These outfits might appeal to you if you enjoy wearing wide and comfy track pants, but don’t want to style them with athletic cropped tops and hoodies. They remix sporty track pants with non-athletic casual items and dressier pieces. Choose your own colour palettes if these ones are not to your liking. 

Boden

Side Stripe Pullon Pants Green Tambourine

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1

Boden

Side Stripe Pullon Pants Black with Camel Stripe

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2

Boden

Westbourne Ponte Pants Black, Rainbow Stripe

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1

Boden

Side Stripe Pullon Pants Navy with Red Stripe

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4

Onto some outfit inspiration.

1. Casually Earthy

A pair of toffee track pants is paired with a navy and white striped sweater. It matches the navy side stripe of the pants. An olive anorak is worn over the top. It matches the olive side stripe of the pants. White sneakers match the white stripe of the top. An off-white baseball cap complements the palette.

2. Relaxed Classic

A cream turtleneck is paired with a pair of navy blue track pants with statement coral side stripe. A classic tan trench coat tops the pairing. Classic tan loafers add a dressy touch and match the trench coat. A classic cream and tan tote perfectly matches the palette of the outfit. Fab juxtaposition of casual and dressy items with iconic classics.

3. Graphic Ease

A pair of black track pants with white side stripe is paired with a white tank. An oversized white shirt tops the lot to look like a jacket. Feel free to leave the shirt un-buttoned. Sleeves are rolled to add structure to the shirt’s volume. Dressy black and white penny loafers are a perfect palette match. Their dressiness works well with the glam chunky gold necklace. I see a gold or brown belt bag or crossbody complete the look.

2. Maritime Prep

These track pants with navy side stripes look like denim, and are right on trend. They’re combined with a navy and white striped sweater that complement the stripes of the pants. A roomy and dressy navy blazer with gold and brownl buttons is the third piece. Classic gold loafers with brown soles match the buttons of the blazer. Add jewellery, bag, eyewear, and watch as desired.

Fabber Brooklyn made this very astute comment on my post about the wear quotients of wardrobe items:

“Joy per wear is as important as cost per wear. There are plenty of items in my wardrobe that are seldom worn but when I do wear them, wow, the joy is intense.”

I’m in total agreement. Sometimes, fabulous wardrobe items are infrequently worn because they need the right weather, occasion, setting, or mood. They rarely come out to play, which keeps their cost per wear high. Yet they create immense happiness when they are worn a few times a year. The joy per wear of these items is high, which for some is more important than cost per wear. It is for me.

These items from my current wardrobe are worn a few times a year because they require an occasion, or just the right weather. But when I wear them, they make me VERY happy. As Brooklyn says, the joy per wear is intense. I’ll keep them until they wear out.

Nordstrom

Soia & Kyo Water Resistant Hooded Down Walking Coat

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Boden

Broderie Tiered Maxi Dress

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Bloomingdale's

HOBBS LONDON Bethany Tiered Mesh Dress

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8

Zara

Embroidered Midi Dress

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Saks Fifth Avenue

Rebecca Taylor Lace-Embellished Shirt Dress

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Farfetch

P.A.R.O.S.H. Nullex Pleated Tulle Skirt - Farfetch

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Karen Millen

Twill Woven Prom Maxi Skirt

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Nordstrom

Rag & Bone 'Faye' Longline Double Breasted Wool Blend Vest

$575.00 $229.98

Sale

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The next time you want to pass on an infrequently worn wardrobe item and are worried about the cost per wear, consider the joy per wear. If the joy per wear is high, keep it.

It’s important to actually try on your wardrobe items and outfits from time to time. Instead of relying on a distant memory, you should get an accurate and up to date impression of how they look, fit, feel, and suit your lifestyle. This knowledge will allow you to get more from your wardrobe. 

Retry formal pieces and other wardrobe items that are worn infrequently. And it’s important to not just look at them, but actually try them on. This is the only way to know if they work with the sartorial preferences, comfort requirements, and body you have today. Avoid the frustration of thinking you have party pieces ready to wear, but finding out at the last minute that they no longer work for you.

Try on altered wardrobe items as soon as they’re back from alterations to make sure they fit correctly. Don’t be caught trying on an altered occasion outfit right before you need it, and things don’t fit. I had to help a groom get a new tuxedo the day before his wedding because he trusted that the tuxedo that he had altered for the big day would fit. It didn’t. Thankfully we got a new tuxedo, and things worked out.

When you create a new outfit or colour combination in your head with existing wardrobe items, try it on to see if it works and you like the vibe. When you’re putting together a travel capsule of outfits, try them on before you pack unless the outfits are tried and tested and you know they look great. Don’t be caught on a trip with a set of outfits you thought would work, but don’t in practice.

When I’m working with clients and their wardrobes, they work hard because I make them try items and outfits on at home and in stores. We do not rely on past perceptions and preconceived ideas because they aren’t always right. Things change, and it’s best to be thorough.

Solid wardrobe items tend to be more popular than patterned ones. Usually, wardrobes are rich in solids with patterns in some tops, skirts, and dresses. It’s rare that I work with clients whose wardrobes are more patterned than solid. 

Occasionally there’s a client with an extremely patterned wardrobe. They typically enjoy pattern mixing, and wear patterns every day. 

I also have clients who are pattern-averse. Their wardrobes are either void of patterns, or the patterned items are few and far between and in very particular pieces. The patterns in their style are subtle, and just enough to amp up an outfit. If you’re a subtle pattern person, these outfits might inspire you.

1. Snakeskin Shoes

A pair of cinnamon trousers is paired with a blue shirt. A cognac leather coat tops the lot. Snakeskin slingbacks are the pop of pattern amidst the solids. Their neutral palette world well with the blue and earth tones. I see a black, brown, or tan bag complete the look.

2. Geometric Bag

A column of colour is created by combining a solid black top with black pants and a black moto jacket. The shoes can be any colour, like black, cream, red, green, grey, or blue. The geometric patterned bag with slogan strap provides the subtle addition of pattern. That said, the high contrast of the pattern colours, and the contrast it creates against the black clothing, make it bold and the focal point of the outfit.

3. Striped Scarf

A solid monochromatic column of red is created by combining red pants, sweater and topper. A red and white patterned neckerchief adds subtle pattern, personality, and becomes the focal point of the outfit. The sweater has a very subtle white stripe on the neckline too. White sneakers pick up the white in the patterns. Add a bag that works with the palette.

4. False Plain Jacket

Last, a solid chocolate midaxi skirt is paired with a black turtleneck sweater. Black boots match the top. A taupe tweed jacket with black buttons complements the earthy and black palette. The texture of the tweed is pattered in a subtle way, like a false plain. Add jewellery, bag, watch, and eyewear as desired.