Would You Wear… Patterned Trousers?
Trousers are rarely thought of as a popular summer style, but after major fashion houses such as Derek Lam, Miu Miu, and Balenciaga introduced them in their Resort collections this season, fashionistas everywhere have been spotted rocking them. Even celebs like Katy Perry and Keira Knightley have worn the trend in various patterns.
So, what to think of this trend? On the plus side, patterned trousers provide a fresh update to a conventional workwear piece – they’re a fun take on something traditional. Also, they could easily be worn with a cute top for a fun day outfit if you’re going – say – shopping or out to lunch with friends.
The problem with patterned trousers, however, is that they can easily become overwhelming. It’s not hard for these trousers to be too colorful or too busy and make you look as if you’re swimming in your outfit. They could also potentially be mistaken for pajama pants if worn with baggy clothes, but this could be solved with a classy pair of heels and jewelry. (See the Derek Lam example on the left, above.)
What do you think?
I want to know your thoughts on this trend: would you wear patterned trousers? If so, what would you wear them with? Is this look fun and whimsical or just tacky and too-much? Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment!
Posted on on July 13, 2010 / Filed Under: Would You Wear? / Tags: Balenciaga, Derek Lam, Katy Perry, Kiera Knightley, Miu Miu, Patterns, Trousers
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Ivet
I would never wear patterned trousers! They resemble my grandmother’s outfits all too much. I don’t see the trend lasting very long only because I don’t believe many people will be able to pull it off without looking extraordinarily tacky.
Brittany
They look like pyjamas (which i would NEVER wear outside)
ELLEN
I guess I can look good on somebody but it’s not my style. So, no.
Kenzie
…What? No example outfit? :(
I was reading this and thought, “Yeah… Maybe. Depends on what they looked like and what they were paired with…”
*scrolls down in expectation..*
Nothing! Gasp!
NanaYaa
nah. lol. that does not look good. AT ALL!!! what brittany sed. lol
MorganPaige
i would definitely not wear patterned trousers, i think ill stick with pattern shorts. Patterned trousers look like pajamas or something an older women would wear with a matching top, or something a young child would wear.
Vanessa
I love patterned pieces – blazers, shorts. However i feel these trousers resemble pajamas way too much and i’d never leave the house in pjs.
cher
Eeew… NEVER, NEVER EVER On my body! NO.
I can do patterened shorts or skirts, but full on pants is too much!
Ashley
I guess I’m in the minority here (although it seems like EVERY one of these Would You Wear posts gets tons of comments from girls saying “OMG, Nooooo! I’d NEVER wear that”, even with trends that they themselves end up wearing a few months later once it’s no longer “outside the norm”), but I actually like these and think they could work if worn right.
The trick for me would be to wear them with heels and make sure the material didn’t look like PJ’s. I’d be looking for something more high quality trouser and less flannel-ish. I firmly believe you can rock anything with some confidence and originality, so I wouldn’t be scared to give these a try either.
lauren
YES! I wear patterned Lilly Pulitzer pants and capris all the time. The key is to make them the centerpiece of your outfit!
Sierra
Obviously you’d have to accept that you’re going for a definite ‘look’ when you wear them, which I would definitely do! If I could find the Miu Miu swallow print on a pair of slightly harem-style pants, I’d wear those in a heartbeart with a simple tank and wedges. I know harem pants are an issue too, but I like pants with a small drape like the Karen Walker pants above.
But, for the record, I do NOT like the full-on ‘is-she-wearing-a-diaper-under-there?’ harems!
Gracey
Lauren has a point, I have seen Lilly Pulitzer pants a lot. But Those don’t really look pajama-y. I don’t wear patterned trousers at all really, not my thing. I feel clownish. Props to anybody who can pull it off though!
Stephanie
Absolutely yes, I would wear them. I especially love the two pairs in the picture on the right.
Chelsea - University of Oklahoma
Remember those pants Vince Vaughn wore in Wedding Crashers while playing football? I’d definitely try patchwork or plaid patterned pants—kind of Brady Bunch 70′s esque. I see boys wearing patterned pants and shorts all the time, especially ones by Vineyard Vines lol. Great post Caitlyn!
Ronnie
patterned pants are a little too much of a pattern… but my mom is making me a pair of patterned shorts right now in a pattern that i picked out. that way it’s a pattern that i really love and hopefully wont get sick of… and they’re shorts so its not too overwhelming
Marissa
Something about patterned pants just screams Stein Mart.
I’ll stick to a patterned skirt!
And BTW, can’t wait for a new article on Back to School Shopping!
Milana
YES! Come to Denmark now and you’ll see many girls wearing them. They’re so 80′s/90′s but if you can rock these, you can rock everything. It definitely takes a lot of style and gut, but they are definitely happening in Europe atm!
Especially in black/white combos! I’m not into the colored ones – they really look like pj’s!
Charlotte - University of Birmingham
I wish that I could pull this off!! I never really wear trousers though but I think if you have the confidence this could be a really cool way to expand your wardrobe!!
Charlotte
Yvonne
I think the farthest I can go with printed bottoms are with skirts and shorts…no pants!
Suzi
Me, probably not. I prefer keeping the interest in the upper half of the outfit. I think the looks would be a little more wearable if paired with something solid on top, with great shoes and a chunky necklace to balance things out vertically.
Leslie
I’m gonna pass on this. Looks too much like my pjs.
Kim
Nope, I couldn’t do it.
Books, Sweat, and Trends
I think it would depend on the body shape and the print. My hips/butt/legs are much smaller compared to my shoulders/chest, so this trend may actually work for my body type. But I think I would stick to something more subtle. Kyla from Blue Collar Catwalk (http://www.bluecollarcatwalk.com/) is really good at pulling off this trend.
Sari
Hmm… yeah, I actually have patterned shorts and I feel like that’s a much more manageable dose. It’s a very retro trend, and I can appreciate that. I wish there were sample outfits though, I think that’s why there’s all those no’s.
Catherine
Nope, they’re just too out there for my style. I don’t think they even look that good on the models.
Joyce
Hmm…you’d have to work extra hard to not get them looking like PJ’s – but if you can do it with patterened skirts and tights – why not trousers? I don’t think the pictures were much of an encouragement: but if you got the right material and cut…
I would be willing to try them out.
Barbara
they look too much like pajamas. so nope not for me.
and um even if they did become fashionable in a few months, i still wouldn’t do it thank you very much. you don’t see me wearing the fantastic acid washed jeans i’ve seen coming back. ick.
A
No, I would never wear them either. Even if everyone around me started wearing them, I still woudn’t. Just not for me.
S
This post is pointless without sample outfits.
Nicolle
A small, simple pattern on fitted trousers would probably work. More elaborate patterns on shorts and skirts are easier to pull off because those clothing items are smaller and usually fitted.
Krisha
I’m not sure that I would want to wear them. They remind me too much of pajama pants! Eeekk!
Cyndle
Only cute skinny college girls like Caity could pull this off. You GO, girl!
Those of us who’ve spent a few years trying to disguise certain pear-shaped tendencies should probably direct the patterns higher up!!!
Tiffany
No way. Please no one wear these! I agree – they look like PJ pants all the way!
Rachel
I would definitely wear patterned pants! I have actually been looking for them but as you would imagine, they are very difficult to find. I think that in the right cut and with the right outfit they could look really vintage/awesome :) I picture a large floral print on a tapered leg, paired with a solid plain top and a long cardigan. Perhaps like this: http://www.polyvore.com/patterned_pants/set?id=20851987
Sharon
Totally! I have these amazing pinstriped cigarette pants! Every girl should get a pair!