses and shirting styles.
Embrace a holiday-friendly vibe with Sherie Muijs, whose below-the-knee linen shirts with wide-leg trousers acknowledge a Japanese aesthetic – one that spells chic comfort. When donning this loose-fitting style, look for tunics or shirt dresses that are split at the side to create fluidity and movement, and wear with a pair of leather slides or Birkenstocks for effortless summer style. If in doubt, you can’t go wrong with matching your dress to your pants – be it in terms of colour, texture or pattern. And if your wardrobe is full of skinny jeans, give them a new lease of life under a slinky silk slip. Some may call it man-repelling; we call it re-writing the rules.
Words: Lucy Slight
Photos: Getty Images
