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How far will you go to get a new look to work?

Peri

Veteran

I got the thought that ponte or other knit pants might be really comfy...and could possibly be an alternative to skinny jeans for me. But, as I've been trying on a few pairs I have started to wonder how far I'm willing to go for theis look.

Issue one...I've learned I'm not about to wear knit pants without complete and total coverage. I'm talking mid thigh tunic type tops. And I don't have any. So now the list is...the right knit pants and a few perfect tunics that I love, because I'm not having any more of that "okay" stuff cluttering up my closet again.

And then, boots for the skinny look. Well, I have a pair I like and can wear but they are very much wider than my calves, which are a pitiful 12.5 inches around! And the recent talk of tailoring boots, there's the third thing I'd have to do for this look.

How far is too far down the rabbit hole? How far do you go to make something work? I won't even cook a recipe with too many ingredients. Am I being very lazy?

General

19 replies

Latest reply was from Suz

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I think if it's a look that I could maximally capitalize on, I will put in more effort - like if I wore pants at all, I'd try on some ponte pants to see if they would work for me. I don't even wear pants. I tried on a pair or two of ponte pants, thought they were not for me, and will be pantless for another season, but that doesn't bug me.

On the other hand, I do a lot of flippy skirts, so I am putting in a lot of elbow grease to find the right pleather/leather skirt I can wear to work

FlorenceFearne

I have been wanting to work that same look. So I just bought 2 short skater dresses to wear as tunics, 2 more over sized hi-low tops, and 2 pairs of tight knit pants. And now I realize that I will need to buy new/different sweaters and toppers to layer over the tunics. So I guess we're in very much the same boat.

The answer? I guess it just depends on how badly you want to wear the look and how long you think you'll like it. For me, I'm discovering that it's a silhouette that I love. I feel comfortable in it, yet it looks nice, and it's versatile enough for work or casual wear. So I'm willing to keep investing because I think I'll keep wearing the pieces for a very long time. If it were say, harem pants that I was trying to make work, I'd give up pretty quick.

rute

Veteran

It depends, if it's a look i know i'll wear a lot, I would put a lot of work into it

Vildy

Veteran

check out "skirted leggings, eileen fisher". There are some bloggers who really love them. Can't remember if it's Une Femme or Vivienne Files or both.

unfrumped

Veteran

Don't have a pat answer, but I understand the feeling.
After enjoying the Leith track pants, i was trying to find some more "workwear" slouchy pants, or even tapered slim pants, not black, plus different shoes, and have ordered and returned...not sayin' how many... pants & shoes. So, ready to move on and be sure I continue to wear and enjoy what I've got--don't want to put too much energy into the chase and not into making fun outfits.

Now I want to try a slightly longer pencil skirt, but haven't found one that fits well, instores--pencil skirts are actually very tricky for me to get the right fit, and statistically most won't work, Already tried 2 online and now back to thinking, I'll continue to look in B&M so I can try on and reject and walk away. Still something I'd like to get, but by the time I do, maybe will be "out"--however, the good thing about going longer, with hems, is that you can shorten! So again, will continue to wear the shorter skirts, with tights, and just see if anything turns up, and not fret.

Sometimes I teeter toward the rabbit hole regarding color--I'll find something that fits great but it doesn't come in the color I need so I would have to collect and build around it. Trying to resist that more unless I can really see a "new" color combo that would be fun.

Anonymous

Have you tried the ponte pants from Eddie Bauer? Not the skinnies just the trousers. They have a wider pant leg and are very comfy but you will not need a tunic length top. The skinnies you might if you don't size up.

http://www.eddiebauer.com/cata.....038;init=1

I haven't decided if I am keeping them or not because of the rabbit hole issue!

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Gaylene

Veteran

I can't say I really enjoy the process of making something new work; I suppose that's why I tend to be a late adopter and wait until I see a version on someone else which appeals to me so I can copy. If the style is a departure from what I'm used to wearing, I also try to style it in a B&M shop before buying it. If I can't get an item to work in the dressing room, I'm likely to leave it there.

I found my versions of slouchy khakis and ponte pants this way. One of the things I realized early on is that I didn't much care for skinny, body-con versions of ponte pants for exactly the reasons you outlined above. The ones that came home with me were a more expensive, heavier-weight version in a slim, but not skinny, leg. I also found sizing up worked better for me because the pant was less revealing on top. I could pair almost any top or jacket that I wore with jeans with this version of the ponte pant. Those pants now work as hard in my wardrobe as my jeans.

