19 Effortless Ways To Wear This Season's Trendiest Pants
Pants have had a huge makeover this season. Gone are structured, restrictive pants, and in their place are more relaxed silhouettes and inspirations from the 70s and the 90s! Check out some of my favorite styles – cargo pants and track pants are obviously among my highlights – and how I'm wearing them this season!
I want to talk to you about pants, and what types of pants are in style right now. I feel this post has been a long time coming, but as I wanted to be authentic to myself, I didn’t want to post it until I felt I had enough content to show you guys. And now I think I can confidently say that I have experimented with quite a few different pants looks over the past few months to showcase some, what I think, are versatile and stylish looks featuring different styles of pants!
What Kind Of Pants Are In Style Right Now?
I've seen so many different styles of pants on the runways for many seasons, and have seen tons of ultra-chic and stylish women rocking them on social media, so I know how powerful and fashionable they can look! However, as a mom of five who currently lives in Texas and teaches body pump, I don’t have as many opportunities to wear sleek, smart-casual outfits that having a huge variation of pants in my rotation would benefit from; as instead, as you probably know by now, my wardrobe consists of comfier more relaxed silhouettes.
Pants Trend 2022
As I know that pants aren’t going anywhere – especially now that the weather is getting a little colder and covering up is becoming more acceptable – I wanted to finally reveal what pants I do actually wear in my day-to-day life, as well as some fun ways I like to style them. I may go a little more out of my comfort zone in the next blog, where I’ll be dissecting the latest Spring 2023 trends and putting my own spin on them, but for now, I've kept things relatively safe, with just a few surprises to keep things interesting.
What Pants Are Trending In 2022?
Speaking of interesting. It's like the fashion-gods have done me a solid, as some of the biggest fashion trends for 2022 are loose-fitting and comfortable as opposed to more fitted, smarter pieces. Think parachute pants, cargo pants, and 90s-inspired track pants, and even 70s-inspired wide-leg pants. I'm basically in pants-heaven with these relaxed styles, so me holding out on a pants round up has definitely paid off!
Check out some of my favorite pants in my closet at the moment – a lot of which are on-trend right now! – and some of the fun and versatile ways I am styling them for my daily life.
A little disclaimer: I wouldn’t be able to get away with half of these looks in Austin, Texas as the temperatures are still pretty sweltering at the moment, so some of these looks are all from our brief stay in Colorado, where the weather was a lot cooler, and I could experiment with both summer looks and transitional fall looks. (I.e., with lots of layering – my favorite!) It does mean that I had a little less choice when it came to putting my outfits together, as I tend to pack light and my closet isn’t as big as my Texas one, but I love the way everything worked out, which is partly due to me sticking with versatile hard-working pieces in my go-to color palettes to make mixing and matching a breeze. I hope you like what you see!
Lounge pants
What To Wear With Lounge Pants
The idea of lounge pants sounds great; just one step behind pajamas in terms of comfort, so it's not hard to see the appeal! However, a lot of people struggle with what to pair them with. I think you can either commit to the whole look and go for top-to-toe comfort and wear lounge pants with a matching hoodie (which is pretty simple as so many of them come as a set!) which is also great for the colder months, or you could add something like a tight tank top or even go bold with a bralette or crop top underneath. Lounge pants are pretty versatile, which is why I have so many in my closet. I like to buy them in my go-to neutral color palettes, to make styling them with other pieces in my closet as easy as possible!
What Pants Are Trending Now?
Look 1
I always reach for my American Eagle sweatpants – they're my comfiest ones by far, so I never leave it too long between wears, even though they are quite basic. On this occasion, I've styled them with my new Anthro sweater tank that I spotted earlier this summer, but didn’t want to pay full price so I waited for it to go on sale. Patience pays off – although I must admit that I'm not always the most patient, but on this occasion, I'm glad I held out! I finished off this look with my favorite chunky Chanel sneakers for a touch of luxury. I've had them for about 5 years now, and they're still going strong, so I feel I'm really getting every cent's worth in terms of price per wear!
Look 2
A lot of people think that the best women's lounge pants come in very heavy materials and are therefore just for the colder months, but that isn’t always the case. My wide leg French Terry lounge pants are a great example of more summery lounge pants that look great when paired with some flat sandals and a simple top, which is essentially the styling direction I went in with this look.
