As the trend for pant rise continues to climb, we have released our super high-waisted Harrison Ultra Hi-Rise Flare, which hugs the hips almost up to the belly button. The Harrison is a brand new body style in the HABITUAL line, and also happens to be on the inside cover of our Spring 2012 look book. To style pants like this, you don’t need to over-do it – let the pants do most of the talking. Try an airy top in a solid color like coral with minimal jewelry. You also won’t need to worry about having the perfect shoes, because the pants will cover them, but make sure they are the right height so the hem doesn’t drag on the ground.

Tops: J.Crew Silk pintuck blouse in neon rose (left), Chloe Pussy-bow silk crepe de chine blouse (right)
Jeans: HABITUAL Harrison Ultra Hi-Rise Flare in Serene at DNA Las Vegas or Chicago, or at Fred Segal Girl.
Bracelet: Kenneth Jay Lane alligator bracelet
Shoes: See By Chloe leather and wood sandal in Nude

If acid yellow was the dominant color story coming out of Europe last week, it was a push towards “ladylike” cuts that caught our eye in the shape department. We saw classically feminine silhouettes in the dresses and skirts on nearly every runway, and many designers also showed beautiful high waisted pants, jeans and bottoms in both skinny and wide legs.

We use the term “ladylike”, because a high waisted pant is a more mature, sophisticated look, offering extra coverage for the wearer in both the front and the back, so you don’t feel like a teenager with your backside hanging out. The silhouette also shows a woman’s curves in all the right places, drawing attention to a small waist, and hiding “flaws” like thicker thighs and legs, for those that might be insecure about those areas.

Some of our favorite high waisted looks came from J. Crew and Vena Cava, who went with wider leg cuts, and Gucci, who led off their show with a slimmer version featuring button cuffs. Oh and hey, there’s that acid yellow again in a wide leg street look.  HABITUAL will offer several ladylike, high waisted looks in both wide and narrow leg for Spring, including the Almas Hi Rise Zip Skinny, the Harrison Ultra Hi Rise Bell Bottom, and also the Thalia and Inga Ultra Hi Rise shorts.