Meryl and Elsa swapped wide-leg trousers for a nice cropped pair

Instead of high-volume wide-leg trousers, many of the most attractive women I look to for styling inspiration have made a deliberate change to their wardrobes, replacing their once-accessible wide-leg trousers with ankle-grazing, cropped pairs.

As we move into the warmer months, they feel cleaner, lighter, and more comfortable. Yet simple and chic, they make morning styling a breeze while providing that polished finish that can be hard to achieve when styling in warmer weather.

Suddenly seeing them everywhere, this week, Elsa Hosk stepped out in an oversized trench and pointed-toe heels, bringing a sharp, structured edge to the look with a pair of ankle-skimming trousers. There’s something about that clean, tailored cut that elevates a dress – providing a tailored feel that wide-leg styles can’t achieve. Plus, that subtle glow of the skin adds a lightness that goes perfectly with summer dressing.

In LA, Meryl Streep made a case for the same silhouette. Dressed in head-to-toe black, except for a pair of burgundy loafers, her outfit might have seemed heavy — but the cropped hemline broke things up just enough, keeping the look fresh.

Another reason I’m sold? His versatility. While wide-leg trousers often require heels, cropped styles work just as well with flats as they do with something with a higher rise, making them an easy addition to really any wardrobe.