Update: new styles added - Warmer weather pant options

EDIT: I added a couple more photos today with a couple more pairs I tried on. Photos 12-16 are the new additions. I still struggle with how wide my waistline looks, but I’ve come up with a workaround to create some structure (thanks for all the YLF articles that helped with that).

Thanks again, everyone, for all your suggestions on wearing pants for warmer months. I went out shopping and experimented on some styles. Would like to get some guidance/feedback/suggestions on these styles.

1-2: Anthropologie wide leg cropped pants - I actually tried this yesterday, not today. The pics don’t do it justice but I loved how they look (the length is perfect) but I still have to figure out what types of warm weather tops go with them

3-6: Gap Girlfriend Chinos - 3 years ago, when I was active in YLF, BF jeans were very popular but I could not make them work. But I tried these Chinos and I surprisingly like the way they look! I tried them with 3 diff. shoes I’ll be wearing in months (peep toe bootie, pointy flats and sneakers). Needless to say, it was enough to convince me that to take these jeans home. I just wish they came in bolder colours and prints.

7-8: Gap camo cropped wide leg: I didn’t like them on me. Funny because they are just as wide as the Anthropologie pants. I believe the stiff fabric just doesn’t jive well with my body. That said, maybe that was why I could not get the BF jeans to work.

9-11: Wide leg pants from Aritzia with various tops - just like the pants in Anthropologie, these fit perfectly though the hem could be an inch higher (or the pants could be full length). I tend to surrender my waist, and as you can see, these tops just aren’t working. The slouchy tops increase the frump factor, and the white blouse makes me appear rectangular.

12-14: Floral full length palazzos - this is actually too small on the legs (I have a hard time sitting down), but it has a flat front and elastic back. The legs also fall nicely. I experimented on different tops. You will see that the black top looks ok but after knotting/manipulating the purple top I was wearing, it looked great!

15-17: cropped striped pants - flat front and elastic back. As I suspected, it worked well. This was also a size too small (crotch wasn’t comfy). Tried it with 2 different pairs of shoes. Again, my purple top knotted made the outfit look more polished.

The verdict:
1. Though not wide legs, I will consider the Girlfriend Chinos from here on. I had NO IDEA they were so versatile. I think the trick to these styles is not to get them in a stiffer fabric like denim, and everything is golden.

2. No more stiff wide leg pants - except maybe for full length flared Jeans, which I still find too hot for warmer weather

3. While I love the fit of elastic waist, fluid wide leg crops (from Anthropologie and Aritzia), finding a single layer top will be the biggest challenge. I can make this look work with a jacket and blazer, but that won’t be so practical during the warmer weather

Any suggestions/feedback would be welcomed!

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7 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I like all of these! I agree with you that the camo are my least favorite on you, but the others are great. I LOVE those striped pants, and I would try those myself, but striped pants are tricky on me because, ugh, hips. Summer bottoms are really hard for me, so I should take inspiration from you and start looking now.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I like them. The camouflage looks amazing, but understand that they don't feel right.

I like the first two pairs best.

I like the striped pair the least despite the great width fit because they're too long. A good hack job is worth it though.

Anonymous

Like Angie, I think the camo look super on you too.

MsLuna

Thanks Janet and Angie!

Janet - Glad you found inspiration through this post! Do the vertical stripes emphasize the hips, or prints in general? I have the opposite problem. I avoid any print and colour on the top with the exception of dresses. Summer Wardrobes are tricky for me in general because layering is impractical. And the slimmer tops I want to wear with the fluid pants emphasize my midsection! Still good to know I’m not alone in the struggle!

Angie - the camo actually looked a lot better in person (it a-lines out nicely), but the stiff fabric is what makes it challenging for me. I also wasn’t sure whether the style is something I can commit to. The stripe pants - looking back, I realized that those pants were wider than the Anthro pants. They didn’t feel as fabulous as the Anthro pants did. I wonder if that’s why? Also, what types of tops do you think go best with the fluid pants? My concern is that anything tight only emphasizes my wide waistline.

Brooklyn

I like them all, with the first and last being my favourites. The last pair could stand to be a little shorter, as you say. The camo pair look amazing but I can see what you mean about the stiffness. You might find a more fluid fit pair. Early days for your summer so no reason to rush in.

jussie

Gosh I’m going to really confuse you- because I like each of them! I really do. Some fun pants :). The only one I concede isn’t as awesome is the white top with the striped pants, more because of that specific combination than anything wrong with the top or bottom on their own.
Best of luck with it!

Katerina

I love 1-2, look great on you! Sooo nice.
3-4 is also very nice - as you say, versatile. Suit you very well.
Also like the camo in the picture - chic, fun and cool. But of course, you have to feel comfortable, understand if you prefer a more fluid fabric.
The striped pair looks a bit big to my eye, perhaps it is the length or the combination with the specific tops that gives that impression. Agree that it would look good with a jacket.

Cardiff girl

I like the Camo pair they suit you.I agree with Angie the striped pair are too long but that wide legged,cropped style obviously suits you.I m not so keen on the grey trousers they look too big for you.The floral pair are ok I think the photos of them aren’t so good so not so easy to how they look.

Thanks so much ladies! I’m learning so much from you as I try out this new silhouette.

I updated the post with 6 more pics as I tried 2 more pairs while I was at Winners. They both have the flat front, elastic back feature which I think is great for us with apple shape tendencies. I did find another pair of striped culottes that look A LOT better, but I’m saving all my spring purchases for when it actually gets *consistently* warm outside.

Jussie & Katerina - the white top and stripe pants combo was actually the sales staff’s suggestion. I think this combo would’ve worked for someone taller and with a smaller waist, but it sadly didn’t do wonders for me.

Cardiff Girl - I wish I had better lighting when I took the first floral ones. I felt that those pics did not do the pants justice. As for the grey ones - they were meant to be a boyfriend style. Do they need to be slimmer? The next size down sadly doesn’t fit around the waist/crotch area (this is a very common problem I have with pants).

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