Over the last year, trousers have undergone a chameleonic makeover. They’ve gone from cropped and flared, to long and voluminous, to wacky and transparent with knee peep-holes. Yet, Pinterest has spotted an unexpected surge in searches of one style that until now has had little air time: the paper bag waist.
Bella Hadid and her sister Gigi, along with Kendall Jenner, Sienna Miller and half of Copenhagen Fashion Week's street style brigade have been spotted wearing the sartorial offering.
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This trending silhouette is easily recognisable in the wild thanks to its dramatic waistline. In the loosest possible terms, this high-waisted cut with the guidance of a belt, or a drawstring, is meant to resemble a bulging grocery bag. Or, so we assume.
Strategically speaking, it’s extremely flattering as it conceals the lower abs with swathes of pleated fabric and draws everyone’s eyes to your cinched waist. But, best of all, it does the heavy lifting, it lets you get away with a basic jersey top or a plain polo neck while still looking like you’re wearing an architecturally interesting outfit. It’s easy to style for day or for play and goes just as well as with a pair of ballet flats as box fresh adidas Gazelles. No wonder, Pinterest has seen a 682% uptick in searches for it.
Shop our favourites below.
5 of 6paperbag vivienne westwood trousers
Paper bag tweed trousers, £370, Vivienne Westwood Anglomania at Net-A-Porter
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