This Classic Wardrobe Staple Will Make Your Fall Outfits Instantly Cooler

If you’re still accustomed to summer's breezy skirts and dresses, tailored pants might still feel a little too buttoned up. Sharp suiting however, is one of the biggest trends to try for fall — and polished trousers anchor the movement, from wide-leg shapes to paperbag waists and cropped silhouettes. High-waisted trousers are an essential part of the tailored movement: They pair well with myriad pieces in your closet from so-soft knits to coordinating blazers and an array of shirts and blouses — even crop tops.

Beyond your basic work slacks, fall’s tailored trouser trend is surprisingly nonchalant, (ideal for those who might consider this pant style too stuffy), per the runways of Givenchy, Acne Studios, and Rejina Pyo. The latest styles come in a range of color and and prints, along with utilitarian shades of white and khaki. Wider cuts are meant to be more fitted up top and break at the ankle, ideal for styling with everything from sneakers to cowboy boots. These fresh takes on trousers aren't so laid-back as to render them inappropriate for work, but relaxed enough to make them feel just as cool for a day spent outside the office as one at your desk.

As for styling, “I love the idea of playing up a tailored pant with interesting details like a bold side stripe, open slits, and my favorite, an unexpected twist such as a pant-skirt combo like our Drama Skirt Trouser,” says Jodi Arnold, creative director at the plus-size brand, Eloquii. Her suggestion: “I don’t think there’s anything more fun than mixing unexpected prints, particularly with a tailored pant.”

Whether you go for a suited head-to-toe look or dial it down with a T-shirt and denim jacket, tailored trousers are adaptable between styles and moods.

“I love that you can style this staple to make it work for different occasions,” says Susan Marasco, fashion director at Bloomingdale’s. “For a chic work look, I’d pair trousers back to a classic blazer styled closed with a fitted belt over it,” she says. Cinching a blazer at the waist creates a more streamlined shape for those not into the boxy, oversize ‘90s styles that are back in the spotlight.

“For a more casual look, you can wear a wide-leg trouser with a shrunken crewneck sweater and sneakers,” Marasco adds. If something a little spiffier feels right, Marasco suggests trousers with a silk camisole, heels, and a clutch to elevate the effect for an evening out with. Pro tip: don’t forget the jewels. Chain-link pieces are a prime pick this season.

Whether you’re for a wide-leg silhouette at work or a high-waist shape to wear with a crop top for date night, ahead, shop 18 pairs of tailored trousers at every price point.