Your Stylist: Replacing jeans with summer’s cool, slouchy trousers

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Resident Image stylist and market editor Melissa Magsaysay soothes your sartorial woes in the weekly Your Stylist blog column.

Do flattering comfortable pants exist? I’m looking for really cute weekend pants that I can wear with a tank top or hoodie to take my 2-year-old to the park. Ideally they would look good with flip-flops and sneakers and be $100 or less, and if they are perfect I might buy two pairs. Can you help, or are jeans my only option? DN, Pasadena

Not only do they exist, they are out there in abundance and at various price points to suit every budget.
With this season’s hot trouser trend, everyone is making styles ranging from feminine, slim cargos to loose and lounge-y cropped slacks. Take a cue from the Chloe and Band of Outsider‘s spring/summer 2010 collections, and pair some khakis with a fitted top and flat sandals. This style of menswear-inspired trouser will look super chic with a plain T-shirt, tank top and layered with a neutral colored hoodie or sweater. Flip-flops look totally natural with these pants, and should you choose to stick on some sneakers, just loosely cuff the pants so you still get that effortlessly stylish look.

Because these trendy trousers can be a bit baggier through the seat, wear them with a top that’s fitted or tuck it into the waist band so there’s an obvious shape through your middle. A belt will add even more definition and some color to the overall outfit if you’ve got the time to add one.

For some pretty straightforward khakis that sit nicely on the hip, the Gap has some that are on sale for $17.99. You can definitely wear these with sandals or wedges, so they work for the park and running errands as well as at the office or a casual party. The key to making them look fresh is the haphazard roll of the cuff, which takes the “business casual” stiffness out of otherwise somewhat traditional looking trousers.

Martin + Osa also has a bunch of adorable well-priced, summer weight slacks in light gray, navy and olive green. I am totally loving the “zip bottom field pant,” which has a slight pleat up at the waist and tapers down to angled zippers at the ankle. They’re classic but with a sporty edge, so your flip-flops and sneakers will work with no problem.

If you’re looking for pants that can transition from running after your toddler, to running errands and to relaxing on the couch, active wear could also be a good option. Of course Lululemon makes some very plush workout pants with prices that are generally pretty high. But there is a style called the “Namaste” pant (that I have been wearing to yoga as well as to lunch dates), that are on sale right now for $54. They have that same cool slouch and crop, but with a sportier appeal than the trousers. Scrunch up the bottoms and throw on a black and white striped t-shirt and some white flip-flops and you’ll without a doubt be the most stylish (and comfortable) mom at the park.

Send your style queries to melissa.magsaysay@latimes.com

Melissa Magsaysay

Photos:

Top, left to right: Band of Outsiders spring/summer 2010; Chloe spring/summer 2010/Chloe; Band of Outsiders spring/summer 2010/Band of Outsiders.

Middle, left to right: Martin + Osa slim cargo pants, $49.95; Martin + Osa paper bag trousers, $49.95; Gap khakis, $17.99/Gap; Martin + Osa Zip Field pant, $49.95/Martin + Osa.,

Bottom, top to bottom: Athleta Day Tripper pant, $59/Athleta; Lululemon Namaste pants, $54/Lululemon.