Balloon Pants Will Change the Way You Dress

We’ve all fallen prey to the ubiquity of the skinny pants trend. The appeal of narrow bottoms is  easy enough to understand—they’re sleek, slimming and act as a blank canvas for other silhouettes. But take a chance on their freewheeling cousin, balloon pants, and you might never go back to your skinnies.

Learning to style balloon pants the right way can totally alter the way you dress. Here’s how to make the switch:

Letting Your Pants Take Center Stage

With a world so captivated by narrow trousers, a voluminous pair is bound to stand out no matter what, so you might as well let them speak for themselves. A statement-making pair of balloon pants in vibrant green or fabulous brocade will garner you compliment after compliment—especially if you highlight them with a simple top, like a tucked-in white button-down or a minimalist silk shell.

Study in Contrasts

Having fun with fashion is all about exploring contrasts in shape, color and vibe—so what better way is there to show off an enormous pair of pants than with a teeny-tiny top? The crop top has found its place as a fashion girl’s essential, and when paired with a high-waisted and full volume trouser, it looks sophisticated and proportional. Go for a crop top in high-tech neoprene to give your look a slightly futuristic nod.

Loose on Loose

On the other hand, sometimes it’s best to embrace exaggeration and go big all around. Wearing a loose top with loose pants gives a radically relaxed silhouette perfect for artsy types and fashion plates. A bell-shaped oversized tee or untucked boyfriend shirt atop balloon pants looks intentional and cool, not sloppy, when you choose pieces in luxurious textiles. Adding a silk duster completes the laissez-faire look.

Finishing Touches

When you’re styling pants this declarative, it’s important that you get the details right. Accessorize a balloon pant with a ballet flat and your legs will do a disappearing act—instead, go for a chunky flatform heel or a revealing leather sandal to gently remind the world that there’s a body underneath. As for jewelry, statement necklaces and simple-yet-stunning hoop earrings strike the right tone.

Balloon pants are an invigorating alternative to your usual skinnies. Once you realize how easy—not to mention comfortable—they are to wear, you won’t look back.

Let balloon pants help you float away.

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