keep or send back to the 80s?

kkards

its been along time since i've worn a high waisted pant--and this one has pleats no less.

plusses

the color!
the fabric, this cotton is soooo soft
the cuffs

cons
the high waist?
the waist probably needs to be taken in around a 1/2 inch or so (normal for me, even with mid rise pants)

i'm really confused about this pants. not sure if its because i'm just not used to seeing/wearing a high waisted pant, or if its because this just isn't the pant for me.
so, i'm looking for a keep or return. and if its a keep, any styling advice?

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Joseph Dean Stretch-cotton Twill Tapered Pants

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8 years ago

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29 replies

Latest reply was from kkards

Peri

Veteran

I'm no expert, but I vote send back to the 80s. The combo of pleats and high waist and fabric look off to me. The fabric may feel soft, but it doesn't actually look soft...not silky/drapey like current versions. Also, the waist looks really high. Current versions of high waist don't seem quite that high. Sorry!

8 years ago

kkards

Veteran

hmmmm, peri, yes…i should have said the fabric is soft to the touch, but it's a cotton twill so its definitely not drapey.

8 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I'm trying not to let my bias against high waists and pleats get in the way, so keeping an open mind…:-) I think you can absolutely wear a high waisted, pleated style of pants. I think these look as good on you as they will look on anyone. However, I see what Peri is talking about -- the fabric looks a bit like stiff khaki to me, when I'd rather see a soft drape in this style. I'm envisioning a drape such as the one in the attached photo (ignore the tapered leg and the styling, I'm just talking about the way the fabric falls from the waist).

Even just googling images to use as an example makes me realize how strong a bias I have against this style -- there are so many pictures of it, but I think it's really hard to achieve the balance of looking modern and flattering (or JFE).

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8 years ago

Anonymous

I feel the same way about high waists and pleats as Janet does. These pants absolutely fit you, but just don't have a current vibe about them. I vote to return them to the time machine. There are better versions out there.

8 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

I feel your dilemma because I love high-waisted and pleated pants and wish to continue to find ways to incorporate one or 2 in my wardrobe whenever I can get away with it through some modernized version.

I echo above comments and vote return. Fabric is too stiff and they look too much like older chinos. Color even emphasizes that more.

Below are a couple of items I've been looking at but have had sizing problems. The "slouchy" ones are very drapey.

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Topshop Slouchy Straight Leg Trousers

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Topshop Crepe Peg Trousers

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8 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Rachel Comey's Joust pants come to mid

http://www.style-hawk.com/rachel-comey/

https://www.thedreslyn.com/rac.....-pant.html

Different shirt and more modern shoes will help

More inspiration

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/535083999453751595/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/184436547215203187/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/61713457368518557/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/44613852531685331/

8 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Gee... I think you look great in these...

8 years ago

Jeweled

Veteran

The pants are a great color - and they look OK in the back.
But it's hard to imagine this pleated front flattering anyone.
I vote to return these pants and keep an eye out for a different pair of pants in this color - and a better cut.

8 years ago

kkards

Veteran

Anna, thanks so much for the inspirations/how to's.
I'm going to experiment a little before making a final decision.

Honestly, I'm feeling like these are both so far out and so far in my comfort zone that I don't know what to do.

8 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

It does depend on the look you are going for.
As another step, try it with other lighter tops with more drape.
For me the stiff pleats and the fitted T used for the try-on here just look to normcore (and I don't even know wha that means). I think you'd have to roll them, wear light shoes, chunky sandal, even sneaks, slouchy light colored linen knit top. Somethin'. I like the color ok for summer but to me it's more of a "blonde" color and harder to style tops and panst both to fit with dark high-contrast coloring and the dusty pastel vibe of the pants.

8 years ago

annabelle

Veteran

I'm going against the grain here. I love them on you, and I don't even see the 1/2 inch in the waist you say doesn't fit.

Only you can know, though, whether you can pull them off. For styling, I'm with unfrumped and (even though this is not my personal style) I'd try them with a voluminous white button up shirt with sleeves rolled up a bit. Keep the definition at the waist. (I'm not a huge fan of the cuffs on the pants but you could get them tailored right off, or pick a different shoe.)

The thing that will make the look a look, is if you are committed to it and not on the fence.

I had these pants in my Finds, too, from when they first showed up. Your modeling of them is encouraging!

ETA who can resist a thread that asks whether to "send back to the 80s" LOVE IT.

8 years ago

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

High waist and pleats are two of my never gonna happens. I think they could work well for you, though. You look taller and tiny waisted here but I don't like the apparent stiff volume below the waist. I agree a different pants iteration could work on you.

8 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

I'm going to be a spammer here with annabelle and rachylou because I really like these pants on you. The pleats seem fresh and modern--with no hint of the eighties to my eye.

I think Anna is right in thinking you could consider a different shirt and shoes--something definitely 2015--because the pleated shape isn't that common yet. Skinny, flat-front, low-rise pants have ruled the fashion scene for so long, it's hard to remember that there was a time when most women thought that style could only be be worn by an ultra-thin, young woman.

