K/T: De-brief me on de pants? pt 1 (long!)

doubleh

Isn't it interesting what you learn when you actually do the work? I have been welcoming the end of the season this year to cull what I won't wear again next year and enjoy the pieces I really do like before it gets too cold. While doing that I decided to try on ALL MY BOTTOMS. I have a lot and thought I was in good shape. I thought I needed to bring in some wide leg options for F/W.

So so wrong I was. First, I made a checklist of what I thought my work capsule needs/holes are. (Limited PT 1 to work- appropriate). This is a lot easier for me to consider thinking about silhouette rather than color, I realized. I need neutral basics first. Could use 2-3 wide leg and 2-3 slimmer fit/skinnies. PPL is an issue for me and I haven't been able to reconcile my heel heights/shoe versatility with pants. Slimmer pants I think will allow me to wear more shoe options as it is a little more PPL forgiving.

Below is the first round of trousers/pants. I'd love to hear thoughts/comments on fit and don't hold back. I did mention whether I am inclined to keep or toss, but if you lean the other way, please let me know! I'm still learning and taking photos has certainly opened my eyes.

1. Halogen ankle denim trousers. Sadly, this is a newer purchase. I am a sucker for the dressier trouser for work. I see in the photos that the pull across pelvis/hips is awful. I have intended to have the pockets sewn shut. (As an hour-pear, I often sew pockets shut and even cut pocket fabric out.) I have been wearing this with flowy tops that hide the whiskering/pulling put now I'm not convinced the overall silhouette works. Unless you have any remedies/wisdom, these are unfortunately probably a toss.

2. Ann Taylor charcoal trousers. Not the most current, I know, but they will work while I fill the larger holes. Wearing with 1.5" heels. Can live with, I think.
3. Ann Taylor printed ankle pants. I thought I loved these. I do love pattern and the colors were tricky but fun to work with. I posted one WIW in these and didn't love. Love way less second time around. Unless I am totally blinded, they are a toss.
4. The Limited plaid wide leg trousers. These are why I get a bit of a palpitation when purging. These are wicked old and almost purged many times over. But I love them again now and am excited for new ways to wear. I need a slightly higher heel for PPL.
5. Gap 1969 darkwash bootcut denim jeans. I dug these up too, but love them with 3" heels. I think to bring them more into rotation for work (on grunt days) and casual as well.
6. Anthro printed. I LOVED these when I bought them a few years ago. People feel very comfortable telling me whether they love them or hate them, which I think is kind of funny. I still like them in theory, but I might be having fit issues with them. Worth fussing with?
7. ON brown tweed trousers. Again, wicked- WICKED old. But I like them and they are warm. But softer than a black or charcoal. I have had fun mixing them with new colors since YLF. I would like to find a replacement (Not ON!) but will keep until I do. With brown coming back in, I am optimistic.

If you stuck with me this long, thank you so much! I would so much rather limit myself to the good/acceptable pieces I have than to have the variety of "oh my gosh what was she thinking when she left the house" pants.

PS- Also, I know lighting is terrible- I am trying to figure out a new location. But silhouette is what I'm hoping to convey most. If I need to re-photo a few, I could certainly attempt.

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9 years ago

Dressing

10 replies

Latest reply was from doubleh

Deborah

Veteran

Ok here goes:)

#1 I really like them but yes they will work best with an oversized/drape top.
If that is not your style, move them on:)

#2 Fine for office wear I think.

#3 Toss them, you sound like they don't make you happy.

#4 I would really like to see these pants styled because you seem to love them. My initial response was move them on. They look a little too big but I realise you don't have a high enough heel on.

#5 Fab, keep

#6 I don't love patterned pants so I am coloured by that. With respect they have clown connotations for me..sorry. But if you love them, there is nothing wrong that I can see. Would love to see them properly styled.

#7 Good office trousers. Keep until you replace.

9 years ago

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I admire the work you're doing here. It's not easy to get organized the way you are doing, and taking photos of everything gets you extra points in my book.
Here are my thoughts:
1--I don't see awful pulling. Not sure what I'm missing, but I'd keep and and continue to wear with longer tops, if that's a style you like to wear. I think these would look fab with a blouse, long cardigan, and pumps or ballet flats for work.
2--keep! they look great and still current classics.
3--I agree you could pass these on. There's something about the hemline that would need some fiddling, imo.
4--I do see the potential of these, with higher heels. Fun, and plaid is showing up a lot again lately, though usually in skinnies. Still, it's a good time to break them out again.
5--great fit on you. Classic bootcut jeans--keep and wear.
6--I don't know what fit issues you're referring to, but I like these on you. I think the rolled cuff is cute and current looking.
7--these look great. Nice drape--they hang beautifully on you.

9 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

Thanks for sharing this. It is fun taking a peek inside of someone's closet! You have a nice variety of pants here.

1. I agree to toss, that you could find a more flattering style.

2. I can't tell if it's the camera angle, but does the crotch look too low? If the crotch is too low, I would not keep. If it's OK, then I would keep.

3. I actually love these pants! But it sounds like you are sick of them and that you don't expect to fall back in love with them, in which case you might as well toss.

