They make any outfit look effortlessly cool.
Menswear is taking up a lot of space on my fall mood board, from Lady Gaga’s no-fuss trousers to Cate Blanchett’s not-quite-as-demure polka dot suit. And while you can’t go wrong with sharp tailoring, I tend to gravitate toward more oversized silhouettes; a little extra room brings an air of cool to otherwise-stuffy styles.
Demi Moore has made an oversized pantsuit one of her go-to looks—the giant one she wore this summer still lives rent free in my mind—and Jessica Alba just followed suit (pun kind of intended). When the actress stepped onto the red carpet for Exhibiting Forgiveness, she opted for a pinstripe pantsuit that was, to put it bluntly, huge.
Her three-part suit included a buttoned-up vest, super-spacious blazer, and pleated trousers with ample room through the legs; yes, it was giant, but it was still incredibly chic. She finished the look with white pointed-toe pumps and a small handbag in a deep burgundy shade, two polished styles that helped refine her baggy outfit.
Candidly, I want every part of this look, from that trending bag to the oversized blazer that I’d wear with everything from jeans and a tee to body-skimming dresses this fall. But it’s her wide-leg trousers I think everyone needs in their wardrobe.
Banana Republic Relaxed Wide-Leg Pants
$170 at Gap.com
Corey Lynn Calter Pinstripe Wide-Leg Trousers
$168 at Anthropologie
Pleated, wide-leg dress pants are so effortlessly chic (and yes, very comfortable) that once you start reaching for them, you won’t stop. For years I was loyal to wide-leg jeans because I just couldn’t deal with tight, rigid denim, but last fall I added loose trousers to my wardrobe, and those jeans I once swore by started collecting dust.
The first thing that fueled my obsession was how good the wide-leg trousers felt on. That relaxed silhouette is so breezy and comfortable that you can wear the pants all day without ever really thinking about them. But what’s more is that the bagginess keeps the pants from feeling too formal, which has allowed me to wear them with everything from plain white T-shirts and crewneck sweaters to sneakers. Basically, they’re my hack for looking good while secretly being really comfy.
Alba’s giant pantsuit is your reminder that fall’s must-have item isn’t a pair of jeans or a sweater (okay, you might need those too), but a pair of effortlessly cool wide-leg trousers. Shop the style, below.
Get the Look:
Madewell the Harlow Superwide-Leg Trousers
Shop now: $148; madewell.com
Evaless Wide-Leg Pants
Shop now: $27 with coupon (Originally $30); amazon.com
Gap 365 High-Rise Brushed Twill Pleated Trousers
Shop now: $100; gap.com
Reformation Carter Mid-Rise Pants
Shop now: $198; thereformation.com
Everlane the Draper Pants
Shop now: $168; everlane.com
Nordstrom x Harlem’s Fashion Row Megan Renee Wide-Leg Pants
Shop now: $139; nordstrom.com
Abercrombie and Fitch Tailored Wide-Leg Pants
Shop now: $90; abercrombie.com