Fashion: Find your prints charming

Printed pants are not a new trend. It was hinted at by local designers last summer and, admittedly, I did write about it then. But this summer? There are more printed pants around than you can shake a proverbial stick at. Everyone from Ashley Fogel to Stolen Girlfriends Club to The Warehouse has printed pants of some variety.

Florals are the most common. It is nearly spring after all. They're mostly in large, painterly colour swooshes (yes, that's the technical term), but there is the odd pair in a daintier floral print. You'll find florals on slim, cropped pants and heavier denims.

If florals aren't your thing, Liam have done a gorgeous pair of paisley jeans. Paisley is the classier, older sister to the floral. As a finer print, it's also slightly easier to wear as it doesn't scream "Look at me! Look at me!" like some of its larger floral cousins.

Polka dots and stripes are another easy way to wear printed pants. In either a wide or a skinny leg, spots and stripes are the perfect print for more conservative environments - I'm looking at you, lawyers and accountants. Navy or black are classic base options that will serve you well for years.

What I love most about this trend is that it's one that pretty much everyone can wear. Youngsters can pair them with leather T-shirts, corporates with peplum blouses, relaxed retirees with an oversized, loose-fit shirt.

If you're worried about the attention drawn to your thighs by cropped skinny pants, simply wear them with a longer, tunic-style top. Bonus points if it's sheer so you don't lose any perceived body length. Alternatively, there are several printed palazzo pant options around that will make any body shape look tall and slender when paired with cute flats or wedge sandals.