Ask Angie: Chinos without looking like a target employee? - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie: Chinos without looking like a target employee?

old-grey-mare

Hi Angie, I have a question about how to wear a pair of khaki chinos that I bought a few months ago. They are from BR, their weekend chino in tan (http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....pid=852918). Everytime I wear them outside of work, I feel like I just got off a shift at Target. I just don't know what type of top or shoes to wear with them to make it work for the weekend. Any ideas?

Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from Freckles

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Tough call. How do they fit in the back? Do they give you a nice rear view like designer jeans or are they baggy? How long are they on you? Could you wear them with platform heels and have the back hems still barely skim the floor? You could wear platform wedges and a cropped denim jacket. I would definitely look for something more fitted, structured or figure flattering on top to balance out the wide hems.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This is understandable.

A tucked in denim shirt gets my top vote at the moment, with a cool casual belt and wrist candy.

How long can you go on the heels in order to keep the length of the chinos right?

old-grey-mare

I am the most flat-footed person you'll ever meet, so the highest I can go is 3 inches before my knees start to scream at me. They are fit well, but towards the end of the day they are a bit slouchy (which probably adds to the store employee vibe). I've always liked the denim/khaki combo, so I'll have to try that. I live in AZ, so jackets will only work for another week or so.

Freckles

Veteran

Very interested in this thread.

I'm not a denim person at all but find the idea of these may be keeping me in my frumpy mom vibe.

No Target association as we don't have those stores up here yet.

Anonymous

I used to rock chinos back on my preppy days. I would either do a fitted tee, jean jacket and converse combo or argyle vest , fitted blouse and converse combo. My friends dubbed the combo the skater boy look.

christieanne

Veteran

As the weather warms up, how about a pretty patterned tank/light blouse and low heeled sandal? My thought is to keep the rest of look "feminine" in contrast to the trousers.

And I would avoid any variation on polo collar shirt (or red) just in case

DonnaF

Veteran

Don't ever wear a dark red/cranberry colored top with the chinos!!!

Elly

Veteran

LOL-- I hate chinos with a passion, but I think sometimes they can work in a "new american classic" type of way with very good fit and mixed with other "basics" (denim or white button down, ect. also impeccably fitted) or mixed with pieces with an ethnic or safari vibe (beaded or leather gladiator sandals/wedges, Ikat blouse, maybe a safari-vibe vest in another shade of army green or khaki).

old-grey-mare

Oooh, I like the safari vibe idea, Elly! Even though you may hate them, you have some good ideas. And Christieanne, I think that's a good idea with pairing it with feminine pieces, I didn't really think about that before but the pants do have a somewhat masculine feel to them. Maybe that's why I love my husband in a pair? And Donna, definitely noted, never with ANYTHING red! I just love the chino idea for an alternative to jeans on the weekend, but have had such trouble styling them. You guys have some great ideas! Keep 'em coming!

Carole

Veteran

I had to chime in to give you this link addressing how to wear khakis over at Already Pretty.

http://www.alreadypretty.com/2.....hakis.html

And here is my attempt at trying to rework this orphan in my closet..oops, I already deleted the photos, if you want I could find them and add them here.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I could really use this input - I think I must have 6 pair of khakis from my "office" days where we wore them with the dreaded navy logo polo. Most of mine still fit but they just remind me of the office uniform so much that I haven't put a pair on since! I've been trying to decide if I should donate them and just be done with it. Maybe I'll try at least the best fitting pair with a floral top now. I've tried them with denim tops but it's only "okay" to my eye.

JennyAnne

(website)

Veteran

That is a great question I've also been wondering lately. Denim shirt sounds cool. I was thinking of hemming mine to long shorts. They fit so well but aren't long enough for heels.

Carole

Veteran

Some attempts at styling Khakis:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....i-practice

True Colors

I love khakis with a black/white or navy/white striped long-sleeved T (with the sleeves pushed up) and sandals in cognac leather....Tres chic!

Chippy Mia

I love chinos for the summer. I think I have 8 or so different pairs all in various weights and lengths (midcalf to floor length.) To avoid the employee uniform look, I don't like to pair it with a demin or chambray shirt. I usually wear it with a floral/whimsical patterned tunic or blouse over slim fitted chinos. If I'm wearing a white top then I have a scarf or a colorful accessory, again to get away from the employee look.

I'm about 5'2" and find that baggy pants or loose fitting pants make me look shorter. I prefer pencil or slim fit. I like wearing shorter lengths during the day and save the long ones for evenings to wear with heeled sandals. For cooler nights, I add a cropped blazer or cardi. I can post pics to show you what I mean but I don't know how.

Mander

(website)

Veteran

Stay away from royal blue, too! *shudders in horror at memories of working at a certain electronics and music retailer*

I used to have a pair of long flared leg chinos with an exposed button fly that I wore all the time in the summer. I would usually wear them with flat sandals and a white tank top with an unbuttoned, oversized long-sleeved white shirt with rolled sleeves over the top, and various bits of "ethnic" jewellery. Of course, it was the 90s and I was a college student, so YMMV.

However, I think the "safari" vibe sounds pretty cool.

Sara L.

Veteran

Too funny! I have a problem wearing red and tan now in any combination because of the Target connotation.

K. Period.

Veteran

Tan chinos are always tough for me too. Shoe choice makes a huge impact. Nothing too conservative or the shoes drag you down. I like my tan chinos with a lighter, floral blouse or with stripes. Something with a pattern seems essential, unless I'm going for a classic classic classic look like chino, flats (in color) and black turtleneck, or chino and white shirt.

Anonymous

I dislike khaki chinos as almost universally unflattering on women, but if you have to wear them, how about a striped boatneck tee and navy jacket (or maybe get inspiration from Angie's Nordie's window display of striped shirt under a floral blazer.)

Freckles

Veteran

Carole thanks for the already pretty link and your post. Unfortunately only three of the pictures are still available for viewing. Would it be possible to show them?

Shopmom one has to be an active member in order to post pics here. I think that happens after about a week of being a member. Other people post from other locations, can't think of the name at the moment, and provide a link.