Wide leg trousers part II - YouLookFab Forum

A little experimentation with toppers in the hope of giving myself some alternatives:

Photo 1 is a boxy cropped twill topper from Chico’s. LOVE the fabrics and I can see this being a work-appropriate topper for summer. Roomy through the shoulders and back - I usually struggle with Chico’s structured shirts because of the sleeve inset construction which makes it difficult to lift my arms, but thankfully this is made differently!

Photo 2 is an olive twill fitted shirt from Duluth. Meh. Not “smart” enough for work, I think, even if I were to accessorize.

Photos 3 and 4 are utility jackets that are in my spring wardrobe rotation. Eddie Bauer (old) is the light khaki and Kuhl (older) is the olive. The EB works - need the proper accessories. The olive jacket might not be smart enough.

Which makes me ask: is olive by definition always going to read more casual?

You were all so helpful before - thanks so much in advance!!

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7 years ago

Anonymous

Chris: these outfits are great.
I think that the khaki jacket looks more casual than the olive, and actually I might not pair these pants with it. Or maybe the jacket is ok if you also include a bright scarf.

The other combinations are FAB!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Super cute looks, ChisM. I prefer the contrasting looks too. Add a contrasting scarf to #3 and you're sorted.

#1 is my fave. The shorter jacket looks even better with the wide pants to my eye.

Jane

Veteran

I like them all, and 1 especially, the proportions and colours look more considered and special.

I think that olive can look both casual and smart, but may be it looks smarter with darker colours.

rachylou

I love 1-3 - 1 is esp sharp. 4, I find too long for the wide trousers.

I feel olive can get pretty formal - esp in a ball gown, lol - but by designation it’s work wear not formal wear. Olive is what soldiers take off to put on their dress uniform...

JAileen

I like 1 best. The short jacket is cute. I like the style of the Kuhl. I just got the Kuhl in olive, myself. I had a couple utility jackets (in olive and navy) that are a little too big. I wondered about it too, being more gearish.

Cardiff girl

I really like the short dark jacket.The olive shirt looks good too ,I m not keen on the very light beige but I think it’s that the colour feels too insipid to me especially as the other looks work so well.

I too like #1 & #3 looks/ jackets the best. Scarves would certainly jazz it up so as to seem less casual... or perhaps a top (other than a Tee) that has a special detail or an interesting print.
I don't think olive color by itself identifies as casual. For Autumns, olive is a classic. In my working days I owned 2 dress suits (one skirt, one pants) in olive. They were very versatile and could be dressed up or down by the type of top I paired it with and use of scarf vs jewelry, even though it was not my best color- (I look best in blues and greys and phased olives/browns out when I started heading toward retirement). Treat yourself to a little fun time playing with those 4 looks- life is all about choices

krishnidoux

Oh, how I love those trousers on you! Somehow there is something very pleasing for the eye in the proportions but I still haven't made out what it is exactly.
Pics 1 and 2 are my fevorites here, with #1 being the best. The fresh, simple and classic combination of camel + white + navy works especially well here. Also the navy jacket is of perfect length. It oesn't get any better than this! Wonderful pairing.

Bijou

I like #1 best, then #4, #3 and #2. I think I would like #2 if you tucked in the shirt, because I like the waist definition that these pants give. All of these combinations work, but I find the style of your jacket in #1 the best match for the trousers. I do think olive looks great with your pants, but the style of your jacket in #4 is quite casual too. If it was a similar style to #1, I think it would be just as good as the first combination.

Great to see you trying a new shape and style. I hope you get lots of wear from these pants.

Staysfit

I don’t think olive needs to look casual by default as a color. There are plenty of dressy olive colored items. I think the type of fabric and style/design as well as what an item is paired with determine whether something looks casual or not. For example, I once went to a very formal wedding where the bridesmaids wore olive silk organza dresses and pearl necklaces. They looked stunning. The brides dress was ecru with an olive silk organza belt. She looked unbelievably gorgeous.

jussie

I think each of these looks is good. But numbers 1 and 2 are REALLY good. Great pants.
As for your question about olive, I am interested to read other responses. Now that I reflect on it for a minute, I do tend to think of it as a slightly more casual colour. I mean, it can certainly be dressed up, but only to a point.

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