Fashion

Heya, friend! Super quick post today because Thursday is my looooooong day at work. Anywho, I wore this OOTD earlier this week when it was sunny, and it’s my new favorite fit.

It took me a while to figure out how to style these plaid Madewell Harlowe wide-leg pants (I wore them on my first day); what a difference tucking in your shirt makes!

The red Chucks are also key here too, I think. The chunky sole balances the wide pant leg nicely.

Two things I like about this outfit. I like how the sweater with the lip print (I got it last year from Antrhopologie) contrasts with the plaid, yet they still work well together. I wasn’t sure at first, but then I tried everything on and liked it! You just never know until you try, so if you have mixed prints that you think might work, just go for it.

Second thing — I also like the pops of red in the sweater, the t-shirt (from Clare V.) and the red Chucks.

By the way, the pants are the same cut as the navy blue ones I wore last week. The fabric is slightly heavier, which I think helps with the volume and the drape of the pants.

Have you tried wide-leg pants yet? What do you think of the trend?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

I popped on over to the Athleta website the other day because they’ve got some pants and tops on sale that look like they’d be good for both work and casual outfits.

These are all the things currently on my wish list!

1. Endless High Rise Pant in Aspen Olive

I like how these pants have a tapered leg and a classic vibe. Ooh, and they’ve got pockets!

2. Renew Seamless Crewneck Tee in Aspen Olive

I’ve been loving the ease of monochromatic outfits lately, and this top looks like it would go perfectly with the Aspen pants! All you’d need to do then is to throw on a chic coat, like the…

3. Stellar Trench in Calcite Beige

So cute! I like the idea of a soft trench that flows with you when you move. This one seems like it would be comfortable to travel in and dressy enough for work.

4. Jetset Bomber Jacket in Abalone Grey

For a more casual vibe, I think this would bomber would be a fun option.

5. Brooklyn Mid Rise Ankle Pant in Navy

These navy Brooklyn pants look slightly more sporty compared to the Endless pant, but they still look like you can easily dress them up with a cute pair of chunky loafers.

6. Renew Seamless Racerback Tank in Navy

And of course you gotta have a matching top! This racerback tank looks like it would be a great option for the warm spring days ahead.

7. Renew Seamless Crewneck Top in Black

Until spring weather kicks in, though, I’d wear the pants with a black long sleeve top.

8. Retroplush Bomber Jacket

You know what? I think I’m turning into a girl who loves coats, blazers and jackets. I think this one would pair well with any of the outfits above!

Does anything here catch your eye? I’m seriously not kidding when I say I want all the things!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. The storm that’s currently over the Bay Area has been relatively OK so far in my neighborhood. A huge branch on one of the olive trees in our circle snapped off, and a bunch of outdoor patio furniture got knocked over, but nothing major was destroyed, knock on wood. Whew! How are things in your neck of the woods? Just think, soon enough, the days will be longer and it will be warm enough to walk around outside and enjoy the sunshine. I can’t wait for spring!

There’s a big storm headed for Nor Cal today! The weather goddesses are saying that we’ll be seeing an atmospheric river. YOWZA.

Well, there’s no way I’d wear these wide-leg Madewell Harlow pants during a downpour (imagine how wet the bottom parts would get, yikes), so yeah, this is what I wore to work yesterday, when things were still dry.

Anywho, I’ve seen a lot of people wear this wide-leg style of pants, and you know, I never realized this until I tried on this particular cut, but pants this voluminous seem to go very wrong very quickly on me, and I definitely need to make very strategic choices when I wear them. Otherwise I look like I’m drowning in fabric or like a kid playing dress up with someone else’s grown up clothes.

These are some styling tips that really help me as a petite person! Maybe you’ll find them useful, too.

1. Pairing the pants with the same color top for a monochromatic look

I’ve found that these types of tailored, wide-leg pants tend to have a higher rise, and when I wear a contrasting color on the top, I look shorter because there’s a stark visual break between the top and the pants.

Wearing one continuous color creates a longer, unbroken line from top to bottom and seems to elongate my body, so that I look taller and less like I’m swimming in the pants.

2. Choosing a shoe with a platform or a chunky sole

For some reason, wearing wide-leg pants with shoes with a chunky sole looks balanced to my eye. I think when I wear pant legs that are very wide, a shoe with a daintier profile gets lost in the fabric.

You could do a loafer with a chunky sole or something similar to what I’m wearing here, which is the platform version of Chuck Taylor All Stars. I really like the pop of the white at the bottom there. I think it adds a little freshness to the overall look.

3. Wearing a fitted top and a slim-fitting blazer or jacket

I think these pants look really good with a bodysuit and slim-fitting blazer. I’m wearing an old body suit from J. Crew that I got a couple years ago and a chambray blazer I bought recently from J. Crew factory. Side note: I feel like J. Crew and J. Crew factory jackets and blazers tend to run a little small.

Just for funsies, I tried the same top and pants with an oversized boyfriend cut blazer from Madewell. I feel like this in itself is a very specific type of look, but for my petite size, it’s hard to pull off. I feel like I’m wearing my grandpa’s jacket or something. LOL!

Don’t get me wrong; I love this blazer and wear it all the time. I think it looks better with a tighter-fitting jean, though. I wore it a few weeks ago with the Madwell Vintage Jean and I think it looked very balanced.

