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WIW: houndstooth and dots + an epiphany

Parsley

Veteran

I just got these houndstooth pants back from being altered, and OMG- they fit PERFECTLY!
I have such a terrible time getting pants to fit, since I have an undefined waist and nonexistent derriere and thighs. When I first tried these pants on, they fit in the waist but ballooned out like jodhpurs on me. BUT, they have vertical zipper pockets in front- not on the side seam, so I had them taken in along the sides, and now they fit me like a glove! And they were ankle pants, so I had them let the hem all the way down so that now they're full length.

So my epiphany is that I should get my pants altered in order to have them fit! Well, DUH, you might say! But somehow in my mind I was thinking that I just needed to keep looking to find pants that fit right off the rack, so this was a revelation to me!
And the crazy thing is, I get free alterations at Nordstrom, so why on earth wouldn't I do that all the time! Well, from now on I am!

Anyway, this is what I wore today to go get my hair trimmed and go take some more things to be altered.
This is about as wild and crazy as I get with pattern mixing!

Houndstooth pants- Theory
Polka dot blouse- Creative Concepts
Textured sweater- Madewell
Pewter metallic wedges- Nine West

Questions, comments, suggestions welcomed!

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31 replies

Latest reply was from Mochi

Word Lily

Veteran

Yay for epiphanies, especially when they result in fab outfits like this! I'm not a pattern girl, bit I could maybe do this kind of pattern mixing. LOVE it.

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

Congratulations on your epiphany! Yes, RTW is in reality more of Ready-To-Alter but manufacturers and retailers don't usually educate their customers about it.

I like your color/pattern combination!

Karie

(website)

Veteran

You had me at "houndstooth and dots" - two of my fav patterns! I love the pattern mixing. I alter my clothes myself, and when trying on pants it's usually "No this doesn't fit" and then "Well, wait a sec...if I alter the waist or hips...." Sometimes it makes all the difference.

Susie

Veteran

They are gorgeous pants so I am glad that you could make them work for you. I love your pattern mixing and of course the color combination!

kkards

Veteran

yup, it took me a while to get there. almost every pair of pants i would try on would be to big in the waist, and i would just wear them that way! now i get most of the taken in, and wow what a difference it makes!

AviaMariah

Veteran

Yes, I'm coming to that realization also. I don't know why I think getting alteration done is more work than the never ending search for perfect fit off the rack. Your trousers are perfect and I'm sure you will get many years of enjoyment out of them.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Stunning! And yes, this is a good realization. I almost always have to have sleeves altered on jackets. Pants always require hemming. It's never (or almost never ) ready to wear for me.

Oh -- by the way (she said, greedily....) what ARE those fab pants??? Theory yes, but which ones?

(Still musing about the leather panelled Lanai, BTW...)

pil

Veteran

So sharp, Parsley! Enjoy the rest of those pieces when you get them back from alterations.

I took my NYDJ leggings in to a Rack to have them altered and happened to return for them just as the tailor was working on them. He has quite the work area with 4 different machines and a heavy duty pressing station. "Zip Zip" and he was done! It was interesting talking to him about how he was making custom fit pants at 19 and custom men's suits after that. He must be a true craftsman.

Debra

Veteran

You look great, I love this pattern mix

Parsley

Veteran

Thank you all for your comments!
Suz, they are the Fia pants. I'm tempted to get them in a different color (or two!). On you maybe they'd be full length already, but for me they had to let the hem completely down and put a hem facing on it to make them long enough.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/th.....ts/3545392

Pil, I didn't know they did alterations at the Rack! That sounds fascinating to watch the man work and hear his story!

Neel

Veteran

A happy outfit always makes the day! Love the subtle pattern mixing!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The trousers are killer. Love that you had them altered - always do that from now on. Just perfect, Marcy. You have never looked better.

Lantana

Veteran

One of your best and cheering re the epiphany.

karymk

Veteran

Super swag, Parsley!

I love the dotted shirt with the trouser, it's subtle because the houndstooth is so tiny. I love the metallic shoe with this ensemble. Why not try it with RED too? hee hee....Not everyone looks this good in black and white, you sure do.

I have your fit problem on bottoms! straight from the hips to ribs! flat arse!

I have found JCrew pants to fit me pretty darn well consistently. Ones I like are the Andie, Matchstick Jean, Matchstick Cord. Ones I wear but are a little low in the rise are the Toothpick and Midrise Toothpick. Have you tried any of these?

Parsley

Veteran

Thanks for the suggestions, Karen!
You know, I did end up buying your J Crew "man pants", and they're great!
Maybe I'll have to shamelessly copy the whole thing and get your fab red shoes, too!
I'll have to check out the other styles you mention, as well.
-Marcy

unfrumped

Veteran

Great epiphany and great pants!

I agree, this can be a great way to get into a new style that isn't being made in just the right fit. For example, I have considered having some pants tapered to and at the ankle, since it's hard to get a tapered-slouchy fit for pear shape except in some of the track pant styles, which can sometimes be too casual. So maybe I should get with it!

DonnaF

Veteran

Yes! I FINALLY took advantage of Nordstrom complimentary alterations this year: The waist of a VC tube skirt and the hem of NYDJ jeans that I bought at Ross. Who knows why I never tried this in the past. Like you, I tend to pass on an item that doesn't fit perfectly off the rack, and I generally hem pants myself. The alterations year goes calendar year to calendar year they tell me and not by your credit card anniversary year.

sarah

Veteran

: )

I love happy alteration story endings!

I just took a pair of trousers in to have belt loops added. Duh, why didn't I think of that before? I hate not having belt loops!

gryffin

Veteran

Wow - do you ever look good!!! The dots/sweater/pants/pumps - it's like magic and we won't even discuss the cuff!! You look so relaxed and radiant that it looks organic but the elements together get a big wow from me. Super job - wish I had your flair!!

carambola

Veteran

The pants are perfect! I love the whole outfit. The dots are playful, but you still look elegant and sophisticated.

I'm going to try to use you as inspiration to get to the tailor. I understand theoretically that some of my clothes would fit better, look better, and make me happier if I had them altered, but somehow I cannot make myself find the time to go. I have a pair of trousers that have been waiting to be hemmed for a YEAR. So shameful, I know.

karymk

Veteran

Oh I am so glad you like the JCrew Man Pants (we are now naming JCrew styles here on YLF). Don't you like the higher rise? I feel really "contained" in my pants, they are snug but not obnoxiously so. They don't bag out! Keep me posted if you try the Matchsticks.

Scarlet

Veteran

So glad that you found a good trouser solution. They look great and the pairing with the polka-dot shirt is charming.

rachylou

Veteran

Och. A kick in the pants for me to find a good seamstress!

carter

Veteran

Love the pattern mixing! You have me thinking there are several items in my closet that might not be orphans with a bit of tailoring. Will have to go through them this weekend.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Great read, thanks for sharing. And you look great too.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Great outfit! It's great that you had the pants tailored and they fit just how you want them to I'd be interested to see how he did the hem facing.

peacechick

Veteran

Before reading, I thought "Oh my, houndstooth AND dots?" Then I look and you've styled the two so stylishly. Totally chic. Perfect example of mixing patterns!

catgirl

Veteran

I just got a dress narrowed to fit in the hips and what a difference! I am right with you, sister!

emma3333

Love them!

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