Since summer is around the corner, how about some clamdiggers?

Also, would you consider white denim, or do you think they'll be impractical? I don't know how old your kid(s) is/are etc. I just got my first pair of white denim jeans and am definitely a little worried about keeping them clean, but I TOTALLY enjoy the look. I'm so glad Angie nudged us all to consider white denim. So if you think you can live with washing them often, that might be a nice casual summer pant.

Antje,

I have two boys under 5 so white denim kind of scares me. I love the thought of it, but I think it would just add to my laundry as I don't know I could make it through an entire day. I may breakdown and try them because I can see a lot of uses for them.

As for the clamdiggers, I have very athletic (read large) calves and tight pants that end just above the knee usually don't work. I will give them a try and take some pictures to see what the others have to say.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Here's an example of the kinds of pants I would wear in place of jeans. To me, these are actually more casual than jeans, and I would wear them around the house, hanging out at my best friend's house, or to the playground or Home Depot etc. Being an inverted triangle though, I can get away with the cargo pockets.

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....goryID=170

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....=EverGreen

These are some examples of what I'm referring to when I say chinos...
in the moss color:
http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/p.....=cat280181

in taupe (is that better than beige?)
http://www.gap.com/browse/prod.....=498459012

I think what I'm hearing is that these are all below jeans for smart casual?

I am not crazy about casual pants to tell you the truth. Jeans just look smarter to me. Casual pants usually fall into the categories of cargos, khakis, cords, and other styles that are equal in comfort and lesser in style to a fab pair of dark wash jeans. For me, if I'm in a situation that's too casual for dress pants, I would rather just wear jeans. I have two pairs of casual pants in the form of those skinny pants Gap put out a few years back, but they really do look like jeans. I know you want to mix things up, but I think there is PLENTY of variety within jeans to do that. You seem like you could pull off a lot of different cuts and washes well. Also, you can't go wrong with a sweet casual dress. It's even easier to wear and launder than any two-piece ensemble.

Those styles Nicole posted are VERY casual, and I don't think ideal for most women because of all the fussiness on the bottom half of the body (she is special!). I also think the drawstring on that second pair makes it look more like gear.

These are kind of like the pants I have, but mine are not linen and are a heck of a lot cheaper...but you get the idea. I have looked at BR, Gap, and J Crew and this is really the only style I like:

http://bluefly.com/pages/produ.....Product+ID

So I might be the lone wolf on this one, but I'd rather just embrace the variety that denim has to offer.

Thanks for the input everyone...

I think I've gathered that I need to stick with denim. I guess I will have to research the site to find out different denim styles. I think I'm in a bootcut rut. About the washes, should I pretty much stick with dark washes? I know enough to know I need to give the skinny at try :) I've never had much luck, but times have changed!

I've been trying to find a couple of summer dresses but I haven't had any luck. I need something that is machine washable, fairly reasonably priced and that will hit around my knees (40-41 inches in length). So far, my search has come up empty.

Any suggestions for brands to try (tall, hourglass usually size 8-10) for jeans? (I rarely escape the house on my own, so I want to be sure any free time is well spent). Or any suggestions for dresses?
Thanks!

You CAN wear clamdiggers and walk shorts, Dani. Just got to find the right style and right ensemble mix. Try them and be pleasantly surprised.

There is a huge gap in the market for casual pants other than jeans when you are over the age of 25. I personally like micro checks. This is a very Euro look and I am use to wearing it, but it’s probably not be your cup of tea. Nicole is one of the few people I know who wear cargos well at her age. She IS special. You are not an inverted triangle so give those miss.

I do not see the difference between white and light items as far as laundry goes. They get dirty just as quickly. Believe me, I traipse around in a dirty city and walk my dogs everyday – I get very dirty too! I find beige hard to work with. Add a black top and that’s about it. Taupe and caramel are richer colour choices, but I’d give the whole chino look a miss. It can look frumpy (not always, but you have to be careful). It’s a better fashion choice to wear jeans, dresses, slacks and skirts (to Maya’s point).

There are LOADS of sweet polyester dresses around. Do you have a Macys nearby? Start a separate thread on the jeans as that will take more thought!

Angie - what are micro checks??

Regarding cargos, my DD13 looks fab in them... including cropped cargos (not capris - the dangerous length - at the calf). She hates jeans (except for a few baggie styles). I wonder now, does this mean she's an inverted triangle? She is a swimmer with very developed upper back and shoulders, yet a teeny tiny waist and narrow hips. She definetly looks cute and has always had her own personal sense of style, knowing what looks right on her.

