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Rant: looked at so many boring dress pants my eyes are bleeding

rae

(website)

Veteran

It's that time of year: I have some small windfalls of cash, and the stores have some big sales, so I can finally afford to look for pants in earnest. It's on my list of goals: cheeky/UWP dress pants. Only... everywhere I look, it's like I'm looking at the same pairs of pants over. and over. and over: bootleg, straight leg, and cropped offered in black, gray, soul-sucking beige/khaki, or 80s brights, or cropped 80s brights. I've looked at hundreds... Shopstyle, Google, Amazon, VS. What gives?

1) About the crops: Dude, it's winter. What's with all the cropped pants? Are Fashion Ankles immune to cold? Why are you trying to sell me cropped pants when so much of the country has snow on the ground? You could at least hawk some matching Business Wellies to keep the moisture out and keep up the pretense of seasonal offerings.

2) I understand that pants are hard to fit. I know this more than some, because I've had it up to my eyeballs with pants that don't fit. But if pants are going to fit strangely 90% of the time, they could at least be interesting/distracting (and no, that paradigm-shifting "tab front closure" and "dropped crotch" does NOT count.

3) Does anyone stop to consider what these "dress pants" are dressing us for? I mean, those hot pink, iridescent sateen pants are cool and all, but I don't know if my boss would approve. Ditto the bondage-inspired details. There are so many skirts out there in cool yet at least borderline conservative prints/patterns/colors - why not pants?

4) I can't help but feel like some places aren't even trying. Even the stores I'd usually count on for quirky, unique wears drop the ball when it comes to pants. Modcloth only currently has 2 pairs of pants that could remotely be considered office-worthy. Anthro has none. Allsaints has 8 options, 6 of which are skinny and black.

I finally ended up ordering some slim leg pants from Talbots because the sales are pretty good, and I at least found some in an inky-like navy, dark green, and heathered camel - two with subtle (imagine that!) zippered pockets. I've no idea if they will fit or even if Talbots will be able to fulfill the order (thinking back to the great wool coat sale debacle of 2011). At least I'll be able to return in a store if they look terrible.

Ok... I don't even know where I was going with this rant anymore. Just venting, I guess. Am I the only one jonesing for some cool dress pants?

Shopping

29 replies

Latest reply was from rae

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I agree Rae! Before YLF I mainly dressed in pants with clogs/Merrell mocs, but now I've done a complete 180 and I'm totally into skirts and dresses. Work/dress pants are so boring. And I bought some new trousers but they're just languishing in my closet because I haven't taken the time to bring them in for hemming. And partly that's because of PPL anxiety--now that I know about PPL, I'm afraid of making a mistake and hemming them at the wrong length. Easier to just ignore and pop on a skirt!

Anonymous

Hmmm. That might explain why I'm never impressed with the ones that *trickle down* to the TJMaxx and Marshalls of life. Where are these "beautifully and perfectly fitted dress pants" that we are not supposed to be able to live without? I've never been able to find them--or I've given up and it's so *bo-ring* and they make me look like a man. I'll jump right from jeans to a pencil skirt thankyouverymuch. I hope your Talbots ones are da bomb. The zippered pockets sound promising at least.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I don't wear pants; but I feel your pain rae - I waded through armloads of A-line skirts that were black. Black. Black. Black. Black. Black. AHHHHHH!

Makrame

Veteran

I hope the Talbots pants work for you.

FWIW, BR Martins have zippered pockets. I also like Limited for dress pants - they are not particularly fun but they fit well and are machine-washable.

I have to say, I don't find dress pants "fun" but I find them very "safe" for work. If I am in doubt whether it is OK to wear jeans or whether a skirt will look like I am "trying too hard", I just pop on a pair of boring grey pants and I am all set.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Rae, I have become such a trouser girl because I love the pleated '80s styles and the bright colours, (and I have a thing for cigarette pants, and LOVE my pinstripe suit). I do wish that the cropped trouser trend would go away

That being said, I hear you. How about plaid pants? And why can't you wear bright trousers in a classic style to the office?

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

LOL Rae, listen to Angie. It's your turn to try the plaid pants! Unlike me, I think you could actually pull it off!

rae

(website)

Veteran

Natalie, Claire, and Lyn - you all demonstrate that a gal can still lead a fab and fulfilling life without trousers.

Makrame, that is a good point that a "boring" item can still be a good fall back.

Angie, I do have some plaid pants already; just waiting to get rid of my health problem weight so I can get back into them. I wish more places would offer them, since the scale and color combo still has to be just right. As for bright pants... Although they'd bring unwanted attention at the office, the biggest thing is that I just don't like them. They feel very girly and very 80s to me - nothing wrong with that in and of itself, but it doesn't feel like me. I'm glad that others have the option - at least it's an option! - but I wish it wasn't, like, 20% of all options.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Ah. I hear you. How about a pair of cobalt pants - still too girly? You could toughen them up with black and carry a sword.

Well, here's another option. Printed pants are HUGE for Spring. How about a geometric neutral?

rae

(website)

Veteran

I would LOVE a geometric print. I had some Tommy Hilfiger capris once that I really liked, aside from the fact that they were capris. Hopefully the stores don't make all the printed pants crops... I will have to sock away some ebay money until Spring, so I can leap into action when the time is right.

