Ah yes, sorry I didn't focus on the questions : I think the cropped pants are a flattering length
http://youlookfab.com/2012/04/.....ped-pants/
http://youlookfab.com/2012/07/.....sia-flats/
This is how understand it : this shorter length is the most flattering length, esp. if worn with low-vamped shoes like you do here.
Now there's the new trend of ankle showing footwear, that make the longer cropped JFE. But the shorter version doesn't look dated in my eyes.

As for the tonal colours : if the pic reflect them correctly, they work for me - not dull or faded, on the contrary the first word that came to me when I opened the pic was "strong".

Thank you all. I'm still at a loss as to pant length, but as Skylurker says, it may depend on the footwear. An ankle strap may work best with a longer length. I think the tonal colors look pretty accurate. The pants do look light grey except when next to grey. The tank is more of a midtone version of the paler cardi. Both are older EF pieces and I don't know what the EF names were.
I have also worn these pants and the cardi with a blush top and blush flats and liked the result.