pants
Pants are practical and comfortable. Men and boys wear pants. So do women and girls. Pants allow far more ease of movement then skirt. Try running around in a tight skirt and stilettos. Pants allow your to move more freely. Busy moms chasing after kids, would be more mobile in pants. Pants are more decent when you work out too. Le Smoking femme fatale look shows you how sexy pants can be on women. Formal enough for a red carpet event.
For Fall 2007 thru Winter 2008, pants are hot even in women's wear. Loose trousers that flow like a long skirt redefine elegance. They are a refreshing take on the flowy look.
Take a look at the D&G ad featuring women in tuxedos. Slim cut black pants that are tailored close to the body are really hot. If you dare, you can wear a tuxedo for a red carpet event. You would stand out from the crowd. Think Le Smoking. You can wear a sexy, plunging jacket sauns shirt with fitted black pants for that sultry, don't-mess-with-me, bad girl look.
Pants are practical for cold weather. You can wear long underwear beneath your pants. Something that's hard to hide under a skirt. Pants keep your legs covered in the bitter cold which make pants ideal for everyone in Fall and through winter. That's probably why pants are featured a lot every year in the Fall and Winter fashion collections on runways from Milan to Paris to New York.
As for pants not being feminine enough for women? Look at Diane Keaton. She looks fabulous in pants. As a young woman and even now, in her sixties, she still looks feminine in her trademark pants.
You don't have to stick with plain pants. Tweed looks great for fall as does animal print pants. Wear them with a bright coat to liven up a dreary winter.
Fashion trend - the pantsHow do you get that cheap? Here's the cheapest I could find.

Fleece Sweat Pants (For Toddlers)
Your Price $3.95

Duofold Nylon Blend Capri Pants (For Women)
Your Price $3.95
Biggest percentage discount on pants

Duofold Nylon Blend Capri Pants (For Women)
Retail Price $30.00
Your Price $3.95
Your Discount 86.83%
Maximum dollar savings.

Michael Kors Collection 100% Cotton Poplin Pants
Retail Price $568.00
Your Price $184.97
You save $383.03