Fashion/Mode of Tuesday, 19 May 2015

Source: vogue.co.uk

How to feel confident in a clown trouser

Trend talks aside, Vogue Festival threw up its very own fashion affection for one item in particular: the new clown trouser. Let's walk you through it: wide-leg trousers, breezy and billowy, fun and bright, bold and - importantly - striped. There was no missing them among the crowd.

These were power trousers of a new breed and made us rethink the balance of trophy garments in our wardrobe.

There's no denying it's a tricky trend. But the secret lies in confidence.

You don't wear these trousers to go unnoticed - you wear them to be a conversation point, to be noticed, to show you have a sense of fun when it comes to getting dressed but you execute it in a polished way so that despite that demi clown affinity you're taken seriously.

For when donning a pair of these, everything else should match - either simply as in the case of a simple white T-shirt or sweatshirt, or with something equally graphic, but it should be in-keeping with the whole look, again Balmain provided a lesson in how to do this: high octane and glamorous.

Alternatively, if you're a little too scared to take on the new clown trouser, you can work your way up and get to grips with a jazzy trouser first. By which we mean something more exciting than the humble black or grey styles or your default jeans. Once you're feeling comfortable enough with the print then just add the volume.

When it comes to shoes (the all-important quandary), if the trouser is more of a culotte or cropped length, then wear with a brogue or simple flat and fairly traditional sandal.

If they're the floor-length kind, then a stealth high-heeled sandal will be the ideal partner. Boots will need to have a platform to keep those hems clear of floor-sweeping tendencies and should have a disco mentality to them, after all so do the trousers.