I don’t know about you, but I love the limited ‘trousers-and-flip-flops’ season almost as much as the ‘shorts-and-sweater’ weeks – although, thinking about it, they’re basically the same thing. At least the trousers don’t have to be packed away with the shorts and the flip-flops once autumn really hits.
It’s too late for linens but too early for cords or wool, so today I’ve picked out seven pairs of trans-seasonal trousers that work right now but will still be good later. I own a version of all of these because, as you know, I love a good pair of trousers. And jeans – so some of these are jeans too, of course.
THE CLASSIC KHAKIS
I predict that we will be seeing a bit of a resurgence of khaki trousers this coming season, but we can get into that next week when we have a look at some trends I’ve been seeing. Personally, I never tire of a good pair of khaki trousers. They work with so many other colours and are the perfect accompaniment to your denim jacket. The ‘pretty top, khaki trousers, denim jacket and ballet flats’ combo is the perfect failsafe casual outfit if you don’t have time to think about what to wear. I bet you have a version of all these items in your wardrobe already.
- Rixo Lace Detail Cotton Top
- Loewe Square Sunglasses
- Boden Hammered Gold Teardrop Hoops
- Boden Topstitch Denim Jacket
- Nobody’s Child Khaki Pleated Subtle Barrel Trousers
- Dragon Diffusion Leather Woven Tote Bag
- COS Leather Ballet Flats
THE GOLDILOCKS SUEDE TROUSERS
I bought these Albaray suede barrel trousers back in late April this year. It’s basically been hot ever since, so I’ve barely worn them and am looking forward to a few dry but semi-chilly days when I can make the most of them. I call items like these ‘Goldilocks’ pieces as the conditions have to be ‘just right’ to wear them. Suede often falls into this category, which is annoying as I love suede. I’ll be getting out my special spray to ensure my suede items are protected from the elements.
- Orelia Pavé T‑Bar Drop Necklace
- Mint Velvet White Cotton Blend Scoop Neck Vest
- LE SPECS Blue Light Glasses Sunglasses
- Monica Vinader Deia Huggie Hoop earrings
- Violette FR Dieu Bleu Sweatshirt
- Albaray Suede Barrel Trousers
- Rixo Parissa Tan Suede and Leather bag
- Reformation Jessie Thong Sandals
THE OFF-YELLOW JEANS
These are a new purchase for me this year. They’re true to size, and I’m impressed that Zara seem to have improved their sizing recently, as everything I’ve bought in my usual size actually fits for a change. Yellow is definitely not my colour when worn near my face, but on the legs it’s good, and I can break it up with some browns and creams using the three-colour-rule that we’ve already established works so well as a styling trick.
- Dissh High-Neck Cotton Blend Track Jacket
- Monica Vinader Antica Bold Cord Necklace
- Estella Bartlett Hammered Huggie Hoop Earrings
- M&S Knitted Vest With Linen
- Zara Off Yellow Barrel Jeans
- Coach Barrel Suede Shoulder Bag
- COS White Leather Trainers
THE LIGHTWEIGHT PLEATED TROUSERS
At this point, I’m not going to apologise for the fact that three of these seven pairs of transitional trousers are from Zara. They can be very hit and miss, but their trousers and jeans have been killing it recently. These, I must warn you, are very long. I had to have an inch taken off mine to avoid the risk of a nasty fall (I’m 5ft 6½in for reference, so my taller ladies won’t need to).
- Aligne Check Ruched Sleeve Top
- M&S Cat Eye Sunglasses
- Massimo Dutti Fluid overshirt with puff detail
- Zara Navy Pleated Trousers
- Prada Re-Edition 1978 medium Re-Nylon Tote Bag
- White Stuff Suede Flip Flop Sandals
THE CROP BARREL JEANS
These jeans are basically the same style as the yellow ones above, but they’re such a great shape I had to include them too. They’re a very light barrel shape: nothing extreme here. These ones are also a similar style, but with greater size options and slightly more substantial denim (they are also currently on sale and you can use code AFXSHOPMY for an extra discount).
I think the days of those extreme barrel jeans are over. Now we’re wearing a much more subtle style that is really flattering on pretty much all body shapes. Ideally your barrels should hit on the ankle, which is the perfect length for wearing with ballet flats now, and great with loafers or slimline boots when it gets colder.
Another mini-trend I’m seeing is for knot fastening tops — a nod to Mandarin-style jackets. As well as this one from M&S, I also love this long-sleeved satin version from Aligne.
- M&S Knot Button Detail Puff Sleeve Top
- Daisy London Double Horseshoe Personalised Necklace
- Wardrobe 44 Pia Contrast Cami Tip
- Amanu Tugela suede belt
- Zara mid rise barrel Jeans
- Marlon Vieras Suede Tote Bag Tan
- Alohas Suede Bow Flat Ballet Pumps
THE BARREL ANKLE TROUSERS
If jeans are not your thing (although you may have to question your very existence if they’re not), then these Uniqlo barrel-ankle trousers fit the brief just as well and can be worn for both casual and smart days. If you didn’t get into the Salomon trainers trend last winter, now could be the time. I will definitely be wearing mine this autumn and winter. They work best with cropped trousers like these.
- WNU Bessette Stripe Top
- Le Specs Aviator-Frame Acetate Sunglasses
- Organic Basics Flex Bralettes
- Uniqlo Barrel Ankle Trousers
- Adidas OG Croissant Bag
- Salomon XT‑6 Sneakers
THE CARGO TROUSERS
If you like your trousers to have a lot of useful pockets, these cargos are for you. This is another trend I can see coming back this winter. I know some of you will be aghast, but I’ve always had a soft spot for this style. It harks back to my ‘sports-metal’ era. When I first met my husband, the Deftones were one of the bands we listened to a lot, along with No Doubt, Limp Bizkit et al. I’m not saying you have to wear your baseball cap back to front or tie your hair up in tiny butterfly clips, but you can get out those cargos again.
- COS Cotton Raglan Sleeve T‑shirt
- Zara Maroon Check Jacket
- M&S Pure Cotton Cargo Barrel Leg Trousers
- COS Sculpted Tote Bag
- Violette Fr. Bisou Balm
- Adidas SL72 RS Check Trainers
Next week, we’ll take a closer look at a few trends for the new season: easy ones that we can make small updates to achieve, not the ‘I‑need-to-buy-a-whole-new-look’ kind.
Kate x
