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Spring is an excellent time to take stock of your wardrobe, and before making any new purchases, take a moment to reflect on the items you never wear, the outfits you always depend on and any gaps in your wardrobe that you want to fill for the year ahead. Here at British Vogue we are big believers in the concept of a “capsule wardrobe” and making sure you have the foundations nailed down.
A pair of tailored trousers might not seem like the most exciting purchase, but if you’ve carefully considered quality and fit, they will be an item that sits at the heart of your wardrobe for years to come. The spring/summer 2024 collections were filled with countless ideas of how to style trousers, from the simple to the head-turning. The one thing they all had in common was a focus on leg-lengthening, with a return to high waistbands, combined with trouser legs that grazed the floor giving an illusion of length.
Jonathan Anderson defined the season’s key silhouette at Loewe, where the trousers were so high-waisted they came with an in-built corset to hold them in place right under the bra. At Alaïa, meanwhile, the high-waisted trousers had a distinctively sculptural, horseshoe shape.
One of the most popular styling moves was to make exceptional tailoring the focus of the outfit, pairing trousers with a simple crop top, button-down shirt or tank top. The best thing about this is that it’s easy to replicate with pieces you likely already own.
We have combed through the collections to bring you our guide of the seven trousers that will be popular in 2024. We have focused on styles that will have longevity and that will be really versatile when it comes to styling. You’ll notice that all of these styling choices are relatively simple, with a focus on elevated basics, however the proportions are more oversized and longer than in recent seasons. Standout looks include any of the trousers at Phoebe Philo’s debut collection – where Milanese wool trousers came in rich colours, including a deep berry, charcoal and a dark brown – Saint Laurent’s sleek cargos and the pinstripe tailored suiting at Coperni.
Keep scrolling to see the seven trouser trends our editors are excited to wear in 2024 and beyond.
The ultra high-waist
High-waisted trousers dominated across the collections, as seen at Alaïa, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent and many more. Loewe crafted a new agenda-setting silhouette, with trousers that rode way above the belly button and clutched the bra line. The general rule of thumb for 2024 is, the higher the better.
The horseshoe leg
For those unafraid to make a statement, let us introduce you to the horseshoe trouser, as seen at Alaïa. “The Horseshoe feels a bit sculptural, but still has the ability to look relaxed and sophisticated. It references vintage styles, yet feels modern,” Marianne McDonald, creative director at Citizens Of Humanity, previously told Vogue of the brand’s horseshoe denim. The bold, curved silhouette is an eye-catching alternative to regular wide-leg trousers, but it can be hard to find the perfect size. Our tip? Don’t hesitate to size up to ensure the length and waistband are just right.
The elevated cargo
Love or hate them, there’s no denying that cargo trousers have been back in a big way. They have been a celebrity favourite for the past year or so – Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Emily Ratajkowski, Hailey Bieber, and Gigi and Bella Hadid are all fans. One of our favourite ways we saw them styled on the spring/summer 2024 runways was at Saint Laurent, where they were given a sleeker, more polished finish, with a high-waist, slim trouser leg and streamlined pocket placement.
The executive pinstripe
“Corp-core” was a trend we saw across the spring/summer 2024 collections, with many designers looking to the boardroom for executive styling inspiration. At Boss models carried briefcases, wore ties and even had biros fixed into their hair. Pinstripes are a neutral in the corporate world, but the suit Naomi Campbell wore at Coperni could make more creative types want to invest in a pair of striped slacks.
The perfect minimalist trouser
A pair of beautifully-tailored trousers in a neutral colour is a sensible cornerstone to any wardrobe, and this look at Ami has just the right amount of slouch, with flattering darts on the leg. The wide-leg fit and long length makes this elegant style look even more luxurious.
The return of cords
You can always trust The Row to give forgotten wardrobe basics a new lease of life, and for spring/summer 2024 it turned its attention to corduroys. The key to making them look modern in 2024 is to opt for an oversized pair, which are gently flared and long in length – note how The Row’s burnt orange pants are so long they bunch around the ankles.
The tapered black trouser
Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons pushed tapered black trousers for spring, and the final look in their spring/summer 2024 collection was the perfect example of how to style the silhouette. Model Julia Nobis closed the show in a black pair, with a tucked-in, single-breasted tailored jacket, polished Derby shoes and that viral ruched bag, which features a hand-carved mythological-man clasp, inspired by a design first created by Prada’s grandfather in 1913.