If you look around, you will notice that women are wearing the pants -- and I mean it literally. Most women seem to prefer to wear trousers, probably because they are easier to move around in and yet look chic, presentable and modern. And anyone can wear trousers, whether they are young or old. For instance, women who have adopted the trouser-look range from Meghana Reddy, the trendy and carefree model, to the sophisticated TV presenter, Simi Garewal.

For a long while the bootleg trouser ruled the roost. This longer-length trouser with a slight flair at the bottom gave an ultra-tailored look and suited most women. But now the bootleg has given way to the capri and shorter trousers that end just below the knees. The capri may not be as heavy looking as the bootleg and may be more appropriate for the Mumbai heat, but it is somehow not as appealing as the bootleg because it is not a look that suits everyone. It has a very sporty feel to it, and is a definite no-no foroffice or formal wear. And if you have unshapely legs, then it is best to avoid the capri. This short pant tends to go better with shorter tops so you also need a smallish waist and narrow hips.

But there is a trick to getting around this problem: Tie a cardigan around your waist! This will help disguise flabby stomachs, hips and bottoms.

There is good news for trouser-wearers, though. The capri is slowly becoming a thing of the past. The latest trouser length to hit the catwalk ends on the calf -- four inches longer than the capri. The bottom of these trousers are slightly loose and often have a slit on the side. They tend to make most women look taller and you don't need perfect calves to wear them. These three-quarter trousers are good enough for a night-out in town -- specially if they are teamed up with well-tailored jackets and sleek, pencil-heel shoes. If you want to be really funky, then you could wear a tattoo around you ankle. For an Indo-West twist, an anklet is ideal.

For casual dressingthere is nothing like the longer, baggy trousers. And that's where the cargo pants fit in. These baggy trousers have pockets on their sides and tend to be made of cotton material. In the West, cargo's have become as popular as jeans. Even here, most college kids seem to find cargo's easier than denims. And that is their drawback -- cargo's appear too trendy for older women.

To keep a step ahead though, start stocking up on wide-cut trousers -- a variation on the palazzo that was `in', about four years ago. If the thought disgusts you, then be patient. Most fashion pundits are predicting that by the new year, these short trousers will be replaced, once again, by longer trousers. As they say: Fashion goes around in circles!