How to wear a trouser suit now? Well, it's less about the actual style of tailoring—anything from pajama-influenced to power-shouldered looks will do—and more about what you're not wearing with it. Namely, a top.
The trouser suit has become a very normal and trusted part of a fashion girl's repertoire—with many choosing it instead of dresses during the wedding guest season—but where you'd usually want to suit-up in a pussy-bow blouse to hit the '70s trend on the bullseye, or pair with a tee to add casual slant, right now the A-list and street style set are choosing to forgo a top-half layer altogether.
Now, if this sounds like a potential step into flasher territory, don't worry. There are degrees of exposure that one can choose from. If you opt for a PJs vibe, then you'll instantly be more covered up. Double-breasted styles also create far more coverage. There's also the little trick of wearing a statement bra or bralette underneath to feel secure and nod to the underwear-as-outerwear trend we've seen everywhere for S/S 16.
So scroll through the gallery below to see the trouser suit sans top in action; then shop a few of our favourite pairings to get yours in gear.
Style Notes: Super-blogger Doina Ciobanu avoids the corporate look by pairing her suit with a choker and bold bag.
Style Notes: Mariacarla Boscono's sombre take on the trend (all black, flat shoes, wide shoulders) helps balance out the fact she's not wearing a top under that suit.
Style Notes: If you've got a plunging neckline, don't feel like you have to fill the space with jewellery—going bare like Emilia Clarke can be best.
Style Notes: Make this your party piece instead of a pretty dress, like Georgia May Jagger.
Style Notes: Slip on a skinny scarf to nod to the retro roots of this trend.
Style Notes: Treat your trouser suit jacket as a going-out top, and wear it barely there like Edie Campbell—if you're game!
Style Notes: Eleonora Carisi's pajama trouser suit is a way to tick off the boudoir trend at the same time—and it's so comfortable.
Style Notes: The tweed fabric of Sophie Kennedy Clark's heavy trouser suit means that peek of bralette is completely unexpected but totally right.
Style Notes: Pinstripes read busineswoman, but a deep-V neckline says otherwise…
Shop our favourite trouser suits:
Zara Cut-Out Shoulder Blazer (£45) + Zara Mid-Rise Masculine Trousers (£40)
Altuzarra Fenice Blazer (£1180) + Altuzarra Tom Flared Pants (£735)
Mango Pinstripe Suit Blazer (£70) + Mango Striped Straight Trousers (£40)
Stella McCartney Leopard-Print Blazer (£778) + Stella McCartney Leopard-Print Cropped Trousers (£545)
Would you go topless for this trend? Sound off in the comments box below…