Nada Manley - Fun with Fashion Over 40

Ageless Style Confidence

  • Work With Me
  • Ageless Style Program
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • Login

How to Wear Spring’s New Pant Trends

March 30, 2015 By: Nada Manley3 Comments

I’d like to say that I have a thing for dresses because I’m so feminine, but that would be a half-truth. Sure, there’s that, but also, I’m short. This spring, however, pants are hard to ignore, with designers sending so many new styles down the runway, reinventing a closet staple and creating oodles of shopping temptations. Which is awesome, because I was totally out of things to buy.

The catch, and there’s always a catch, is that not every pant is for every woman. Here, as spring style week continues, I examine 4 of spring’s new pant trends, and help you determine whether or not they’re for you.

1. The Culotte

When I was 12, my mom made me red culottes with a matching striped shirt. I have spent the last couple of decades trying to forget that outfit, but this trend brought those memories flooding back. Fortunately, this time around, they look a little different. This season, they’re wide legged and voluminous, sometimes to the point or resembling a skirt, with a medium to high waist.

Are they for you?

These are very forgiving and flattering, but only if you are medium to tall with a long waist. Wear them with a top tucked in for maximum flattery, and a heel if you are on the shorter end of tall. A stacked sandal is ideal.

AX Paris textured quilted black culottes, $24, Amazon

AX Paris textured quilted black culottes, $24, Amazon

Michael Stars high waisted culottes, $138, Amazon

Michael Stars high waisted culottes, $138, Amazon

"Lela" culottes, $315, Anthropologie

“Lela” culottes, $315, Anthropologie

2. The Wide Leg

Airy, flowy wide leg pants are super-comfortable and pretty, especially in the season’s best prints.

Are they for you?

If the length is right, this style will work for anyone. Unlike skinnies, wide leg pants need to be hemmed a specific height, and wedges or heels will work best for most women. If you have shape in your hips, look for a straighter, flowy style, but if you’ve got a boyish or classic hourglass frame, wear these as wide and flowy as you like, provided your legs are long enough so that you don’t appear to be swimming in fabric. Petite women, keep proportion in mind, and opt for a slightly narrower silhouette. Higher waisted styles, like the style from DailyLook, below, are best on longer waisted women.

DailyLook classic wide leg pants, $75, Amazon

DailyLook classic wide leg pants, $75, Amazon

Level 99 Newport wide leg jean, $114, Amazon

Level 99 Newport wide leg jean, $114, Amazon

Aryn K lattice print wide leg pant, $154, Amazon

Aryn K lattice print wide leg pant, $154, Amazon

3. The Flare

Yes, boyfriend jeans are still super-stylish and current, but if they’re not your thing, flares are the other major denim (and pant) trend this season.

Are they for you?

Any pant style that is narrow at the knee and wider at the ankle, like a flare, will accentuate the hip and booty area, which makes them best for women with classic hourglass or even boyish frames. If you’re curvy in the hips, these may not be your best choice.

LA Hearts flare leg pant, $29.99, Amazon

LA Hearts flare leg pant, $29.99, Amazon

Rachel Zoe tropical wool flare tuxedo pant, $165.20, Amazon

Rachel Zoe tropical wool flare tuxedo pant, $165.20, Amazon

MiH "Marrakesh" flared jeans, $230, Amazon

MiH “Marrakesh” flared jeans, $230, Amazon

4. The Jogger

This relaxed, super-comfortable silhouette is your new yoga or sweat pant. This style generally has an elasticized waist (yes to lunch!), a slim but slouchy leg and is banded or cuffed at the hem.

Are they for you?

This easy style works on pretty much every body type, provided the details are right. Most women will want to avoid any unnecessary gathering, fabric or huge ties at the waistline that can add bulk and limit the versatility.

Eyeshadow jogger with elastic waist, $38, Amazon

Eyeshadow jogger with elastic waist, $38, Amazon

Alternative rayon twill jogger, $49, Amazon

Alternative rayon twill jogger, $49, Amazon

Kentia jogger, $128, Anthropologie

Kentia jogger, $128, Anthropologie

No, the newly hip mom jeans did not make the list. Trust me. It’s for your own good. Out of the styles that did make my wearable-in-real-life edit, which is your favorite? (Oh, and as always, pictures are all linked, so click on them to shop.)

More from Nada

  • Pantry Raid, Part 1: 5 Best Tips to Organize Your PantryPantry Raid, Part 1: 5 Best Tips to Organize Your Pantry
  • The 17 Best Beauty Gifts
  • Smoothies, Springtime, and Small-Scale StyleSmoothies, Springtime, and Small-Scale Style
  • Capsule Wardrobe Essentials: The T-ShirtCapsule Wardrobe Essentials: The T-Shirt
  • Affordable Holiday Dress Ideas (The Finale!)Affordable Holiday Dress Ideas (The Finale!)
  • Life Lessons Learned from Little GirlsLife Lessons Learned from Little Girls
Sovrn

Comments

  1. Nada Manley says

    April 4, 2016 at 9:05 pm

    I love mine Jan! You won’t regret it!

  2. Jan says

    April 4, 2016 at 12:05 am

    I think I may have to go buy or make a pair of joggers!

  3. Carol says

    March 31, 2015 at 8:46 am

    I’ve never been a fan of sweat pants but these look really cute. Not ready to give up the slim leg so I’d vote for the Jogger.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Anti-Spam Quiz:

FREE OVER 40 WARDROBE GUIDE!

Discover how to overhaul your wardrobe and have fun with fashion again!

CLICK HERE!

I’m so happy to see you here! I’m Nada Manley, your "fashion friend"! I can't wait to help you conquer your closet and regain your style confidence. First, let me tell you more about me.
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

8-Book Series! Beauty Tips from the Experts

Archives

Copyright © 2023 · Nada Manley

  • Work With Me
  • Ageless Style Program
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • Login