Getting whimsical in printed trousers

There has been a lot of focus on trousers this past fashion season, from skinny jeans, to ankle length, to bright colours. This season is taking the same critical wardrobe piece – and upping the fashion statement with prints. Printed trousers have a bit of a pull from the Hollywood glamour days, when iconic actresses such as Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe wore them. This season the print is a bit more modern, typically with more complex patterns. A variety of designers have incorporated prints into their collections this season. Italian fashion house Emilio Pucci, originally gaining fame as a fashion designer for skiwear, and crafted white silk blousy cropped trousers with a blue print overlay. Similarly, fellow Italian designer Roberto Cavalli, known for prints, crafted a similar white trouser with a blue ornate print. American fashion legend Ralph Lauren took the look vibrant, with cropped yellow high-waist trousers with a tropical print design, incorporating bright greens, pinks, reds and purples. Ever edgy and in style Alexander McQueen, led by creative director Sarah Burton since McQueen’s death in 2010, crafted an oriental floral and dragonfly print trousers on a black background for ultimate contrast. The celebrity scene is taking hold of this style with full force. American actress Amanda Seyfried, known most recently for her smashing role in Les Miserables and sure to be a new fashion icon in the making, stepped out on the town in J Brand brocade style grey and white printed trousers. She made the look casual with simple black flip flops and a short sleeve grey trouser. Emma Roberts, niece of Julia Roberts and known for several teen movies like Nancy Drew, strolled in beautiful Joe’s Brand large floral pink and purple printed skinny jeans. She paired the look with a simple v-neck t-shirt, black ballerina flats and a black handbag. Fashion model Elle Macpherson, also designer of her own fashion label, took the look a bit more boho with tie dye pattered Isabel Marant jeans. She paired the look with a large coin scarf, jean shirt overlay, braided sandals and a satchel bag. The key to the printed trouser look is to focus all the attention on the print, leaving the rest of the ensemble fairly simple. For a dressed down look, pair with a simple, soft v-neck t-shirt and ballet flats, like Emma Roberts. For a more formal look, pair with heeled booties and a jacket. That’s the fashion scoop for this week. Got a thought? Trend? Style you hate? Send it my way.