Fashion Clothing So, We're Back to Wearing Black Dress Pants Everywhere, Huh? Millennials who waitressed/were in chorus/had to dress up for school presentations remember. By Samantha Sutton Samantha Sutton Instagram Samantha is InStyle's senior fashion editor. She joined the brand in 2019 and oversees the site's fashion coverage, including trend reporting, fashion exclusives, celebrity style interviews, and Fashion Week coverage. InStyle's editorial guidelines Published on September 1, 2021 @ 05:15PM Pin Share Tweet Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Bella Hadid. Photo: Neil Mockford/GC Images Once upon a time, these fashion rules were known to be true: shirts are better when doubled (see: polos, tank tops); you can't wear a coat to the club (you must freeze while you walk); and black pants are a dress-code category all their own, which essentially works for every occasion. The last one was a favorite among those of us who spent our '00s teen years waiting tables, singing in the school chorus, and panicking while presenting 50%-of-your-grade-projects in front of the class. They were our emergency pants; the pants we only sorta-liked but deemed completely necessary and wore more than almost anything else. And now, they're back — except, of course, they're way better. We already knew 'work pants,' aka trousers had returned. But basic, structured black pants — ones that you can essentially wear everywhere — are a whole different thing. Models such as Bella Hadid and Cindy Bruna are now seemingly using them to replace their jeans and other go-to bottoms, and while this new version is still dressy enough for a major event, it can be casual, sexy, and fashion-forward, too. Brace Yourself, Because Butt Fashion Is Back Bella Hadid. Ricky Vigil/GC Images Hadid has noticeably been loving her black trousers. She often wears baggy options with a variety of tops, and recently inspired our future fall outfits with this sleek layered look that included both a blazer and a leather jacket. Cindy Bruna. Photopix/GC Images Bruna made her own form-fitting pair seem subtly sexy while hanging by the water, styling them with a coordinating black crop top and a casual pair of Nike sneakers. Master the Monochromatic Trend With These Easy Outfit Ideas Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images Influencers have unsurprisingly caught onto this rising trend. Over the past few months, street style photos show that black pants are no doubt a must-have item, and can really create a simple yet standout look when styled with a bright top. Edward Berthelot/Getty Images You also don't have to wait for chilly weather to wear these babies, either. Styling black dress pants with a belly-baring shirt, bralette, or tank top will create the perfect transitional outfit as temperatures decline. Raimonda Kulikauskiene/Getty Images Thankfully, this versatile wardrobe staple is one that's super easy to shop. Spanx actually makes a popular flared pair (in a wide range of sizes!) for $148, while Nili Lotan sells a sleek, pleated wide-leg option for $795. If you're in search of something under $100, you can find a jersey tapered suit pant — in standard size, petite, and curve — at ASOS, which will cost you just $22. Plus, we have a feeling we'll want to live in COS's comfy $89 Elasticated Pants, which will work for both a day at the office and a lazy weekend outing.