Ask Urban: What new silhouettes can I try?

I'm tired of my skinny black pants. What new silhouettes can I try?

As versatile as skinny black pants are, there will come a day when you just want to switch things up. And rightly so, as variety is the spice of life and this especially holds true in fashion. While it may not be a new silhouette, the one to revisit now is in the form of flared pants.

The 1970s, which could be described as the biggest decade for flared pants, was a huge source of inspiration for the spring/summer 2015 runways. Designers at brands such as Louis Vuitton, Tom Ford, Derek Lam, Coach and more sent out various versions of them.

The pants' silhouette lends itself well to a range of styles, from casual to formal. Take this Louis Vuitton look (photo 1). The dark denim fabric of the flared pants, combined with a white, short-sleeved top, gives the outfit a casual, daytime feel.

On the other hand, these looks from Tom Ford (photo 2) and Tommy Hilfiger (photo 3) veer more towards evening. The matching colour of the top and bottom give the wearer a long and lean figure. Monochrome looks are dramatic, which make them more dressy statements.

For the really adventurous, flared pants in a print is the way to go. It emphasises the silhouette, no doubt about it. This Diane von Furstenberg outfit (photo 4), with its print mixing, is a bold choice in that vein.

The trick to keeping this silhouette wearable is to be conscious of your waist. Tuck in your top, as with the Louis Vuitton outfit, or pick a waist-nipping slim top like with the Tom Ford and Tommy Hilfiger looks.

The Diane von Furstenberg look also features a top that hits just below the waist. All this ensures that the overall look of each outfit is flattering and balanced.

The worst thing to do with flared pants is to pair them with a long tunic. That is just too much of a 1970s flashback.

This article was first published on Mar 13, 2015.
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