Now, as much as I happily admit that I'm a dress devotee, there's something about the cooler, crisper weather of autumn that makes trousers my first port of call when getting ready in the morning. Dresses will always look great with knee-high boots, and skirts are cute with fluffy knits and long coats, but this year's trouser trends have been so outstanding, that I'm ready to shake off romantic styles and floaty silhouettes and lean into something a little more tailored.
After a lockdown spent in jogging bottoms and leggings, the first thing I reached for when dressing up again was a pair of wide-leg trousers (and the effortlessly chic fit is always my go-to for polished and professional), but there are so many other trouser styles to consider to instantly elevate your wardrobe with zero fuss.
From the return of cigarette trousers (both slim and cropped styles), to the loose and laid-back PJ pant, trousers really are the foundation of a good capsule wardrobe, and investing in a pair in classic black, navy, white or neutral is a decision you'll never regret, as the outfit possibilities are endless. From office-ready tailoring to your off-duty uniform, this simple piece of clothing is a smart addition to any wardrobe, and I can prove it.
With your seasonal wardrobe in mind, I've scoured the socials and street style pictures to find the very best trouser-outfit inpso that fashion people have to offer, and they do not disappoint. From supersized, slouchy fits to leg-lengthening looks, you can rest assured that these are easy outfits you can wear on heavy rotation.
So, without further ado, keep scrolling to see nine expensive-looking trouser outfits well worth screenshotting. That's your autumn wardrobe, sorted.
1. CROPPED TROUSERS + NEUTRAL KNIT + BALLET FLATS
Style Notes: If you're in need of an expensive-looking outfit that takes no longer than five minutes to assemble, you just found it. A neutral knit goes with just about anything in your wardrobe, but sized up and baggy, it looks unbeatably chic with cropped trousers and flats. For extra style points, there's something decidedly Parisian about ballet pumps in particular.
SHOP THE LOOK:
Pure, strokably soft cashmere.
H&M has best range of cigarette trousers on the high street, hands down.
These look at least three times their price tag.
2. WIDE-LEG TROUSERS + WAISTCOAT
Style Notes: If I'm grateful for any trend that has taken off over the last few years, it would undoubtedly be the waistcoat. Whether you wear it with jeans, skirts or shorts, it always looks polished, but matching wide-leg trousers are the key to tailored perfection.
SHOP THE LOOK:
You can rewear this waistcoat again with midi and maxi skirts, or even over dresses.
Black wide-leg trousers should be considered a wardrobe staple.
A true It bag in the making.
3. TAILORED TROUSERS + CARDIGAN
Style Notes: Sarah Louise Blythe's look manages to tick off three trends at once—cardigan, slouchy trousers and mesh pumps—and it's the perfect outfit for work, play and everything in between.
SHOP THE LOOK:
Such a cute cardigan.
These great trousers come in no less than 14 different colours.
Mesh ballet flats have finally made it to the high street.
4. STRAIGHT-LEG TROUSERS + SHEARLING JACKET + HEELED BOOTS
Style Notes: Dare I say it? Winter is coming, and you're going to want to invest in cosy shearling before the temperatures drop. Zara's take on the aviator jacket sells out every year, and it could be because of just how well it dresses both up and down. A case in point: the sleek ankle-boot-and-trouser pairing above.
SHOP THE LOOK:
I have a feeling that this is about to fly out of stock.
BRB, just copying this entire look.
Wearable leather boots like this never go out of style, so consider these a wise investment.
5. WIDE-LEG TROUSERS + OVERSIZED SHIRT
Style Notes: Conclusive proof that wide-leg trousers look good in every colour, we're taking notes on Emily Wells' combination of cream trousers and a black shirt [pictured above]; an inverted take on the classic black-trousers-and-white-shirt outfit that we've been relying on for years.
SHOP THE LOOK:
If you need a shirt of premium quality, With Nothing Underneath is where to go.
They might be on the pricier side, but you can guarantee that these won't go sheer.
I can't think of a single bag from The Row that I don't have on my wish list.
6. CORDUROY TROUSERS + LEATHER JACKET
Style Notes: It just wouldn't be autumn without cosy fabrics like corduroy, and I have a feeling that you're going to be seeing much more of it for the remainder of 2023. Layer up tactile textures like wool, leather and a pair of cords for a toasty outfit that's as functional as it is fashionable.
SHOP THE LOOK:
There's no need for real leather when faux looks this good.
Citizens of Humanity doesn't just make outstanding jeans—there's cords too.
You'll wear these for years to come.
7. HEAD-TO-TOE TONAL
Style Notes: The colour trend of 2023? Sorry Barbie, it's Oppenheimer grey, and it's most notably worn head to toe. There's no arguing just how put-together this outfit looks, and the grey wide-leg trousers are making us wonder whether there's a new style in town about to knock black trousers off the top spot.
SHOP THE LOOK:
A boxy maxi coat? Sign me up.
You'll be grateful for a versatile roll neck come winter.
H&M wide-leg trousers are a Who What Wear UK favourite.
8. CARGO TROUSERS + BOMBER JACKET
Style Notes: If you've been wanting to dip a toe into the Y2K comeback but didn't know how to make it feel "grown up", Karina [pictured above] has the answer. Cargo trousers are the one trend we didn't predict would take over in such a big way, but when worn with a bomber and all-white trainers, I'm convinced that this is a cool-girl's weekend outfit well worth replicating.
SHOP THE LOOK:
This sought-after jacket is back in stock, for now.
Hands down, the coolest cargo pants I've seen in months.
You can't beat clean white trainers.
9. COTTON PJ PANTS + CARDIGAN
Style Notes: And… relax. You've made it through another week and you're ready to chill out on the weekend, but stiff jeans are the furthest thing from your mind. They may look like pyjamas, but pinstriped cotton trousers are having a moment this year, and they're just as comfortable as any loungewear option. Finally, an alternative to casual jogging bottoms.
SHOP THE LOOK:
We're forever in love with cashmere.
Trust The Frankie Shop to give us PJ pants with It-girl charm.
Your feet will thank you.
Next Up: 11 Under-the-Radar High-Street Brands That Are Just as Good as Zara
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