Clothing - Pants & Shorts

Picking out the right type of bottoms for the occasion plays such a major role in getting ready for the day or an event.

You can style your bottoms casually or even use an interesting pair of pants or shorts as a statement feature of your ensemble.

Everything You Need To Know

Just like with other clothing, pants and shorts can be dressed up or down depending on how you style them. Besides the top you pair with your bottoms, add outer layers or elegant jewelry.

Even plaid overalls (aka the sister of the jumpsuit) can be brought to upscale locales — plus, who could say no to all that pocket accessibility?

Can Shorts Be Formal Wear?

While shorts typically tend to be on the less formal side, there are some dynamic ways you can dress them up. Take a tailored or pleated short, for example. I simply pair it with luxe pumps and a matching top, and I’ve got a polished and put-together look.

Fabrics like a linen blend or corduroy elevate any pair of shorts. Sometimes I slip some tights under a high-waisted baggy pair of twill shorts for a perfect Autumn-themed ensemble. Just add a sweater, and no dress pants are needed.  

How To Keep Bottoms Casual

If you’re going for a more casual vibe, I recommend a comfy and loose pair of shorts or pants. These are perfect for those warm vacation days or simply lounging at home. Flowy bottoms are the perfect mixture of cool and comfortable. Pair these pants with a matching t-shirt or a light jacket for an award-worthy ensemble.

Pants and shorts can be elevated in terms of cut. For example, boot-cut pants are for relaxed settings (like going to the movies or casual Friday at the office). Straight-leg pants tend to have a more upscale air about them, especially in certain fabrics.

How To Elevate Wide-Leg Pants:

Here’s a way I take wide-leg pants and transform them into an instant trend-starter:

A pair of wide-leg chinos are not only trending right now but also the perfect bottoms for a sharp look. I recommend pairing wide-leg chino pants with a button-down tucked-in and your favorite belt. This casual pant styling option is ideal for those who work in a professional setting but want to dress on par with popular movements such as dark and light academia. Make those work pants work for you.

Athleisure Bottoms

If comfort is your top priority, then athleisure will be your best friend. Athleisure is so much more than drawstring performance pants. I’m happy that red carpets worldwide are now obsessed with cashmere sweatpants or joggers.

You can’t exactly work out in dry-clean-only fabrics, but cotton blend straight leg or slim fit leggings are hotter than hot. I wear them when I’m working out, running errands, or even traveling.

It’s not all jogger pants and sneakers; a pair of bike shorts is a huge 90s nostalgia that is back as a reinvented new arrival. I pair sleek flat-front bike shorts with a matching sports bra and crop top and simply jam at the park or head out with friends — they are for everyday living, truly. 

The Perfect Pair of Bottoms

Whether you’re planning on spending the day indoors hanging out with family or meeting up with the girls for drinks downtown, the right pair of pants or shorts will be important to your look. You can find any variety of bottoms for any occasion and style them to create an excellent look that makes you feel good, both inside and out.