No, after 3 kids and 2 decades I'm not the same size I was in high school. But there is one article of clothing, besides my prom dresses, I've held onto doggedly for all these years, like a child to her lovey doll - my pair of plaid pants. I think I must have been harboring dreams that some day I would once again be able to wear... well something like them, anyway.

Sure enough, that "something like" presented itself to me last week at the second-hand shop, this pair of vintage wool plaid trousers! Despite not being quite PPL they are a good enough substitute and they make me happy.

I chose today to wear them, taking a gamble that I wouldn't have meetings requiring more formality, and so far that assumption is holding true...! (Only after I arrived at my desk did I see Angie's post on plaid so I must have subconsciously gotten the memo!)

The fabric is wool with no stretch at all, and my guess on the date is circa 1980. They are fully-lined. When I bought them they were 2" shorter than they are now, so I took down the hems as far as they would go, and even added to their length with some grosgrain ribbon - but as you can see they are still too short (and I am medium height at 5'-7"). Maybe they would be PPL with FLAT-flats.

It took a bit of creative thinking on what to wear on top - I wanted something with simple lines but sufficiently light/bright to counteract the attention drawn downward. I would have normally opted for a turtleneck but I am still working within the constraint of nursing-friendly tops, so I chose my neutral silk surplice-neck shell. As a topper I chose my electric-blue cashmere hoodie cardigan, on its last legs because I subject it to casual use - baby food, washing machine, etc.

Does it work? Would you wear them? What would you pair them with? All comments welcome!