What to wear with Lands End Cargos?

I've wanted a replacement pair of cargos for quite some time. Then I thought I was over them. Then I found the Lands End cargos in "wrought iron" (deep charcoal) and I think I like them. But I'm not sure how to style them to look " now" for me. I don't wear heels and I want them to work for fall/winter as summer is really too hot to wear long pants.

I have a lot of tops in navy, charcoal, black, green (deep forest green and olive green) and white or ivory neutrals for fall/winter. I have two wine colored tops that could also work. I also have a taupe sweater that looks great so that one is easy.

I'm struggling with proportion/style of the tops and shoe and belt color mostly. I have a pair of taupe/gray oxfords on order but they may not work. I have a pair of cognac and navy sneakers both with tags on still (pic 2, sneaks with white laces).

For some reason the cognac color next to the deep charcoal of the pants feels sort of "bright" to my neutral oriented eyes. And then, even if it works, what color belt, top and topper? My fall toppers are limited to navy, olive green, black, dark denim, and maybe burgundy (on order).

I'm going to try to experiment a bit tomorrow if I can find time but any suggestions are appreciated!

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Nordstrom

Hinge 'Leggett' Oxford

$79.95 $39.96

Sale

View Info

Top Pick

10 years ago

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Shamelessly bumping.

April

What about a D'Orsay flat? I feel like this style of pant wants a less high-vamped shoe.

Jeanie

I like the cargos a lot and I think they look great with cognac like in the pic. Maybe add a cognac belt to tie in the sneakers. It could be the cream laces that makes the shoes look bright against the pants. You could do an ivory top to tie in the laces. When I am not sure I try on everything and take pics. Hope this helps a little.

rabbit

I like this style of pants with booties. I'd also probably mostly stick with pairing it with cool colors, and cognac feels very 'warm' to me, so that might be throwing off the tonal cohesion if it's something you are sensitive to.

Eliza

The cognac color does work with the gray pants, though I understand our eyes may have not seen it often- yet. In Italy last fall, the shop windows were full of cognac accessories with charcoal, lighter grays and navy/ink. The blue combination was more expected and the gray/cognac combo looked especially fresh.

I understand the sense of brightness you perceive. Once I had seen it a few times, I actually thought it added cheer to a colder weather look. You may want to try cognac shoes or accessories while keeping your top/topper more neutral and see how it plays.

Eliza, you sent me down a pinterest rabbit hole: http://www.pinterest.com/searc.....and%20gray

I see what you are saying, and stand corrected. It can look very fresh and subtle.

Suz

I like cognac with grey! But I wonder if the laces are making this a tougher fit for your eye. I also think this type of pant looks best with booties. But I don't know if your season for bootie wearing is very long?

I do have a cognac belt, thanks Jeanie.

Eliza - thank you so much for the pinterest link - great inspiration there! I seem to remember some gray and cognac from last year so yes, I think I'm just not used to seeing it and the white laces may be a bit too much - still debating on those shoes in fact. But in general, I agree that cognac works with the deep gray. Especially as the "pop of color." I really like the idea of the shoes and maybe a piece of jewelry or of course the belt but that's more expected. I have a cognac handbag too (I guess I like cognac).

rabbit - I think I want something subtle so I'm going to try and create some good neutral outfits and use cognac shoes (booties or sneaks with different laces) and a cognac bag as the color pops like on that pinterest page. Maybe also a necklace or bracelet...I'll have to see what I have.

Suz, I can wear booties for enough months give or take a few warm spells, to make it worthwhile (Nov-Mar). I have brown (darker than the sneaks) and black booties that I enjoy wearing.

Thanks ladies - you guys are great!

K. Period.

I bought a pair of charcoal cargos from JCrew earlier this spring. I've been wearing mine a lot with a pair of dressier but chunky strap sandals (mine are black and snakeskin and have a blocky heel) and a snakeskin belt. That lets me pair them with any cool color. I've worn mine with slightly dressier/girlier tees (navy with chiffon overlay front, white with lace sleeves), flowy tank tops (ivory and blue ones), plain classic tank tops, and button downs (including my gingham ones in navy and in blue).

FWIW, I think cognac works fine (especially the redder it gets) with grey, but maybe what you are responding to is that you like a cooler tan color because you are blonde?

K. Period. - Thank you for the great suggestions, always nice when someone owns the same item. I have some slight red tones in my hair but as I've gotten older I think it is becoming cooler in tone (those white/grey hairs I guess). So it's not that I don't like to wear cognac but it does seem brighter when next to that deep charcoal grey.

I hope I have some time today to try a few things.

Category