Fancy Pants!

There comes a time in everyone’s life when they should pull on a pair of pantalones festivos and that time is now. Last season the runway offered up various styles of pyjama pants, but fall’s tailored take on the trend is definitely more sophisticated and something we think you should go buy now.

Last month Ashley Olsen provided us with an exemplary illustration of how chic fancy pants can look when she wore a high-waisted pair of black pleated trousers to the CFDA Fashion Awards. She wore the pants with a slim white shirt and a peplum jacket (all from Calvin Klein Collection Resort 2009) and, in doing so, gave us an interesting alternative to the cocktail or black tie frock.

Of course, you can also look to the fall runways for more ideas on how to style this excellent evening option. Yves Saint Laurent, Nina Ricci, and Costume National all sent out variations of the fancy pant, all of which were femmed up with skinny stiletto super heels and Gucci sunglasses —the key accessory for this look. While we like the pant in the new slouchy slack shape (which resembles a champagne flute, no?), traditionalists can opt for a classic slim fit trouser. Either way, just make sure the hem hits at the right place. We like the seven-eighths/ankle bone grazing length ourselves.

1. Hengst Mission Pant ($303)

These ash-colored silk pants are by San Francisco designer Susan Hengst and we very much approve of the high waist, tapered leg, and cropped length. We don’t see how it would be possible to wear them and not feel elegant.

2. Mayle Nori Pant ($558)

We can’t get over all the lovely details incorporated into these silk trousers. We adore all the subtle chinoiserie elements, especially the frog closures at the ankle and traditional tone-on-tone floral print.

3. Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti Skinny Satin Pants ($545)

There’s something very femme fatale about these super slim cigarette pants—we could totally see Charlize Theron slinking around in them. They’re also quite flattering on the body, thanks to a pressed front seam (it helps to elongate your legs).

4. Topshop Tapered Leg Trouser ($70)

The shape of these super affordable fancy trousers reminds us of the slouchy slacks on Isabel Marant’s fall runway. The deep charcoal color is softer than black but just as chic.

5. Diesel Sinsity Pants ($200)

We were also delighted to find that Diesel is offering an excellent fancy pant this season. Their pant has cool leather details and will be available in their New York store on Lexington, as well as on the Diesel website, starting on September 15th!