Wide leg linen pants - help - YouLookFab Forum

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Wide leg linen pants - help

marianne

I bought these linen pants at H&M to replace my old pair. I know not everyone is a fan of linen, but I like having a pair in summer - I like the combination of coverage and breeziness. These have side entry pockets, but I'll try to sew them shut. I have a few questions that I hope you could help me with. First, can I do anything to make them look stylish? Can I get away wearing them without heels? What kind of tops would work with them? (The tucked in picture is just for showing the waistband fit).
http://i293.photobucket.com/al.....0443-1.jpg
If these are not up to snuff, I don't mind returning them, but I would like to make them work.
Thanks in advance!

Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from marianne

Queen Mum

Veteran

They look to me like they would be best with a bit of a heel. I would think if you want to wear them with flats you need to shorten them just a bit.

Susan

(website)

I have very similar pants in the olive green from H&M (last season) and I adore them. I do think they are a tad long. I like to wear mine with medium height wedge sandals and a cropped spring jacket. But I am also a fan of pairing the wide leg linen pants with a flowy top. I know this violates the cardinal rules of volume paired with tailored, but in summer, I think you can bend the rules a bit.

Maya

Veteran

You are absolutely tall and slim enough to wear them with flats, but they are a tiny bit long now so you would need to hem them (you probably figured that already).

I really like linen pants on other people, they are just not for me. Actually my first ever picture post ever on YLF was of me in a pair of wide leg linen pants, but they were deemed a nay due to my short stature so I gave them away

Since linen is so creased and casual, I like the idea of contrasting it with something more crisp like a white buttondown. Ooh and a white and navy striped scarf, with your red sandals! Um, kind of like you are wearing them in the pictures I guess.

marianne

Thank you ladies! You're right about the length, and I am hoping after washing they shrink just enough so I wouldn't need to hem them We'll see.
Susan, I actually like the idea of voulme on top with these pants too - hopefully it's not a complete faux pas! I am glad there is another fan of linen pants.
Maya, hmm I have a navy/white polka dot scarf, I need to experiment.
Please keep ideas coming!

AJ

Veteran

I like the pants!
Here are some inspiration photos:
http://www.fashionunder100.net.....-9958.html

http://www.luckymag.com/shoppi.....fits_day12

http://www.luckymag.com/shoppi.....sers_look4

http://www.luckymag.com/shoppi.....fits_day11

Tara

(website)

Veteran

Q. First, can I do anything to make them look stylish?
A. Yes! You can look stylishly casual in these. I think how you've styled them is quite nice, maybe add a nice wooden bangle, some funky shades and a long beaded necklace in red and you've got yourself a very funky casual outfit!

Q. Can I get away wearing them without heels?
A. If you want to wear them without heels, do get them taken up as they scrunch a little at the bottom.

Q. What kind of tops would work with them?
A. I think something fitted would work best, like a funky close-cut t-shirt or tank in a bright colour, or a nice fitted cotton shirt. Nothing too long or too loose.

I like the first pic with the top tucked in actually, because of the belted detail at the waist. You could even wear a fitted white shirt tucked in, with a thin coloured belt in place of the one that comes with the pants? Just a thought.

I think wide leg linen or cotton pants can look really good, even when wearing a casual top like a tank or a t-shirt and flat shoes, but only when the accessories add a bit of glamour. A nice pair of sunglasses, bangles and necklaces go towards achieving this

anne

Veteran

You look good in them Marianne!

Lisa

Veteran

I'm a fan of wide leg pants worn with a heel vs with flats. To me, the heel exaggerates the great wide leg line. I like the idea of the crisp shirt to counteract the wrinkles linen gets during the course of a day. Or a sheer shirt with a print would be nice.

wilson

The only thing I can think of to add is to keep your top a natural fiber material (cotton, silk, etc) with the linen bottoms. I really like fitted sleeveless tunics with wide-leg linen pants and sandals.

taylor

Veteran

I like a linen pant also , and did a recent post myself. They are slim legged, super belled however.

Because of the way linen flows and moves when you walk i prefer a heel , but I am sure if you hemmed these they would be perfect with your flats. also because linen can look a little disheveled by the end of the day I like structured tailored , or close to the body dressier pieces on top:)

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The pants look fine with flats, Marianne. They're a little long though. Go up a few inches? Nice pants!

An empire swing top could work with these pants. Or the right short banded top. But I'd be careful with anything LONG and flowy. Short and flowy is an option because you are tall and straight. Susan too.

Mellllls

Veteran

I think they look great on you. If they don't shrink I'd shortem them to wear with flats.

Inge

(website)

I love those pants Marianne! You look fantastic in them and with your height and beautiful figure, they work with flats (maybe shorten them a little for flats?) and heels.

I immediately thought about Taylor's stunning outfit she posted recently. Definitely worth a try.

I actually love wide-legged pants with voluminous tops and with more fitted tops, and you can pull it all off, so go crazy;-)

Hm, let's see... a few ideas:
(ignore the prices and colours if you don't like them, these are just examples)

- I love wider legged pants with a somewhat fitted top with a wide hem, something like this:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....0&P=3

- A breezy top paired with a belt?
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/31.....0&P=1

- Banded hems or bubble hems
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....0&P=6

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....ryID=43324

- I know it's been done before, but hey why fix it when it ain't broke, aka maritime inspired outfits
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....ryID=51309

http://www.bluefly.com/Michael.....detail.fly

- A denim shirt or a button-down with fun detailing (I love the red at the bottom)
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....ryID=51313

- Fun batwing sleeves
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....ryID=43327

- These could all work too
http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Brows...../26011.jsp

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....0&P=2

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....ryID=43324

http://www.bluefly.com/Ella-Mo.....detail.fly

http://www.bluefly.com/BCBGene.....detail.fly

Inge

(website)

Sorry, I'm writing a book again, but just thought of a few more things.

- I also love wide-legged pants paired with a simple, fitted top and a more cropped (Chanel-esque) jacket over it.
e.g.
http://www.polyvore.com/geen_titel/set?id=13551177

- A scoopneck or crewneck tee or top, or a button-down even + wide-legged pants and a fun scarf wrapped around your neck once, just let the ends hang down

- Wrapped top in a flattering colour
http://www.polyvore.com/untitled/set?id=18909125

- maybe not for very hot Summer weather, but I adore this look: fitted turtleneck top in a soft fabric + pants (maybe add a statement necklace or bracelet, but I like it just as is too) - so simple, yet so elegant
http://www.polyvore.com/golden_gray/set?id=580195

I'll shut up now.

marianne

Thank you very much! Special thanks to Inge and AJ for the visuals. Inge, I need to look through the links more carefully, but I am intrigued with the idea of a banded top. I would like to find one that doesn't require a base layer - that would be awesome for hot weather.
AJ - I really like the look with a vest, that's a great idea. Need to experiment!
Taylor, I went to look for your post, but it looks like your picture is not available anymore. I'd love to see it. My old pants were more like you describe - slim on top with wide bottoms, and no pockets. They were pre-YLF so I wasn't sure about the best way to wear them.

taylor

Veteran

Here you go:)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/4.....4618735889

marianne

Oh wow Taylor, that is such an elegant look! Your hair is a work of art, too. Thank you for letting me see the picture. Hmm I wonder if I should play with a tucked in look.