Loved by Lizzi: HOW TO WEAR CHECKED TROUSERS

The checked trousers have been around now for a good year and it's still a popular choice on the high street, but with a huge variety of different colour choices and patterns it can be quite intimidating to know where to start - here's hoping my guide will help you take on this great stylish garment which will add value and versatility to your every day wardrobe.

I would start with the style of trousers first - cigarette, wide leg or paper-bag waist (this option comes with tapered or wide leg)

My personal preference is the more slimming cigarette style, as the tapered ankle that finishes around the 7/8th of your leg is very flattering, and a modern look, even for those with quite wide hips.

@lovedbylizzi

The checked trousers is a great way to introduce colour into your wardrobe and you can decide how daring or safe you would prefer to style yourself. The darker the colour the more slimming it will be on the leg, especially around the hips and thighs. The more white you have within the pattern, the more it will widen your natural body shape.

As with all styling, only you can decide how comfortable you are with colour, but believe me, this is a great way to start moving away from traditional black, navy and grey tones within your wardrobe.

The vast majority of the pattern checks on the high street are typically 'window pane' followed by the 'buffalo check' which looks similar to a checkerboard but with more than one colour involved. More colour within the pattern the more you will be comfortable with playing with colours and be confident to accessorise too.

Let's be honest you could go down the pattern clash route, but I feel this will simply distract from a more sophisticated, stylish look. Complicate the look and some may view it as 'trying too hard'.

That said, I wouldn't be apposed to a little colour clash - for example if you had a predominately red checked trouser which did not have any pink in the pattern, then a great oversized knitted pink jumper could look fabulous. It's a style of trouser you can have a lot of fun playing with.

@lovedbylizzi

HOW TO BE CONFIDENT WEARING THEM

It's important that you love the checked pattern from the moment you see them, it's not a pattern you can make yourself love. If you don't like it, don't buy it
Think about the colours you want to wear, will the pattern give you the opportunity to do this?
You need to love all the colours in the check, wearing them for 10+ hours a day, you can't be walking around thinking 'I'm not keen on the green stripe' - this will simply make you lose confidence, and then you will find you won't wear them
If you are unsure about this style, buy a cheap pair - that's what I've done. I really like the bright red ones, but feel if I went straight to red I may not be as confident on day one. So I'm playing safe too by starting with a darker check, that's not too expensive, to test how I feel. As my confidence grows and the people I see on a daily basis see me wear them, when I do finally rock on up in a red pair, it won't be a big deal
I always wear something I truly love with a new item, so here I have team the checked trousers with my stylish green trench coat; this coat gives me confidence and because both have a green they naturally complement each other

HOW TO PICK OUT WHAT COLOURS TO WEAR WITH IT

Let's completely forget about pattern clash and colour clash - this is for another day.

I would love for you to feel that you can wear these trousers with so many different items that you will get your cost per wear down in no time.
When you finally select the checked trousers you love, look at all the colours within the pattern - looking closely at the one I purchased it has black/navy, bottled green, yellow (love this) grey and white
As much as I love the yellow - I think it's highly unlikely I would add a yellow blouse/jumper for me this is the colour element that I want the trousers to make a statement with. By removing that one colour, I now have to work with the others
Why have I said black/navy - to me the pattern looks navy, the website states black - I've tried them with both black and navy tops and both work - so this tells me the pattern has confused the eye and I have the flexibility to wear both - this I feel is a bonus, as I am now not restricted
I really love the green - and typically most greens work well with each other, don't feel you need to match it perfectly!
Once Spring kicks in, I will probably lighten this outfit with a light grey crew neckline knit or if it's warm I can easily opt a white tee - plain or slogan depending on my mood. And if the colour of the slogan is a yellow or green, this will only elevate the look further

H&M
Pull-on cigarette trousers

£17.99

HOW TO STYLE THEM

As it's likely we are about to hit a cold spell, these are a great one to team up with your Teddy coats, especially for a great weekend look with pumps and a slogan hoodie or long-sleeve tee.

If you need to style them up for a lunch date or family gathering, then why not do it as I have done above with some great ankle boots and a trench coat - opt for a slim style knit or go chunky and oversize with a roll neck, for that cosy winter look. As it gets warmer or if you layer up, then a chunky knit and a biker jacket will look fabulous with either boots or pumps.

Some of these checked trousers come with a matching blazer jacket - this gives you versatility to wear them together or as separates. The suit could be a great option for the office without having to do too much to style it - a plain tee and court shoes.

And if you are heading out on date night or dinner with girlfriends - simply add stilettos, a silk blouse and an oversized blazer for that ultimate chic look (don't forget your clutch bag that matches that statement colour you are leaving out - e.g. for me this would be the yellow!)

CURRENT AND ON THE HIGH STREET

H&M
Tailored stretch trousers

£24.99