Still Searching for Smart Casual Alternative to Jeans

tarzy

I've now got a pair of microcheck pants, and I'm loving the look, but I don't want to wear sneakers every day. (What other shoes would work with these pants? )

I need another option, and I'm really at a loss.

Is there any way to "dress down" a pair of black gabardine-type trousers? A simple white t-shirt and an interesting scarf? I'm 51 and drawn more and more to "simple" and "polished."

I know Angie isn't a big fan of corduroy, but I've also got a pair of black, very thin wale cords - with a heeled boot and the right top could they be "smart casual?"

17 years ago

Dressing

8 replies

Latest reply was from tarzy

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

How about a pair of casual ankle boots instead of sneakers? Is it cold where you live? Casual ballet flats are another idea.

Try skirts and dresses with casual knee-high boots! Skirts and dresses needn’t be dressy.

The simple white T-shirt is dangerous territory I’m afraid. Try a simple piece of knitwear instead. How about a cute denim jacket and scarf with the look?

Cords are casual deluxe. Sorry, but you won’t convince me of the look unless the cord pants are cream and luscious ( and then for casual attire only). Hope that helps.

17 years ago

Dani

Veteran

Tarzy, I went through a phase of trying to find an alternative to jeans for smart casual dressing as I assumed I would become bored with just having denim as my choice for pants. I came to realize that I was trying to differentiate myself from other SAHMs (as that's what I am) by wearing chinos instead of jeans, but I received excellent advice from others here on the forum that I could put together much cuter outfits with denim than I could with chinos and look much smarter.

I think the best advice I received was to look for variety within denim...straight leg styles, boot cut, super dark washes, lighter dark washes, grey or black denim, white denim, wide legged, etc.

I would also keep adding to your microcheck collection as that is a fun alternative. I wear my microchecks with flats, converse, boots, pretty much anything that works with the mood of the outfit.

I know others are against cords, but I still have a pair or two and bring them out when I don't mind looking very casual. It's nice to throw into the mix every now and then

Also, don't forget dresses and skirts as alternatives to jeans.

Don't know if I expressed myself very well, but I hope I helped a little

17 years ago

tarzy

Veteran

Dani - that's great advice! I've definitely narrowed my focus to dark boot leg jeans, because I've got big thighs. I'm always impressed when I see everyone else's pictures - you all have such great variety of jeans. I would like to try some trouser jeans - I've read they can be good for my body type.

But I actually bought my first pair of skinnies to wear with tall boots! I just need to find the right top now.

I'll definitely try some of my other shoes with the microchecks. It's so funny - it's like I can't make a move now without advice from the YLF community. I have so little faith in my own fashion ability any more!

17 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

Tarzy,

I felt the same way about getting YLF approval. I still wont cut a tag off until I've gotten thumbs up from the YLF majority. It is still difficult for me to tell when something looks good on me in a mirror. A photo is necessary now and probably always will be.

I love denim skirts for smart casual outfits. The denim keeps them casual, the skirt makes it smart. I don't typically like flats with dresses and skirts, but denim skirts are the exception. I find wearing flats with a denim skirt keeps it casual. In the winter, I wear boots, in the summer sandals. And what's nice is I can throw on a pair of heels and take that same denim skirt up a notch. (At least that is how I feel about it).

I know we've already had the Great Corduroy Debate--and I'm not looking to start another one--but I still wear them. I do think of them as more casual now than I used to...but I don't equate them with sweat pants. I think of them as casual jeans. Somewhere inbetween ratty ripped faded jeans, and dark, clean polished jeans. I know I'm in the minority with that thinking though.

I think the style of the pant can bring an otherwise dressy fabric down a notch too. For instance, my MIL bought a pair of brown velveteen pants, but they are in a traditional jean style. The style keeps them from looking like holiday wear. My sister bought 2 pair of colored "jean style" pants at Nordstrom a few months ago. They weren't denim, but they were a stretchy sturdy cotton. The fact that they weren't denim differentiated them from jeans--but the style matched that of a pair of classic jeans.

These are the pants my MIL bought:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....0&P=1

These are a bit pricey, but I love these:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....0&P=1

Colored Denim is a nice option:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....0&P=1

I just went to Nordstrom's website, clicked on pants, then chose "casual". You should do that to get some ideas of what you might or might not be drawn to. HTH.

17 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

You have already gotten a lot of great replies Tarzy.

I am personally with Nicole on the cords issue, I like them and keep them wearing them, usually once a week, as you can see on my weekly outfit posts. And I have just ordered the only type of Angie-approved-cords, cream skinny ones, for a great deal in case it is something you might be interested in:

http://www.ardenb.com/catalog/.....ctId=14012

Another similar thing, that Angie did approve of, a velveteen jeans pants, similar to the brown pair Nicole posted. I personally have my eyes on a black straight-leg pair ( yep, I'm prepared to clean the lint from them) since I beleive that they could be dressed up and down easily.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....8&P=1

Finally, Nicole sort of touched on this too, I also like jeans cut pants, from stretch twill or sateen material in nice neutrals. Here are some examples:

http://www.7forallmankind.com/...../1814.html

http://www.7forallmankind.com/...../1857.html

17 years ago

tarzy

Veteran

Thanks, guys. Great info. I love the idea of velveteen jeans! I wonder if black would be okay, or would brown be better? I prefer black, but I do also wear browns.

I finally got my GAP microcheck pants (yes, the ones everyone else has. I'm a bit late to the party.) I really like them. I'm going to hem them for Converse, but I also tried them on with my black flat riding boots and they look great! I feel like I'm starting to have some options.

17 years ago

Anonymous

Tarsy, as someone who has too many pairs of black pants, I second Angie's idea of your black gabardine-type trousers with a dark denim jacket to make the pants more casual. You could wear a buttondown shirt, knit top or sweater on top under the jacket. Boots and ankle boots or sandals or flats can complete the outfit.
Speaking of black pants, I really love black black jeans as something different but casual. A black or charcoal twill in a jean styling is another option that you can wear many ways. This is the place to see many great smart casual options.

17 years ago

tarzy

Veteran

Joy - thanks! I also love Angie's idea of the black pants dressed down w/denim jacket. I'm still playing around with different tops and shoes. I kind of like my black Converse with my drapy black pants - it's that combination of elegant with casual. I am not tall, though, so I need to make sure I have the right width in the pant legs - not too wide, not too slim, just the right drape. And since I live in LA, it's often too warm to wear a jacket all day. I usually wear a knit top (I have a lot of AT tops) but I need to get the right level of casual in the top to counterbalance the dressiness of the pants.

Like you, I already have several pairs of those black pants, but since I'll have to hem one pair specifically for Converse/flats, I want to make sure I pick the right pair!

17 years ago

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