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Why you're going to want to follow in Gigi's footsteps and rock the 'drouser' trend this season (yes, that's dresses over trousers)

If it's good enough for Gigi, it's good enough for us.

5 May 2021

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Even if you're someone who has vowed never to experiment with hybrid fashion trends again after having a regrettable jeggings/coatigan/snood phase – shivers just thinking about it – there's one hybrid trend that never fails to make a comeback every couple of years. And that's the drouser. Yes, it may sound like something you'd leave the house in by accident... but trust us; editors, influencers and even Gigi Hadid are wearing the drouser trend right now (not least because it's weather-proof and practical).

If you haven’t already guessed, the term "drouser" refers to an all-in-one trouser/dress combination. Which in simpler terms, is just a nice dress thrown over your favourite trousers. And influencers are styling it in a myriad of ways.

Before you squirm over flashbacks of Disney stars wearing garish,
coloured tops over skinny jeans, you can let out a sigh of relief. The 2021 iteration looks sleeker, simpler and much more structured.

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Admittedly, this particular hybrid has been showcased more on catwalks and red carpets (Valentino, Versace, Gucci and Ellie Saab) than on the actual high-street - in comparison to its counterparts (read: skorts and shackets). But fear not: for this comeback, the trend has still been translated into something wearable and casual making it the perfect styling solution for dressing to withstand the temperamental British weather. And actually, while this trend has been doing the rounds in designer fashion, for women in some cultures, it's been a way of life for centuries. For example, the shalwar kameez is a traditional combination dress worn by women (and men in some regions) in South and Central Asia – 'shalwars' being trousers typically cuffed at the bottom, and layered under a 'kameez', a long shirt or tunic.

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Essentially, drousers keeps your legs from freezing to death while you're sat outside at a beer garden while simultaneously being fashion-editor-approved.

This hybrid enables you to wear your new floral summer dress and Levi's mom jeans all at once. After all, we’ve been waiting for what feels like years to wear all the clothes that have sadly only been debuted inside the house, so why not wear multiple pieces at once?

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To avoid any styling disasters, there is one rule to be cautious of though. For obvious reasons, stick to mid-length dress hemlines, otherwise people can’t see the trousers layer and it avoids the dress being mistaken for a dodgy-fitting, jeans-and-a-nice-top combination.

Still a little unsure? Why not ease yourself in with a long tunic a la Nanushka for a commitment free take on the reinvention of the questionable ‘00’s trend. Or, if your still stuck, stick to comfort and opt for bohemian breezy kaftans paired with wide-leg trousers. It’s up to you, make the most of your wardrobe and play it as safe or as daring as you fancy.