toreador pants: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFashion, informal
Quick answer
What does “toreador pants” mean?
A style of women's pants that are tight-fitting from the waist to the knee and then flare out widely to the ankle.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A style of women's pants that are tight-fitting from the waist to the knee and then flare out widely to the ankle.
A fashion item inspired by the costume of a bullfighter; the style, associated with mid-20th century and retro fashion, is characterized by a high waist and dramatic flare from the knee.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood in both varieties, but slightly more common in American fashion discourse.
Connotations
Connotes a specific, bold 1960s or 1970s retro style. May imply a theatrical or costume-like quality if used outside a fashion context.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general language; occurs primarily in historical fashion descriptions or niche retail.
Grammar
How to Use “toreador pants” in a Sentence
She wore [toreador pants].A pair of [toreador pants] was on display.The [toreador pants] flared dramatically.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “toreador pants” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She preferred a toreador-pants silhouette.
American English
- The toreador-pants look made a comeback.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Only in historical or cultural studies of fashion.
Everyday
Rare; used by those interested in vintage clothing.
Technical
Used in fashion design and historical costume description.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “toreador pants”
- Using 'toreador' as an adjective for other clothing without the specific cut (e.g., 'toreador shirt' is not standard).
- Treating it as a singular noun (*'a toreador pant').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are very similar. 'Gaucho pants' is a broader term for calf-length flared pants, while 'toreador pants' specifically imply a tighter fit through the thigh and a more dramatic flare, directly inspired by bullfighting costume.
Historically, the style is derived from a male costume (the bullfighter's 'traje de luces'), but in modern Western fashion, it is almost exclusively marketed as and considered a women's fashion item.
They had a significant peak in popularity in the late 1950s and 1960s, popularized by fashion designers and celebrities of the era.
The style typically pairs with heels or platforms to elongate the leg and balance the wide flare, or with flat sandals for a more casual, bohemian look.
A style of women's pants that are tight-fitting from the waist to the knee and then flare out widely to the ankle.
Toreador pants is usually fashion, informal in register.
Toreador pants: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtɒr.i.əˈdɔː ˈpænts/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtɔːr.i.ə.dɔːr ˈpænts/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a TOREADOR (bullfighter) in the ring; his costume has tight legs that flare out. Pants inspired by that costume = TOREADOR PANTS.
Conceptual Metaphor
FASHION IS THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE (the pants evoke a specific, dramatic character).
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining feature of toreador pants?