Can We Talk? (White pants) - YouLookFab Forum

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Can We Talk? (White pants)

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

Hey Fabbers,
Can I just say how wonderful you all are? So supportive and helpful, and kind and honest. And so welcoming! I feel like I've joined the best sorority on wardrobe campus!

OK, now to business, lol. I want white pants. I don't know why, exactly, except I have always wanted white pants. I've even owned a few pairs in my life.

So, last week or so, I bought these linen/viscose wide leg pants.
I cannot figure out how to make them work.

I pinned a few things that had white pants: but on a big girl, proportioned the way I am, the whole thing just starts to look BIG and BOXY. Like a great sheet of sail is coming towards you.

So, the other night, I wandered into a place me and my budget had no right to be--a lttle boutique in the Bay. I bought a pair of NYDJ (now I know what that means! )) and an Eileen Fisher tank so I could make a "column of white."

1. I had thought I would return the linen/viscose to help finance my boutique purchases--but when I tried them on again, I nearly melted from comfort. And I think I look fine with the EF tank in them. One nasty thing: the stupid tie around the waist. Can I just rip it out or should I deal with it another way (like tucking, as I did here--and you can totally see it.)

2. The DKNY, in contrast, are tight. The saleslady assured me that this was my size--and that after a 1/2 hour of wear the 2%spandex will kick in and make them comfy. As I was wearing a skirt at the time with spandex which felt like it was falling off me (but had fit "just right" in the fitting room a few days before) I thought she might be right. Those of you with these jeans, have you found they loosen up appreciably? (There is a slight muffin top effect from the waist band of the jeans as a result. Not sure if that will be a problem given my tops are loose.)

Now--about tops. With the execption of this and one other which you haven't seen yet, all my tops end in black bands--thus, I think they probably have too much contrast for white pants of either kind. So, I really have nothing to wear with them! Ack. Should I "save" them anyway and get tops for them next summer? There is no guarantee, of course, that they will even fit next summer.

What should I do?
Return the wide legs?
Return the NYDJ?
Keep both and ask for more hours at work, lol?
Return both and wait for next year when I can buy more tops to go with them?

Any comments, suggestions, etc, welcome, of course.

Thanks.

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Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from lyn67

Gaylene

Veteran

I think you scored on both pairs of bottoms! And I love the fit of the EF so I vote a big KEEP on everything.

You've got the column of white so it might be nice to search for a topper that would serve as the third piece.
http://youlookfab.com/2014/02/.....e-bottoms/

And Angie has some good ideas for tops that could serve as guide even if you don't want to order from the States.
http://youlookfab.com/2014/04/.....mmer-tops/

My favorite way way to wear white bottoms is with a fluid linen sweater with either a welt bottom or a high-low hem in a solid, super-flattering colour. The linen drapes nicely and the color-blocking effect makes a simple top and bottom look like an outfit once I put on a pair of interesting sandals and grab a clutch in a colour that compliments the top or matches the sandals. Super easy and comfortable but looks totally put together. It might be worth trying your black-banded tops with a black sandal and clutch to see if it might work in a similar way.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I think it's a sign that if you wear something and want to melt in happiness, it's a keep.

Ask for more hours at work .... hahahaha.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

WOW. I love these white bottoms on you so much. And echo everything Gaylene said.

Do you have light sandals? I'm thinking silver or pewter.

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

Oh boy.
Yes, light coloured sandals would be da bomb. I found a pair in Naturalizer which were great--but the buckles were tricky for me to fasten. I think I need to try them again. I have a pair from Walmart I could show you later. I am not sure how well they would stand up to walking, though!

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Well I love both. I would love to see you in a vivid pop of color a neckless, or a men's boxy shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Maybe you could borrow from the husbands closet and pop the color.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Let's see the pair from Walmart, Alana.

These are very comfy sandals from Naturalizer:

Naturalizer Catrina

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Top Pick

1

Naturalizer Catrina

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21

Eliza

Veteran

Love those pants and their two different shapes will work differently with tops (including ones you already have). White can take some getting used to, but with practice, I found it quite versatile in outfit creation a la Gaylene. Most jeans with spandex will stretch a bit. If not sure, I wear them around the house with tags on to be sure the fit is as comfortable as I like. Another vote for light metallic shoes/sandals paired with white pants. They work with almost anything, reducing the need for too many pairs, especially for a short summer.

I have linen tops that work very well in summer humidity and play well with white bottoms. Don't you love how they breathe? I do tuck in the strings on some pant styles, sometimes tie them loosely and cut them short. I have been afraid to pull most of them out all the way in case they become too loose. I also often wear a thin tank or camisole; this covers the tucked up the ties when the top is more sheer.

You are really putting it all together at an amazing pace. YLF!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You did brilliantly. And I can't put anything better than Gaylene did. I will, however, tell you that Gaylene has been my summer SAVIOUR on YLF. She has helped me with purchases and styling I don't know how many times. Especially in my first year here. The lady knows whereof she speaks.

For the tie belt -- will the pants stay up without it? If so, you might be able to simply remove it. I am considering this with a pair of drawstring linen pants that I have. The other option is to tuck the ends in without tying them. This might make them feel less bulky and look less obvious. Of course if you need the tie to hold the pants up, that won't be a good solution.

carambola

Veteran

Love both pairs of white pants on you! So crisp and fresh.

unfrumped

Veteran

Both pants look good to me for fit, and give different looks.

So one option is to keep both! Or, if that is not your best option (you do need a top or tops, for example) here is where you'd try to decide if both are too much duplication and it'll look like white pants either way--can you get any sense of whether one feels so good you'd always pick it? Or do you like and need the rolled-up look more, (I found that surprisingly useful for some shoe issues). The rolled ones are more trendy and casual and the others are more, not exactly dressy but more classic, I guess, so bring to mind tropical vacation themes, dinner out in mid-summer.

See Elizabeth's post today on her JCrew sweaters--the beautiful pink with white pants and the navy--whatever colors you love on you, you should do.

If you have time & energy you could take both pants (in a bag!) shopping just to try on tops and perhaps see if one or the other is easier or harder to work with.

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

Thank you, i am just stopping in to check messages. here are the shoes--forgive the apron, i am cooking dinner.

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abc

Veteran

Cute apron!

Give those silver babies a whirl with your white pants. I hope they're comfy because they look pretty good from here - but I must admit I am a metallic shoe fan.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I think those shoes will work swimmingly. BTW, I like both pants but especially the NYDJ. I've given up on a tie-front pant just because I rarely want to tuck with them and the tie always looks awkward underneath a top.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Great finds! The top and both pants look great on you. On NYDJ: yes, the denim does stretch out fairly quickly. But if the waist is tight, it might stay that way. So do wear them around the house with tags on and see. I had a pair that looked and felt great, all except the waist, which was just too high for me and dug in enough that I just had to retire them.
Your metallic sandals will go with the white pants very nicely.
On the tie-waist pants: is there also elastic at the waist? If so, you might be able to remove the tie. Or if not, might you insert elastic where the ties are, to keep the pants from falling down and to eliminate the tie?

Adelfa

Veteran

I too like both pants on you. As for tops, can you lend that EF tank to your mom and ask her to copy it in several flattering and delightful colors?

Gigi

Veteran

Great finds! I think you look super in both, but especially in the jeans! I think the metallic sandals you found will go great with both outfits.

Deborah

Veteran

Great shopping Alana:) If I had to chose one pair only it would be the ones in #2. I like how substantial the fabric looks and the nice line of the pants. The first pair do look good and you can certainly carry off wide leg pants very well. So if you can, keep both. I am all for working more hours to facilitate my clothing habit lol. The white top looks lovely and the column of white it so elegant and fresh. Greys and silvers look stunning with white and that could be a direction to go in with new tops. And I concur with Gaylene's suggestions. You look fab in both pairs of trousers by the way!

lyn67

Veteran

I love to wear my white jeans with black, navy, coral, gray, turquoise or citron tops. They can be a simple cotton or linen tee, a mixmedia or good quality poly shell, or a mesh sweater with a cami of the same color under.

I love me some high contrast! The trick is the tops have to be long enough to end under my hips and bum.

Add some great sandals/loafers(wow, for your silver ones!!!), your orange bag and you are set to go.

If I do a coloumn of white, then I always(!) layer a topper to coverthe parts I said with it!:-)

Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

Oh dear, I returned the silver sandals to Walmart last night (they were more bronzey gold than true silver) and picked up a pair of white naturalizers. I didn't see the ones Angie posted (which I quite liked) and bought another pair--the last ones in my size. I panicked a bit because I went in to get the pair with the difficult buckles--and they were out. However, I think these white ones look awful, really, and will return them asap--unless you think they are OK? I don't know anymore...I think I am going blind...

PS: this is a top I bought specifically to go with the white pants.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The white sandals don't work with that outfit - but they could be great with the white pants.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Alana: The white sandals are great. They are a higher contrast on your foot (particularly in photos, which really highlight white). I absolutely like them, but you might find a metallic more versatile. Did you return the ones to Walmart because they weren't as comfy?

LOVE both pairs of pants and the top. I bet the NYDJ will stretch, bu Firecracker's right that sometimes the firmer waistband doesn't budge, sometimes it will. Also, don't remove the drawstring on the others until you try a deep knee bend -- getting the lettuce out of the fridge -- you know what I mean. I find the elastic waist migrates down and reveals the quality of my undergarments. Of course, I'm the girl whose booty needs it's own zip code.

You have amazing skills at finding great items -- it's easy at this point to get overwhelmed with choices and a desire to complete the wardrobe shift. I did spend more money initially, and I had to keep track of expenditures, too, prioritizing and sometimes waiting. This slows down once you have the bases covered, and I find I actually spend less now, because I make fewer mistakes and I have a wardrobe, instead of lots of pretty garments handing in my closet. There are good things about having a small mound of money to allow you to buy more items than usual for a quicker wardrobe turnaround. But taking it slow has benefits too, as your understanding of your own style continues to grow and refine. Ornella and Ingunn, two of our fab and sensible Europeans, are both examples of fabbers whose wardrobes evolve slowly over time. Amiable is refining a mostly thrifted wardrobe, and has developed an amazing eye for her perfect silhouettes and colors! There are many more!

lyn67

Veteran

Love the white sandals, too, but am bit sad sad you returned the silver ones..

Anyway both will go great with white pants.

I came back to say I also like to pair my white bottoms with graphic tees in a solid color(esp black) if they have a signifficant amount of bright or silver or gold metallic splash of design on the front, which will matcfh or corelate with the whites.

Or some patterns/prints that have little whites in them. Esp stripes and dots.

Or some prints which have white as a background(I have a mint paysley print on whites, which works well with my white denim skirts.

Your blue top is exactly, what I meant.

Agree with BethAnn, great buys, you're a lucky girl!