As the chill of late autumn sets in and the fashion calendar officially transitions away from bare legs and lightweight summer fabrics, heavy-hitting trousers and statement pants are stepping into the spotlight. For those looking ahead at the defining silhouettes for the winter season, actress Kristen Bell has offered a masterclass in cold-weather styling during her recent press rounds in New York City. While promoting the upcoming third season of her hit series Nobody Wants This, Bell stepped out near the Empire State Building wearing an ensemble that cemented a dramatic, elevated trouser style as the must-have pant trend for the months ahead.
Although the star technically arrived in a sophisticated chocolate brown jumpsuit, the garment was masterfully tailored and styled to give the illusion of sharply tailored trousers paired with a complementary top. The standout feature of the look was its subtle yet high-impact drama, driven by a specific silhouette that fashion insiders are eyeing for the winter months: sash pants.
Sash pants, characterized by traditional tailored trousers featuring a long, flowing scarf-style belt attached at the waistline, offer a fluid contrast to structured winter tailoring. The trend bridges the gap between classic menswear-inspired trousers and ethereal, movement-focused accessories, creating a dynamic visual effect when paired with the right footwear. To maximize the impact of the built-in scarf belt, Bell opted for a cropped leather bomber jacket in a rich brown hue, ensuring the waistline detail remained fully visible rather than swallowed by an oversized coat or untucked layer.
The choice of outerwear not only provided necessary warmth for the brisk New York City air but also reinforced the season’s affinity for rich, monochromatic earth tones. Completing the look, Bell chose a pair of luxurious chocolate brown satin pumps that hugged her feet, adding a layer of textural contrast to the smooth leather of her jacket and the fluid fabric of her trousers. The ensemble was finished with delicate jewelry from FoundRae, adding a subtle touch of sparkle to the deep, autumnal color palette.
The Trend on Kristen Bell
The appearance outside the iconic Empire State Building drew immediate attention from photographers and fashion commentators alike, highlighting how contemporary celebrity styling can translate runway-inspired concepts into accessible, high-impact street style. Bell’s outfit—featuring a sophisticated design by Elie Saab—showcased the versatility of monochromatic dressing during the colder months. By pairing contrasting textures like leather, satin, and fine wool blends or crepes, the look avoided feeling one-dimensional while strictly adhering to a cohesive brown color scheme.
The styling choice to highlight the sash belt is a critical component of the trend. Because sash pants feature an integrated fabric tie or scarf, hiding the waistline beneath bulky winter layers diminishes the unique architectural element that defines the style. Bell’s cropped zip-front leather jacket served as the ideal companion piece, offering a sharp, structured hemline that sat precisely at the natural waist, thereby framing the draped sash and drawing the eye downward toward her satin pumps.
This meticulous attention to proportion is what elevates the sash pant trend from a mere novelty into a sophisticated wardrobe staple for winter. As traditional belts are increasingly being replaced by integrated scarves and fabric ties across contemporary collections, designers are leaning heavily into fluidity and movement even within heavy winter wardrobes.
Get the Look
For fashion enthusiasts looking to replicate Bell’s effortless New York City press-day aesthetic, the foundational pieces of the outfit are widely available across various contemporary and luxury labels. A cropped leather jacket in a rich brown or espresso shade provides the ideal upper-half structure, echoing the zip-front silhouette worn by the actress. Paired with a corresponding pair of high-waisted trousers featuring a dramatic side-tie or attached sash, the look achieves an instant sense of polished coordination.
Footwear plays an equally vital role in anchoring the silhouette. Satin pumps, particularly those featuring foot-hugging designs and rich jewel tones or deep chocolates, provide a soft textural counterweight to heavier outerwear. This interplay between rugged leather and delicate satin creates the multidimensional depth that defines elevated winter dressing.
Beyond individual replicas of Bell’s specific Elie Saab and FoundRae-accessorized look, the broader market has fully embraced the sash pant phenomenon. Major contemporary houses and independent designers alike have introduced iterations of the trend into their seasonal collections.
Shop More Sash Pants
The enduring appeal of the sash pant lies in its ability to combine comfort with inherent elegance. Brands ranging from Reformation, with its satin tie options, to Mango, offering straight-leg trousers with detachable scarves, have made the silhouette accessible to a wide range of wardrobes. For those seeking high-end tailoring, labels such as Abadia and Cinq à Sept provide draped, wool-blend, and side-tie variations that transition seamlessly from daytime professional settings to evening engagements.
Similarly, retailers like Shopbop and Revolve have curated selections featuring side-tie and draped trousers that cater to the growing demand for statement-making lower-half garments. Whether executed in sleek black, seasonal green, or rich neutrals, these trousers invite wearers to experiment with proportions, often requiring little more than a simple knit top or a tailored jacket to complete an outfit.
As winter approaches and wardrobes shift away from minimalist summer dressing in favor of heavier, more layered textiles, statement trousers with built-in architectural details offer a fresh alternative to standard denim and basic wool slacks. Through her carefully curated press-day wardrobe, Kristen Bell has provided a timely blueprint for navigating cold-weather dressing with both comfort and uncompromising style.
