The paperbag pants are a comfortable and versatile style of trousers. It can come in different cuts from wide-leg, tapered to straight, and in all types of fabrics, from cotton to linen to leather and even silk.
Aside from being in trend, the paperbag pants are suitable for all body shapes – you just need to pick the right pair for you. Also, when styled differently, paperbag trousers can be worn for work and play, and can bring you from the mall to the beach.
The key to this piece is you have to tuck in your top completely. Tucking out your shirt will only defeat the purpose of paperbag pants. Also, no French tuck. So, here’s what you can do.
Paperbag Pants for Your Body Shape
As paperbag trousers cover up a lot of the body, you need to think proportions so you don’t end up looking like a hobbit. If you are rather petite, look taller by going for paperbag pants with cropped legs and adding some height with heels or wedges. Skip baggy legs and go for tapered ones.
If you are big-busted or have not much of a waist, go for paperbag pants that don’t gather too much fabric or add too much volume around the waist. Look for a pair with less flimsy fabric as a thicker fabric would smooth over any bulges. Paperbag pants in satin finishes or any shiny look tends to define bulges and generally, make your legs look bigger – skip. Add a belt in a colour different from your pants to give your waist more prominence. A thicker fabric can also help smooth over a big tummy.
If you’re slim, you can basically wear any paperbag pants. If you are slim and tall you can choose those with wide legs.
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Actress Katie Holmes was also spotted wearing paperbag pants while in New York for fashion week activities in September:
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How to Wear and Style Paperbag Trousers
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For grocery run or to the beach : Choose cotton or linen cropped paperbag pants in a softer material, and pair it with a casual T-shirt or sleeveless top, and sandals or sneakers. Optional: Sunglasses and a hat.
For after-hours drinks: Dressier than the casual vacay look, go for paperbag trousers of hardier fabrics. Choose a bold colour like black, red or even green, and pair it with a frilly blouse or even a long-sleeved white shirt. For reference, see Tong Bing Yu’s OOTD again. Wear with heels or boots, and accessorise.
For the creative or chillax office: You can opt for linen paperbag pants with office-appropriate tops and pumps. If you want to wear a jacket, choose a cropped jacket as a long one will create a bulge at the back and sides.
For the corporate office: If your office has a more formal dress code, You can still wear paperbag trousers. Refer to the second look and minus the accessories and loud colours. Look for hardier fabrics and pair with a more structured shirt. Skip those that come with a sewn-on bow-tie belt and wear a leather belt. Go with a solid colour like grey, black or a dark teal, and pair with black pumps and work bag. Better yet, slip on a structured black cropped jacket, and keep accessories to a bare minimum.
Now, check out nine designs to shop: