Back to the styling board--lot of pics--warm or cold?

Not feeling the love for a lot of my older trousers even after purging the worst. (Still have love for Leith track pants and new pleated pants, but need more bottom options)

#1--Recent addition: Zanella trousers in the pindot brown and black. Slimmer-fitting than AT curvy and have a slightly narrower leg. Don’t laugh, but for me these are an update over shtumpier pants (trying for modern classic!). I tried a gray pair also but they fit differently despite being the same style, so am returning. This is a lovely fabric and I will keep and try to style as modernly as possible. Also will try some more of the AT curvy “straight” which also are narrower leg—few of those are in the store so have to order on-line.

Since “classic” trousers are not working as well as hoped--re-mixing my 2 pairs of more “skinny” pants. Pics 2-

2-4 : MK top with 3 possible shoe types: slipper, shootie, oxford. Fitted/stretchy pants like these, I’ll only wear with a long top.

5-7 Magenta silk shirt

8 For fun—taupe shirt with a taupe/tan bootie. The pants are too loose to stay tucked , and too skinny flow over, but since a shootie works, maybe one in this color would give interest.

The shirt-tail hem "out" on a plain shirt ( I consider the MK kind of shirt-jacket) is a more smart-casual look than I usually consider for work, but since work is not “corporate” I could do some version of this. Straight hems used to look more appropriate to wear “out” but are problematic at certain lengths.

9--Pleione blouse

10 Vince sweater with slim pants. This sweater is just barely long enough (in front) for me for the fit of these pants.

I would also try "big" sweaters with the slimmer pants, but don't have big + long--bigger is usually boxier/shorter. So trying woven shirts for now.

12-13--Hahaha. New try at bootie + skirt.I realized that my Munro short boots, heretofore worn only with pants, have a relatively narrow shaft. Brown cardi I've saved as I love the colors; boxier black sweater. Shown with sheer hose, but of course a more opaque tight gives a longer leg. For a new “bootie” for skirts I would pick a shorter shaft, but the shorter, then the narrower it needs to be at the ankle. Since I have these already, should I try this out, or instead find a tall boot?

Which, if any, of these directions are working for the modern-eyed YLF'ers? Would you even bother to work with the skinnier pants (as in these or "better" versions) , or invest (!) in even more types of slouchy pants (I ordered one pair of VC).

Thanks for all comments and suggestions.

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12 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

I so hav the shorter Prizzze bootie from last year, which are comfortable but give the slight flower pot look, so would want either a new fit or just hang tight this season.

Suz

(website)

Okay, first off, I want to say that I think you are being way too hard on yourself. I can see a HUGE leap from your last year's fall pants outfits. To me, these DO read as "modern classic" vs. frumptastic, and these are all lovely work outfits to my eye. Your updates to tops and bottoms have made an enormous difference.

I really like the new AT wide legs and think they will be useful. If the fabrication is as lovely as you say, even better.

Any of the shoe choices work with the slimmer pants, I think, although I slightly prefer the booties and the oxfords.

Magenta blouse is lovely on you. Will be great under a sweater or jacket, too. A nice pop of rich colour.

LOVE your taupe bookending (but then I would!)

Pleione blouse is sensational!! An instant update. Brilliant!

I am less in love with the cropped sweater here but would like it with a top beneath (and peeking out) and/ or try with the AT pants.

I think you can actually wear those boots with the skirt and look fab! It may not be the consensus here, but in my view, you are looking pretty darned good!

Suz, thank you for the critique and encouragement.
In showing the 3 shoe types, to me the flats looked a bit '50's -/ maybe Audrey Hepburn without Audrey! Like too twee for me. Whereas the shooties and oxfords looked more... something.
That was a bit surprising since the slipper flat styles are shown with
narrow pants & ankle pants, but that reads better on them than on my shape.

Anonymous

I must admit that I'm not such a fan of the slipper flats with your pants. I think it's because I prefer to see less foot showing. I think the pants styles are great. I like Suz's idea to wear a top peaking out from under the shorter sweater, that would look great too. Your blouses work to my eye and I see nothing wrong with your skirt outfits. Looking good!

Sarah A

4, 5 and 9 are really looking good to me! I too use the skirt peeking out trick to fix proportions of too short sweaters.

May try shirt trick. I was a slow-adopter for anything other than with jeans, because it tends to look too casual for work. So the other elements have to be able to "elevate" it and I think there are some ways to do that..

kellygirl

I really like the pants in 1--they are modern and flattering. In fact, I love everything about 1. It looks modern and fresh to me. I like the slim pants with the oxfords best--the cobalt and fuschia top look good with them. I love the slouchy pants in 8 with the booties and the taupe top--very nice! Love 9 and 10 too. I want the skirt in 11 to be longer and a little tapered at the bottom but that’s me being picky--for some reason, it reads more modern to me in 12. I think it’s the more slouchy top. Just my 2 cents--not sure how modern my eye is though

Beth Ann

Love the new pants and the magenta blouse particularly, but all these outfits are strong and do read classic, not frumpy. Also, I for one, love slipper flats and the peek of skin.

I think the booties work fine, and you're right, a higher shaft gets rid of the gap issues in shorter booties.

As I look through these, I'd like to see you experiment with some more tucking and belting. Do you not like the look? Sometimes people feel less comfortable with tucking when they're not wearing a topper.

I see lots of growth and refinement in your style. Still, it's worth asking yourself whether you're getting the "happiness factor" in your clothing.

Beth Ann, thank you for your comments--always thoughtful and inspiring.

I used to tuck all the time, when waistbands were at my waist! I tuck with my pencil skirts a lot because the belt "sits" better on them. I love belts and continue to collect them. Also looking forward to more tucking with my new pleated pant due to where the waist sits there.

I have trouble with the varying rises of a lot of other pants and how they look, how shirts do or do not stay in. Also I fit some pants for "not tucking"--e.g. it can be useful to plan for smoother line under the top and build a mostly untucked capsule around some pants.

I have some outfits I will photo soon in which I'm trying more tucking again.

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