K/R Wide Leg jeans (and style lab)

Long time no post - somehow life got busy, and I became a lurker.... perhaps this post will delurk me somewhat?

I LOVE wide-leg jeans, but so far just on everyone else. I've also been wanting some white jeans, but not really white, just white-ish... So two months ago, I bought the Old Navy slim wide legs in a light wash. They arrived this week, and I immediately disliked them. They aren't truly a solid, they have a subtle stripe, they looked huge, and well, I didn't like them...

But then I opened the package, just to try them on to confirm my dislike, and became less sure. They're definitely widening... but I think I like the color (though maybe a little lighter would be better?), and I think they fit properly (I sized up, because my waist is quite thick, and they're high-waisted).

#1-10 Are few of the ways I thought of to try to style them. I'm not sure that any of them work, what do you think? How do you suggest styling them? Or should I hold out to try a different pair? I can be patient.

#1 light blue floral, navy suede "jean" jacket
#2 dark blue big shirt - this doesn't seem JFE to me.
#3 orange shirt semi-tucked
#4 light weight woven blouse, tucked in.
#5 with black sweater. I liked this high contrast better than I expected to.
#6 column of color (cream knit top). I'd probably add a high-contrast topper?
#7 sideways to show fit (and, uh, my round tummy)
#8-9 with red print woven top, trying out a light sweater over it?
#10 same light blue top as in #1, different topper

#11 is WIW today - a lazy Saturday, super-casual sweatshirt and jeans.

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3 years ago

The Cat

Veteran

I vote keep! The stripes add interest to the jeans and suit their classic lines well. The jeans look really great on you, in particular with a belt (#-7-10). My favourite is #10. Love the pattern mix with the beautiful floral blouse. And the dark items add depth and bookend each other perfectly. By the way, try replacing the black items with navy / deep blue, which might look even better with these jeans as well as with your colouring.

These jeans will also look fab styled with white items (tops / toppers / footwear / accessories) for a summer-ish look. If they were mine, I would love to wear them with my white linen blazer and white loafer sneakers.

unfrumped

Hi Amiable!
I am terrible at photo fits but will take a go and also go through some of my own types of questions for K/R when I get something.
Looking at # 8 with blouse tucked, it looks like you are getting a good fit through the waist and hips with leg falling nice and smooth so that looks pretty good to me for size.
I don't wear much optic white so I gravitate to pale gray, pearl, light khakis for summer if I want light-colored pant. So first you should ask if you like the blue wash or don't or if you have energy to look for other light colors. You might find more of them in a "chino" than a jean as is larger range of colors for those.
Next I'd try some length and footwear options for this style. I would defer to Angie as the boss of PPL and what's trending and also just ideas. If I wore these long and somewhat drapey/scrunched I would do a light sneaker or softer color bootie. Next is wearing them at the "shorter long" length just above the shoe, then the actual ankle and then more cropped. You could roll or pin to see how that looked. Some of those shorter lengths I could see of course still with light sneakers but also a dark loafer or ankle bootie.
The long cardi looks good--you have mile-long legs and can carry it off well. I am wondering again if lighter belt and shoes would give a "soft neutral" look rather than being cut by the dark belt.
But I think there is a way to wear the darks + jeans, because # 5 looks good and more cohesive, the dark top and dark shoes go with each other and your hair color,and the short top works great with the high-waist pants, so that kind of just 2-color combo looks sophisticated and simple to me, like black& white would look, and this pale blue + black are a great combination; or also stripes. That all seems more intentional than different colors in pants, top, topper and shoes if that makes sense.
That is just a couple of ideas.

kellygirl

Great WIW and great to see you. I think they work quite well with the blouses--especially with at least a semi-tuck. I think they're fantastic with the long cardigan too. I think the black sweater works well too. I'm less partial to the tee and the tunic in 2--they just seem like too much volume on volume.

slim cat

I like printed tops ( somewhat dark in colors maybe ) with light colored wide leg pants like # 4, 8-9, 10. Different color belt could be fun to try - brown, dark red, navy..
The outfit #5 is nice but needs a little bit of something extra - a chain, pendant, small scarf or different shoes like sneaks, platform loafers, chunky sandals and such.
The pants fit you good and has a lot of potentials.
Your casual Saturday outfit is very nice - love that sweatshirt!

Anonymous

Nice to see you again ! I think they work well too, and seem to fit perfectly . My only thought is that I'd like to see them a little shorter. It's only my personal preference but I'll put it out there anyways: shorter = summerier , a little lighter in visual weight and showing some skin with a sandal will make them seem less bulky.

Preppy Pear

I love these jeans, love the color, and I think they are very flattering, especially with the shorter tops. I’ve been looking for a straight leg or tapered pair in this not quite white color.
I think Lisa has a good point about length, and they also might catch on shoes and sandals? I would defer to Angie on PPL as always, but maybe just a smidge shorter?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Soooo lovely to see you again, Amy! I hope the family is safe and healthy.

I like the jeans too - nice fit - but feel they look best styled a very specific way.

Try them with a big cuff
Hem them shorter
They need a SHORTER top - like #5
#9 and #10 work quite well too

Have fun

rachylou

Hi Amy! What Angie said (! ) They look a great fit and shorter tops balance the volume.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

Hiya, glad to hear from you. I agree with Angie, they're too long right now and definitely need to be paired with a shorter top or one that's tucked in. I like the color.

Helena

I agree with the majority ... a little shorter on the length, and shorter tops (or I like the tucks) and you're good to go! I kinda like the tunic in #2 as well; sort of a retro 70s vibe and I think it would be cool with the shorter pants and a sandal for warm weather.

Jaime

So nice to see you and what Angie said about the details. I think they work best with a tuck.

Jane

They look good. I’m thinking fitted tops would be better too. Respect for your patience!

lyn67

Nice to see you again:-), I would go shorter with them like ankle showing, especially for summer-but really, for winter, too!

amiable

Thanks for your replies! It’s helpful to see that to work they need to be shorter, cuffed and with a short top.

I bought them long with the thought that I’d like them for winter - a change in jeans silhouettes, and hoping that bare ankles wouldn’t be necessary to make them JFE. (I didn’t do a good job at all of explaining that in my post, I know!). It seems they’re not quite right for this, but might instead work as something for the summer. This week I’ll try them with a cuff, and also compare them to a light wash summer pair that I have (in a slim boyfriend cut, if I remember right). If they seem different enough, and work, I’ll keep them....

Perhaps a winter pair of wide legs would be better in a non denim fabrication....

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