Looking for the top combinations for your trousers outfits? Check out these gorgeous outfits with trousers that work for any body shape and event!
If you’re not into jeans or leggings, trousers are life-savers. They come in different fabrics, shapes, and sizes, and anyone, regardless of lifestyle, can find a pair that suits them.
Trousers used to be associated with formal and smart-casual attires, but now, a pair is so versatile that you can dress it up or down quite easily. You can wear them with a shirt just as much as you can wear them with a blazer suit.
Many women used to think that trousers had one standard stereotype, which is the black straight-leg trousers that you see in offices and corporate spaces. While there is nothing wrong with that classic pair, trousers now come in a variety of silhouettes from straight, wide-leg, cropped, to paper bag styles!
If you think trousers aren’t for you, then that simply means you still haven’t found the perfect pair. Keep on reading to find a pair that suits your shape and discover ways to style them.
Let’s hop in!
Types Of Trousers
First, let’s go over the different types of trousers you can purchase.
Chinos
If you’re looking for a pair of lightweight, stretchy, and comfortable pants, then a pair of Chino trousers is the one for you!
Chinos can be worn for business-casual outfits and vacations when looking for an actual dress alternative. The lightweight twill/cotton used for Chinos is usually great fitted than too tight or too baggy. This type is also very breathable and stretchable, making it a suitable option for people with lifestyles of constant activity. A tailored look and freedom of movement are what you get when you choose a pair of Chinos.
How to style:
Chinos can be worn with a dressy casual blouse, a button-down, or a shirt. If you’re wearing them for a business casual look, you might want to go with a button-down shirt and/or a tucked-in shirt.
Culottes
With Culottes’ iconic rise in the 21st century, this style of trousers is fairly new compared to other types. The term “Culottes” is from the French word “culot”, which describes an object with a bottom that resembles a skirt. These pairs are not usually what one would wear in a traditional office setting, but rather something that you wear on a vacation or beach trip.
Culottes are very similar to a maxi skirt, except you can move around more spontaneously. The emphasized, wide-legged cut also favors bodies with an inverted triangle and pear shape. The shape it is made with balances the volume of your upper body or creates an illusion of a cinched waist.
How to style:
If there’s something you shouldn’t wear with culottes, it’s an oversized top. You might also want to skip the bulky sneakers and stick with something dainty, like a pair of dressy sandals or one-strap heels. This structure balances the whole outfit and redirects the eyes to the lower part of the body. A fitted shirt, a simple tube top, or a body suit are just some of the best options you can consider.
Paperbag Pants
Next to Culottes, Paperbag pants have become very popular, particularly in 2019. They are comfortable, almost like sweatpants, but are made of medium-weight knit or linen that looks tailored and smart when pressed. These gartered pants come with a belt that pulls at your waist, which makes it look tighter, slimmer, and more emphasized. Paperbag pants are not technically baggy but rather spacious, to allow a bit of illusion at the waist.
While Paperbag pants are categorized as trousers, they are not recommended for business-casual or semi-formal purposes. Technically, these trousers are very much casual and are something you’d wear with an equally casual (fitted) top, like a tank top, a cropped bra top, or a basic tee.
How to style:
Paperbag pants are classy and very easy to style. The way you style these pants is very similar to how you would style a pair of culottes. Fitted clothes are ideal since the bottoms are semi-flared or baggy. A great way to transform a basic ensemble like this into a sophisticated fit is by wearing close or open-toed heels. For a casual day-trip look, a pair of white sneakers are perfect.
Flared Bell Bottoms
Flared bell bottoms are great for adding drama and spice to any outfit. Compared to culottes and paper bag pants, flared bell bottoms are usually made with classic trouser seams, button placement/s, and pockets. In a sense, they are more formal and business-ready than the former types mentioned. But like them, its wide bottom element creates an illusion of a slimmer waist and balanced body shape. The wide bell that starts from the knees down to the bottom also makes you look taller than any type of trousers on the list.
How to style:
Flared bell bottoms can be worn in formal settings with dressier tops and button-downs. I would style mine by wearing a long-sleeved button-down and a matching or complimenting blazer. I like to elongate my overall silhouette by finishing off with a pair of stiletto heels. To dress it up, I like to add necklaces and/or stacked rings.
Palazzo
Palazzo pants are significantly more dramatic and flared than wide-leg pants and culottes. They usually come in floor-length sizes and are very wide. You would want to wear these types of trousers during a hot summer afternoon on the beach or in the city. The roomy and airy legs allow you to move freely with comfort. Since a pair is often made with dressy fabric, it’s easy to mistake these trousers for maxi skirts.
