WIW: Volume & Drape & Structure

I'm trying to make these wide legged Glen Plaid "false grey" trousers work for me. I love the trousers - the drape, the comfort, the pattern, the quality - but I always feel a bit overwhelmed by them. Not today.

I've decided in order to work with the volume, I absolutely MUST have some type of structure in the top half. So I started today's outfit with the trousers and paired them first with my drapey cross front silk-blend tee. I wanted to work with light colours with the trousers this time. Now I've got volume on the bottom and drape on the top - how to rein that in? Add a structured jacket. But I went with my light cream leather jacket to keep the top half of the outfit light and to add a bit of "edge" to the otherwise soft outfit. For footwear, I kept that light as well with my bone suede boots. Each time I have worn my black patent booties with these trousers, I have felt "foot heavy" if you know what I mean. I added one pop of colour with my cobalt/cream/black handbag.

So am I getting there in taming these wide legged trousers? Does this work? If not, what needs tweaking? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

P.S. I forgot to scrunch my sleeves for the pics but will when I get to work

Jacket & handbag: Danier Leather
Tee: BCBG
Trousers: Express
Boots: thrifted

This post has 5 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

10 years ago

Aquamarine

Veteran

I think you nailed it. The jackets totally works, and I am loving the lighter boots.

Anonymous

I like the jacket with the pants, and the boots. I am unsure about the T -- it almost looks too light a weight compared to the pants and leather? But I think you are on the right track with this.

donnat

I really like that tee, jacket gorgeous as usual, i think i am just not crazy over those pants on you. Sorry

El Cee

Fab look! I think you have achieved success here in reining in some of the volume. (I am taking note.) I agree that adding a little structure to a drapey, voluminous style makes all the difference. I also think that going lighter on top does something to create a more balanced look here. Love your use of light booties with this outfit too.

Beth Ann

Yes to the lighter top, Shannon! I love the whole look. I suspect that these trousers don't show to best effect in photos. Wide legs have such a delicious movement and drape, and a glen plaid adds interest up close, but photographs a bit "muddy," if you know what I mean.

I adore the light near your face, and leather does give an edge and structure that balances everything out beautifully.

Now, I've got to go dress myself for another frigid day.....

adorkable

I'm voting for killer, myself.

Transcona Shannon

donnat - there is absolutely NO reason to apologize for your honest opinion

Here are my thoughts on these trousers and my outfit: I think this is one of my better ensembles with these trousers...BUT...again, I don't feel great in them. I've determined it's not the wide legs from the knees on down that bother me, it's the excess fabric on the hips and thighs. It makes me feel sloppy and like the trousers are too big, which they technically are not. They fit nicely at the waist. One of the reasons my all time favorite silhouette of trousers/jeans is bootcut is how they caress the hip and thighs before they open up into the wider leg - making me feel longer, leaner and to be honest, a bit sexier.

Do you think it would ruin these trousers if I took them to Wonder Woman to have a bit of the hip and thighs taken in?

Jaime

(website)

I think this looks great but if the cut of the trousers is making you feel less fab why not see what WW says.

celia

I think the pants and jacket look great together but the neckline of the blouse underneath is not quite working for me.

You made me think of an outfit I saw on TV yesterday that i wanted to try, which was some light grey trousers like yours, white blouse tucked it and belted and a longish navy blazer.I thin sometimes we think(or at least I do) of column of colour as being dark with some light toper but the reverse works as well.

Sara L.

I like the outfit but it sounds like you still don't feel great in it. If you would get more use out of the pants, I think you should have them tailored.

rae

Before you tailor, I think you ought to try a few looks that showcase the waist, which you say fits very nicely. I think your instinct for structure on top was spot on - but you lost a lot of structure with the draped top and by leaving the jacket open. Try the pants with a fitted knit top sans jacket, or with a closed blazer/jacket (even better if you have a gray top to go under the jacket).

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/441845413411901211/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/439663982343174270/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/21884748160642310/

unfrumped

First, I really like the light tones. That is a great way to move toward spring.
I think that once you add the jacket, I might prefer a simpler T underneath--maybe with semituck. The draping may be a touch too much for the wide pants.
For fit, it does depend, on movement and such--whether they act flowy or baggy. You might well be able to have them taken up a smidge in the hip and thigh but still retain the fluid look.
Another color option is to wear a top that is a bit more in the same tonal family as the pants, but still light (don't know if you have such) for more of the column of color thing--that can also help with proportions of wide-legged pants.

kkards

i love the top and the leather jacket. i love the trousers, but i'm not sure a love the whole thing. i agree with unfrumped, i think i would try a top in a color more tonal to the pants, then put the leather jacket on.

I think you look stunning!

Suz

I am with Rae. Before you tailor the pants, try them with even more structure up top. I do think I see what you mean about the cut, yet I'm also sure Beth Ann is right that in movement they give a different impression.

Thistle

You look amazing! Don't tailor them! They are perfect as is

I also second Beth Ann. I bet these look amazing in motion.

Debra

I think this is a great outfit and you look fab

shiny

I saw this earlier and then neglected to respond, I was so wowed by your leather jacket I went off googling Danier... how's that for a compliment? You look lovely as always.

Caro in Oz

What rae said. I'd try more structure on top before having them altered

karymk

You need to be the poster child for Danier!

deb

Beautiful!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

You gorgeous creature. I love seeing your smiley face on YLF. xo

Karie

I would try Rae's suggestions, especially the second one. A more structured, tailored top might make you not want to have these taken in. I love the lighter shoes with these.

Deborah

I like the examples Rae has shown but I do think this outfit is stellar Shannon. I love how you have 'balanced' the pants volume the top and then adding the structure through the jacket. Brilliant styling. And 'lightening' the outfit was genious.

jenanded

Gorgeous... we are this danier jacket twins... I totally love mine too...

Category