Not content to be an office staple, tailored pants are giving jeans a run for their money

Jeans have been the go-to casual pant for decades, but their reign has come under threat from an unlikely competitor.

Once relegated to workwear, the tailored pant has stealthily crept out of the office and into our weekend wardrobes. From off-duty celebrity outfits and influencer Instagram posts to the racks of high-end and fast-fashion retailers alike, there are trousers as far as the eye can see.

Fashion stylist and consultant Jess Pecoraro, a self-described ‘trouser girl’, says she’s observed the shift towards this once-corporate style in the past two to three years.

“I think that big change in wearing suiting out, rather than [just] sitting in the office, changed everything in that space,” she tells nine.com.au.

“Pre-that, I think you either wore jeans [casually] or you wore a trouser for work-related outfits.

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“I’m always in pants ... I gravitate towards a trouser now, more than jeans sometimes.”

Pecoraro credits Australian brands like St. Agni, Camilla and Marc and Scanlan Theodore with spearheading the rise of tailored pants, which have since trickled into the domain of high-street, fast fashion and budget retailers.

“We’re seeing it everywhere now ... I think a trouser should be something that you invest in, and you can wear it over and over again,” she adds.

From corporate to casual

While plenty of Aussies have happily jumped aboard the trouser wave, others might need a little convincing given the associations with office wear (and perhaps, for Millennials, the ‘business casual in the club’ vibe of the early 2010s).

Pecoraro says the appeal of a trouser lies in their comfort, thanks to a softer feel and structure than our beloved denim.

“They just feel really comfortable, and they’re not restrictive,” she says.

“They also look slightly more elevated than a jean; it feels like you’ve put a bit more effort in without trying too hard.”

Like with jeans, there’s also plenty of choice in terms of the style of tailored pants.

If you’re not a fan of the popular wide-legged look, you could opt for fit-and-flare or ‘cigarette’ silhouettes, while waistbands can sit high, low and in-between.

Regardless of the style, Pecoraro advises buying pants in a natural, rather than synthetic material.

“A wool trouser will last you forever ... if it’s a natural fibre, it just sits beautifully on the body, and it also feels nice,” she says.

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The key to making tailored pants feel like a natural part of your non-work wardrobe lies in the styling.

In terms of shoes, Pecoraro usually opts for a sneaker or a boot, which she says make the pants look less corporate.

“A cute ballet flat or those little mesh shoes also look really great with a trouser, and in summer it looks quite nice with a thong,” she adds.

For the top half of the outfit, Pecoraro usually opts for a simple t-shirt, layering a knit over the top in winter. She’s also fond of a bomber jacket for a more relaxed outerwear look.

“I think they also look really good with a sweater, like a hoodie, tucked in with a belt. It’s a bit more sporty rather than office-y,” the stylist says.

If you still can’t get past the feeling you’re about to send an email featuring the words “circling back on this”, Pecoraro suggests steering clear of black trousers for casual wear, opting for a shade like grey or brown instead.

“Even something lighter, like a nice cream or a white, is a nice way to segue into a weekend look without it being too corporate,” she says.

“Just have fun with it. The minute you put a sneaker with them, or a little ballet flat, it does change the look completely.”

Another styling approach Pecoraro suggests is a tonal or monochromatic dressing approach.

“I’m in all-grey today. I feel like a tonal moment with the trousers is an easy way to change the look and make it a bit more ‘fashiony’ without thinking too hard.”

Another way to make the look work for you is through having trousers altered by a tailor to achieve the style you want.

“Don’t be afraid to have things altered,” Pecoraro says, adding that she often has the hems on her trousers adjusted.

“You might want something a bit looser around your leg, but you might need the waist taken in. Sometimes you can create that in-between look yourself through a slight alteration.”