Why The Time Is Now To Step Away From Skinny Jeans

Wearing looser trousers doesn't necessarily have to mean stepping straight into the uber-baggy pants and flared chinos you might have seen on the Fashion Week circuit this year. Instead, your answer lies in straight cut pants, either worn a little baggier in length or cut to be cropped just above the ankle for pairing with retro sneakers. 

If you saw the way the skate prodigies of Tokyo 2020 dressed or the '90s youth icons, you'll know it's absolutely possible to embrace baggy pants while still looking well put together. The difference maker, as with any other type of pant, is styling. The most popular skate pants are free-flowing and hard-wearing, designed to be worn day in, day out without tearing or catching, but still look cool paired with sneakers, crew socks and a tee. Think Dickies' legendary 874 pants.

If you've been considering bringing some new materials into your wardrobe, a new pair of relaxed fit pants is a great place to start. Corduroy pants are having a big moment right now thanks to their workwear-meets-university-professor aesthetic, while a looser pair of tailoring-inspired wool trousers is a fantastic addition to any smart casual wardrobe. 

Skinny jeans' popularity largely rests on their ease of pairing with more casual footwear, but the attention now is turning towards a post-sneaker world. Try pairing your new pants with shoes that reflect this relaxed-yet-considered mentality, like moccasins (Clarks Wallabees are a great start), mules, or loafers. All look great dressed in earthy tones and paired with a pair of straight cut pants, 90s style.