Styling a pair of grey wool trousers

After spending a couple months trying to find a great pair of grey wool trousers, I finally managed to track down some down that ticked all the boxes and that didn’t break the bank. High-waisted. Tapered through the leg. Slightly cropped.

Wearing Uniqlo lambswool sweater, Country Road grey wool trousers (also here), IRO coat (old but love this one), Vaneli two-tone pumps (also here), Cuyana leather tote bag, Use Less X Stilnest earrings

As usual, I decided to go the pre-loved route first. I figured it would be a great way to snap up a pair that are high quality but still within budget. Though.. it didn’t quite work out for me. I bought a gorgeous pair of grey wool trousers from Stella McCartney, but neglected to check the measurements. They arrived and needed a minimum of 3-4 inches taken in at the waist, which my tailor told me was a no-go.

So I was pretty thrilled when I lucked out during a window shopping session at David Jones. At the time, my Stella trousers were on their way, so as far as I was concerned, I’d already checked this item off. But, I spotted this pair in a grey wool flannel and figured I’d try them on, you know, just in case.

Safe to say, they’ve been a huge hit for me style-wise, and like my love of neutrals, I see these being a great alternative to an all black look for me over winter. As with most things from Country Road, these run a bit big. I got them in the size ‘4’, and I’m usually a large 6 to a small 8 in trousers or a 25 in jeans.

Three ways to wear grey wool trousers

A versatile winter wardrobe piece was what I had in mind when deciding to add these to my closet. Versatility is so key and tends to play a pretty major role in all my purchases. These to me are one of those go-with-anything closet staples, but for a bit of inspiration, I thought I’d share three ways that I’m planning on wearing them.

OUTFIT 1: with a crew neck sweater and low heeled pumps

Starting with the outfit I’m wearing, this is pretty much a fail-safe outfit combination for me during the colder months. There’s nothing simpler than throwing on your favourite crew-neck sweater, and popping on a great pair of shoes. It’s an instant outfit that requires little thought – the definition of an effortless look. What keeps this outfit interesting is the hint of colour from the sweater. This is one of Uniqlo’s classic lambswool sweaters; at $50 and 100% wool, I can’t recommend these enough as a basic piece for winter.

I have always loved the way that pink pairs with grey, and the slightly cool undertone of both pieces is what really makes this work. For shoes, I opted for my favourite two-tone pumps from Vaneli (also here). I own a couple pairs of these shoes and they are usually what I end up reaching for if I want to elevate my look, while still wear a shoe that is comfortable.

OUTFIT 2: with a tee, a check blazer, and my day heels

Mismatched suits can look really chic – it’s all about getting the undertone and the proportions right. There’s a longline blazer from Storm that I got last year which I find pairs perfectly with these trousers. Given that they’re a high waisted peg-leg style, these naturally feel a bit wider around the hips. Wearing them with a long blazer that covers up my widest point not only balances out the outfit, but has the added bonus of being really flattering.

Because I love simple styling, a great crew neck tee with a few necklaces layered over top is my first choice. This lets the ‘suit’ be the hero detail of the outfit. I usually like to play off that tailored edge and wear an outfit like this with heels. It just feels a bit more dressed up, though sneakers are a fun choice too if you love that Scandi minimal vibe. When I’m after a low block heel I’ll usually reach for my Everlane day heels. They’re comfortable plus they go with everything.

OUTFIT 3: with a white shirt, sneakers and a great coat

There are a myriad of ways that I’d wear these trousers, but I thought I’d wrap things up with a classic casual combo; a white shirt and sneakers. My current favourite can’t-live-without-it shirt is a cheap and cheerful find from Uniqlo. It’s one of the few affordable brands I can think of that consistently delivers high quality wardrobe staples. It’s an oversized fit, which I love as it creates some nice volume at the waist.

Two years ago, a pair of sneakers wouldn’t have been my first choice. To be fair, I’d probably have been reaching for a pair of shoes like these. There’s been a serious Scandinavian influence over my style of late; essentially I’ve just found myself really drawn to the simple juxtaposition. Plus they’re comfortable. I have two pairs of sneakers that I’ve been wearing interchangeably: my white Veja sneakers (review here) and this grey patent pair from FRANKiE4.

Finally, I’d finish off this outfit with a great coat. Which actually, is probably my favourite winter wardrobe essential. I’ve been really drawn to long robe-style coats this season – a classic staple in their own right. To play off the softer tones of this outfit combination, I’d pair it with either this one from Kindersalmon, or this light grey one from Edgii.