I get invited to a lot events that require me to dress up much more than my every day life (almost always in the late Spring/Summer months). I have a very tiny capsule that I maintain for these events. It is always based on either a sleeveless or short sleeved sheath dress that comes to just above my knee. So the exact same silhouette for the past two decades. Only the color changes.

I am embarrassed to admit that I wear A LOT of jewelry and heavy makeup to complement this capsule. I say "heavy" because I am less talented than most when it comes to applying makeup and I sweat heavily during the Summer making the makeup somewhat icky by the evenings end. Yes. I am a hot mess at these events.

I want to change that. I want to wear clothing items that feel like me. I want to be comfortable.

Step one. I am donating all my sheath dresses. They stopped being me in 2001 when I switched jobs. I don't know why I persisted in buying and wearing them. I have friends that want them. It is a win-win.

Step two. I am done with dresses and skirts. They just never feel right to me. I don't know why. Everyone around me wears dresses to perfection and it works for them. I feel like a poser.

Step three. I am developing a new wedding guest capsule based on pants. I have been told that pants are unacceptable attire in the south. "We just don't do that." And that is fine for them. They look beautiful in dresses. I feel like a fraud in a dress. Like I am playing dress up. So I am going to be true to myself and change the game a bit. In fact, I am going to color outside the lines.

I bought these pants as the first piece of my new wedding guest capsule. They are bright. I am comfortable in bright. They have movement. I pretty much adore that movement. The matching top was too big for me and had to be returned. I am think a very plain low key silvery top with silvery flat sandals. If I could wear flip flops, I would be Heaven. That might be pushing it a bit too far though.

Step four. I will wear less jewelry. I will let the hot pink and silver speak for me. I will wear pearl stud earrings and nothing more. This might be hard because I can imagine wanting to add bracelets and rings. Then necklaces and so on.

Step five. My hair will be "glossed" but not heavily styled. As for makeup, I am thinking deep blue red lipstick and sunscreen.

Step six. I will carry a very tiny clutch. I might already own the clutch. I'll have to decide if the clutch complements or clashes with the pants. The pants will rule. Should I need a new clutch, I might go silver.

One last thing. I will repeat the pants over and over again. People will see them repeatedly and remember them. I don't think this will bother me if I am comfortable.

To the Forum Member that found these pants. A profound thank you.