Why split trousers are the hottest new trend

Of all the constants in life — of which, currently, there are decidedly few — the fact that a pair of black trousers will never go out of style is among the most dependable.

And while I concede that we have enough on our plate worrying about the shelf life of our time in the EU and whether or not avocados are acceptable during Veganuary, I bring news from fashion’s frontline that our old faithfuls may be about to change forever.

OK, maybe not forever. Fashion, after all, tends to be as fickle as our commitment not to touch a drop of alcohol this month. But if you want to stand any chance of staying abreast of the zeitgeist this season, it’s worth paying attention to the small yet significant ankle split which has come to define 2019’s must-have trouser shape.

It all began at Victoria Beckham’s London Fashion Week showcase in September. Not only did the event mark the former Spice Girl’s 10-year anniversary as a fully paid-up member of the fashion industry, her debut catwalk show on home soil also introduced the split-front trouser as a game-changer for your new season wardrobe.

Keen to showcase their versatility, Beckham’s — which came cigarette-slim and in shades spanning ochre to emerald, as well as a jazzier gold brocade version — were paired with almost half the looks which appeared on the catwalk.

What’s more, Beckham herself — who has long served as her own brand’s muse and best customer — has been spotted out and about sporting the style in both sky blue and plain black, paired with a structured camel blazer and strappy sandal.

What’s crucial to note here is the positioning of the split — not at the side, like a pair of track pants might be, but at the front. Because this is not another iteration on athleisure, and nor is the split designed to slop around your sneakers. Instead, this is an altogether smarter split, one made for tarting up tailoring and showing off shoes worth showing off.

Mango’s take on the trend in classic black (they’re also available in cream) is styled with a sharp, belted suit jacket and a pair of on-trend, square-toe cowboy boots. Rejina Pyo favours a similar approach with her crisp cotton khaki Miller trousers, which are split high to the mid-calf and are teamed with a matching hourglass fitted jacket and white architectural mules.

The key to the split-hem trouser’s imminent ubiquity also stems from its ability to flatter its wearer, as well as accommodate a multitude of shoe styles. Where an ankle boot ran the risk of looking a little awkward when paired with a traditional cropped suit trouser, a split hem frames them beautifully. And the same goes for every other shoe you own. After all, life is complicated enough.