Dress slacks - YouLookFab Forum

This weekend I tried on some dress slacks at Ann Taylor. They've redesigned their fit, and these slacks fit me perfectly and were very flattering. I am tempted to go back and buy one or two pairs, black and charcoal.

Pros -
1) It's hard for me to find dress slacks that fit well and flatter. In fact, it can be downright frustrating. Other than hemming, these need no other alterations. That so rarely happens.

2) Most of my dress slacks, I've discovered, do not have proper PPL (I have some for winter - purchased post YLF - that are fine, but I discovered to my chagrin recently that the ones for spring/summer/fall are embarrassingly short)

3) If I have another business trip out to CA, these would come in handy. While jeans are acceptable there, the HQ tends to be slightly more dressy. Also as a practical matter, they would take up less room in luggage.

4) These would be handy for my once-a-month trips to the office in the summer. Jeans feel too hot during the summer, even if they are fine once I get into the AC.

5) Lately my jeans feel tight, so it's tempting to switch to trousers which are more forgiving.

6) I hate having holes in my closet, where basics are supposed to go. Even if I don't wear certain basics all that often, it just gives me comfort to know if I want to wear, for example, dress slacks, I have a nice-fitting pair ready to go. (Is this weird?)

Cons -
1) Ideally, for maximum versatility, the next dress slacks I purchase will come with a matching suit jacket. Unfortunately, I did not care for the jacket that went with these pants at all.

2) The reality is I rarely wear dress slacks anymore. I wear jeans, dresses, or skirts instead. I can count on one hand the number of times I wore dress slacks last year.

3) Even if I would wear them on the next business trip, we have travel restrictions so I have no idea when that is going to be (I am going out for a conference in the fall, but for that occasion, I absolutely need a suit that matches).

4) If I switch to trousers because my jeans feel tight, I fear that I will be giving myself permission to gain even more weight.

So there you have it. What would you do?

16 years ago

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Could you not pair a print jacket with your trousers? AT has some lovely tweed jackets right now that are fairly subtle.
http://www.anntaylor.com/catal.....ory=Misses
If they *have* to "match" I'd rather wear great fitting trousers with a great fitting jacket rather than wear a set that I don't really love. Do you own a black jacket? How much is it off from the trousers?
BTW, I just got my first AT trousers a few weeks ago and found the fit to be perfect for me, too. I've ignored AT for so long, but find myself coveting after many of their new items. Wow.

shiny

Yeah, I could easily wear a contrasting jacket with either of these two pants. I have no idea if the black ones would directly match my black blazers, but I would not count on it. I do think if you are going to the trouble of having a matching suit - if your occasion dictates such formality - then the fabrics should be the same. It just looks more polished. And this is one particularly huge hole in my closet, but I have some ideas on that ... stay tuned.

Agree with you about AT's new items!! I love this new emphasis on basic pieces. I also scooped up a perfect-fitting black pencil skirt this weekend. And their blouses are very pretty right now too. I am liking AT better than BR at the moment. I was surprised the pants fit so well, because they never fit me right before.

I also took a twirl through Talbots. They were just getting in some fall items. Our local talbot's is very small, esp the petite department, and seems to cater to a much older crowd. I saw some of the new pants but I did not try on. They were flannel and the fabric did not appeal to me - looked chintzy, to be honest.

Michelle

Run, don't walk, to the store and buy the two pairs. Dress slacks are a wardrobe staple and will never be a waste of money! Plus with AT you know they'll be decent quality and last awhile

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I'd run and get one pair. See how you go.

How about a dark grey to go with your black jackets?

rute

Shiny.. you are so funny and you think a lot in every detail!

I sometimes have the same problem because my weight varies a lot.. and I have to keep an eye on it!
Jeans are the best alarm.. they lets us know immediatly when we are gaining weight, so its always good to wear it at least once a week, if we choose more forgiving pieces we get lost!
However there is nothing worse than wearing bery tight clothes, I would change for the more forgiving pants but act, start to walk, start to eat more healthy..

Louise

I think i'd get one pair as the fit is perfect but you don't wear them often. It would be awful if you didn't get them then a occassion came up and you couldn't find any x

I went back this morning and got the grey. Turns out they don't come in black anyway. The sales clerk remembered me from yesterday, and applied the 15% discount - yeah!

Even better with a discount x

Anonymous

I'm late getting to this thread but want to say that I'm glad you got the grey pair. I feel as you do about filling those wardrobe holes even if it's something not worn that often. With the grey slacks you have lots of outfit possibilities and can still look for that perfect black pants suit.
This morning on some TV show that was on while I was working, they said that AT had revamped their line for fall and showed someone in a great LBD. Are the AT pants higher in rise than Editors or Martins?

Joy, I can't say about the Editors, as I have not tried them on in years. They are higher than the Martins. I think the Martins are 8.5? These (size 2p) are 9 inches, my ideal!

They are similar in cut to the Martins, in that they are more narrow in the hip and thigh, and forgiving in the waistband. Does that make sense? Prior, AT pants would always be too tight in the waist, and *way* too loose in the hips and thighs for me to wear.

The sales clerk said that the Signature fit comes in both a straight leg and a wide leg. But it's weird, the tag on these clearly say "Trouser Leg" - they are a little like a bootcut. And I can't find the exact style on their web site. They came in a light and a dark grey and I got the darker.

They are 30 inch inseam - so I don't think I will need to have them hemmed - I think they'll work with my 2" grey pumps and metallic booties. Woo hoo!

Kristen

I had similar dilemmas about the new AT pants, and ended up not getting them right now. Since, like you, I am not wearing dress slacks as often as I used to, I didn't really need them urgently. In addition, my weight has bobbled up enough that fit in my regular size was a little snug. I have several pairs of dress pants that will get me into fall instead, and once the 10s fit right again they can be a treat I give myself. I did really like those Modern cut pants!

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