Palazzo trousers or pants are popular in many regions of India and are usually a staple piece for modest wearers.
How to style:
Palazzo trousers can be worn with a fitted top, as you would with culottes, or with a belted blazer for a change. Pleated palazzos can be worn with a solid-colored top for balance. You can also wear it traditionally by wearing a Kurta, a loose collarless shirt often worn by people in South Asia.
Colored Trousers
Colored trousers are rebellious, quirky, and fun. Trousers are commonly known as formal/smart casual wear, which is why many people associate trousers with neutral and dark colors. That is why, up until today, it looks refreshing and surprising to see a pair of bold-colored trousers out in the wild – even in offices and corporate spaces. Colored trousers evoke the energy of summer and warmth.
How to style:
Colored trousers can be worn with a matching blazer or a basic white tee. You can also wear it to color block your outfit. Take note that the maximum ideal colors you can add to a color block outfit are two to three. More than that can be very visually noisy, but feel free to experiment when curiosity arises.
Leather Trousers
Leather trousers are not just stylish and edgy. They’re practical and useful, especially during the fall and winter seasons. They match very well with moto-styled outfits or with a simple basic white tee. When I wear leather trousers, I love wearing them with a matching jacket or a beige trench coat. Leather trousers also come in paper bag styles for casual occasions. Classic trouser types can usually be worn for evening activities and night outs.
How to style:
Leather trousers can be worn with a leather jacket, a basic white tee, or a cool-toned blazer. For the footwear, you can wear open-toed heels, combat boots, or close-toed stilettos depending on the weather or season. Leather trousers are perfect for harboring the famous off-duty model look. We love outfits with trousers like these for a casual but chic street-style look!
White Trousers
White trousers are bright, clean, and a perfect contrast to dark-colored tops. White trousers may look exclusive for spring and summer outfits, but there are many ways you can benefit from a bright color like white even during fall or winter.
However, nothing can beat wearing white on white during hot summer days and vacation trips.
Because white does not absorb heat as black, white can feel airy and fresh during these warm months. This is most especially true if you wear them with a matching white top.
How to style:
I like to add contrast to the white trousers outfit with a navy blue blazer or black moto jacket for cold months. A basic white tee or a dressy peplum top looks great in summer. If you want to add soft colors, light blue and lilac are the best options.
Plaid Trousers
Plaid trousers are very literary-inspired, classic, and, sleek. They’re perfect for romanticizing your trip to the local library or to the dainty cafe down the street. Outfits with plaid trousers remind me of London in the fall.
Plaid trousers come in many different color palettes. Among the most popular ones are made with beige, brown, grass green, white, and black. This is probably the only print that looks as classy and timeless as a pair of black trousers.
How to style:
I love styling my plaid trousers outfit with literary elements like white button-downs, argyle vests, knits, blazers, and penny loafers. Plaid trousers also look neat and classy with a simple white t-shirt. By now, you should realize how good of an investment a good quality white t-shirt is!
Classic Black Trousers
A pair of classic black trousers’ classic, timeless, and versatile nature deserves a spot on this list. Black trousers can be worn with basically any top, accessories, and footwear. They’re like leggings, except they’re trousers – more formal, tailored, and smart.
When traveling, I like to bring along a pair of classic black trousers for the tops that I prefer to be the ‘star’ of a trousers outfit. They can also be utilized for spontaneous semi-formal invites and work-related meetings. At the same time, they can also be an easy pair to wear for a grocery run or a quick meet-up with a friend.
How to style:
To style classic black trousers for a semi-formal invite, you can wear them with a white button-down, and a soft-colored blazer. If you can, try to steer away from a matching black blazer, as this can be a recipe for a non-lasting impression. Try to put in a bit of your character with colors, accents, and/or jewelry as much as possible.
For casual days, I wear classic black trousers with vintage rock band t-shirts and white sneakers.
Printed Trousers
Printed trousers are perfect for creating an easy spring/summer outfit when you don’t have much wardrobe time to think of an outfit. Despite being ‘easy’, a pair of printed trousers can be memorable and impressionable because they add character and life to any outfit. Just make sure you do not overdress with them.
Some of my favorite prints include gingham, floral, and animal prints.