If you’re in Nor Cal today, stay safe! It’s supposed to be crazy out there.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

You gals are awesome. Thank you so much for all of your thoughtful recommendations for work pants! I’m definitely going to buy a few pairs, and I look forward to NOT being pantless at my new job. HA HA HA!

Oh, and I linked them all below in a comprehensive list, just in case you need to buy a pair of work pants in the near future. 🙂

Quince Ultra-Stretch Ponte Straight Leg Pant

This brand is new to me; it looks like a direct-to-consumer brand that sells affordable but luxurious basics exclusively online. They’ve got a Everlane kinda vibe.

Robin says she recently bought these pants from Quince for travel, “but they would be great for the office.”

I’m really thrilled about the price of these pants – $40! They come in so many versatile work-friendly colors and inseam sizes, too. I’m ordering a pair with the hopes that the material doesn’t bug me.

Quince Stretch Crepe Pleated Ankle Pant

Another glowing recommendation for Quince pants comes from Yinyan, who says, “The stretch crepe ankle pants are my go to work pants. They have a good amount of stretch in the waist without being frumpy, have pockets, very breathable, and are the perfect length for me (5’1″) – I own every color.”

I’m liking how this $59 pant has a comfy elastic waistband and pockets! I’m guessing this will hit more like a full-length pant on me, which would be totally fine.

LOFT Pants

Kimmwc03 says, “I find the best ones from LOFT,” and Robin says, “Loft has petite sizes and their regular lengths always run a little short.”

I did a quick look around the site and the Palmer Wide Leg Pants, the Mariner High Rise Wide Leg Jeans and the Button Pocket Riviera Slim Pants in Bi-Stretch caught my eye.

Work Pants from Amazon

Linda says that these $35 Lee’s Women’s Wrinkle Free Relaxed Fit Straight Leg Pants are awesome, and Tatiana linked a post from the Extra Petite blog on these $40 Drape Pants from Amazon, which you can machine wash and hang dry.

Nina Leonard Pants

Nicole recommends checking out this line’s pants, which are available at HSN and department stores like Kohls. She says, “They come in petite and regular lengths and fabrics range from their patented jersey to bengaline. A huge range of colours are available as well in addition to jackets, tops, tunics etc.”

A New Day High Rise Slim Pull-On Ankle Pants from Target

These elastic-waist pants are an affordable $29 and available at Target. Maricar says, “They are sooooo comfortable, go right to my ankle (I’m 5’1″) and are really versatile.”

Athletic Works Pants from Walmart

Nina likes these pants so much she bought four pairs! She says, “I too needed work pants. Went the same route as you and finally found thee best pair at Walmart. Straight, slightly tapered leg. Side pork chop pockets. In petite. Toss in the wash. Athletic Works. $9.00. These aren’t leggings, but a nice 95 percent cotton weight. Grey, navy, black and khaki colors. Will they last years? No, but I’m comfortable in them and can wear with a sweater or blazer. I bought four pair. Love them.”

Croft & Barrow at Kohls

Marcia says that she likes to shop in stores for pants and has had good luck at Kohls. She says, “I got a couple of pairs from the Croft & Barrow brand. It’s elastic waist with pockets. I’m in the dreaded in between sizes so one pair fits a tad snug, and the other is looser. Personally, I find elastic waist pants more convenient and comfortable and the tops I wear cover the elastic anyways. I used to find work pants at JCPenney’s too.”

Dalia Pants at Costco

Stephanie says she found these pants with pockets at Costo and wears them every day to work.

Athleta Pants

Lots of raves for these pants! Eileen says, “I’m petite and highly recommend checking out Athleta for work pants. They have petite sizing, the fabrics are comfortable and don’t require ironing, and many of the styles are work-appropriate unless you work in a very formal environment.”

Cherie recommends the Endless Pant from Athleta, which comes in lots of colors and in regular, tall and petite lengths.

Everlane Dream Pants

Another recommendation from Cherie. These look like they’re made from a substantial material (so not too thin), come in lots of neutral colors and have an elastic waist!

Talbots Pants

Ya know, I’ve never thought to look at Talbots for pants, but I’m going to the next time I’m at the mall.

Elizabeth says, “Talbots is the way to go, especially when they have sales. Their pants are great and very professional.”

Wit & Wisdom and Vince Camuto at Nordstrom

Tatiana recommends these two brands from Nordstrom and says, “During the Nordstrom anniversary sale I bought some pants from Wit & Wisdom and from Vince Camuto that came in petite sizes and fit right off the rack without having to ask for Nordstrom’s awesome alterations.”

Let me know if you find any other awesome work pants, and I’ll update the list!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Butter soft jersey? Check. Wrinkle-resistant fabric? Check? Super cute prints? CHECK!

Fighting Eel Clothing is my new favorite fresh find from Hawaii.

They’re a luxury resort-wear line based out of Honolulu, and everything they make is designed and sewn locally. Their clothes — a mix of rompers, pants, dresses, shirts and cardigans — are comfortable and chic, with prints inspired by local floral and fauna.

I recently bought the Nadine Cardigan ($143), a functional piece that you can dress up (throw it on top of a little black dress) or down. I’m wearing it with jeans and a white tee for a more causal vibe.

Did I mention it also has pockets? Yeah, that pretty much sealed the deal for me.

I purchased it at the Fighting Eel store at the Kahala Mall, however if you’re not on Oahu at the moment, you can also buy it online!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen