Black trousers aren’t really the kind of item you get excited about, or so I thought until I bought this pair of drawstring pleated trousers from & Other Stories. They are quite simply the best thing I’ve bought in 2021 and probably 2020, too. They are made from a lightweight fabric with a plissé finish and have a high-waisted drawstring waist and a wide-leg flare, which means the trousers fall in a really relaxed way over your hips and aren’t too clingy. They are also extremely long, but I have chosen not to have them taken up, as I enjoy the dramatic swooshing of the trousers over flip-flops or sandals.
They are the comfiest item of clothing I own but look smart thanks to the pleated fabric and the cut. They also go with almost any shirt, jumper or jacket I own, making it unlikely that I’ll ever wear jeans again. Like any expensive-looking high-street item, these sold out relatively quickly, but because & Other Stories is clever, it just restocked the trousers. At £85, they aren’t exactly affordable, but I have been so impressed by how the fabric has remained perfect after multiple washes. I know these are trousers I’ll wear every summer.
