Whenever a new year rolls around, the first thing on my agenda is predicting the trends that are about to start making their way from the runways to the stores. As a dress devotee, I've always got one eye on the new minis, midis and maxis that are coming to the fore, but with the second season of 2024 on the horizon, I couldn't help but notice just how many trouser styles were proving popular over the first few months of the year. Of course, there will always be the anti-trend wardrobe staples that you can buy now and wear forever (that's you, wide-leg trousers, leggings and straight-leg jeans), but what of the buzzier styles being championed for the coming months? Well, trouser fans, I'm happy to say that from '90s throwbacks to loose-legged, casual fits, there's a lot to get excited about in 2024.
Starting with last year's most-discussed runway moments and then scouring through street style images, I've spotted six styles that feel the most compelling for the year ahead. Should you be tired of relying on the same pair of blue jeans, there's plenty in the way of leather, linen, cotton and reworked denim, and a whole host of new silhouettes, and I'm convinced you'll find at least one that you hadn't considered before but that will work wonders for your wardrobe.
So, if you're passionate about pants or are ready to trade in your floaty skirts for something a little more substantial, keep scrolling to see six trouser trends for 2024 that you'll be seeing everywhere in the upcoming months. You heard it here first.
1. CAPRIS
Style Notes: After we welcomed back jelly shoes, bandeau tops, baby tees and chokers, it was only a matter of time until the definitive late '90s/early '00s trouser style made its return. Lately, the Who What Wear UK editors' group chat has been busily discussing the power of the pedal-pusher. Yes, capris are back, and these calf-hugging wonders actually look decidedly chic when paired with a heel (who knew?). Our best styling advice is to play with proportions and balance out the cropped fit with oversized shirts and boxy blazers.
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2. GREY DENIM
Style Notes: After speaking to the denim experts at Citizens of Humanity and Agolde towards the end of last year, it was immediately clear that 2024 is set to be a game-changer for grey jeans. Popular cuts and shapes may change with the seasons, but we've always been faithful to an indigo wash; that is until now, when the recent runways made such a hero out of slate grey that it changed the way we thought about our jeans in the process. It makes sense—grey manages to be versatile, polished and just the right level of distressed to feel "cool", which is exactly what we want from a pair of jeans we're likely to wear on rotation with everything from heels to trainers.
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3. POLISHED CARGOS
Style Notes: And we're back to the noughties for another unexpectedly dressy trend—the cargo trouser. When they first returned last year, the sight (and sound) of this voluminous trouser style caught us off guard and had us wondering just how to make baggy trousers look chic. As it turns out, the answer comes in the form of a "grown-up" cargo; cut from weightier, luxe fabrics and with only the minimum number of pockets required. Simply throw on a pair of low heels and this loose-leg trouser is elevated to evening-ready heights in an instant.
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4. SNAKE PRINT
Style Notes: Whilst Instagram is busily distracted by the leopard print movement that has been happening over the past few months, there's an equally wild alternative for those less taken by the big-cat craze—snakeskin. Searches are up for "snake print boots", "snake print skirts" and even "snake print dresses", so it's no wonder that along with a newfound love for the print would be an updated leather trouser. Channel TyLynn Nguyen's head-to-toe look (pictured above) to score maximum points, or keep it simple with a black turtleneck and ankle boots.
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5. CORDUROY
Style Notes: When the temperature drops we immediately seek out the best cold-weather pieces, and where better to turn than to a French style staple: the corduroy trouser. Over the past few years we've noticed more and more tastemakers making the once "dated" style look impossibly chic, and as it turns out, cords can become one of the most hard-working styles in your wardrobe. They're cosy and sturdy and can be styled in a myriad of ways—we'll be taking cues from Marianne Smyth's androgynous styling (pictured above) and pairing ours with a chunky knit and pair of loafers.
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6. "SKOUSERS"
Style Notes: According to Connor Ives, Fendi, Heron Preston and Phillip Lim, you don't need to shelve your skirts in favour of trousers this year; you can actually wear both at once. Yes, you read that correctly. "Skousers" are the third and final throwback on this list, and they're already proving to be a street style smash hit. Whether they're a tailored wide-leg, pull-on jersey or have a cargo finish, this style hack is huge on TikTok right now, so it's only a matter of time before you can expect to see it on the high street too.
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This piece was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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