Tuesday 20 January

It's Hammer time!

After a year of ultra-feminine fitted pencil skirts and sexy silhouettes, 2009 is all about the return of the trouser...and the hottest look for spring is harem pants.

Admittedly, they don't have much hanger appeal, and will have anyone born before 1980 shuddering at the memory of MC Hammer's titanic trews, but they're actually surprisingly flattering.

Perfect for showing off a slim top half (that's most of us after all the winter stodge we've been putting away), for the look to work, remember a few golden rules: keep the volume to the bottom only, and always keep tops tucked in to define your waist.

Wear them with simple, slim fitting tops, fitted jackets, and waist belts, and always - ALWAYS - with high heels. Get the look (without random strangers shouting 'hammer time!' as you walk past...) with the long line Hareem trousers from Warehouse, £45 - just like Diane Kruger's - that are subtle and stylish enough for work.