8 years ago

amiable

Veteran

I like them on you too - and they look modern, not 80s, to me

8 years ago

Brooklyn

Veteran

At the risk of confusing you more - I think I like them. I agree that those hip pleats add volume but you still look really slim. I really like the colour and the waist definition. More casual footwear like chunky sandals, sneaks or boots would be better. And a cropped loose top. And I like the idea about rolling the cuffs more.

8 years ago

Cococat

Veteran

I like them on you as well.

Although they are pleated with a high waist, they don't have the eighties look to me because they don't have that reverse triangle silhouette that I equate with 80s pants.

I say keep.

For styling, because they have a looser look, I can imagine them with something more fitted, perhaps a little cropped jacket or a fitted tee with a boat neckline. To ensure they look current, I would stay away from wearing them with anything that looked remotely 80s.

8 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

I read this post this morning but have waited to comment...I'm a chicken lol.

I Love them! Of course I would prefer them on black or dark navy but that's me not you. The fit looks great and they look very fresh to my eye. Keep your styling very current and I think you have a winner.

8 years ago

Anonymous

I think this is a silhouette our eyes have to (re)adjust to after years of skinnies -- especially folk like me who lived through the high waist/pleat style the first time around. FWIW, I think they fit you well and I'm guessing you'd feel more comfortable in a few months when more people wear this style. When skinnies began showing up, I thought they made everyone look like overstuffed sausages. However, I agree with others that the crisper fabric may be holding these back. I like the length the high waist provides, the pants appear to fit you beautifully in the waist and back, and the knee to ankle line is perfect. But I think the heavier, less drapey fabric around the hips is just slightly off given the pleating.

Tough choice!

8 years ago

donnat

Veteran

I think this is a look that we are not used to seeing, I like them on you, However the trend is so new you are bound to get some aversion. I wonder if we ask this question next year, will we be more used to this trend?

8 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

Pleated pants are just starting to show up in the shops so it takes some time to adjust to seeing them in different fabrics and cuts. The drapey, silky version has been with us for a few seasons so it has become more mainstream.

What made me sit up and take notice, though, was the more architectural shape of the ones you are wearing. The back and side views are very flattering and I also like the vertical crease line from waist to hem at the front--very leg lengthening. After a decade or more of stretchy, tightly fitted-at-the-hip-and-upper-thigh pants, I find the the more relaxed, looser-at-the-hip-but-fitted-rise look of these pants really fresh and modern. This pant style really puts the focus on your trim waist.

8 years ago

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I think I'd try them with a higher neckline top before I could really say for sure. I'm envisioning a higher neck sleeveless tank or boatneck or something along that line - simple without anything fussy because the pants already have a lot going on. I would add modern jewelry (simple cuff bracelets maybe) and maybe more statement shoes.

8 years ago

Greyscale

Veteran

I am a fan of high waists and pleats, right now. They're definitely coming back, at least as a fringe trend. But I think these pants don't quite do it for you. They aren't as drapey or oversized as some, so they fit you rather stiffly. I think they're good but not perfect.

8 years ago

annabelle

Veteran

I'm dying to hear the outcome and see some WIWs...

8 years ago

Anonymous

I haven't worn pants like that since the '80s, and don't want to wear them ever again. They just don't do anything favorable for me.

8 years ago

Lyn D.

Veteran

An interesting question!
I agree with others that once styled they should work.
I would pay attention to the hem length- probably shorter or longer than in your pic if you plan to wear with heels.
If you feel invested in the material and colour careful styling may be worth the trouble

8 years ago

Kristin L

Veteran

I can't really help, because I'm on the fence about them. They look nice on you, but I think if they were a bit more drapey, they'd be fantastic. I think I'd send it back to to the 80s and find one that looks a touch more modern.

8 years ago

Anonymous

I normally like high waisted pants but not these ones, kkards. It's the crisp fabric I don't like.
A woolen would be better.

8 years ago

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

My first reaction, without reading the comments was: I really like them, but I'm undecided about the cuff and the shoes. I wanted to see them with a flat loafer or oxford, to really just go with the menswear vibe.
The fit is fantastic. Wish I could make a pair of pants that fit me like that. Or even buy them, for that matter.
After reading the comments, I wonder if loafers or oxfords would look current enough. But Anna's links show that cuffs, in the form of rolling them pants shorter, is on trend.

8 years ago

kkards

Veteran

~i want to apologize for not getting back to this post earlier….but yesterday totally got away from me. don't you hate it when work gets in the way of fashion?
and gaylene--yes i totally remember when we all thought that skinny, low waisted pants were for the young, most fashion forward among us.
right now, i'm in the mood for something new and different, something that makes me stretch myself, so i'm leaning towards keeping….i'm going to take the next week and experiment…i'll try to post some updated photo later in the week.

8 years ago

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