This summer it’s all about letting the print do the talking, pairing bold, statement trousers with simple, luxe accessories to balance out their eye-catching designs and silhouettes. Here are seven of our favourite pairs, plus how to style them
Boden
Printed Linen Trousers, £98
These statement linen trousers need nothing more than a crisp linen or slinky silk shirt, slicked back hair and a strappy heel for a stylish summer night. Buy them.
Mint Velvet
Gingham trousers, £89
Checks have been a print of the summer and this monochrome pair from Mint Velvet are perfect for pairing with a graphic tee or a colour-block knit for a 60s feel. Buy them.
Phase Eight
Zebra Print Trouser, £69
Don’t shy away from animal print, this zebra design from Phase Eight would look great with a safari style shirt, tan sandals and gold accessories. Buy them.
River Island
Knitted Flared Trousers, £37
These knitted flared trousers are as comfortable as joggers but oh-so stylish. Go bold and wear with the matching vest for a head-to-toe look or, alternatively, a simple black tee is perfect for a subtler take. Add a shimmer of silver jewellery to pick up on the metallic threadwork to complete the look. Buy them.
Anthropologie
Amore Trousers, £48
A romantic print from New York artist, Emily Isabella, these wide-leg cropped pants have a comfy smocked waist. Great with a tank and denim jacket for travelling this summer. Buy them.
La Veste
Magic Mushroom Print Trouser, £240
This vintage-inspired pair have a 60s feel, with high-waisted/kick flare silhouette. In Liberty’s ‘Magic Mushroom’ fabric in tonal blues and greens, pick a navy sweat to dress them down, or stick with the vintage vibe and opt for a sleeveless white shirt for a retro feel. Buy them.
Zara
Printed Trousers, £30
This wide-legged, flowing viscose pair from Zara give a boho, global vibe. Inspired by the block-prints of India, we like the acid lime colourway and statement border design. They need little embellishment so wear them with your simplest tee, vest, bikini or light-weight knit for a comfy, laidback look. Buy them.
How To Style Them
A Simple Tee
An easy way to pare down a bold print trouser is to combine it with a simple, streamline tee or tank. Stick to black or white and keep the rest of your accessories neutral too for a modern, surprisingly minimalist look. Try this slash-neck one from Yunion T, £45.
An Oversized Shirt
Wide-leg palazzo pants are a great holiday option worn over a bikini with sandals. Simply throw on an oversized linen shirt for a relaxed, chic beach-to-bar look.
We like this sky-blue from Me + Em, £54. Find more oversized shirt ideas here.
A Co-Ord Set
If you’re feeling brave, go for a head-to-toe print with a co-ord set. Matching your print top to your trousers needs no further accessorising; keep jewellery to a minimum for a fun holiday feel that can then be worn separately with neutral basics for a versatile capsule wardrobe. For a 70s vibe, try this Jessica Halterneck Co-ord Top from Boden, £60.
A Body
Kim K has bought the body back from the 90s with her Skims range. A streamline silhouette is the perfect foil to a bold and bright print trouser. Throw on an oversize blazer as the weather cools to complete the look. We like the 1950s off-the-shoulder vibes of this Draped Body from Zara, £19.99.
A Knitted Top
Look out for another summer trend to pair with your print trousers – a crochet or knitted top is a great option to play with textures and patterns, whether it’s a knitted polo or crocheted crop top. Layer with beaded jewellery for a fun Ibiza vibe. This striped, collared example from & Other Stories, £45.
By Lydia Mansi
August 2022
