I'm a Dress Devotee, But These 4 Classic Trouser Styles Are Set to Dominate My Spring Wardrobe

For several years I've witnessed the comings and goings of trouser trends as an inactive bystander but SS24 is the season I plan to rise to the occasion. Designers have spoken and the time for sleek and inspired trousers is nigh, so what better time to welcome pieces into my midst? The most prevalent trouser styles are recurring trends that are reintroduced each spring, however, there are a few contemporary and practical styles that will appease many shoppers in the coming months.

The wide-leg trouser has cemented itself as a fashion hero and elevated tailoring to new heights. Form-fitting trousers have become a thing of the past, in place of generous swathes of fabric, a billowy flow and elongated lengths (which may be an issue for those vertically challenged like me, but I digress). Autumn's cocoa hue will continue to be lauded for summer, paired with cream tones, deep grey or tonal looks.

Among spring and summer's most exciting bottom-half trends are bunched-at-the-waist drawstring trousers. Come March, retailers begin releasing linen trousers with a drawstring waist in anticipation of the summer holidays but this year, the casual element has been incorporated into jeans, too! There are many from which to take your pick. The selections are compelling, and reimagined versions of trousers are enticing even the non-trouser wearers among us. Keep reading to learn about the four trouser trends we'll be seeing everywhere this spring.

1. Wide-Leg Trousers

Danielle Jinadu

(Image credit: @daniellejinadu)

Style Notes: Be it wide-leg trousers or puddle pants, overstated trousers boasting material in excess have become a much-loved and timeless trend. The options are endless. Pair wide-leg trousers with matching blazers or streamlined tops, to create the silhouette your heart desires.

Shop Wide-Leg Trousers:

2. Utility-Style Trousers

Liv Madeline wears cargo trousers

(Image credit: @_livmadeline)

Style Notes: Noughties themes live on in the cargo trouser and SS24 has birthed a formal feeling pair with a tad more suave and sophistication. The modern cargo pant is part straight-leg trouser with squared pockets that speak to a utilitarian look. Often presented in a khaki green, it looks darling with aubergine hues and classic white, black and grey.

Shop Utility-Style Trousers:

3. Drawstring Trousers

Monikh

(Image credit: @monikh)

Style Notes: Drawstring linen trousers have become a seasonal trend that alludes to the impending bright forecast, though this year we've been introduced to the relaxed trouser type, in addition to the trouser denim hybrid. The thin shoe-lace detailing is to 2024 what the paper bag waist was to 2017. It's the slight difference between a formal and informal trouser.

Shop Drawstring Trousers:

4. Brown Trousers

Abi Marvel

(Image credit: @abimarvel)

Style Notes: The brown phenomenon has dominated the fashion scene for the past few years. Starting with top-half offerings and dresses, it's now migrated south appearing on trousers and jeans, alike. You'll notice the prevalence of loose-fit and sweeping brown trousers, ahead of spring 2024, which you can pair with ecru, black or additional brown pieces for a tonal look.

Shop Brown Trousers:

Freelance Fashion Editor

Avalon Afriyie is a freelance writer and storyteller based in London. She specialises in sustainable fashion, health and the narratives of marginalised communities. She has a background in fashion show production and styling, having previously worked on The Clothes Show and with the Lyst Group. Since graduating in 2013 with a BA (Hons) in English and contemporary media, she’s worked as a feature writer for an independent publication and a contributor for Quill’s creator network. She now marries her passion for words and style, writing for some of the most esteemed fashion and lifestyle publications, Who What Wear UK and Stylist. Avalon also provides copywriting services, creative consultancy, and visual media for independent businesses, including travel guides, interviews, press releases and blog posts. Her work has been featured on Lush, Contiki, Youswim and Ohne. She spends her days writing to her heart’s content for business and pleasure, shooting on film and dreaming of residing a stone’s throw away from the ocean with her love and a pup (clad in a sweeping frock, of course). She’s currently penning ideas for a book of personal essays and free verse poetry on love, life and the stages in between.