How to style:
For something loud as printed trousers, the last thing you’d want to do is wear an equally loud top. Try to match or compliment colors with a solid top and keep it balanced with dainty footwear. For gingham printed trousers, I like to wear a pastel-colored top. I like to keep it simple with a white tee or a white blazer for animal and floral prints. This directs the attention to the lower body and creates an illusion of a petite torso.
Outfits With Trousers For A Chic & Classy Look
I love how chic and fun this outfit with trousers looks! The semi-unbuttoned blouse, the neutral blazer, white trousers, and white sneakers.
I love how light blue makes a complimenting element to white trousers. Regardless of the color, this pair is a classic look. This is one of the best clean-cut outfits with trousers.
Blazers, trousers, and sneakers. This ensemble is the best way to get through a productive and eventful day, regardless of your career.
Looking for slightly trendier outfits with trousers that give off a New York vibe? This may be your fit. What I like about this outfit most is how she picked out her footwear. Her dainty, fit, and eye-catching shoes compensated for the volume of her outfit.
If you want something that easily works well, use this outfit as a foundation: a black fitted top, black culottes, and dainty black footwear.
Want to score a good outfit with floor-length trousers? It doesn’t have to be that hard. Just put on a solid, fitted turtleneck and you’re good to go.
Nothing to wear for a brunch date? Wear your go-to button-down with belted trousers and unbutton those for a sexy, sophisticated look.
Looking for outfits with trousers that feature a comfy t-shirt? There’s a way to wear your favorite loose graphic shirt with culottes without losing your shape: just knot it to cinch your waist!
If you want super casual trousers outfits then this may be your fit. The best thing about paper bag pants is how casual, laid-back, and comfortable they are! All this while looking tailored and smart even with a t-shirt and a pair of casual sneakers.
White trousers can be worn to the office or with a casual coffee run get-up. Perfect for getting coffee in spring or summer!
Looking for dark academia outfits with trousers? This is definitely your fit. Plaid can look formal, literary, and very uni-inspired. If you want to wear plaid trousers on a casual day, turning them into paper bag pants with a nice statement belt is a great idea!
Nothing can beat a black fitted top and a pair of dainty black heels when wearing any trousers! I love how she styled this one with a feminine purse to make it look relaxed.
This outfit is perfect for going on vacations and going on beach trips! A black swimsuit or body suit can definitely bring you anywhere. If you see this, it’s a sign to invest in one. *wink*
A lot of people tend to agree that the most challenging type of trousers to style is leather trousers. Apparently, you only need to stick to the monochrome and neutral rule to dress these pants without the risk of overdressing.
If you have a petite build, a great way to take up space is by wearing oversized clothing that ‘fits you.’ Take this cropped, chopped-sleeve top paired with these slightly oversized trousers turned paper bag pants.
By now, you probably got the memo: fitted long-sleeved top + paper bag pants + dainty heels = good outfit. Here’s another visual sample of how you can style them!
This is a sign to wear complimenting pastel trousers with your best friend to the next party. Love this pastel + white combo!
Looking for an outfit to romanticize your next trip to the indie bookshop down the block? Say no more! This is one of our favorite outfits with trousers for the spring and fall months.
Color blocking on your next outfit? Pair a solid, primary color with a muted color for a nice contrast.
A stunning way to flaunt your white trousers is to pair them with white. Simple but eyecatching. This trousers outfit is perfect for a summer day out!
Looking for outfits with trousers that work for the chic city vibe? This is definitely your inspiration. You can switch down a shade if white on white is too vulnerable for your lifestyle.
Tucking a sweater into a pair of trousers can add an unlikeable bulge to your bottoms. If you’re planning on tucking them, wear a cropped one instead!
I love how canvas shoes can turn a basic ensemble like this into an ‘art student’ outfit. Love the vibes!
Linen trousers are best paired with linen. Love how this matching fit makes her one with the beach!
An oversized blazer is a great way to balance out the huge bells of bell-bottom trousers.
Not into black? Switch it up with a white pair for a fresh, light, and spring look. This trousers outfit is perfect for spring and fall months.
Achieve the girl-next-door look with this cool and laid-back trousers outfit! Plus points if you’re wearing ‘dad sneakers.’ This is one of the best neutral everyday outfits with trousers for a natural look.
A graphic shirt with a trousers outfit? Why not? Plus, she would look amazing with the blazer she’s holding in her right hand! This is one of our favorite outfits with trousers that features the black-on-black color block vibe. So slimming!
Walk the streets like a Parisian with this sleek, chic, and relaxed ensemble. This is one of these trousers outfits that’s ideal for spring and summer afternoons!