How do you style slim (black) ankle pants? - YouLookFab Forum

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How do you style slim (black) ankle pants?

Care

Slim black ankle pants have been on my "list", but it took a while to find the right pair. Too skinny, ankle opening too wide, slit hem, etc, etc. I ran across a pair of J. Crew minnie pants at the thrift store, and they were great. But now that I have them, I can't remember what the inspiration was to style them.
What is your favorite way to style slim ankle pants? And don't hold back on summer formulas, we have a good two months of summer weather still here on the gulf coast. Thanks for sharing!

Dressing

18 replies

Latest reply was from jill58

Tanya

Veteran

They are a black canvas, and you could wear them absolutely anything you want. From regular length tops/sweaters ( I love the ruffle hemmed version) to longer tunics and dresses. I would just make sure I am wearing the right footwear for ankle pants: ankle strapped shoes, booties or higher vamps.

RobinF

Veteran

Agree with Tanya, they are very versatile and can be worn with tons of tops. The slimness of them makes them work with tops that are more voluminous also. I also agree that the right shoes are important for the overall look.

LaPed

Veteran

Good score! Finding the right slim black ankle pants is sooo hard.

Slim black ankle pants (maybe we should start an SBAP acronym?) are one of the few things I can confidently pair with ballet flats these days. Classic Audrey. Ballet flats can look kinda blah with the wrong trousers (unintended Wallace & Gromit reference!), but with a good pair of black ankle pants they're just the thing.

As folks have already mentioned, they're also great for longer tunic-y tops, which otherwise I have a very hard time with.

If you have any asymmetrical sleeveless tops, that's one of my favorite warm-weather looks, especially paired with a strappy sandal.

sylvie55

(website)

I love them with a silky collarless blouse (a print and some gathers in back or at the shoulders make it extra special), a white or colorful blazer worn unbuttoned, and cognac or wine (never black!) open-toe shooties.

Anonymous

Slim black ankle pants have been the backbone of my wardrobe. I own some variation for every single season of the year. I literally wear them everything. Blouses, sweaters, tunics, blazers, long and short cardigans. For me, they are the support act that allows everything else in my wardrobe shine.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I laughed at this, because I feel like I'm in the same boat. I've wanted slim black pants for ages, and they've been a bit of a HEWI because I have fairly heavy calves, so what is slim everywhere else is tight and catches up on them. Well,I finally got a pair. I'm thinking about a packing capsule for a conference in two weeks, thought the pants would be perfect when I bought them, but have NO idea what (seasonally appropriate) tops to wear them with! Once we're into fall it'll be no problem, but this transition season? not so sure.

Traci

Veteran

I like them with a slouchy turtleneck. I also have a black and white gingham button down and a plaid flannel shirt I like them with. For shoes I like loafers and oxfords the best shoes wise. Breton stripe shirts are also really cute.

Traci

Veteran

It must be a fall thing because I just checked my Pinterest and I've pinned lots of slim black pants recently. Here were my favorites.

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Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

I'm so glad you asked this question because I want to know this too. I've only recently found the right slim ankle pant shape and have been working on planning outfits around it. My favorite combination so far is a red top or twinset, black slim ankle pants, and red Keds.

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Care

Thanks for your input. It seems like this should be easy. I think I can do fall/winter with thin knitwear. The warmer weather has me stumped. I don't see my usual t-shirts working well. Although maybe I should try some.
Here are some of my inspiration pics.
1- brogues, long topper, white tee (?)
2- this is flared crop pants, but I really like the textured tights and chinky Mary Jane's. I think Angie included this in her Fall trend report.
3-Longer cardigan/topper
4- fluid thin knit

Of course there was also Ms.Alt in her white button down.

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K. Period.

Veteran

If you think of them as a less bun-huggy version of black leggings, does that help? Mine are a core item in my wardrobe. I wear them with all my tops, including my tees. Footwear choice makes a huge difference in skewing them formal or casual.

Traci

Veteran

A few more from me, suited to warmer weather.

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cjh

(website)

Veteran

Sounds like just about any style of shoes goes with them, too. I wear mine with oxfords or booties in cool weather with blouses and cardigan sweaters or blazers; Converse tennis shoes with knit tops or boxy sweaters for more casual occasions; strappy, flat, Birks, or other types of sandals in summer along with appropriate dressy or more casual tops, and so on.

Try them with anything - take photos and post! Can't wait to see what you come up with.

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

Ooh, I really like the outfit with the fluid knit top.

What are you all doing for socks? I mean, when you sit down, half the calf shows in these narrower, shorter pants. Keep it bare? Even in the winter? Or nude knee-highs? Or something else?

Traci

Veteran

I tend to run hot footed, so I will wear bare ankles even when the temp drops. If I want more warmth and coverage I'll reach for socks and ankle boots. I'm also inspired by this look.

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LaPed

Veteran

That's a great inspiration photo, Traci. I love prints on nude tights/stockings! Years ago, I had the punctuation-mark tights that American Apparel used to make -- I was teaching English at the time, so they were super fun.

Sally

Veteran

I wore them this year with flats and ankle boots

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jill58

Veteran

I wear mine with tunics primarily.