And just like that, a new year rolls around, and the first thing on our agenda is predicting the trends that are about to start making their way from the catwalk to the ready-to-wear market. As a self-confessed dress devotee, I’ve always got one eye on the new minis, midis and maxis that are coming up from under the radar, but as I carried out my usual new year recce, I couldn’t help but notice just how many trouser styles were proving popular over the last few months. Of course, there will always be the anti-trend wardrobe staples that you can buy now and wear forever (that’s you wide-legs, 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 bodycon 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 scouring through street style, I’ve spotted six particular 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 will work wonders for your wardrobe).
So, if you’re passionate about pants or are merely ready to trade in your floaty skirts for something a little more substantial, keep scrolling to see six trousers trends for 2024 that you’ll be seeing everywhere in the upcoming months. You heard it here first.
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 Noughties trouser made its presence felt, and lately the Who What Wear editors group chat has been busily discussing the power of the pedal pusher. Yes, capris are back, and this calf-hugging wonder actually looks decidedly chic when paired with a heel (who knew). Our best styling advice? Play with proportions and balance out the cropped fit with oversized shirts and boxy blazers.
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 as quickly as the seasons, but we’ve always been faithful to an indigo wash, that is until now, when the runway made such a hero out of slate grey that it changed the way we thought about our jeans in the process. It makes sense after all, grey manages to be versatile, polished and just the right amount of distressed to feel “cool”—everything we could want from a pair of jeans we’re likely to wear on rotation with everything from heels to trainers.
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 caught us off guard and had us wondering just to how to make baggy trousers look chic. As it turns out, the answer came in the form of a “grown-up” cargo, cut from weightier, luxe fabrics and with only the minimum required amount of pockets. Simply throw on a low heel and this loose-leg trouser is elevated to evening-ready heights an instant.
Style Notes: While Instagram is busily distracted by the leopard print movement that has been cropping up over the last few months, there is 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”, no wonder then that along with a newfound love for the print would be an updated leather trouser. Channel Tylynn’s head-to-toe look (pictured above) to score maximum points, or keep it simple with a black turtleneck and ankle boots.
When the temperatures drop we immediately seek out the best cold-weather pieces, and what better trouser to turn to than 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, corduroys can be one of the most hard-working styles in your wardrobe. Cosy, sturdy, and can be styled in a myriad of ways, we’ll be taking cues from Marianne Smyth’s androgynous styling and pairing ours with a chunky knit and pair of loafers.
Style Notes: According to Connor Ives, Fendi, Heron Preston and Phillip Lim, you don’t actually 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 the 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 expect to see it on the high street too.
