iStyle: The big easy - Baggy Trousers

It’s time to switch your skinnies for super-wide strides

Model wears By David Phelan Jonathan Saunders prefall 2014

After seasons of spray-on jeans and airtight leather leggings, a new slouchy trouser shape has breezed back in, offering a louche, Seventies-inspired silhouette that looks as easy-going as it feels. Daunted? Perhaps Chloé’s Clare Waight Keller can convince you otherwise.

In graphic monochrome checks or soft-pink crepe, her sleek, sports-luxe offering loosens up structured biker jackets and duster coats with fuss-free, Gallic cool. H&M follows a similar thread with softly draped, surprisingly forgiving styles in bold stripes and classic black cotton.

XXL tailoring was also on the menu at Jonathan Saunders, where low-slung red silk trousers with racing stripes added a lo-fi, retro feel to striped tops, duck-egg blue blazers and white leather shoes. While emerging London-based talent, Thomas Tait, showed technical innovation with his modern take on the trend, using sharp, sculptural folds to create curved seams. In woven pink or pale-blue neoprene, Asos provides a purse-friendly alternative.

For evening, it’s impossible not to be swayed by Calvin Klein’s understated and elegant approach, where belted camisoles were layered over billowing wool trousers of the same neutral shade. Whistles has also turned out a figure-flattering look, with fluid pairs that cinch at the waist – the ideal partner to a sheer blouse or strapless top by night. Or, to really amp up glamour stakes, then the black striped satin style by Kate Moss for Topshop makes a sultry pairing to a fitted racer-back vest or barely-there camisole

And don’t be fooled into thinking that wide-leg trousers require lofty model proportions. The key to wearing this season’s most coveted pairs is all down to the correct shoes. If you’re less than 5ft 5in, elevate with simple leather mules (see Miu Miu) or a delicate strappy sandal. Otherwise, pointed flats or slim white trainers feel right.