Bootleg pants, last winter's big sellers, are being relegated to the back of the closet. This season, pants are wide and mannish, reflecting the vaguely androgynous tones that underscore autumn fashion.
Wide-cut pants have tripped off virtually every designer catwalk and have been copied by multi-store fashion chains and high-street stores.
But the boxy look can be a dicey one unless the proportions are mastered. If the pants are paired with an oversized jacket, you could be seen to be drowning in a sea of grey tweed.
Merchandising specialists reckon the key is balance: ultra-high boots or a great high-heeled pair of shoes will immediately 'feminise' and glamorise slouchy pants. And a neat cashmere twin-set or close-fitting blouse can also redistribute the weight that chunky pants can add.
'It's a very important look for autumn, but for a typical Chinese proportion it can be difficult,' said Sarah Rutson-Pang, senior buyer for Lane Crawford.
The thick fabrics of winter, such as tweed and wool mixes, have been fashioned into fluid pants that drape around the body, and have been adopted by just about every style-setter on the block.
