Ask Angie: Something completely different - K/R patterned trousers!! - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie: Something completely different - K/R patterned trousers!!

nancylee

Veteran

I can hardly believe my own style courage, but these ankle-length patterned trousers followed me home from White House/Black Market last weekend. I had admired them on the website, but they were completely sold out of most sizes. I had almost forgotten about them until I stumbled across them on Saturday: they were half price and in my size.

Still.....I'm not so sure. This is WAY WAY out of my comfort zone. I've just gotten used to skinnies/cigarette pants. Ankle-cropped pants are a whole new animal! I am pretty unsure about how to style them...and which shoes to wear.

#1-2 - Black Theory jacket, white blouse, VC sandals
#3-4 - Black cashmere sweater, white blouse, VC sandals
#5-6 - White blouse alone, VC sandals
#7-8 - Black blouse alone, VC sandals
#9 - closeup of pattern (black/gold)

I am completely open to styling suggestions. Thanks!

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25 replies

Latest reply was from nancylee

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Wow - I love them (and I'm not a patterned pants person at all). Esp. love #7 - so simple, modern, clean but still fun. Now I want some. They also look great in the other ways you've styled them. They seem very flexible already - I say def. keep.

catgirl

Veteran

I love them but ankle lengths perplex me so I can't wait to hear what others say. You are just too cool and if these are out of your comfort zone, then comfort is overrated!

nancylee

Veteran

Thanks texstyle and Una. I'm surprised that I even tried them on...and even more surprised that I'm considering KEEPING them!

I have to admit the ankle length is perplexing. In fact, I almost walked away without buying them when I saw how short they were. But we actually have a WHBM nearby (one of the few stores we do have!) so I figured I could always return.

MsMary

Veteran

ARE YOU KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW???

*plonk*

LOVE!!!!

jayne

Veteran

love that pattern but mmm the length is tough...I don't know what it should be?

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Angie will likely chime in but the length didn't bother me at all because they have sort of a mod-60's vibe (in a very stylish way). With those nude shoes your legs look a mile long to me.

K. Period.

Veteran

Love love LOVE that pattern! I"m sure you are going to find that they are way more neutral than they appear. I saw something like this paired with a warm leopard print in a magazine and it looked fantastic!

Length.... hmm...I think ankle length is tough to nail. I always struggle with "fashion forward" versus "figure flattering" and figure flattery always wins out with me. If you are up to it, I would love to see these pinned up maybe an inch or so. That would still make them long crops, but I think they would feel more intentional and maybe more comfortably flattering to you? I know that I had them bring the crops in this posting of mine up by just 3/4 of an inch, and I felt like it made all the difference.

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ing-breath

And by the way, I just looked at the pictures again and your legs do look miles long in those nude shoes!

JR

Veteran

These are lovely pants. The pattern is so rich and classic looking that it's a fantastic way to break out of your comfort zone. I love the ways you've styled it, especially with the sweaters.

I like the length. It's a popular style right now, that's for sure, and I think it looks fine on you. It showcases your shoes without drawing too much attention to your ankles.

fern

Veteran

Wow. Wow to every picture.
You look elegant. 3/4 are my favorites.

Jjsloane

Veteran

Hmmm. I love the pattern and the combo in 3 and 7, but not so much the footwear. I think they'd work with booties? I ordered some myself recently but could not get that length to work for me with cool footwear.

Deborah

Veteran

I love them? I think you wear them beautifully and the nude shoe makes the length work. Now I want some:)

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I think you look fantastic in them - so much more interesting than black or blue.

pil

Veteran

They are beautiful on you! I like 1 - 4 and think the shoes look great.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Wow Nancy - these look fantastic on you - I love the whole vibe! I'm not sure about the ankle though - the length isn't bothering me but I'm wondering if they should be tapered a bit so they fit closer to your leg? I don't know...I'm no expert just thinking out loud...

sarah

Veteran

LOVE! Want them tapered a bit at the ankle (an easy alteration).

I'm so proud of you : )

Ariadne

Veteran

They're very, very cool and look great on you--I love sarah's suggestion of having them tapered, though, too.

I feel like the shoes are too light/summery for the rest of the outfit, which reads wintery to me. I'm not sure what to wear instead, though. I will be interested to hear Angie's thoughts if she has a chance to chime in. Oxfords or smoking slippers, maybe, in a dark color or animal print?

nancylee

Veteran

Wow. Lots of great opinions here. I'm getting the general sense that everyone likes these, but there;s some uncertainty about: the length, the shoes, and especially the width.

The width bothers me a little too. The pants seem "wider" than they should be around the lower calf/ankle. I don't remember them looking like this on the model (when these pants were on the website), but maybe that's because I'm shorter and the pants end at a lower point on my leg than on the model's leg.

I'm actually going to see my seamstress/tailor tomorrow to pick up some jeans, so it would be easy to bring these along and have her taper them. I guess they would have to be tapered all the way down, though, right? At least somewhat.

As far as shoes, I did try them on with flats and bootie. The width of the pants looked kind of odd with the booties. I've seen pants like this styled with simple pumps, but that's not really my style. Hmmm.

MsLuna

Veteran

You look so happy!

Fave looks are #5 and #7 - I think they give it a beautiful polish!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I want to love them, and sort of do, but the length without the taper is bothering me. I think with a bit a tapering they will be great.

nancylee

Veteran

OK, I just flipped through an InStyle magazine and every pair of cropped trousers in the mag was tapered and fitted to the leg. If I keep these I'm definitely going to have to have them altered. Hm. My "good buy" just became less of a good buy. But, like Sarah said, it shouldn't be too expensive.....

Suz

(website)

Veteran

The pattern is gorgeous. And actually, a neutral, to my eye. I love the whole idea and with your long slim legs you get away with them as is, though I agree the sandals seem too summery. Though what is the weight of the trouser fabric? What are they made from?

I would love to hear what Angie and Jonesy would say about how to alter these (or if). I think they are worth keeping and doing something with.

nancylee

Veteran

After reading Angie's blog post on cropped trousers I'm starting to have my doubts about these pants:

http://youlookfab.com/2012/02/.....ts-debate/

Angie, am I swimming in dangerous waters here?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oh, Nancy

I don't mind cropped pants at all - I wear cropped pants! But I am VERY STICKY about what looks flattering to my eye. The actual style of the pants and *how* you wear them makes a huge difference. These don't look flattering to me - it's that side view that I have the most trouble with. Your line in chopped in too many places and the hems are too wide.

BUT! I am the only one who thinks so. By all means keep them if you love them. Please don't mind me because I have poisoned eye for this type of pant style and length - that and casual maxi dresses that look like night gowns. I have a very hard time liking those looks on anyone. Models included. And the look is everywhere at the moment.

The good news is that's it! I don't have a poisoned eye for anything else.

Ariadne

Veteran

Angie, if they were tapered, would you feel the same way?

nancylee

Veteran

Thanks, Angie. I really appreciate your honesty. With these pants, I think it was an issue of liking the idea of a different look, liking the print, and really "wanting" them to work....but knowing deep down that there was something a little "off" about them. A lot of YLFers liked the look, but several of them suggested changes/alterations, etc.

I have to confess I missed the whole YLF blog discussion of cropped trousers a few weeks ago, so I wasn't aware of the pitfalls of styling them.

So, while I still don't think they're terrible, they are definitely not a "10" and I don't really want to invest the time, money, and energy in trying to make them better. My energy will be better spent styling the GAP really skinnies I already own.

Thanks everyone! I actually feel good about my decision to return them.

nancylee

Veteran

(oops! double post!)