These Wardrobe Staple Bottoms Are Outdated, Here's What To Try Instead
Fashion trends come and go, so not even staple wardrobe items can stay in style forever. Fashionable staple bottoms are an essential part of any on-trend outfit, so it is essential we update our closets to the most fashion-forward basic bottoms each season. Some items have been in our wardrobes for years, but as the world and our lives change, we may find ourselves leaning towards new items and wearing those for the next decade.
In general, we have switched to more comfortable alternatives over the past couple of years due to many of us working from home and going out less. "The lack of social feedback put the focus on how clothes made us feel rather than their aesthetic value," fashion psychologist Shakaila Forbes-Bell told Marie Claire. We have held onto these feelings into today, which has led to huge changes in our wardrobe staples. Comfort has been put at the forefront, whereas before, it didn't matter how your clothes made you feel, only how they made you look.
If you are wanting to refresh your wardrobe this season, we have you covered! We have curated seven outdated bottoms and their fashion-forward, but staple, replacements.
Ditch skinny jeans for wide-leg jeans
Skinny jeans are perhaps the most controversial outdated trend. When speaking of outdated bottoms, they are often the first pants that come to mind. While it may be hard to give up your favorite skinny jeans, the trend that is replacing them is both flattering and comfortable. High-waisted wide-leg jeans provide a flattering waistline with a trouser-like leg. Instagram fashion influencer @heartfelthunt shows us that fitted tops are the way to go with wide-leg jeans, as she styles hers with a sweater vest and fitted white turtleneck.
Try flared leggings instead of traditional leggings
Just like skinny denim is leaving the scene, so are traditional skinny leggings. Instead of leggings that are fitted down to the ankle, fashion it-girls are now wearing leggings that flare out at the ends. Flared leggings are easy to dress up or down and can even make it less obvious that you're wearing comfy pants. YouTube fashion creator Emily Ferrier says that there are many ways to style flared leggings, but some of her favorite ways include styling them with a sweatshirt, cropped cardigan, or motocross jacket.
Midi over mini
When it comes to skirts, showing lots of leg is out. Instead, we are sticking to midi skirts this season due to a retro fashion trend we saw across many fall 2022 runways. Gucci was just one of many designer brands to feature the midi skirt in their F/W 2022 fashion show, as seen in a FF Channel recording posted to YouTube. We have seen this trend trickle down into street fashion and worn by our favorite Instagram influencers such as Marina Torres who styles her denim midi with a trench coat and loafers.
Baggy trousers instead of the cigarette pant
Gen-Z has officially said anything baggy and oversized is trendy, which is why we have officially declared classic cigarette pants as out and baggy trousers as in. Baggy trousers are suitable for both the office and the streets, as they can be styled in a variety of ways. Emma Chamberlain is just one Gen-Z fashion icon who has been seen rocking the look on her Instagram.
Say goodbye to vibrant prints and hello to neutral tones
Neutrals are the way to go this season, with the rise of minimalist fashion and capsule wardrobes. Vibrant prints on flared leggings and pants were all the rage a few years ago, but today, we are looking for neutral color bottoms that can pair well with a variety of tops in our wardrobe. Fashion and lifestyle YouTuber Allana Davison names trousers in black, white, or tan as essential in her clothing staples YouTube video.
Cargo pants over pants with no pockets
Jamie (AKA Your Guide To Style on YouTube) is adamant that anything "plain-Jane" is not in style for the current season, including trousers without details like pockets. Instead, she recommends trying pants with lots of pockets and detail, such as cargo pants. The cargo pant was a Y2K staple, which is an obvious reason it would make a comeback this season as we see other Y2K favorites re-entering the scene. Cargo pants are also common in other trending aesthetics, such as the motocross aesthetic seen on all the it-girls this season.
Leather over corduroy
Texture is essential to a perfect outfit, but there is one texture standing above the rest this season: leather. Corduroy was once essential in our wardrobes, reminiscent of academia and the 2014 Tumblr era, but today we are looking for a bottom that can supplement the edgier trends of the moment. Leather bottoms are a perfect way to take on the trend. Instagram fashion blogger Laura shows us that leather pants can also be comfortable, as she styles her leather bottoms with platform Uggs, an oversized sweater, and a sherpa-lined vest.