In the ongoing wardrobe edit, a few things are pulling me back, so I need YLF intervention!

These are Anne Klein wide-leg trousers, ? maybe 4-5 year ago purchase. They are a very fine lightweight wool fabric and fitted in the waist. Very wide as you can see. I had worn them in my sort-of dressy capsule—festive, evening, but not typically formal/cocktail. (Not worn with this sweater shown, but with dressy short tops)

I haven’t worn them in 2 years and don’t feel like wearing them now with so much tapered/skinny for comparison. However, if they had “longevity” maybe I’d keep them for when the pendulum swings.

Hmmm, from the photos, they maybe aren't so flattering! I think they look better "in motion" but really, are they duds, or just out of style, or both? I can manage a 2" heel but probably the fashionista way with a truly wide leg would be 4" heels. So maybe that should be included in my now and future evaluations of what works or not, for me.

My question was, is this just the sort of thing that will never be right as-is but will have to be re-purchased as updated wide pants if I ever want to wear that style again? Because maybe these really aren't that great now, or later.

Or can it be part of an accumulated party-wear capsule in which a few things are lying “fallow” but still have a future?

Or, door number 3, is this a great example of how I shouldn’t buy anything quite so extreme, ever.

As part of this question, I’m really having to re-think party and cocktail capsules. I may need to overlap much more with work-wear, as in, identify the dressiest type of thing I could still wear to work, but with no imbedded bling or sparkle, and so the clothing itself would be "modern" as per being in current rotation, but I would do all the gussying-up with just footwear and accessories. I know that seems obvious, e.g., the classic LBD, but I haven’t overlapped there much in the past.

ETA:

Here are some examples of tucked-in tops I might wear with high-waisted, wide-legged pants of some sort:

--fitted top—fitted-over-volume--not as much in my comfort zone, but the top was for under a jacket.

--oversized camp shirt—volume over volume

--fluid-tailored fit sweater of some sort.

Shown with my highest heels--party shoes only.

I guess one has to decide whether to wear the silhouette as wide all the way down, as these are, vs. more fitted through the thigh and flared at bottom. The waist and hip fit is good on these, but they are voluminous throughout, with pleats.