Following on from the last couple of blog posts about what to wear at Christmas time, I'm aware that a lot of women prefer wearing trousers, so here are some tips on the best trouser shape for your body.

More...

Colour

Whilst for most people I usually say avoid black, remember it never applies to trousers since they are far enough away from your face not to detract from your natural colouring.  Especially at Christmas, there are lots of pairs of smarter black evening trousers in luxe fabrics available.

However, don't restrict yourself if you find a great pair of evening trousers in another colour which is on your Colour Palette that are also the best shape for your body.  

Body Shapes

Slim, Straight Bodies

Generally these body shapes have slim legs and therefore most shapes of trousers suit you.  You look great in narrow, slim or straight trousers. You can carry off leggings and probably crop trousers (depending on the length of your legs). ​Patterns can really work well for you or you can go all out with some sequinned trousers if you are brave enough or have a sparkly enough event to attend 😀

Heavier Straight Bodies

It depends whether you carry weight on your thighs or not but a straighter leg trouser or bootleg will flatter your body shape most.​

Curved Bodies

The best trouser shapes for you have wider legs because that balances against the width of your hips.  You can also look great in bootlegs or flares too.  Using stretchier fabrics (jersey, wool, and with lycra) will help to show off your body in the right way.

Proportions

In this instance, I'm looking specifically at the proportions of your torso to your legs.  You can create different visual illusions about how balanced your body proportions are depending on how you choose to wear your clothes.

Wear your top high on your hips or tucked in and your legs will look longer.  Wear it low on your hips and your legs will look shorter.  

Wherever the horizontal break is, that is where your eyes will be drawn to, so a break at the widest point will make you look heavier.​

Long, slim legs

Depending on how long your legs are, you may want to create a visual illusion that appears to shorten your legs.  That may be as simple as wearing flat shoes but you can also consider wearing:

Different colours top and bottom - the horizontal colour break will appear to cut 3" from your height

Crop trousers will work in the same way of creating a horizontal colour break

Wide leg palazzo pants

Short legs

You may be able to balance your proportions by wearing higher heels so your legs look longer, but these are some other approaches:

Wear the same colour all the way from your waist to the tips of your toes - the the point above about the effect of a horizontal colour break

Consider wearing high waisted trousers - however you need to check they're right for your body shape too

Wear a top which hides where your legs actually start (although make sure to wear a top that's also the right shape for you)