Let's be honest, high waisted trousers or even paperbag trousers, (trousers with excess material at the top which comes above the waistband) are nothing new. We saw them in the 80's paired with oversized blazers as workwear and every now and then they've made a return to the high street in an updated form. However this season we actually saw them hitting the runway in 3.1 Phillip Lim, Public School and Tome SS16 collection who all showcased the high waisted paperbag silhouette.
Gigi Hadid, Vanessa Hudgens, Olivia Munn and Karlie Kloss have been spotted wearing them and even Lauren Conrad got in on the act, incorporating highwaisted trousers and paperbag trousers in her previous sell out Runway collection for Kohls all of which have helped make them the hottest trouser silhouette of the moment.
I'm a huge fan of high waisted trousers, I own the Lauren Conrad high waisted long trousers in both white and green and wear them with a high heal and cropped top for an elongated leg. I even had a bout of wearing paperbag wide legged trousers from Gap as my go to travel trousers a few years ago which I paired with a wedge and a tight tank top for easy and comfortable flight attire.
The high street have come out with some great options and I think they're set to be the trouser of the season! The key to pulling off the look is to wear the high waisted long trousers with a wedge, unless you are of supermodel heights and for your shirt, keep it tight to avoid looking square. Pair them with either a cropped top, or if you're not so keen on flashing your stomach, wear with a tight fitted top or tight knitted jumper for colder days.
For the paperbag trousers, they go particularly well with a tight vest, but again whatever you pair it with, be sure to keep it tight and if it's not a crop, tuck it into the trousers. They're surprisingly flattering and incredibly comfortable as the material is soft and they hit above the hips drawing attention to the smallest part or your torso. Even if you're short, the paperbag trousers if cropped look great with flats, drawing attention to the delicate ankle area, wear with a cute brogue for a put together look or add a heal and a blazer for a more dressed up style!
Below are some great high street options!