Life

Trousers trends to give your summer wardrobe a stylish leg up

Give your plain black slacks a rest and make a pair of these trendy trews the star of your outfit, writes Katie Wright

Left to right, Madeleine Culottes, madeleine.co.uk; Nasty Gal Play the Game Ruffle Pants, nastygal.com; Topshop Ruffle Waist Mensy Trousers, topshop.com
Left to right, Madeleine Culottes, madeleine.co.uk; Nasty Gal Play the Game Ruffle Pants, nastygal.com; Topshop Ruffle Waist Mensy Trousers, topshop.com Left to right, Madeleine Culottes, madeleine.co.uk; Nasty Gal Play the Game Ruffle Pants, nastygal.com; Topshop Ruffle Waist Mensy Trousers, topshop.com

NO LONGER the bland building blocks of an outfit, trousers have really come into their own recently, with interesting cuts, colours and embellishments giving humble slacks a new lease of life.

And as summer begins to fade (sigh), these next-level separates are crying out to be the star of an outfit, for days when it's too cold for bare legs but too warm for thick tights.

These are the trouser trends that will give your late-summer wardrobe a stylish leg up...

1. SPLIT LEG TROUSERS

A truly transitional fashion hero, split leg trousers come with a ready-made air vent and offer a subtle way to show a bit of leg. For the office, pair wide-leg culottes with a boho blouse and blazer, or take things up a notch for evening with full-length trousers, a Bardot top and heels - the hem should just graze the floor.

:: Nasty Gal Low Key Off-the-Shoulder Crop Top, £10, and Snap Out Of It Tear-Away Pants, £35

:: Madeleine Culottes, £89 (reduced from £129.95)

:: Jane Norman Black Wide Split Leg Trousers, £35

2. RUFFLED TROUSERS

Sad to say goodbye to summer's sensational Cuban fashion trend? Ruffled trousers are one way to make it last that little bit longer. From flamenco flared hems to frilled seams, these are serious statement-making separates. Keep things simple on your top half with a block colour cami or tucked-in tee.

:: Nasty Gal Play the Game Ruffle Pants, £25

:: Closet Navy Sleeves Frills Blouse, £48, and Slim Trousers with Frill, £55

:: Style Maffia Ruffle Hem Trousers, £149.99, OwntheLook.com

3. PAPER BAG WAIST TROUSERS

To the untrained eye, these cinched-waist trousers with their tapered legs may look unflattering, but actually, the high waist means they help to elongate your legs - as long as you don't choose a very cropped pair. Wide-leg styles are even more forgiving, particularly when worn with heels and a fitted top to emphasise your waist.

:: Topshop Ruffle Waist Mensy Trousers, £39

:: Oliver Bonas Mineral Print Top, £59.50, and Sulphur Paper Bag Trousers, £65 (available in September)

:: Cubic Tie Waist Cropped Trousers, £54.99, OwntheLook.com