How to pull off trousers at a cocktail event
Like champagne and strawberries, vanilla and lattes, and Fridays and Netflix, cocktail parties and LBDs were made to go together. Trousers, you aren’t invited to this party. Yes, if you do turn up to a cocktail event in trousers, you can guarantee all eyes will be on you as the only woman not in a dress. However, that’s not to say that you shouldn’t do it. In fact, if you get it right you could easily outshine everyone else. We say rules are made to be broken. This party season, make sure everyone’s talking about your bold move to wear trousers to a glamorous event for all the right reasons. It’s time to embrace shiny, sophisticated metallics in perfect feminine fits.
As we see it, there are three elements to consider when searching for the perfect pair of evening trousers. First and foremost, it is essential to find a pair of trousers that accentuate your silhouette and enhance your feminine figure. Determine whether a pencil pant, straight line, or perhaps a wide leg works best for your body type. Womenswear designer Christina Liedtke of Christiana J. Paul lets us in on a little insider tip: ‘I am a big believer of pencil pants with zippers at the bottom to balance out fit and length’.
If you’re going to an evening event, find an evening texture that will shimmer and give your overall look extra sparkle! Just as you wouldn’t wear your ball gown in to work, don’t wear trousers that you would wear to the office to a glamorous soiree.
Accessories are what will determine the success of your trousers as part of a party-worthy ensemble. ‘The shoes and belts hold more significance when you are wearing pants’, Christina reminds us. Don’t be afraid to amp up the glamour with glittering chandelier earrings to mirror the sheen of silk pants.
A woman confident enough in both herself and her style to wear trousers to a cocktail event is exactly the type of woman we admire. Emma Stone killed it in a Lanvin jumpsuit at the Golden Globes whilst Emma Watson dazzled in Dior. Cara Delevigne completely ignored the ball gown theme at this year’s Met Gala in a pair of Stella McCartney trousers, and Diane Kruger was red hot in Donna Karen at the Oscars after-party.
Ok, we might not be headed to a Vanity Fair post-red carpet affair any time soon, but we’re regularly invited to art gallery openings, society events and dinners at fabulous restaurants. Tired of trying to re-accessorise the same three cocktail dresses we have on rotation, we’re far more excited to style up the cocktail trouser from now on. After all, as we’ve seen from Ms. Stone et al, a feminine pantsuit, jumpsuit and or trousers paired with a gorgeous top can easily position you in a very inspiring light.
Balance out an ivory wide leg pant with a shorter ivory jacket pulled in at the waist to accentuate the wide length at the bottom. Subtle floral details pull the look together for a unique take on a summer suit. Add volume to white pencil pants by pairing them with a black silk peplum top. Longer at the back and shorter at the front, a top like this allows for clever accessorising with a belt buckle on show. Any excuse for a little extra sparkle!
Distinguished, composed and graceful, yet powerful, bold and sexy: this is both how we want to be seen and how we like our cocktail trousers!
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