Whitney Houston once said, “I like being a woman, even in a man’s world. After all, men can’t wear dresses, but we can wear the pants.” A revolutionary idea was sparked in every trendsetter’s mind with those words; but surely, fashion didn’t stop at just that. From Emma Watson to Solange Knowles, and closer home, Deepika Padukone too — our leading ladies are buckling up their pants under long flowy dresses.
The trend of teaming pants with dresses was spotted in the limelight at the 2016 fashion week. What followed was a myriad of ideas and experimentation with wardrobes and now celebrities are flaunting it like a pro. Designer Bhavya K believes that this is one trend that takes special guidance to pull off well. “Ideal for classic spring weather, layering your dress over a pair of pants is a go to resort if your bare legs are chilled or if your dress is too short to be work-environment appropriate. Still, if the combination is not done correctly, it can turn out to be a pretty messy deal.”
So what are the dos and don’ts when it comes to pulling off this rather unique pairing? “It all starts with pairing the right pant, preferably in a dark hue like black or navy blue,” believes designer Neena Yadav. “Keeping the outfit loose in general is the primary criteria. Streamlined pants and leggings work like a pro. Try to avoid too many loops, pockets or pleats as it ensures no bumps under your dress. Thereon you can pair the bottom with anything without having to think much.”
From ramps to red carpets and finally into the wardrobes of style icons — the evolution of this trend has been dramatic. “One of the biggest woes in women’s fashion is the ridiculous idea that designers seem to have about us never needing pockets. This is where pants underneath dresses come in as a rather convenient option. A lot of people assume that teaming two gender specific items of clothing is all about creating a feminist statement, but sometimes it’s just about comfort and convenience,” says Aditi Mishra, a fashion blogger.
Trousers in the exact same colour and fabric as the dress, cha-cha pants under a simple LBD, neutral tucked in pants that flaunt the ankles and classic black bell-bottoms — the options are innumerable. As designer Shruti Iyer claims, “This is an expert way to make old pieces feel fresh. It’s also a sophisticated night-out look that will keep you feeling chic as well as confident about moving around without accidental exposure slowing your rush!”
