Interview capsule construction: these pants?

I want to add a few lighter pieces to my interview capsule. I have 10 days of interviews this month, with little time for dry cleaning, so I need options! The grey Boden tweed blazer I ordered wasn't quite right (a touch too feminine for me - too bad I'm too small to just steal a men's blazer, as the proportions work quite well on me.) And I'm also hunting for grey pants.

Anyway, here's a contender, in two sizes. These Ryan pants from Banana Republic were a steal at $32 in their post-Christmas markdown. Quality pure wool, very nicely made (look how well they lined up the pattern!) But... definitely not quite as edgy as my usual. Can I style them to be more interesting somehow? I almost think they'd be better with a white shirt.

I bought two sizes. The smaller is a little tight through the crotch - you can see it pulling, and they're not so comfortable, but they'll stretch a bit. The larger might be a little baggy in the rear.

Smaller pair first, larger second. Keep one, the other, or neither?

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Banana Republic

Ryan Slim Straight-Fit Windowpane Lightweight Wool Pant

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6 years ago

Aurore

Veteran

I prefer the smaller ones, as they fit better at the thighs. In the front view, I think the bigger ones look a bit baggy. But it may be just a case of personnal taste, and I think both globally look OK on you.

I don't really know your style (I'm new on the forum), but I think they would look great with tops with a metallic or satin sheen like the attached find of your, and/or a leather jacket. Or a shorter, modern blazer like this other find from yours.

I hope this may help!

Shopbop

Acne Studios Rasa Satin Blouse

Neiman Marcus

Helmut Lang Helmut Lang Cropped Shrunken Crepe Jacket, Black

gryffin

Greyscale - I'm not great on photo sizing. Which is more comfortable. Did you do the sit and squat test? On styling. I just found a blogger. Alterations needed. She doesn't have a lot of content but I really like her recent posts. She always messy rolls her blazer sleeves, tucks shirts w belt. She has some nice suggestions on what makes a minimalist outfit cool. I think it would give you good ideas. Also subtle pattern mixing. Something like the everlane herringbone w plaid a subtle mix match suit could be edgy. I like aurore's suggestionof shine and I'd add texture to that. How does the grey sweater work w the HL jacket. Funky boots. Hope that helps. Also do you have a tuxedo shirt? Black or white. Both buttoned and unbuttoned are great. I'm hunting for a black silk version.

LaPed

I *love* Alterations Needed. That is a really great blog.

I'm not sure on sizing -- I know, for me, if I kept the uncomfortable size, I would never wear it. But if the larger size feels baggy and unflattering... I wonder what the larger size would look like with an inch or two of ankle showing?

Bummer on the Boden blazer. Next! as Angie says.

kkards

hmmmmm...like gryffin i'm not great at sizing from pictures, but, based on the pictures neither of these seem perfect...so i'd go with the one that feels like you would be comfortable in all day...

Stagiaire Fash

I’m not good at this from pix either, but the horizontal lines on the front of the smaller pair are clearly visible here.

Things that are on the edge of being too small can feel and look just right as long as you keep them exactly where they should be, but you don’t want to be the candidate who was tugging at her pants all day.

If you wish you could grab a blazer from the men’s dept but they’re too big, why not try a boy’s size? J Crew has nice ones.

Elizabeth P

Sorry Grayscale, I'm not sold on these pants for you. Neither size seems quite right. I'd suggest wearing the smaller ones around a bit to see if they DO stretch - if the pulling at the crotch disappears I would like this size on you.

Greyscale - I was just browsing *alterations needed* again. I actually really like how she adds a small white pocket square to her blazers, although it's old world, it strikes me as elegant, edgy, polished, unique. Her's looks like plain linen. I am browsing amazon and am looking at plain and crochet edge/lace edge for myself. The juxtaposition of the masculine hard edge, with pushed up sleeves and pocket square, well that's doing it for me despite being minimalist. I like the idea of monogrammed hankies too. I think with interviews something unique that's subtle but memorable is always helpful in making an impression.

UmmLila (Lisa)

I'm not wild about the fit of either pair, for exactly the reasons you've noted. I like the idea of black/white/grey plaid pants for you, though. Just maybe with a lower waist and narrower leg.

Windchime

It kind of sounds like these pants would be a compromise for you--neither size is quite right, and they could be a challenge to style so they feel authentically you.

That being said, I do like BR's Ryan pants--as you note, the quality is really nice--but I'm not sure about this particular pant for you.

Christina F.

I'm in agreement that neither pair is a home run, as far as fit goes. For this purpose, you need to feel fabulous, but you also don't want to be thinking too much about what you're wearing once it's on. I agree with UmmLila too that the idea of these pants is great for you.

Greyscale

I think you've all convinced me that they're not the right choice for me. They were so close (the quality, the concept of plaid pants, and of course the amazing deal) but I should follow Angie's excellent tips in today's blog and not keep them, since I'm not really feeling it.

I realized a men's trouser cut in this sort of fabric would work a lot better for me and my style. Too late to find something like that now, but I'll keep an eye out for future use.

This did remind me that Banana Republic's wool trousers really are a great find in general. Despite the minor fit problems here, BR pants sizing is usually better for me than J Crew and similar stores (a bit more generous in the thighs). So I'll make sure to check back for new styles.

The pants I really, really want are these lovely pinstriped trousers from Helmut Lang at the Rack but tragically, they run really big. I ordered 2 and 4 and they were huge and there are no 0s left anywhere.

Nordstrom Rack

Helmut Lang Pinstripe Wool Blend Paper Bag Pants

Those trousers look like your style! Idk how long it's been since they sold out, but it's always worth checking back in case a pair got returned.

Gryffin and LaPed - I also like Alterations Needed. I haven't looked at it in ages, but thanks for the reminder, because her style is great for interview outfit ideas! I appreciate seeing someone shorter wearing these outfits, vs the tall catalog models, though proportionately I suppose she's like a scaled-down model (5" shorter than me but the same inseam!)

I just tried on my boyfriend's size 29 J Crew wool slacks and they fit me better than any women's pants I've tried... If they weren't 4" too long I'd just borrow them! I guess that's where I'll look next.

VioletMyra

Active Member

Dear Greyscale
Menswear was about to be my suggestion. Despite my 'peanut' shape, men's pants fit me much better than women's.

Men's pants are often available by waist and inseam measurements i.e. a 29 inch waist may be available with inseams ranging from 30 to 36 inches . . . I do hope your search is successful.

Best wishes for successful shopping.
Denise

And FashIntern, I'm keeping an eye out for a boy's blazer. Problem is, the season for wool tweed blazer sales is almost over. Most places with quality kid options (J Crew, Brooks Brothers) are sold out of the interesting tweeds in my size (16, probably).

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