trousers

Kim Kardashian headed to lunch in Miami showing off new fashion-forward pants: these Helmut Lang black and white drawstring trousers ($264, originally $378). Up top she wore a black tee and a black shawl-collar blazer, and on bottom her trusty caged Givenchy sandals. Rounding out her black-and-white style were black flat-top Céline sunglasses and diamond stud earrings. Score Kim's exact trousers now to wear with a button-down and pumps at work, then with a tank and leather jacket for a night out.

The pants that dominated the Spring runways were a varied lot, from slouchy borrowed-from-the-boys trousers to high-waist '70s styles to the clean, crisp, cropped trouser we saw at Marc by Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, and DKNY. With our new Spring shoes dying to break free, the cropped trouser wins our vote for best way to show off new shoes and just a hint of skin. Here are our editors' picks for the best cropped pants, ranging from neutral hues to pops of bright color.

>> Designers, like Dries Van Noten, Monique Lhuillier, Celine, and Derek Lam, have reverted back to the wide-leg pant for Spring, and there's no need to wait until warmer weather to try out the trend. A crisp cotton version is ideal for a casual day at work, while silkier options add panache for a night out in the town. Shop our fantastic finds from Adam, Gap, Vince, and Marc Jacobs to get the look now.

Throughout the year, we've kept you in the know and up to speed on what fabulous pieces you should snap up each season, and now it's time to take a look back at which Need Now posts had you guys talking most:

• Check out the super-chic statement jackets we suggested.
• See the colorful crop of shoes we offered up when Spring sprung.
• You kept it cute with these sweet Spring shorts.
• Easy and breezy was the name of the game for these cute little white dresses.
• Once Summer rolled around, these snazzy beach totes were the center of attention.
• We helped you find the ultimate pretty party-girl frock for your Summer wedding festivities.
• As things cooled down, you slipped into cozy-chic tights.
• Fall's classic-cool trousers helped us stay sophisticated.
• When it came to finding Fall-fabulous coats, we had you covered.
• You put your best foot forward in these fun Fall boots.

While trousers are typically a woman's play on men's fashion, the wide-leg, high-waisted version we spied Olivia wearing is a definitively femme trouser. Long and lean, it exudes class and timeless elegance without being stuffy — think Katherine Hepburn, and channel the trend with breezy, uncomplicated tops that have the same classic appeal.