I paired the French Terry lounge pants with my new favorite workout top from Free People – the marked stripe detail is so unique, so I had to buy the other color combo too! – and my trusty white Hermès Oran sandals which are such hard-working pieces as they are not only super-comfortable but go with essentially everything. I added a sun bleached baseball cap to make the look a little more interesting, but other hats – or no hat at all – would also work perfectly with this laid-back look!
Look 3
Another laid-back, relaxed silhouette courtesy of my golden velvet flare lounge pants (which I feel are so on trend right now thanks to the flared bottoms) a tie dye crop tank and my cozy wool cardigan. The weather isn’t quite wool cardigan weather here in Texas, but this cardigan lives in Colorado as I find the mornings and evenings super-chilly (even in the summer) so this cardigan is perfect to just throw on.
I finished off with my Chanel sneakers and styled my hair in voluminous curls to dress the look up a tad. Isn’t it amazing what doing your hair does to your mood and how it elevates even the most casual of outfits?! I don’t always have time to curl my hair, but when I do, I think it makes a huge difference, and it makes styling over the next few days a lot easier until my next wash.
Best Leggings To Wear With Sweaters
Look 4
Do comfy ribbed leggings count as lounge pants? I’m going to say yes because I am obsessed with this outfit; and I actually think ribbed leggings are the best leggings to wear with sweaters as the ribbed fabric adds a little extra warmth! I especially love this outfit because I love wrapping up in cozy layers when it gets to the end of September, but it does take a while for the weather in Texas to reach cooler temperatures, so I feel there's a huge part of my wardrobe I can't get to enjoy for as many months as I would like.
I can’t get away with chunky combat boots in the Texas summer heat but in Colorado, where this picture was taken, these were perfect for a cool night outside with the kids while watching some live music. In this picture, I paired my Free People ribbed leggings with my new Valentino combat boots with some boot socks, and an oversized sweatshirt that I had in my shopping cart for about six months before I took the plunge and checked out. I have no regrets, although I do wish I had bought it a little sooner! I finished the look off with a southwest vibe hair band, which is a nice alternative to a hat.
Beach Pants Outfits
Look 5
I’ll be honest, I’m always a recluse when we come out to the mountains. I spend my time doing things I otherwise wouldn’t have time for, like cooking every meal, doing puzzles, and brushing up on my crocheting and knitting skills. So I feel like my Colorado wardrobe is one of my least-stylish ones!
However, I wanted to dress up a little for the very exciting event that was going to Target (which I think we can all agree is actually a pretty exciting adventure, as you never know what gems you're going to come back with!) and the local USPS. Of course it wasn’t a super-glamorous event, but I felt very put-together in my flowy beach pants, smocked halter tank with its subtle blue stitch work (you can't really see it clearly enough in the pictures to appreciate it in all its glory, so you'll have to trust me when I say it looks better in person!) and my Hermès sandals, which I teamed with my teeny tiny Balenciaga Le Cagole bag – always a great piece for running errands and hitting the stores as it leaves your hands free for shopping carts and other purchases!
Look 6
Patterned pants are hugely en-vogue right now, as the catwalks have been full of pants featuring everything from florals to ginghams to polka-dots to stripes and so much more. So even though I would probably wear these women's beach pants regardless of the trends, it's always a nice bonus when they come with a high fashion seal of approval!
I love these wild beach pants, and I'm particularly obsessed with the mix pattern near the ankle cuff. I’m wearing the same smocked halter tank as above (you know I love to re-wear and get the most out of my pieces) but changed my Hermès Oran sandals (we are now back in Texas) for my Gucci slides, some oversized Chloe sunglasses and my purple Chanel 22 bag.
Are Wide Leg Pants Still In Style?
Look 7
To answer the above question: yes! A thousand times yes! Now onto another wild pair of beach pants, which again, I feel are so, so en-vogue right now, not just because of the print, but also because palazzo pants (and wide leg pants in general, also including jeans) are also a huge trend not just in more formal pieces but also in more relaxed pieces too. And what is more relaxed than beach pants?
These pants are pretty interesting because they tie and wrap inward giving them that palazzo beach vibe. I’ve paired them with a simple black strappy bodysuit (although a simple black vest would also work for a more fuss-free vibe) and my Chanel t strap sandals.
