How to wear pants and look sexier than ever

By Olivia Fleming
Friday, August 19, 2011
How to wear pants and look sexier than ever
Designs by Monique Lhuillier, Chris Benz and Jason Wu.

It has been 55 years since Yves Saint Laurent first sent pants down the runway, and while it has become de rigueur to see women wearing trousers to work, tuxedos out at night and jeans on the weekend, this season sees a new crop of pants take centre stage.

Forget the usual classic straight legged styles in blacks and neutral shades which usually dominate our winter wardrobe, right now it's all about making pants the feature.

Related: How to wear this season's hottest coats

A quirky printed pant is a great seasonal update. Whether you favour bold geometric prints, earthy ethnic prints or painterly florals, printed pants work well with a basic t-shirt and cosy knit, making a bold anchor for any outfit.

Wear them in silk for luxurious comfort, or in linen for a more tailored look, and if you're willing, contrast colour on colour, or print on print, for even more of a statement.

Pink patterns paired with purple, bright red prints teamed with orange blazers and eye-popping blue floral pants worn with a flowing green silk blouse — anything goes.

On the other end of the spectrum, tailored high-waisted, wide-legged styles that skim the ground were in step with a seventies trend during the spring/summer shows.

Borrow from the boys and wear them with brogues and over-sized jumpers, or turn heads pairing them with sky-high heels and silk blouses unbuttoned to your bra — both accentuating your waist and making your legs appear endless.

And while we continue to farewell the long reign of the cigarette pant, there is no better way to embrace the fact that skinny is out, and wide is in, than with a pair of palazzo pants.

Shifting into an era of seventies infused femininity, palazzo pants in luxurious silks and soft breathable cottons create a soft and fluid silhouette, while keeping you cool on hot summer days.

Related: Top tips for op-shopping

Tuck a flirty blouse into high waisted versions, or wear them slouchy with a simple t-shirt. With designers like Celine and Michael Kors to the major chain store Zara switching their allegiance to these soft and flowing styles, it's time to take note.

From silky white or bolds brights to ethic prints and polka dots, there's a style to suit every style and budget…

Video: Style that flatter every figure

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