4. I would actually vote toss on these. My initial reaction was that they look dated, and then I read your description and found out that they were indeed quite old. I know there is a resurgence in plaid pants now, but these don't look on trend. Whether it's the fact that they're wide legs and plaid rather than skinnies and plaid, I don't know. Maybe someone else who wears more plaid can chime in here.

5. Love these!

6. I think these are kind of cute, if you wanted to put together a whimsical outfit. I would say it depends on your style. Do you ever still feel like dressing in a "fun" way, or are you on to something else?

7. I agree: keep while you look for a similar replacement.

I was reading on Imogen Lamport's style blog that side-entry pockets can be a problem for people who gain weight on the high hip. Does this sound like your body shape? I thought of that because you talked about sewing your pockets shut, which sounds like a lot of work. I'm wondering if when you shop for new pants if you maybe wanted to try ones without side-entry pockets and see if that makes a difference for you.

9 years ago

frannieb

Veteran

My go -
1 - as a larger curvy pair - paints like this only look good with a longer top on me. So if you have longer tops i would say keep
2 - keep - office workhorse pants are essential
3 - Toss -
4 - in theory they seem great - to me they look kinda big on you - would have to see them styled. check out suz post where she styled her Mia pants a zillion different ways. They could be highly versatile
5 - another office workhorse pant
6. - Give - Those are a highly distinctive pattern - I personally would struggle to wear these often - I would need a good 2 to 3 weeks between wearings. So think about how often you feel you can repeat them.
7. Another great office trouser.

9 years ago

doubleh

Veteran

Thanks all for input! It seems the basics are in good working order- patterned pants, more controversial.

Deborah- Thanks for your input. I love your sophisticated style, so I appreciate your eye as I know you wouldn't be caught dead in most of these. ;). "Hipster Clown" pants, perhaps, as they are skinny? But neither descriptor is what I'm going for, so....

FC- Thanks for your thoughtful comments. You wear your pants so well, I appreciate your input! The pulling and fit issues are tending to be around my hips and pull at the crotch. This is a semi-new issue for me and one I becoming increasingly self-conscious about. Especially as I learn more about proper fit.

Gigi- You are looking very closely, thank you! I know the photos are terrible, In the second photo, the crotch isn't too low, it's the way I'm standing and the chair behind me peeks through. I am going to double check that though, to be sure. As for the side pockets- one of the curses of online shopping I think. I see "flat front" and never think to scrutinize. Then I get the pants, and doh. I will be paying more attention in the future. And the sewing isn't a lot of work- the tailor does it quick and cheap. She does refuse to cut pockets though, so that can stink.

FB- Thanks for commenting! I am just getting to know your style, but love what I've seen so far. You are right that #6 is distinctive. I don't wear that often and since I see different people on different days, I try to space out wearings amongst settings as well.

I think I do have a couple images of the plaids and checks styled. I will post if I can find...

9 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I wish I could see better on my laptop, but I totally hear you on the crotch pulling/ whiskering issue. It's pretty common for hourglass and pear shaped women. There are a few potential causes of the fit problem.

Here is one of Angie's blog posts on the subject. It's super helpful.

You can also search using keywords in the forum and my guess is that you'll come up with a bunch of interesting threads, some with visuals, to help go into this problem a bit more.

I totally empathize -- this used to be the bane of my life. My body has changed in shape a bit and I now don't experience it to the same degree, but even so, it happens once in a while if the rise isn't right in a pair of pants.

I think the others have given you great advice on the specific pants. What I'd do for now is keep the ones you can see working for you temporarily. Definitely keep the ones that fit well! And over the next few months do lots of trying on and experimenting to see if you can find a fit you like better. And good luck!

9 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

I like your classic keepers.
Tr the wide leg plaid, I vote toss. I struggle and sweat I've things coming back around as well-- fellow pear-- and have had pants like these. I think you can do wide( with heel - I rely on boots for some heel + comfort -- but that you will need a modern version and best not make these do. Open up a space for finding the new version.

The skinny plaid is very distinctive and pretty fitted, so would need a roomy top. I would not invest more there but move them along.

The brown tweed seem a better fit and are good placeholders, I think.

Congratulations on your tryons! I recently went through a big pants review with similar results, trying to focus on best silhouettes and on matching up the right footwear with the pants styles.

9 years ago

Sal

Veteran

Bit late to the party here.

I especially love 5 on you - awesome! I also like 1, and agree with the styling advice given.

Keep the classic work trousers (2 and 7) - so useful. I think 2 are also a very good fit on you.

My least favourite pair are no 3 - sorry - I think they pull in the wrong place in the tummy and hip area - I have this issue at times too. They could be styled to look better - a heel and a longer top - but I think they could go.

Looks like some good progress though!

9 years ago

purple8

Active Member

I tried on that same AT pair in #3 and they just didn't sit right. I think they are difficult pants. Either that, or we're body twins lol. I think 6 is cute and would keep it. Other work pants looked fine. Plaid in 4 is cute but looks a tad big.

9 years ago

doubleh

Veteran

Thanks Suz for the link! I try to do my homework, but overlooked this post somehow.
#3 is gonzo. I felt the same as you, purple8 when seeing the photo. I'm glad my eye is getting sharper.
I'm going to give the plaids one more shot at styling and see how they come out. Thank you all for the wonderful advice!

9 years ago

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