Palazzo Paradise

Whether or not you’ve heard of this season’s trendy darlings, palazzo pants, these wide-legged wonders are about to replace your favorite sundress as your summer go-to style.

Getting their name from the Italian word for ‘palace,’ palazzo pants have been blowing up the blog scene and working their way into the closets of your favorite celebs, making every girl’s dreams of reaching royal status that much more realistic (although we’re sure you didn’t need the extra help in the first place).

But if you’re afraid you’ll drown in all that fabric or are unsure how to strut your stuff in a pair of palazzos, Valley has your personal style guide to mastering the palazzo puzzle this summer so you can run your personal palace with fashionable flare (pun most definitely intended).

Your Perfect Pair

The options are endless when picking the pair of palazzos that speak to you – but does that mean that when it comes to a wide range of patterns and fabrics, anything goes?

Any piece of clothing can go from daring to disaster if you go too bold too fast. Choosing a pair of palazzo pants with a pattern that won’t look gaudy while also staying away from questionable fabrics or exaggerated shapes is key to making this look wearable.

“Be careful while choosing your trousers as you shouldn’t end up looking like you’re wearing your night pajamas,” says fashion blogger Lopa Mohanty in her blog Fashion Lady, pointing out that wide-leg pants can often go awry when the fabric and pattern are reminiscent of your favorite bathrobe – be wary of silk and large floral patterns when the two are paired together.

Daytime Diva

During the day, your pants can be as wild as your heart desires (although we suggest a healthy balance of personality and chic simplicity here), but if you’re going for a pattern on the bottom, the easiest way to make your outfit daytime appropriate is by keeping things simple up top.

For a casual look, try a solid t-shirt or tank top – a cropped silhouette can work well here – or throw on a simple loose-knit sweater if you’re feeling chilly. If you’re dressing up your palazzos for a job interview or nice brunch (because what’s chicer than waffles and maple syrup?), a solid or pinstriped button down or blouse with a blazer or cardigan will add a classic twist to your trendy bottoms.

As for footwear, heels tend to work best with palazzos, making your legs look like they go for days, but a flat gladiator sandal or peep-toed flat will bring your outfit down to earth for daytime wear, while a wedge is another casual option.

Nocturnal Know-How

When the lights go down, taking fashion risks becomes a lot easier. When taking your palazzo look from day to night, the trick to adding that wow factor is in the details.

“It’s all about swapping out your subtle daytime jewelry for statement pieces – the more the merrier!” says blogger Kat Collings of WhoWhatWear.com. Piling on jewelry, experimenting with hats, and keeping your accessories big and bright will complement the bold silhouette of your pants and earn you major style points.

As we mentioned, heels are a girl’s best friend when wearing palazzos, but choosing the right heel is important.

According to Collings, “Wearing a shoe with an exposed top-of-foot is a must for pulling off a voluminous trouser. It elongates the leg, which is key.”

As princess of your palace, you’re practically required to give palazzo pants a try – take the risk and let us know how it went in the comments!

Photo by Sam Florio