Trend watch: wide-leg, floor-grazer trousers

Wide-leg, floor-grazer trousers, also know as Palazzo Pants, were first introduced by Coco Chanel. They were swiftly adopted by the 1930s Hollywood icons, such as Katherine Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich. Later on they became synonymous with the 70s when the shape got even wider! More recently they reappeared in the early 90s; pioneered by Madonna in her’Vogue’ era.

And now there is a fresh resurgence of this so-called ‘power trouser’.

I am a massive fan! I find this style not only comfortable and easy-to-wear, but I think they really make a statement just like those cool, brazen and alluring film stars did in the 30s.

I featured this trend at my recent Club Forty Event to show how this particular style flatters many shapes.

The excess material – whether fluid or starchy fabric – will skim over curvy hips and generous thighs… something Tammy (pictured below) was worried about. Plus vertical stripes will trick the eye further to add shape, length and narrow the silhouette. Tammy’s stripe trousers below are from Miss Selfridge. My white trousers are Autograph, by Marks & Spencer.

A high waistline and long, floor-grazing length will elongate the legs and emphasize an hourglass shape, demonstrated by Sam below. Sam is wearing petite trousers by River Island, which come in standard and plus sizes also and in a gorgeous emerald green colour too.

If you choose a high-waisted style, particularly with a belt or paper-bag-style waist, then keep the top half really simple to draw the eye to the waistline. Otherwise, pair with a belt to provide some mid-way shape – as I did on Andrea below. Andrea is wearing my trousers which I picked up in a car boot sale for £1!!! 

For me, this style of trouser is just great for summer. I am not a fan of getting my legs out and so a breezy, wide-legged trouser suits me fine! I love these leopard print palazzo pants from H&M which have bell-bottom cut. I look forward to wearing them when the weather gets warmer with a vest top and slides – perfectly simple and stylish!

Just a final note on the length of the trouser, in my opinion they should be as long as is feasibly possible – literally floor-grazing. If they come up too short they will have the opposite affect and actually make your legs look shorter! This does in fact make it tricky to get a length that works for both heels and flats! I had the white M&S trousers taken up one hem length to fit me… which makes them spot-on for kitten heels and flatform soles, but not flats. It’s a compromise!

Here’s a few more of my favourites currently in the High St stores – there’s plenty to choose from!

Stripe Trouser: New Look / Khaki Trouser: River Island / High Waist Trouser: Top Shop / Floral Trouser: Stradivarius

Sign up to never miss a post, plus get exclusive access to events, competitions and offers!
Enter your email address on the homepage now!