Print dresses have had their time in the sun when it comes to our summer wardrobes and now print trousers are, well, wearing the trousers. This season statement pants were seen on the catwalks at Loewe, Oscar De La Renta and Stella McCartney in all shapes and sizes, from flowing palazzo styles in beautiful watercolour prints to bold gingham prints on 50s-style cropped Capris.

This summer it’s all about letting the print do the talking, pairing bold, statement trousers with simple, luxe accessories to balance out their eye-catching designs and silhouettes. Here are seven of our favourite pairs, plus how to style them

Boden


Printed Linen Trousers, £98
Printed Linen Trousers, £98 Copy

These statement linen trousers need nothing more than a crisp linen or slinky silk shirt, slicked back hair and a strappy heel for a stylish summer night. Buy them.


Mint Velvet


Gingham trousers, £89
Mint Velvet Gingham Trousers Copy

Checks have been a print of the summer and this monochrome pair from Mint Velvet are perfect for pairing with a graphic tee or a colour-block knit for a 60s feel. Buy them.


Phase Eight


Zebra Print Trouser, £69
Zebra Print Trouser, £69 Copy

Don’t shy away from animal print, this zebra design from Phase Eight would look great with a safari style shirt, tan sandals and gold accessories. Buy them.


River Island


Knitted Flared Trousers, £37
Knitted Flared Trousers, £37

These knitted flared trousers are as comfortable as joggers but oh-so stylish. Go bold and wear with the matching vest for a head-to-toe look or, alternatively, a simple black tee is perfect for a subtler take. Add a shimmer of silver jewellery to pick up on the metallic threadwork to complete the look. Buy them.


Anthropologie


Amore Trousers, £48
Amore Trousers, £48 Copy

A romantic print from New York artist, Emily Isabella, these wide-leg cropped pants have a comfy smocked waist. Great with a tank and denim jacket for travelling this summer. Buy them.


La Veste


Magic Mushroom Print Trouser, £240
Magic Mushroom Print Trouser, £240 Copy

This vintage-inspired pair have a 60s feel, with high-waisted/kick flare silhouette. In Liberty’s ‘Magic Mushroom’ fabric in tonal blues and greens, pick a navy sweat to dress them down, or stick with the vintage vibe and opt for a sleeveless white shirt for a retro feel. Buy them.


Zara


Printed Trousers, £30
Printed Trousers, £30

This wide-legged, flowing viscose pair from Zara give a boho, global vibe. Inspired by the block-prints of India, we like the acid lime colourway and statement border design. They need little embellishment so wear them with your simplest tee, vest, bikini or light-weight knit for a comfy, laidback look. Buy them.


How To Style Them



A Simple Tee

A Simple Tee Copy

An easy way to pare down a bold print trouser is to combine it with a simple, streamline tee or tank. Stick to black or white and keep the rest of your accessories neutral too for a modern, surprisingly minimalist look. Try this slash-neck one from Yunion T, £45.


An Oversized Shirt

An Oversized Shirt Copy

Wide-leg palazzo pants are a great holiday option worn over a bikini with sandals. Simply throw on an oversized linen shirt for a relaxed, chic beach-to-bar look.
We like this sky-blue from Me + Em, £54. Find more oversized shirt ideas here.


A Co-Ord Set

A Co-Ord Set  Copy

If you’re feeling brave, go for a head-to-toe print with a co-ord set. Matching your print top to your trousers needs no further accessorising; keep jewellery to a minimum for a fun holiday feel that can then be worn separately with neutral basics for a versatile capsule wardrobe. For a 70s vibe, try this Jessica Halterneck Co-ord Top from Boden, £60.


A Body

A Body

Kim K has bought the body back from the 90s with her Skims range. A streamline silhouette is the perfect foil to a bold and bright print trouser. Throw on an oversize blazer as the weather cools to complete the look. We like the 1950s off-the-shoulder vibes of this Draped Body from Zara, £19.99.


A Knitted Top

A Knitted Top

Look out for another summer trend to pair with your print trousers – a crochet or knitted top is a great option to play with textures and patterns, whether it’s a knitted polo or crocheted crop top. Layer with beaded jewellery for a fun Ibiza vibe. This striped, collared example from & Other Stories, £45.

By Lydia Mansi
August 2022