Track Pants
Track pants have been on trend since the Covid-19 pandemic, and haven’t really gone away ever since. Who knew that we liked being comfortable in loose, non-restrictive clothing?!
Look 8
These bee detail track pants are making an appearance in all my blogs of late, but I regret nothing! It just goes to show how fun and hard-working they are! They're summery, they're versatile, they make styling so effortless as I feel everything goes with them as they can be dressed up or down with ease, the list goes on!
Here, I've made the most of the summer and gone for a summer color palette by way of a bright orange bow detail tank and my oh so casual Birkenstocks. I feel both the pants and the tank are fighting for center stage, but, even though the top is brighter and more attention-grabbing at first, the pants still steal the show for me. They're definitely one of my favorite purchases over the past couple of years!
Cargo Pants
Are cargo pants still trendy? For anyone who didn’t get the memo: cargo pants are back! Cargo pants have actually been back since the 90s started making a reappearance, alongside slip dresses, hair scrunchies, high rise jeans, and overalls, to name just a few of my favorite comeback trends. We all wore them religiously in the 90s when we tried to emulate our favorite popstars and girl bands, and I'm so thankful to see them return! They're pretty versatile too, as they can be worn with sandals, wedges, sneakers, and even stilettos, and be layered up and down with ease too! Let's hope that they're here to stay, because I've become quite attached to the ones I have now!
Look 9
Akin to some of the other pieces in this blog, these cargo pants actually live in my Colorado home, so it's always a treat when I get to wear them. I bought them back in 2020 because of their paperbag style, as they are super-flattering and forgiving, not to mention totally on-trend. I’ve paired them with a super fun summery keyhole tank and my Hermès sandals for a casual yet cool look.
Corduroys
Look 10
Do people still wear corduroys? The answer is yes! Both on and off the catwalk, corduroys are still having a moment, which I couldn’t be happier about as they are comfy, durable, and extremely versatile in terms of their styling opportunities.
I bought these cords last year, and loved them from the first moment I saw them because of the subtle rip detailing near the knee. On this occasion, I teamed them with a denim bejeweled buttondown, as well as my floral embroidered western boots and a fun fall rancher hat for that full cowboy-chic aesthetic. For a less Wild Wild West inspired look, a graphic tee or a casual sweater tank would also work, alongside some slides or sneakers. Cords are more versatile than people give them credit for, so I hope this inspires a few more people to keep them in mind when shopping for new pieces to add to their fall/winter wardrobes.
Jeans
What Jeans Are In Fashion At The
Moment?
I wanted to include a few pairs of jeans in this edit as they're still pants after all, but I was careful not to get too carried away with them, as I could very easily have filled this entire post with endless outfits involving my favorite pairs of jeans (which I have done in the past and will probably do again!) Jeans are still very much a huge trend when it comes to casual dressing as well as smart-casual fee dressing, as they can be dressed down and elevated in just a few simple steps. Here are just a few current faves:
90s Inspired Jeans
2022 jeans are all about vintage styles so think 90s-inspired wide leg, boot leg, and high-rise mom jeans along with 70s-inspired flared jeans (thank you, Gucci) in a variety of light and dark washes. My jeans selection for this blog post definitely takes the aforementioned trends on board, and it's no surprise to find that wide leg jeans and high-rise mom jeans are my two favorites!
Look 11
I know this blog post is all about pants, but I have to admit that this particular outfit was built around my velvet tank, as I hadn’t worn it in years and I started feeling a bit guilty for abandoning it. Luckily, jeans are so versatile and hard-working so they were the perfect pants for the task! I knew I wanted volume on the bottom so chose my wide leg light jeans, and then added my fun embroidered mules that also live out in Colorado so are always screaming to be worn. It would be rude not to! I then grabbed the long shimmery scarf as an afterthought and felt it completed the boho look, which, in case you hadn't noticed from my previous blog post, is one of my favorite aesthetics right now.
Look 12 and 13
You only have to look at movie premieres and awards ceremony red carpets to know that corset tops are all the rage right now! While most of the A-listers go down the super-racy route, I feel there are more casual and less revealing ways to rock a corset too – and a lot of it comes down to the pants you choose to style it with!
