Take two

Drainpipe pants have been (back) on the scene for a couple of years, established once again as the trend to watch and match, yet a lot of women (and some men) still find these skinny bottoms "unforgiving," as if it were a repulsive crime in cahoots with the Fashion Antichrist. Slender women think it makes them look fat around the hips, hip-py women think it makes them hip-pier, skinny women think it makes them look anorexic, petite women avoid it like the pox. Even tall, long-legged women (those types that can wear anything without looking like an overachieving mess and who probably inspired king of skinny bottoms Nicholas Ghesquire’s latest fall collection) seem to take issue with narrow-legged jeans.

Chocolate Clothing Co.’s frontwoman Ana Antonio is one of those women who have taken up the cause of the skinny pant, for the sake of those who flip-flop about its fashion possibilities. She insists that every body type is okay for wearing the tube-style bottom, and presents a new collection of tops and accessories so as to prove her claim.

Never let anyone think that you’re wearing narrow pants to downplay or emphasize a body part. Leave this job to the tops and accessories you choose to wear with your skinnies. Says Ana: "Skinny jeans look good if you wear them with a top that flatters your body type and the right pair of shoes." Drainpipes don’t break you, but they don’t necessarily make you, either – you have to work around these types of jeans to make them work for you.

Full-hipped women, for example, can wear drainpipe jeans if they match them with a tunic or shirtdress that camouflages their hips or a top that’s heavy on details (so to detract attention away from your lower body parts). Trend followers with athletic builds can exchange their track pants for skinny jeans, if they wear the latter with a top that’s cinched at the waist with a belt. (Waisted belts also do well for those with long torsos.)

Open-toed stiletto sandals or round-toe pumps worn with skinnies seal the deal for petite women (pointy pumps with narrow legs on petite women is an ode to the red-headed, big-footed fastfood mascot). Petite women should also make sure they jeans fall exactly at the ankle – a scrunched-up leg shortens the silhouette even more. Multiple tops are also a good match for narrowed bottoms – layering gives an illusion of depth, which works well for thinner frames.

Chocolate’s new collection momentarily takes the spotlight away from the skinny-legged mania to focus on the various tops, shirts, and blouses that make this trend work. Blousy tops, tunics daringly cut low in the back, printed blousons, and pastel-colored linen shirtdresses present a how to primer on the newest hit trend and give what was once considered "unforgiving" a second chance.

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Chocolate Co. boutiques are located at Robinsons Galleria; SM Megamall; Power Plant Mall, Rockwell; Rustan’s Alabang; Rustan’s Makati and Gateway Mall.