How would you style up these pants? - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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How would you style up these pants?

em

https://www.bloomingdales.com/.....ID=4496958

They are super comfy and 100% wool...a flat wool, which is rather dressy. But the elastic waist in the front dresses it down.

Other than sneakers, which I will wear, and pumps that I won't, what footwear and tops would you pair with this? It is such an open ended question I know, but the dichotomy of the dressy material with the casual waist is throwing me for a loop. The color is perfect, though.

My "style" is lux casual, I guess. There are two images in my profile that illustrate it.

Thanks for your input.

Dressing

16 replies

Latest reply was from Zaeobi

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh, I get this! I had a similar thing recently with my Zadig & Voltaire pants, which have an elastic waist. They are a refined fabric but they are black with a white side stripe, which can skew sporty really easily.

How about a pointed toe bootie, like a western style? And I’d probably do a semi-tuck with a simple sweater (not too fitted), or a tee with a blazer or jacket.

Would love to see what you come up with! I’ve been more into these more refined pants options as an alternative to the usual jeans but they do take a little thought.

cat2

Veteran

Short boots with a bit of edge?

kkards

Veteran

Well the current outfit formula trend is 2x2…ie wear 2 dressier items with 2 causal items to create a modern outfit. So I’d wear pointed toe flats, or boots, with a knit top and hoodie. Or blazer with a turtleneck and sneakers. If you wanted to “hide” the elastic waist, just add a belt

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Joy

Veteran

I agree with Janet. Western style booties and a sweater that covers the elastic waist. You could wear almost any color. You could add a vest for more warmth and coverage.

SarahD8

Veteran

How about a welted sweater worn over the elastic waist, and maybe slightly stompy / lug sole booties underneath the pants? I currently have a bee in my bonnet about pairing a casual/traditional sweater (I have an Icelandic pullover new in my closet that I’m pondering how to style) with dressy pants….

Carol

(website)

Veteran

I love those. My first thought is to dress them more down than up. There's something about an expensive/nice pair of pants or jeans with casual clothes that lends an air of authority, as if you're a photographer or director.

So trendy summer shirts, esp. fitted. A bright bodysuit with a chambray shirt over it. Thongs shoes, whether for beach or for mall. I guess those are summery choices.

More wintery choices would be Doc Marten-type boots, an anorak with a fake fur hood, fun/fuzzy sweaters, puffer vests.

Star

Veteran

Ballet flats or Mary Janes?

Sal

Veteran

Loafers could work with a turtleneck or simple sweater? Modern Mary Janes with a sweater - or dressy sweatshirt?

I think I would stick to untucked tops rather than a shirt or blouse tucked in.

I agree that western boots could be fun too.

I like them!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Very nice, I would wear them to work no problem with an untucked top or sweater over, but that’s how I always roll. I very seldom tuck.
Then I would wear a loafer or ankle boot under. To be more casual at the weekend I would swap out the dressier shoes for my Skechers.
What do you mean about pics in your profile? I only see the flower and no information?

Irina

Veteran

I have almost identical wool pants from COS.

I wore it with a cashmere t-shirt plus a blazer (both black) and oxford’s.

And with loafers and a sweater like on the pictures below.

If I wore a tucked in shirts, I would.

Planning to try it with a cream sweatshirt and flats. Also a light blue denim shirt and cream footwear. A red sweater would be nice but I don’t have.

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em

@Irina, yes, I like what you have done. I see that your loafers are a bit pointy. That is one of my hold ups--I am so finicky with my shoes, I do not have a pair of pointy toed shoes, nor can I find a super comfy pair. I will keep looking though.

Irina

Veteran

Em, they are kind of a ship toe, they don’t have a point.

If I had a pair of classic loafers (if I could wear it at all), I would definitely pair it with these pants.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Those are great pants. I like the suggestions you've had so far. I would probably wear with booties with various toe styles. And maybe oxfords as well as sneakers, if it is not too cold for your ankles. Below are some from my own closet I might try.

For up top, I would either wear a semi-tuck that hides the elastic (as Janet suggested) or a welted sweater (as Sarah suggested.) Or a looser sweater that ends just below the waist, as Irina has done. I like kkards suggestion of 2+2 -- that's a neat formula. But it's tricky because these pants are really 1+1 in themselves -- dressier fabric/ cut, with more casual waist.

Eileen Fisher Purl Sock Bootie (Women)

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Top Pick

2

Ecco Sculpted LX 35 Bootie (Women)

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Top Pick

16

Ecco Sculpted LX 35 Patent Bootie (Women)

View Info

Top Pick

10

Bronx Lace-Up Platform Boot

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Top Pick

24

View Info

Ecco 'Soft 7' Cap Toe Sneaker

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Top Pick

30

Lee

I like the combat boot/Docs direction followed by the western bootie/boot.
Cute pants.

SarahD8

Veteran

Ooh, Suz, I like your observation that “ these pants are really 1+1 in themselves -- dressier fabric/ cut, with more casual waist.” Maybe that means all it takes is one additional dressy and one casual element to achieve 2+2?

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I see this type of trouser out here all the time - in HK, younger women seem to like wearing them with Converse & a tucked in t-shirt (maybe with a boxy denim or corduroy jacket). Older women wear them with a long cloth coat thrown on over the top & white trainers (either laceup 'ugly/ dad' style or white slip-on flatforms). Accessories are usually bold gold earrings (the knot style seems popular these days) or a short gold chain necklace, with a blanket scarf.

Anyway, the point is that you don't need to hide the waistband - it's a feature, not a bug (so they don't have to be worn purely in a dressy work look)! Some women wear them with cropped tops, others do a blouson half tuck (with blouses or shirts). If the elastic bothers you (like it does me sometimes lol) you can add a belt - I like using a thin scarf fabric but leather could work so long as it's not too stiff (since there aren't any belt loops to hold it in place).

Hope that helps?