I wanted to show that there is more than one way to style this gorgeous corset, which is why I've styled it solo as well as with a casual plaid button down just to mix it up and prove that it can be worn when the weather gets a little chillier too. The wide leg pants I chose to style the corset top with, complement both the corset and the plaid button down, and I think they add volume and dimension to the look. I finished off with my Hermès Oran sandals, which definitely do go, but I may have chosen something different if I had access to my Austin wardrobe and had a little more choice, just for variety!
Look 14
Another pair of pants or jeans I can't live without are my AG mom jeans, as they always make the packing list – and I don't think it's hard to see why because they are SO easy to wear and they go with practically everything!
I teamed my jeans with my new Valentino combat boots, which I got back in June when lots of the designers had some serious discounts, and finished the look off with a very bright and happy sweater vest. Pink never disappoints, but it’s hotter than ever right now thanks to the Barbie-core trend that is taking over the red carpet and the catwalk; Valentino in particular!
Look 15
A more fall-approved outfit here, which I definitely wouldn’t be able to get away with in Austin – at least not right now, anyway. I've gone for another pair of my go-to mom jeans, because I wanted to be realistic with this blog and show that jeans are still a huge part of my wardrobe, although I think these are a little bit edgier thanks to the ripped detailing.
I teamed the ripped jeans with a floral peasant blouse for some femininity, my Anine Bing graphic tee to add some grunge to the look for some juxtaposition, as well as my Hermès sneakers and my YSL Niki bag. Simple, but stylish; what more could I ask for?!
Look 16
Women's skinny jeans might not be the trendiest style of jeans right now, but I always believe that things you love should always remain in your closet if they work for you, which is why I will never eliminate skinny or slim fit jeans from my rotation. Plus, I think they are the perfect pants to wear with my strappy tank and rainbow sweater vest, which is the real hero piece of the look.
Pants don’t always have to be the main event to be appreciated, as a good pair of pants is often the supporting act, which I feel is the case with this fun, summery ensemble! This is probably my favorite outfit in this edit, as I think the summer layers on top are so fun and unique. I finished off with my white Hermès Oran sandals, of course.
Tailored Pants
I wanted to do this blog post justice and throw some tailored pants into the mix, to go alongside my looser-fitting and more relaxed pants. Tailored pants, in their defense, have come a long way over the years, and it’s not uncommon for them to have more relaxed and more versatile aesthetics these days, and I particularly love high-waisted tailored pants for being super-flattering, as well as wide leg tailored pants for incorporating the current trends.
Look 17
Tailored pants don’t have to be restrictive, and they don’t have to come in uncomfortable, itchy fabrics either, as was the case many, many years ago. And these linen tailored pants are the perfect example of tailored pants that tick all of my boxes; even more so as they come in my favorite neutral color, which means they go with practically all of the pieces in my closet!
There was no shortage of items to pair these linen pants with, but on this occasion, I went for my crochet tank that has featured more than a few times on my blogs and on my @Lily_Tracy Instagram, and finished the look off with some Hermès mules and my Balenciaga Le Cagole bag.
Look 18
I seem to have a 'type' when it comes to relaxed tailored pants, but there's nothing wrong with knowing what you like and stocking up on similar styles in different colorways! Having said that, these pants are a little longer and more structured than the previous pair, and I love them paired with this simple pinstripe tank (it's eight years old, but I will link to a similar one!) as well as my Chanel sneakers, a faux leather baseball hat and my Bottega Veneta Jodie bag.
Look 19
And finally, I thought I would give the people what they want and showcase my least relaxed pair of pants in the entire blog post. These are definitely one of my fancier tailored pants in my closet – especially my Colorado closet which already consists of far more casual pieces – which is why I didn’t hesitate to wear them on a rare but enjoyable date night.
I elevated the look even further by adding a lace bodysuit for a romantic and feminine vibe, and some platform sandals for something a little bit different to the Orans I was living with 90% of the time.
I really hope you enjoyed my round up of some of the pants I have been wearing over the past few months in Colorado and in Texas. Stay tuned for my next blog post about my favorite Spring 2023 runway trends and how I will be incorporating the, in my current wardrobe.
'Til next time!
Love, Lily x x