Eliza

Veteran

How hard I am willing to work has to do with how big of a gap in my wardrobe an item could fulfill. I find that in a colder climate, I want winter pants other than jeans for both daily casual wear and a night out. Ponte knits were never spot on for my work wear, but are great for my casual routine and can be dressed up enough for a decent, but perhaps not spectacular night out. I have found tops that work with them, I finally have knee high boots that are comfortable on my fussy feet and fit my calves (also under 13 inches). I know the pontes pack well for travel also. I think that having tall boots to fit the ponte knits also work with all slender or straight leg pants. I have a bias against huge calf and ankle gaps in boots, with skirts or pants, but that may be my cross to bear and has been a one of my greatest wardrobe challenges.

I also spent some time making my Eileen Fisher track style pants work, because I found that I could really amp up my evening out style with them and some nice silk tops, clutches and jackets. To go down the rabbit hole, I have to have some "go to" options at the other side. Something that works for the aspects of my life I want to be confident in, not something I am trying because it works for someone else with different needs than mine.

I appreciate your question because it has clarified some upcoming decisions for me. Good luck!

Kristin L

Veteran

That's the $25 dollar question, isn't it? How far will I go to make a look work?

I think it depends on where I am and where I want to go, stylistically. If I try something on and fall madly, deeply in love (I'm looking at you, lilac coat), then I'll figure out how to make it work. Even if I have to find a few new things to go with it. If it's just ok, then I'll put it back and think on it.

Peri

Veteran

Thanks for all the insight. If I could find the right pieces I think this look would fit my life and my needs. I think I may casually search...if I see a tunic look I like I may try harder on the pants. Altering the boots would be last priority...far down the line.

Gaylene, spill! What brand for your nicer, less legging ish pontes?

Gaylene

Veteran

Mine are Eileen Fisher "Rock Star" ponte jeans. Although the salesperson kept trying to convince me to get the smaller size, I liked the non-legging look of my regular EF size because I didn't need to worry about covering up my butt. My regular size also looked more like a straight leg on me, while sizing down gave me a skinnier, leg-fitting look that I just wasn't interested in sporting this year.

Adelfa

Veteran

I've had the exact same issue. I don't think long over lean is my go to silhouette, but I do enjoy it from time to time. So I bought a couple of tunics from H&M. Cute but not an investment.

Susie

Veteran

Would you consider wearing another style boot- maybe a bootie one shootie? That would be a nice alternative to a tall boot that is too large in the calf. Also, I don't know if its your style but JJill often has nice tunic length tops.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

In the case you describe I think I would drop it. Who needs pants that require a new top and shoe wardrobe? Unless I wanted to revamp my style in that direction. But what if I found the perfect knit pants at a second hand shop? That is really the question for me. I would probably buy them and then who knows what would happen.

Anonymous

I found some great Ponte knit pants at Chicos of all places. They have a zipper and pockets like jeans. I sized up so that the fit is more slim straight than bodycon. I wear a 00 in their sizing and bought these in a size .5, although the 0 also fit well. They come in black, dark brown, navy and charcoal.
http://www.chicos.com/store/br.....&size
I'm not always willing to work to hard for a look but Ponte pants are so comfortable for travel and warmth that they are worth seeking out a non-legging version. I've also liked NYDJ version.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ny.....ts-_-1_1_D

catgirl

Veteran

This is the question I should have asked, and the answer in my case is "not much anymore". I want the time and effort I've put in to finding what works for me to pay off now in the form of my clothes doing all the pulling. Sort of like when you put in your time to get in shape for a race so that your conditioning pays off. I think that is a sea change in my personal style journey though!

rachylou

Veteran

Mm. I think I should say I go far, but not every time, in every way. Last year, I mean, I went to every Burlington Coat Factory in the greater Bay Area to replace this winter puffer I ruined in the wash. On the other hand, I have still yet to scotch guard the darn thing a year later and *WINTER IS COMING.*

Anonymous

You're too funny, rachylou.

I get really frustrated whenever I want to create a look and can't find what I want anywhere. That said, there's only so much I'm willing to pay and only so many places I can look for the size I wear, so I guess it's fair to say I don't try as hard as I would if I wore a regular misses size and didn't have to contend with bunions on my feet.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am with Eliza on this one.

If a particular look would make my fashion existence either a whole lot easier or a whole lot more fun, if I think it will flatter me, and if I believe that it has "legs" (i.e. is not a flash in the pan trend) then I'm willing to do a fair bit of work and some purchasing to make it work for me. If I'm sick to death of one silhouette and really want to try another, it's worth a little effort and a few dollars to add the variety to my closet.

But if it's going to mean major expenditures and I'm not likely to wear it a whole lot, I won't go there.

If I'm considering something like this I will often do a lot of trying on before I buy. Looking for just the right version of the core item.