Fresh in to our warehouse this week was a pair of properly high waisted trousers from Firetrap. Check them out on the product-page or Get the look page.
They are absolutely fabulous. Not only is the fabric light for summer but the detailing on the trousers look great with a long line of small buttons on the front. The cut is wide so could be worn a bit slouchy with a shirt and flat shoes for a chic mannish look OR you could put something a bit sleeker up top and a pair of high heels for an ultra sexy female look.
Did we think that we would ever be wearing high waisted trousers again? Yes, I think we did. Hipsters are great but definitely not forever.
I appreciate that we haven’t yet gone back quite that far but my earliest memory of high waisted trousers was probably around 1985. I remember shopping for jeans with my friend Petra at JC, the ultimate Swedish jeans store. I think we settled for a pair of Levi’s 534 (if I can remember the style-no correctly) each in a slightly faded blue colour. Thinking back now, they really didn’t fit very well. I wonder what the sales assistant in the shop actually thought about our purchase. Did he see the potential or was he just being very polite when telling us how good they looked.
Anyway, well home we got the sewing machines out in order to go from straight leg to skinny leg from the knee down. Next we took the length up to that attractive just above the ankle length to fit over our boots. Finally, the 10” too wide waistline was sorted by using a wide leather belt tightly (as tight as possible) secured around the waist resulting in folds of excess fabric gathering, adding inches to the waistline. Especially as the well shoulder-padded sweatshirt was safely tucked in to the trousers too. That was the look and God did we look good!!? In addition to that we displayed a slightly permed and hair-sprayed hairdo, blue eyeliner and light pink lipstick. That was the 80’s and I am so glad we were there. That is only one great memory of many from the era of leg-warmers, perms, stilettos, big plastic earrings, Bananarama and Fame.
So the high waisted trouser is back. This time in a slightly more sophisticated version worn in a more sophisticated way. The high waist is far more flattering on the female body than the lower hipster style so I am saluting its return and am glad that I no longer have to worry about my hips hanging over the edge of my jeans.

See Firetrap black trousers £80. These look fabulous and are a really good fit. For a cheaper and a bit lighter alternative see Great Plains black linen trousers £45. Not quite as high waist but still a great pair.

Written by Malin Hosie