Trend Watch: Short Story

Back in your granny's day, the passionate debate over hemlines was an annual pastime. These days, however, it's more likely the shape of your trousers that will ignite the controversy du jour. Like all worthwhile trends, the season's newest bottoms seem to challenge every trouser taboo: they're short and stout. Perhaps a backlash to the skinny jean epidemic, the new cropped super-sizers go a few steps beyond man-tailored or palazzo. And don't even think about calling them capris. Instead, these full-cut pants stand out as a dangerous enigma, mixing up everything from Charlie Chaplin and Oliver Twist to '80s working girl and hip-hop.

The finest offerings, courtesy of Chloé, Marc By Marc Jacobs, 3.1 Phillip Lim, and Kai Milla, got this brazen silhouette just right with big pockets, sharp pleating, high waists, and serious fabrics. With tights and boots in winter or barelegged with sandals come spring, these pants are custom-tailored for stirring up a little controversy—no matter which side you're on.

Eclipsing the old debate over skirt hems, a fresh crop of trousers presents a whole new reason to pick a side.