8. Real pants
(Left to right) Vince Camuto Washer Twill Wide Leg Pants in Rich Black; T Tahari Cropped Wide Leg Pants in Bali Taupe; Ann Taylor The Belted High Waist Taper Pant in Black; A New Day Women’s High Rise Faux Leather Tapered Ankle Pants in Brown
Tailored pants complete with zippers, pleats, belt loops and Katharine Hepburn–like swagger are something many women said they never wanted to wear again. So why bother looking? Despite our love of leggings, joggers and jeans, real pants make us feel dressed up even with a tee and sneakers. Many of the old issues are gone, and new features like higher rises, partial- or full-elastic waists, smooth itch-free fabrics with a hint of stretch and ankle lengths make sense for no-more-heels lifestyles. Choose an almost A-line culotte style like the T Tahari Cropped Wide Leg Pants in Bali Taupe ($128, bloomingdales.com) or Vince Camuto Washer Twill Wide Leg Pants in Rich Black ($109, bloomingdales.com) for width at the hem, not the belly, or a tapered leg for a relaxed but shapely fit like the A New Day Women’s High Rise Faux Leather Tapered Ankle Pants in Brown ($30, target.com) or Ann Taylor The Belted High Waist Taper Pant in Black ($109, anntaylor.com).