Guacho Pants: The Trouser You'll Wear All Year

Before we can truly begin to talk in depth about the trouser of the coming spring summer season, we must be clear that we are on the same page and are talking about the exact same trouser. There has been much debate about the wide legged cropped trouser and its technical fashion name.

Last summer these trousers had but one name, they were called the culottes – not quite a skirt, not quite trousers. This season the very same trouser seems to have acquired a new alias, the Gaucho pant. The accumulation of names clearly a sign of the wide legged trousers’ popularity. Apparently there is no difference between the two. However, I can’t help but think of the term ‘gaucho pants’ as far more adult sounding than culottes and therefore, for the sake of this article, the gaucho pant is how these trousers will be referred to.

If you’ve not yet purchased yourself a pair of Gaucho pants just yet, the likelihood is that you’re considering them. They’re either on your list of items you need and you’ve just not got round to buying them yet, or you’re deliberating whether these new pants will actually suit you and how you might incorporate them into your wardrobe.

Admittedly, as easy and as effortless as these trousers may appear to be on the bloggers and the street style icons, unless you are model skinny, it’s not so easy and effortless to find the gaucho pant that flatters and fits to perfection. I know this because I have purchased and returned two pairs in the space of just one week. However, I will continue to pursue the gaucho pant until I nail the perfect pair, not because I am a fashion victim that can’t turn their back on a trend, but because I do believe that once you have discovered the gaucho pant that works for you, there is no end to the good it can do.

All of those trans-seasonal wardrobe stresses that are just around the corner needn’t exist once you own a pair of these. They are the spring summer item that you can buy now and wear now and be completely on trend for the season, but can continue to wear years after the trend has been forgotten.

Here’s how to shop the trend...

1. For your first pair of gaucho pants, go for a tailored pair in a good heavy fabric. And go for a neutral colour, like black, navy blue, grey or camel. You’ll be able to wear these throughout the trans-seasonal that’s just around the corner.

2. Be prepared to invest in your gaucho pants. This trend is no flash in the pan. Although they are currently at their peak, these trousers are classic enough to wear even once the trend has died out.

3. Be wary of the pleats and folds. For the most slimming of gaucho pants, choose a pair that has minimal pleats and folds around the waistband of the trouser. These folds in the material can add volume to the waist and hips – which can be troublesome areas for some.

4. Consider the length of the trouser. If you’re considering the most slimming of gaucho pants, select those that are slightly longer in length. Instead of the trouser leg reaching your shin, go for a pair that sit at the smallest part of your leg – just meeting your ankles.

5. Consider proportions. If you want a voluminous pair, go for a pair that are closer to the body at the top of the trouser and flare out towards the bottom, so they almost appear like an A-line midi skirt.

6. In the trans-seasonal period wear your gaucho pants with a simple slim lined shirt or tee and a pair of stilettos. This is the perfect ensemble for mid-week after work drinks.

7. In the summer pair gaucho pants with a simple shell top that can easily be tucked into the trouser or is slightly cropped, so it sits just on the waistband of the trouser. Avoid wearing these pants with any thing loose or baggy as this will make you look wider both on your top and bottom half.

8. Once you feel confident in your gaucho wearing, go for prints and patterns in lighter fabrics and if you're feeling particularly brave maybe even try out some co-ord sets. Pair with barely-there-sandals and platforms for bbqs and summer gatherings.

Where to shop the trend...

Chalayan Net-a-Porter  

Alexander Wang La Garconne

DKNY Stylebop

Rejina Pyo Avenue 32

Alexander McQueen Farfetch

Chalayan Avenue 32

With so many different varieties of gaucho pants being spotted in high street shops, on the catwalk and donned by street style fashion icons, you need at least two pairs of these trousers to mix and match with pieces in your wardrobe. But, the ultimate question is, which styles will you go for?