WIW: A beautiful mistake - YouLookFab Forum

I ordered these navy with black stripe tux trousers on Boxing Day and when they arrived, they were too big. However they were sold out of the smaller size and when I called, were not planning on getting in any more. Then I forgot about the trousers and didn't get them returned by the return expiry date. I was stuck with them. So I decided to try and deliberately shrink them - they are machine washable on cold and hang to dry but I figured "what the heck" and tossed them in the dryer on warm to see what would happen. They shrunk to the perfect fit! I got them back from hemming last night and am debuting them today.

The navy and black trousers are paired with my favourite asymmetrical ruched tank and topped with my black blazer from my skirt suit, with scrunched sleeves of course. Footwear is my black patent booties - what I took with me to the seamstress for the hem length. Jewelry is my silver wedding band and a chunky gun metal cuff. I went with my olive yellow/cobalt snakeskin clutch for a handbag and finished off the outfit with a swipe of dark red lipstick.

To say I'm pleased with this outfit is an understatement. I feel great in this and I wish the colours showed up better in the pics (dark outfits are so difficult to photograph). As opposed to yesterday's outfit, this is the new ME style - some softness with drape, crisp lines and strong shoulders with the jacket, and a bit of edge.

So what do you think? Do the trousers now work? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Blazer & trousers: Nygard
Tank: Attitude by Jay Manuel
Booties: Ara
Clutch: Trouve
Cuff: thrifted

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10 years ago

ramya

Veteran

Sigh :). You are so resourceful!!!

Jaime

(website)

The biggest problem is it is just hard to see. I love the look of the tuxedo trousers although they still look sort of big on you, but it really depends on the material and how they drape, which brings me back to the first point. The jacket, bag and bangle are fantastic!

Astrid

Totally awesome! And what a luck you have that it worked perfectly.

viva

I am inspired by your resourcefulness!!! I agree with Shevia that it is a little hard to truly assess the fit of the pants, but from what I can see they look great on you and certainly the right length. The whole outfit works well, and that clutch is just fantastic.

Aquamarine

Beautiful, Shannon. A little hard to see but the drape looks good and you look happy. I too am Impressed by your resourcefulness.

Janet

From what I can see, they certainly look nice -- drapey rather than bulky. Way to boss your wardrobe around! I love the simplicity and strength of this outfit, and I'm glad you could salvage the mistake so brilliantly.

Anonymous

Great salvage, I would have done the same, what's the worst that could have happened?

El Cee

Amazing save! (Only wish my own "mistakes" looked this good.) Great look… modern, edgy, fantastic. I love the Trouve clutch -- such fun colors and textures.

Joy

I wish I could see this better, but black and navy is such a stylish combination and the silhouette on you is fabulous.

Beth Ann

I remember these pants from your original post on them. They look perfect, and the whole outfit is easy chic. Very creative solution, Shannon!

Transcona Shannon

Darn those dark outfit pics

Shevia - the fabric content of the trousers is a crepe wool/polyester blend that has just the loveliest drape and hang. The trousers are very fluid. I do want to assure you they are no longer too big. The waist is quite high and snug and the high hip/behind fit perfectly.

Janet - definitely not bulky. "Simplicity and strength" seems to be where I'm heading in my style direction.

Ceit - right? Nothing to lose. I wasn't wearing them the way they were anyway.

I love them.

Thistle

Truly they were meant to be. What a gorgeous mistake! Love it with the clutch!

Aziraphale

Yes, the outfit absolutely works. You look great! Those shiny boots are cool too. And now I'm noticing your bright lipstick.

Diana

I wish I could see better too, but this looks great. This type of slouchy but not baggy trouser silhouette is just fantastic on you. Great save!

Sara L.

I can actually see the color difference between the navy and black! The pants look great on you and it's so lucky that they shrunk to exactly the right size.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Killer

You look chic, sharp and professional. And wear dark colours sooooo well.

Love that the pants finally fit. xo

Suz

You are so clever! And what a gorgeous outfit. Love the pants.

rae

I love this and would totally wear it myself in a heartbeat! maybe your subconscious knew you could shrink the pants all along? I love the asymmetrical neckline of the top, and I have definitely had this problem with dark colors photographing as well. I can just imagine how awesome it looks in person!

MsMary

Wow. This outfit is epically fab! Love those pants, and you were so clever to save them!

Trust me ladies - I wasn't clever. I was LUCKY!

You look great Shannon. I like your 'drape', 'structure' and bit of 'edge'. You nailed it.

Mochi

OMG Shannon, you look plonkworthy and that clutch is fantastic. You look like you've been at a chichi spa for the last three weeks! What a great silhouette.

deb

I shrink to fit all of the time. We used to do it to our levi's in the 60's and 70's and I continue to do it with some items. Your pants look great and I am glad it worked for you.

Lyn D.

So Good!
It is handy that you did not need to preserve the length either, Shannon, and this outfit looks fantastic!

Caro in Oz

This is just fantastic Shannon. Love the neckline on the top on you & under the jacket.

Debbie

Love this outfit. You clutch is gorgeous!

Vicki

Shannon, I like the way you roll, or dry! That's the way to get what you want and without an expensive alteration. Way to go.

You look stunning and I especially enjoyed reading how you explained your new ME 2014 style. I think this is so helpful to all of us as we find what pleases us and when we feel great in an outfit.

gryffin

Shannon - this outfit is so awesome!! I am a huge monochromatic fan and the blue with the black is fantastic. Love the top and blazer. Elegant, refined with a great pop of color!! Talk about things sometimes being meant to be!! So glad this "mistake" has a great ending!!

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