By Brittney Hensman (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: October 1, 2014
UFV’s men have set a trend sporting patterned pants and joggers — or what I like to call modern pantaloons (not to be confused with sweatpants).
Some people call them “clown pants” or “balloon butt pants.” Whatever the term you use, they are the pants with an elastic waist which are loosely fitted around the hips and thighs, and have tapered legs. Some styles also have elastic around the ankles, and they are usually made from cotton or rayon. The style is very trendy in women’s fashion and has started to shift over to the male side.
However, when it comes to flamboyant pants and patterns, both men and women must be careful when wearing them. Often they look great on the rack, but can take a turn for the worst if certain factors are not taken into consideration.
Most of the women’s styles I’ve seen come in various contemporary patterns with eccentric shapes or designs. Choosing the right pattern for this style of pant is important for both men and women. If the colour of the pant and pattern doesn’t provide a significant contrast to your top, they can end up looking like pajamas.
A black-and-white pattern is a safe way to experiment with this trend. I like to choose a smaller pattern, but if you are going to go colourful and bold, choose a dark-coloured pant with a brighter pattern.
Floral patterns are tricky because they can lend themselves to a dated or elderly look. Opt for an intricate floral pattern if you want a subtle look. Large floral patterns tend to look more youthful, but the pattern can look middle-aged if the flowers have pointed petals.
Men can rock floral print, too. A floral shirt or floral accessories like a tie or suspenders work best, especially with a cardigan, blazer, or denim shirt over top to let the pattern subtly peek out from underneath.
For men looking to garb their legs in some sort of pattern, a trouser pant in a solid colour with small patterns like triangles, animals, or anchors can be quite aesthetically appealing, and lends itself to a preppy look. This pattern is better contrasted if the trousers are darker and the pattern lighter; the opposite tends to look dated.
Guys, if you’re going to hit the campus with a patterned flair, stick to patterns like camo, acid wash, and iconic symbols. These are all trendy and are currently in style. But avoid choosing crazy patterns when buying jogger pants — they are a statement in and of themselves.
Remember to choose the right top with patterned bottoms. Don’t settle for a t-shirt when putting on your patterned pants — it will look too casual and can make you look sloppy. Go with a structured top like a button-down, and stick with a neutral tone like black, denim, navy, or cream. You don’t want your top to outshine the statement you are making with your pants!