I thought a long time about getting those cobalt Madewell trousers you posted on, Angie. I just couldn't pull the trigger. My eyes are peeled for burgundy (tried and failed with a couple on fit already), deep rust/copper, a warm olive/very dark chartreuse, maybe even eggplant or deep teal. Not afraid of color, but I guess I've gotten picky, which I count as a good thing.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Picky is good - and so is keeping an open mind! Nordies has great burgundy skinny jeans in at the moment - could you wear those to work and would they pass for cotton twill?

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Burgundy skinnies sound delicious ... it's my new favourite colour

rae

(website)

Veteran

Hmm... I've worn my slim leg cords from J. Crew with no problem, so colored skinnies might work. I'm thinking simple pockets and the texture of the denim would be key. Maybe if I size up, I could even tuck my tops in. I will have to investigate this further.

cciele

Veteran

I hate shopping for pants. It's the worst clothing item by far for me. I sympathize with you Rae.

Have a better idea of what you don't want than what you do want, but what about:
http://www.shopbop.com/high-wa.....orId=12408

And I think these are gorgeous but $$:
http://www.shopbop.com/draped-.....orId=10532

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

These are the ones I was talking about:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/bl.....tback=2937

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/bl.....379941-0-1

cciele

Veteran

Angie, last week I ordered a pair of those in cobalt!

Refugee

Veteran

And this is why I currently only have one pair of what I would consider dress pants. I've only seen one pair recently that peaked my interest but even on sale it's out of my price range.
http://www.ralphlauren.com/pro.....age=family
I feel your pain.

cciele

Veteran

Refugee, those pants are sooooo nice! Wish I had a job I could wear them to (and afford to do so ).

Oh, a few days ago I did buy these pants for work -- not terribly interesting but fit well and were cheap ($16):
http://www.gap.com/browse/prod.....pid=883445

Jjsloane

Veteran

I found the Blue Essence jeans at the Rack in red and LOVE them. Size down for sure, I'm usually between a 10 and 12 but the 8 fits perfectly on me.

I've been searching for pants too. I almost got the Madewell ones, but then they went to final sale and I'm not sure on sizing so didn't. I'm considering these, but also don't know about the fit:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/vi.....hoppingbag
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/vi.....ltback=200

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm excited to see those on you in cobalt, Cathy!

rae

(website)

Veteran

Thanks everyone for linking to some fun pants! From the pics, the Blue Essence may be too denim-y to pass muster at work, but I will try to haul myself to Nordies to look in person. I'll sure be eyeballing colored skinnies in a new light now - maybe one of those really thin types will read less like denim. Although I don't think the Shopbop ones would work for me, maybe someone else will find the thread and fall in pant love.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I have a pair of those Blue Essence skinnies in turquoise:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/bl.....ltback=883
Definitely size down, I'm normally a size 4 but got a size 2--they are stretchy!
And here's one at Old Navy that looked interesting--Rock Star Jeggings in Rust! These you have to size up a couple sizes--I have a pair of red ones and I went up to an 8 in these!
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/.....pid=107774

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I saw these recently I know Jenava just ordered them. Gorgeous color in person

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/dl.....ltback=175

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I just had another thought. Try the false plain wider leg Sloanes at BR.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

I know what you mean. It's frustrating, isn't it?

I just bought two pairs of trousers from Ann Taylor and am surprisingly happy with them. After trying on dozens and dozens of pants from all over, I was starting to think I wouldn't be able to find pants that fit. The Ann Taylors are very conservative in styling, but the good fit made me giddy.

I'd kill for a pair of funky plaid trousers in fun colors. A zipper or two here and there.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Anna, those DL1961s look like a good color - adding them to my Nordies recon list.

Amy, congrats on your find - you give me hope for the future!

I've never ever been happy with BR pants, and had promised myself to stop buying them, but I will try again on your suggestion, Angie. I guess that is the benefit of having new cuts and styles come out every now and again, right?

HelenInCanada

Veteran

This rant was amusing to read - and yet I feel for you. It can be SO frustrating when you can visualize what you want but can't find ANYTHING that looks right. This is one of the main reasons I've taken to online browsing because traipsing crankily in and out of shops at the mall, hot and angry, is no fun! Hopefully the new season will bring a better selection! Maybe the Buyers are reading this! Good luck, rae!

Charmian

Veteran

Rae, your quote: "that paradigm-shifting "tab front closure" and "dropped crotch" does NOT count." had me in complete stitches. Thanks for making it totally awkward to explain it to my co-workers!

I have a pair of black pants which are on their last legs, and I've had an eye out for some more-fun-but-still-versatile replacement since fall. (1) The plethora of cropped pants is *horrible*. (2) I've kinda wanted to try Angie's old suggestion of micro-checks, which might be less fussy than the larger-patterned plaids, except that US retailers seem to be allergic to them. I'll let you know if I see any good ones. (3) WOULD IT KILL PEOPLE TO SELL MID-RISE PANTS?!?!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

That's the spirit, Rae. These are the Sloanes:

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....=428022002

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....=877655002

(The pant lengths on these models have given me a true apoplexy).

Chuckling @ Hannah :). Try these at BR. I just bought a pair and they are killer fabulous. The rise is a mid length and the fit is modest. Very thick and substantial fabric. I wear them like trousers with a tucked in top and belt:

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....pid=850653

rae

(website)

Veteran

I will do my due diligence on the Sloans - I like the fact that the first pair linked has a micro stripe.

Charmian, I'm glad I could make you smile... in these situations, you either laugh or cry!