Wide-leg black dress pants: Wardrobe boon or bust? - YouLookFab Forum

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Wide-leg black dress pants: Wardrobe boon or bust?

nancylee

Veteran

I have a Nordstrom gift card from Christmas that is burning a hole in my pocket! I'm eyeing a pair of black dress pants (wide-leg) that are 50% off, but I'm also questioning their usefulness. I've read some of the archived YLF discussions on dress pants, and it sounds like they might only be a good option if you really love trousers...and tucking. And I don't love either!

Currently, I own one pair of black cigarette pants and one pair of black trousers. I don't wear either pair very often, but I am still weirdly glad that I have them on hand... just in case. The black dress pants might give me that same feeling: an item that's good to own...just in case! On the other hand, they might just become a sad, hard-to-style orphan. Hmmmm.

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14 replies

Latest reply was from Jenava

Parsley

Veteran

I wouldn't recommend buying anything "just in case".
If you don't want to wear them right now, or have a specific occasion in mind to wear them, then they are probably just going to sit in your closet and be a waste of money.

I use that rationale when editing my closet, too. If I'm tempted to save something "just in case", I remind myself that that's what stores are for: If I need something later, I can always buy it later!

Andie

If not dress pants, are you a skinny jeans type of girl? or a skirts only girl? I'm just wondering, so we know what your go-to bottoms are for work etc before making a response or suggestion.....

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

How do you envision wearing them? I wouldn't see much use for them in my MOTG/casual capsule. They would be for strict meeting days at work... I much prefer skinnies these days, especially on you!! Buy something fun and useful, like one of Angie's spring picks. How's about animal print loafers to bookend your hair?! I'm sorry I'm shouting, you are so hot in skinnies, I'm feeling like wide legged, just in case pants would be a step backwards.

Katherine

I would agree with Parsley. While they do sound like a beautiful item to have in your wardrobe, that may be as far as it goes if you seldom wear them. Instead, use your gift card on something that you absolutely LOVE. You may have to be patient and wait for just the right item.

nancylee

Veteran

Lots of wise advice, ladies. Andie, I tend to wear denim or a dress or skirt most often....if that helps!

Amy

(website)

Veteran

I agree with the others. If you're not going to get a lot of wear out of them, use your card for something else. You have black bottoms "just in case" anyway.

Tortoise

Print out their picture, paste it in your "my dream wardrobe" book, and admire them. Then, go buy yourself something that you'll wear right here, right now !
.
If it you've not repeatedly told yourself "this outfit only lacks wide-leg black dress pants be perfect !", it's not worth it ... (my own rule for basics, of course it doesn't apply to new trends and "getting my feet wet" items !)

Kappy

Veteran

I agree: don't do it! Last year I bought two good, basic pairs of black and charcoal dress pants because I thought that's what I "should" have. They look nice and fit well, but I've never worn either. Buy something awesome!

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

While they sound interesting and pretty, I would agree with Parsley's rationale and philosophy: "That's what stores are for." Love that!

nancylee

Veteran

Such wise women here on YLF. This is exactly the type of help I find so helpful here! One year ago I would have purchased these pants in a heartbeat because they seemed like something I "should" have...just in case. Thanks to you all, I'm taking a breath and stopping to think about how they would actually fit into my wardrobe...and whether I actually need them.

It is so liberating to realize you don't "have to" have anything in your wardrobe just because someone else says it's a necessity. I'm learning that I really prefer denim and dresses over trousers and skirts....and that that's perfectly ok!

Aida

Veteran

Even though you've made your decision, I would like to point out that you don't HAVE to tuck into wide leg pants A slim shirt/sweater works well, and you can always belt it for further definition. I know your style is quite Euro-chic, so another way you could think about it is to look at any inspiration outfits you've got saved and see if any have those pants, any would look good with them swapped, or if you can envision them working within your style goals. FWIW I wear jeans near daily but I do have a pair of wide pinstriped slacks that I enjoy wearing in the spring for a change.

nancylee

Veteran

That's very thoughtful advice, Aida. I think I'm struggling with whether that look is really "me" anymore. I had a pair of wide-leg black dress pants 10+ years ago that I wore to death, and seeing these new ones caused me to remember them. Still pondering....

Vix

Veteran

Lots of good advice upthread.

One other idea is to to note the brand/style number of the pants and tuck it away. Start wearing the black pants you *do* have and rarely wear (at least the cigarette pants, since the silhouette is one you frequently wear in denim). If you find yourself enjoying that level of dressiness and wishing you had wider-legs, you can always try to track them down.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I think you should come up with at least three ways to wear them before you buy them. Once you have them, if you try them in an outfit and don't love them then return.

This could be a new leg of style for you...or just wishful thinking...it's hard to say until you've actually worn them.