How to Wear Gauchos

Gauchos are such a smart idea -- a combo of skirts/pants/shorts/crops -- that you'll wonder why they ever went out of style in the first place. Here's how to wear them now:

• The stiffer fabrics -- twill, heavy cord, denim -- will give you more fullness in the leg than knits, but they will also cover more sins (like wiggly thighs).
• Balance the fullness of a gaucho with a fitted top or one with waist definition: a body-skimming jacket, a tucked-in romantic blouse with chunky belt, a belted cardigan layered over a T-shirt, a shrug over a cami.
• Tall boots look great with gauchos.
• Opaque tights and chunky soled shoes -- such as wedges -- also balance out the full silhouette. Avoid dainty heels, strappy sandals or stiletto pumps for gauchos.
• Layer on a long skinny scarf wrapped around your neck with the ends dangling down for a cute casual way to accessorize your new gauchos.