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Keepers? ETA altering into shorts??

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I’m on the fence about these pants. They are well-made (wool, but fully lined so not itchy), in good condition, and fit well. When, over the last 30 years, would they have been wearable? I recently posted them as potential job interview pants; they landed with a thud.

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Dressing

27 replies

Latest reply was from Stagiaire Fash

Joy

Veteran

I think their wear by date has passed and the front pleats stand out, not flat against you.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

“Wear by date” Nice turn of phrase.

The point though is that I’m trying to evaluate the pants, not their level of trendiness. I have no problem storing things for future use, if they have a future.

The pleats don’t bother me either—doesn’t look to me like they’re too tight.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I think they have potential, and would like to see them styled!

Do you like them, Stag?

Aquamarine

Veteran

I’m OK with a nice pair of lined wool pants. I’m not a fan of pleats for myself but you’re trim enough to make them work. If it was me and I kept these, I’d probably wear a simple solid colored top/crew-neck sweater and pop a dark blazer over it all.

SarahD8

Veteran

The color scheme strikes me as very 80s, and the 80s are trendy now (right?) so this could be a good time to play with them.

I think the key for those of us of an age to have worn a trend the first go-round is to make it very clear that we are wearing the NEW trend -- not that we simply never stopped wearing the old one.

(That's why I wouldn't advise these for a job interview- particularly for someone who is re-entering the job market after time away. It is just too easy for those semiotics to get muddled!)

With these I'd experiment with adding an edgy element like stompy footwear (and then something modern classic on top like a simple but current sweater).

That said, it sounds like these have been in your wardrobe for 3 decades and you have *never* worn them or at least not regularly. For me that would signal the need for some soul searching: what is it about these pants that has been so compelling to you that you've kept them all this time without wearing them? And by the same token what is it about these pants that has prevented you from wearing them all this time despite liking them? The answers might trigger some new ideas about how to wear them with confidence, or they might cause you to realize that what you actually want is some of the same qualities in a different garment.

cat2

Veteran

I like the pattern, and would try a solid sweater in the aqua if you have one, or pair with an interesting white blouse. I think you either have or have been wanting some plain leather boots? I would skip the chunky footwear, it won’t play well with the hem.

Anonymous

Very cool colors and pattern! Try them out in an outfit this week

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Sloper

Veteran

SarahD8 brings up some good questions.

And to your own question, "When, over the last 30 years, would they have been wearable?"

I don't know what you've been doing over the last 30 years (and none of my business but from what you've mentioned here and there it sounds interesting, fulfilling and exceptionally varied!)

If they didn't fit in your lifestyle for 30 years, maybe there was someone for whom they would - i.e. if sold or donated? For an interview (yes I hear your feelings about the feedback from a recent post) depending on the decade and job. For nicer casual wear...but then again are you asking rhetorically?

You could probably dress them up a really nice silk blouse and tailored blazer, or contrast them with a biker jacket, or go casual with a chunky sweater.

I'm not a personal fan of the color mix or the front pleats, or the cut/silhouette.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Like Angie, I think they have potential. I like Nikki’s visual.

Kathie

Veteran

The color looks late 80s Benetton to me. (Super soft spot for those colors, though I no longer wear them myself.) And the pleats seem very 80s, too. Do you have anything in your closet that would work with them? Raspberry tops or black top with a raspberry jacket? Do you like these enough to buy something new to wear with them? Or do you want to pull from your existing clothes?

rachylou

Veteran

Oh I could and would wear those at any and all times in the past 40(!) years, lol Nikki’s inspiration pic is great in my book. I’d just be thoughtful about the coat and shoes I pair with them as the ages pass. Kitten heels in the 90s, sneaks now.

Sal

Veteran

I'm not sure. I tend to think that if you haven't worn them in that length of time that you won't wear them.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I'm inclined to agree with the others that these trousers do have potential, but that you'd have to be careful to style them in a way that looks 'modern 80s' instead of *actual* 80s, IYKWIM. Nikki's inspiration photo is a good starting point, but I'd even like to see how they look with your white boots (with the black soles)! You might need to experiment with tucking in the hems vs blousing them out to look current, though.

I may be slightly biased here though, because I actually just donated a pair of wool trousers with a similarly small, all-over geometric pattern (though it was 'just' greyish purple & black). As nice as they were (fitted well, good fabric etc) I just never wore them enough to warrant keeping them. I also thought about using them for work/ interview purposes, but then decided it's better to err on the side of caution when expressing my personality in those situations (e.g. I now have an interview appropriate pantsuit but it's dark green with a longer blazer - it's a traditional enough cut to not feel self-conscious about the extra length, but the colour adds a little something without being too 'out there').
Here's a terrible lift selfie to show what I mean (though it looks almost black in this light lol, my bad).

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Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

SarahD8, you have such incisive and insightful comments!
The question about what I’ve been doing for 30 years/why I’d wear them now if not then is a good one, but I don’t think the answer disqualifies the pants. Roughly by decade: SAHM in Florida; geography prof (trying to project respectable version of Lara Croft); grad school (where I relished looking scruffy).

The only role that might be reprised is professor, or more likely a researcher kind of position. I do want to project energy and vibrancy, but (this is sheer conjecture now) if I’m working with colleagues in an office post Covid, they’d eventually know me. That’s a while off, but I’ll get there eventually, and will need clothes when I do.

