Hack, donate or keep? Chinos + dress pants

Speaking of chinos. I have these lavender chinos (Marc by MJ) that I haven't worn in a while. I threw on the blush and white lace top just to show you. I'll probably return the white one, though. I have a 3 weeks window to return.

The question is: Hack, leave as is or donate?

#1/2 lavender chinos: full length/pinned (length ok?) I'm a bit weary aout hacking them bc I don't want to ruin it. The quality is pretty good with piped lining etc.

#3/4 black dress pants (camera light is adjusted to improve visibility): full length/pinned (length ok?)

This pair is a viscose/wool (20%) blend and is most worn in autumn and early winter. I'm not sure if it is a good idea to hack these bc I'm *really* struggling with cropped pants in the colder months.

All the great suggestions by Angie just don't work well for me. I really dislike hose/tights under pants. Knee-high socks might work id they don't "stick" to the pants' leg. High shafted boots are not the best either bc I like the pant leg to "flow freely" (if that makes sense).

#5 white lace top

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8 years ago

The Cat

Veteran

Lovely lace tops. The white one is a fab contrast to your dark hair.

The black dress pants look better in the shorter version. As for the lavender versions, I am not sure. But I actually think I would prefer them even shorter than your short version.

In winter, you can wear short dress pants with THIN woolen socks and still look smart.

Anonymous

These look so great at the pinned length! I would hem both of them and not look back.

the white lace and blush lace tops are both good and I can't decide which is better. I think I like the blush better against your skin, but the white is so versatile.

What Smittie said. Do you have tall black boots that you tuck the black pants into in cooler weather?

Suz

(website)

These both look fantastic on you. I like the top, too. I think I slightly prefer the blush version but it is difficult to say for sure due to lighting. They both look great.

I hear you on cropped pants in the colder months. Angie's clever styling suggestions are iffy for me, too, for similar reasons. I have found that it comes down to a few options.

1). With slimmer crops...a bootie that had exactly the right shaft height and is slim fitting enough at the ankle so that the shaft simply doesn't "catch" on the pant. This can be hard to find, I admit, and works better when the pant is a bit wider in the calf area, so that there are fewer opportunities for catching itself up on the bootie and getting stuck.

2.) A tall boot, as Joy suggests. Again, this works better with wider crops because slim crops can have trouble fitting over the boot. I did find that knee high fitted boots worked amazingly well with wool culottes in winter...I did wear tights or thermals under those but because the pants were wider, I didn't have the same feeling of "bunchiness" that is the usual reason I don't care for tights under trousers.

I have to admit it is imperfect and I'm not thrilled with the whole business, despite loving crops in theory (and in practice during the warmer weather).

Jenni NZ

I don't really get the crops thing for every season, except for summer. I did buy one slightly cropped pair of black jeans for the new high shaft booties. Otherwise I prefer full length for ease and warmth. If you are worried about damaging them just don't do it!
I am still in love with the blush top. It looks great on you here

rachylou

I'm leaning toward leaving the length. I really like the crop look, but if they've got piping... and also, the cold thing...

harmonica

Thank you! It is so hard to make a decision and your comments are very much appreciated.

The Cat - great tip about thin thermal socks. I find it very impractical and seasonally confusing (hence a bit silly) with skin showing when the colder temps sets in. Just like pumps in snow.

smittie, Joy - love your hack-and don't-look-back approach! I'm keeping the blush and will probably return the white one.

Joy, Suz - I have black boots and booties. Suz, you explained it so well! I don't think these pants are slim enough to tuck into boots without looking slouchy. I like the look of tucking into boots on others, but find it fussy for myself. The shaft of my booties are not tall. I might put high shaft booties on my wish list, especially if this cropped trend will stay for a while. Culottes would definitely work better.

Jenny NZ, rachylou - I'm keepig the blush top. My fashion eye has adjusted and I think cropped pants/jeans look fresh. However, it has to be functional!

Hmmm... I'm kind of wishing for Angie's super picky take on this.

Carole

I really like the cropped versions here?! Go for it:)

Thanks for the enabling, Carole!

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