During my recent closet edit, I ended up holding on to a couple of pairs of pants that I was on the verge of passing on. Both have languished in the closet for more than a year, for different reasons.

One pair of pants (the black ones below) was too long, even though I had shortened them once already. I didn't know what length to make them, because I couldn't figure out how I wanted to wear them. Aida suggested wearing them with flats, because they are very casual (made of fleece!). That option hadn't occurred to me at all; since they are very wide-legged, I thought I would need to wear heels to avoid looking short and wide in them. I was considering chopping them to make culottes, but I liked Aida's idea of trying them first with flat shoes, like my street sneakers, perhaps. I chopped off the amount needed for flat shoes, and voila!--they are a fun jeans alternative for days off (maybe even for work days, who knows?).

The second pair of pants (charcoal ones below) were awaiting alterations also. I bought them with the idea that I would turn the bootcut trousers into straight legs, for a slouchy menswear vibe. They would also need a little alteration at the hip line to take out some excess fabric under the seat. Since I practically loathe alterations, these pants were a project waiting, and waiting. . . to happen. I figured I might as well pass them on. Aida liked the idea of turning them into straight legs, and we thought perhaps once the legs were straightened, the hip alteration might not be necessary if slouch was the goal. Her enthusiasm propelled me forward, and I did the alternation. (I ended up doing the extra hip adjustment, too.)

I'm happy I saved both of these pants. I wore them last week and really liked them!

The outfits:
1-3 (worn for a day off): black fleece raw-edged wide-legged pants with faux back pocket flaps (Raw Earth Wild Sky); light blue long sleeved tee (Caslon) under black, brown, blue, and sage boucle cropped raw-edge sweater (Two Dog Island); pewter high top sneakers (Paul Green).

4-7 (worn to work): charcoal straight-legged trousers (Halogen, Taylor); ruby red, blue, gray and ivory floral print chiffon peasant blouse (made by me); ruby red 3/4 sleeved cardigan (Halogen); silver belt; gray shimmer oxfords (Naot, Kedma); navy trench (London Fog); light gray backpack (Rebecca Minkoff).

Thanks for looking! I welcome your thoughts and suggestions.