Dressing chicly in the middle of a seasonal transition can be difficult, specifically the unpredictability of the time between autumn and winter. Just this weekend, for example, I stepped out of the house dressed in a hooded trench coat and a pair of knee boots, readied for a downpour, only to find glorious sunshine the moment I stepped off the train in town. Knowing what to wear and when to wear it is anyone's guess until the cooler temperatures truly settle in (by then, there's no room for doubt), but if there is one wardrobe staple I know I can rely on until that point, it's trousers.
Trousers have been integral to the 2022 aesthetic. From cut-outs to unbuttoned waistlines, there has certainly been a fair share of eyebrow-raising iterations along the way to entertain us. However, the overall trouser mood has been more classic and timeless, and, unlike other trends born on TikTok, the season's key trouser trends have been sparked by celebrities.
Early adopters of the top trouser trends of the season, celebrities have proven that comfort and style needn't be mutually exclusive with their ensembles. Take Dakota Johnson, who showcases a fresh silhouette of black tailored trousers as she runs errands in NYC. Then there's Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, who makes a case for the elevated legging style that works outside of the home or the gym. Even leather trousers, once considered one of the more restrictive trouser options, are more appeasing in straight-leg form, as evidenced by Jasmine Tookes.
Keep scrolling to see the eight celebrity trouser trends that have influenced the way we shop in 2022 and that we intend on wearing well into 2023.
1. BLACK TAILORED
Style Notes: Never has the black tailored trouser been considered so fashionable as it has been this year. Slipping on a pair would previously give me flashbacks of getting ready for school. Now, though, with a wider fit and tailored waistband, there's nothing that makes me feel sleeker. As Dakota Johnson demonstrates, the black tailored trouser can work with practically any top half, be it a fitted shirt or a casual knitted cardigan and bra top two-piece.
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COS's tailored trousers never stick around for long.
A sleek look I'd like to re-create in its entirety.
2. LEATHER
Style Notes: I spent years searching for leather trousers that would fit my curvy, size-12 frame, but with all the spray-on or tapered styles that dominated, my quest was fruitless. That was until straight-leg styles, just like Jasmine Tookes's pair, came into play.
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Our editor in chief, Hannah Almassi, recently reviewed these faux-leather trousers and had amazing things to say about them.
French brand Miaou was big on the street style scene this fashion month.
3. FLARE
Style Notes: The '70s have played a big role in shaping the style aesthetic this year, with the return of the flared trouser causing much debate. This time around, the silhouette is less defined, owing to the use of more fluid, unstarched fabrics, which has given flares a more elevated finish. Make like Hailey Bieber, and pair yours for an easy polished 'fit.
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Hailey's suit on a budget.
When it comes to well-fitting flares, Reiss can't be beaten.
4. SPLIT-HEM LEGGINGS
Style Notes: Sometimes the smallest tweaks can make all the difference, and that's certainly the case when it comes to leggings—split the hem and the basic jersey trouser instantly feels more glamorous. Follow Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's lead and finish with slingback heels and an oversize blazer.
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Front-split leggings will make your legs look extra long.
These come in sizes 6 to 26.
5. PUDDLE
Style Notes: With everyone from Kate, the Princess of Wales, to Zoë Kravtiz wearing them, puddle pants have been the trouser trend of 2022, and their appeal is showing no signs of waning the closer we get to 2023. With excess fabric that pools around the ankle, this perhaps isn't the trouser style to choose on a rainy day, but its versatility makes it a wardrobe staple nonetheless.
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Reformation's Mason trousers come with the best reviews.
The perfect navy shade.
6. CARGO
Style Notes: The Y2K aesthetic is going nowhere; Bella Hadid's cargo pants can attest to that! The trouser loans itself to casual outfits, with flat shoes and leather outerwear serving as the It-girl-approved way to style them.
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You'll be hard-pressed to find better-value cargo trousers.
Another Frankie Shop buy I'm expecting to be a sell-out.
7. LONG JEANS
Style Notes: You've likely honed in on the recurring themes of wider legs and longer hems that keep cropping up, and both apply to jeans, too. Katie Holmes is just one of the celebrities currently favouring loose-fitting denim over skinnies this season.
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These jeans are slowly taking over my Instagram feed.
M&S is adept at creating staple jeans in a variety of colours to suit all, from black to deep blue to this light wash.
8. SILK
Style Notes: If wearing your pyjamas out of the house is basically your dream outfit scenario, then you're going to want to invest in a pair of silk trousers. Mary-Kate Olsen was snapped in a black pair, which she styled with white trainers and a black wool coat, cementing them as one of the chicest trouser trends of 2022 in the process. Of course, you could buy a pair of her own design by way of The Row, but there are plenty of high-street options to consider, too.
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On the high street, no one is doing silk trousers quite like H&M.
The Row has silk trousers in countless colours.
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