Kathie, with all my berry colors, I ought to have raspberry! I can think of 2 sweaters & a blouse I’ve worn out in that color, but they were all too “big” for these anyway. I think I want something quite tailored/fitted on top to balance out the wide legs.

The point about not wearing them for a job interview is a good one, and much appreciated (suitcase with plaid pants has been picked up from sister, should be delivered Jan 31).

Angie and Brooklyn, glad you see the potential in them!

Nikki, thanks for the pic. I was thinking of a simple blue blouse, will now also try white. (Not today—video call job interview and doctor’s appt across town)

Rachylou, For footwear I have low-heeled navy pumps that would be ideal for an SNL sketch of an 80s business woman with these. I’ll leave them off. Am thinking of the newsie shoes because, as Cat2 suggests, I think the hem is likely to be awkward with the stompy white boots.

Aquamarine, thanks for the styling suggestion. I’m having trouble picturing a jacket shape that would work, because of the volume in the legs.

Zaeobi, nice suit! Have smile at the black & grey version of this print as being too out there; for me, the style of these is quite buttoned-up.

I’ll be back with some styled pictures, but not today, and maybe not for a while. You all have given me some good styling ideas and clarified my thinking about these. Thank you!

by Stagiaire Fash

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Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Actually, 90% certain I’m going to let them go.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'm with those who think you can make them work if you are inclined, but the question is -- are you inclined? If not, then why not let them go?

It seems to me the decision about whether or not to revive a moribund wardrobe item in a holding zone should be similar to the decision about whether or not to purchase a new one. Organized (does it fill a genuine need, fit a wardrobe hole, is it an essential or a key completer piece?) and emotional (do you love it and feel eager to wear it the minute you see it again?).

If the answer to either of these questions is yes, you have a reason to keep it. If the answer to both of the questions is no, then you probably don't need to keep it (or buy it in the first place, if it is a new purchase.)

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

They might fill a need, professionally. I love the colors. But the cut has always been hard for me to love. Just feels stodgy to me. I’m middle aged, but don’t act like it.

Kathie

Veteran

If you really love the colors, you might be able to have them re-cut/tailored for a more modern fit. I did this with a much loved dress once, and got another 10 years out of it. If it feels stodgy, that's a clear sign that your sense of "90% certain" to pass them along is right.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Kathie, you know me! That’s exactly what the last 10%, trying to figure out a shape that would work & not look like “this space reserved for post menopausal belly”. Even when I put on weight, the current shape wouldn’t work, because then the waist would be too small.

Kathie

Veteran

If you have a dressmaker/tailor that you trust, I'd take it to them to see what might be possible. And also a sense of cost. When I had the bodice of my dress remade, the cost was compelling relative to the fact that I knew I'd get years more use out of it. I wore it until the color started to fade unevenly, and was so happy I'd paid to have the shape brought up-to-date.

Anonymous

Potential or not, it sounds like you're just excited to wear them. I wouldn't bother to take the gamble to tailor them, cause (voice of experience) you won't necesarily wear them more.

Synne

Veteran

Hm.. I don't love them. And neither do you...? These strike me as something one would wear "ironically", and I don't think that's your style? You can do way better IMO!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I’m slowly figuring out that what I like about them is the fabric. That’s it. Nothing else. If they could be made into good winter shorts, that’d be really cool, but I’d have to find good pictures of what I want for the tailor to be able to work from. I’m not happy with the shape my body is in right now, but I don’t need to emphasize that shape with what I wear.

These (in the pic) are a totally different kind of fabric. Wonder if they could be used as a pattern.

Then again, I might want a shape that is neither the pants nor those shorts. I like the pleats and wish I could keep them in a way that doesn’t do *that*. I’d also like to have cuffs.

Maybe these, but a little longer. I feel like I should try these on before using them as a model though—the model’s legs look really skinny; is that real or do the shorts do that to her? (Note I’m not dragging the woman for the way she’s built; I’m thinking about the effect I would like a garment to have on *my* body). https://de.sisley.com/shorts-m.....UgEALw_wcB The shorts in my photos make my legs look skinny, in a sickly way, when worn with bare legs; maybe these would be different with tights too.

ETA I see I clicked the pic on the other side of the shorts one, instead of the side view. But I like the little flower, so I’m leaving it—and adding the side view.

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Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Now I’m just drooling over winter shorts online. I think I’m spotting a little consistency in what appeals to me at least; the blue velvet ones that are second on this list, the sparkly ones halfway down, and the Stella McCartney ones second from the bottom. https://stylecaster.com/winter-shorts/

What do y’all think? Are those similar enough for her to go on, are they a good choice for me, is it at all relevant that it’s a list from 2019? Does it make sense to go this direction at all?

I could just ask her about turning the pants into A-line shorts and see what happens.

ETA here are some I don’t like. How do I put my wishes into words? https://www.debijenkorf.de/maj.....lsrc=aw.ds
https://en.pinkoi.com/product/6wQgQd2V
https://europe.dvf.com/product.....lsrc=aw.ds

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

She said no. That really is the end.

Bijou

Veteran

SF, I have noticed in quite a few collections that pleated wide leg pants with cropped jackets are trending. Do you have any cropped jackets to try with these trousers?

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Oh no! I already chopped the legs off to use the fabric in a crafts project. Too late now. But also, the reason she said no is that the legs just weren’t wide enough to make the A shape I wanted.
Thanks for thinking of me!