I have to admit... I have swapped pants with her and think this look is passable on me too (if it wasn't for the low waist, which I just can't do), but I don't wear out of the house.... the baby face thing...

Had I ever been a swimmer, she and I would basically be body doubles. Meanwhile DD15 lives in jeans, especially skinnies!! Jeans seem to have been made for her.

To dixie: I personally like the cut of the jcrew chinos you posted. I can't wear Jcrew pants, but I find this type of style can be flattering, and comfy too.

However, i would be careful with color. The moss for example will greatly limit the choices you have for tops. Stone (nearly white) is probably the best, but even then, it is limiting. On the plus side, if your color pallette is limited it does make dressing quicker - I will admit that! (as the person who basically lived in khakis as my casual outfit for years and years... )

I never really wore jeans until the last year, and I can tell you now, jeans definetly give you a lot more options. I would go with a dark wash jeans, with dark seams. For a start, at least. Since I have incorporated dark wash jeans (just three pairs so far), the colors in my closet have positively exploded!! I rarely reach for the khakis anymore (or even the black pants).

Be really really picky about your jeans. Don't settle! I have found jeans that look fab but just aren't comfy. Don't settle for that - keep looking. There are so many options available today.

I suggest going to a department store that has a wide selection, early in the day when it's not busy. If you can set up a personal shopper ahead of time, even better. Plan to spend 2 hours and try on a lot of jeans, having the sales clerk bring you more so you just try on and on and on....

Persistence is key. If you find the "holy grail" of jeans (comfort, style AND fit), at least buy two, one for flats and one for heels. Then analyze why they work - in my case for example I know I need a certain length front and back rise. The cut of the legs is optional - provided I have the right front and back rise I can go bootcut or skinny or in between. I'm also picky about the denim - I want a comfy, lightweight denim and not a stiff heavy one.

Once you know your personal jeans requirements, it gets easier and quicker to shop. You can shop online, or just get cozy with a particular sales clerk and when you walk in the store, they'll know what to pull for you.;-)

Hi - I'm new to the forum and this question really resonated with me so I thought I would respond. I am a SAHM as well. Last spring I bought a couple of pairs of chinos in a variety of colors because I was trying to get away from the "mom" wardrobe of jeans and a t-shirt. I was trying to differentiate myself from the typical outfits I saw when I was out and I thought if I didn't wear jeans that would solve the problem. I think with the help of this website I'm realizing it wasn't the jeans that were the problem. I'm starting to find that I can make much cuter outfits with my jeans than my chinos because of the variety of color options out there - just like what Shiny was talking about. I also find the outfits look smarter and I feel more polished and confident. I have a couple of pairs of dark wash denim from ATL that work with flats and I put them with a cute button down, jewelry, colorful flats and a nice handbag and I feel much more confident.

I appreciate everyone's responses and, like Julie and Shiny, I think I'm beginning to see the light :) Julie hit it on the head when she said she was trying to differentiate herself from the other mom wardrobes. I see that I was trying to do the same thing but with the wrong components. I will probably do like Nicole mentioned and keep a few for those really casual days (playgrounds or working on projects around the house). I will start looking for jeans.

Angie, thanks for the laundry tip. You are absolutely correct and you make an excellent point...if I can keep a pair of beige pants clean for a day then why can't I do the same with white jeans. You have just clarified that point for me. I was *very* close to trying the white jeans and just needed that nudge.

I will start a new thread on finding jeans and will start shopping with a different end in mind!

I'm really grateful to have found this website and am trying to continue to learn with an open mind! Thanks!

Thank you Shiny and Julie for your wonderful words of wisdom. This is fantastic advice fir Dani. (I too love a snappy teenybopper in a pair of cheeky cargos).

Micro -checks are very small checks like gingham, hounds tooth or subtle tartan. Usually in a cotton stretch or poly acetate rayon stretch blend. Mine are skinny and bootcut in style. They look fab with converse or chunky heeled pumps. If you go to the Esprit site, and click on pants you’ll see good examples. They have this type of look in Europe every year and I have not seen it in America other than at Euro stores like Diesel, Zara, H&M and French Connection. I think you might like the look, Shiny, but your eye might need to adjust to the look.

Angie,

Are the esprit checked pants and summer pants (in brown) like what you're talking about? I really like those. If so, how do the esprit pants fit? I haven't worn esprit in ages and no one close to me carries them so I will have to order online.

Oh! You like the look too Dani! There are brown and grey options on Esprit right now. Quite right. And their sizes usually run smaller on the bottom.