March 13, 2012

Outfits Of The Yesterdays (Pants, Pants, Pants)


♫: I Spy - Mikhael Paskalev


I am never quite sure if I should classify myself as a petite blogger or not; while I am short and bring my defect up quite regularly here, I often skirt the issue by not really delving into different sizes and fits of the things that I wear. 

And, well--I often literally skirt the issue. By wearing skirts. I hate that a lot of petites feel they need to be pigeon-holed into a certain retailer or style of clothing because of their height, but at the same time I "get it"--dressing when you're short can be a unique challenge. Often times Most of the time, it ain't easy. 

While I enjoy wearing and using different brands (including many that are not petite-specific), I do often turn to skirts in my outfits because as a shorter person, I think that they are by far the easiest type of bottom to both style and wear. Unlike with pants, I don't have to worry about knee breaks, or inseams, or the fact that the ones that fit in the waist don't fit in the butt/thigh (and the ones that do fit in the butt/thigh never fit in the waist). The right skirt can cover up all that mess, easy--often with no trips to the tailor (or gym) required.

But skirts are not always feasible in Colorado, and so sometimes pants must be begrudgingly worn. I usually stick with crops, since their 26-28" inseams seem to work well with my stature. If they are slightly high-wasted, even better--I have a really long torso and short legs, and so anything that can trick the eye upward is a bonus.

If last year was the 'Year of the Blouse', this year is the 'Year of the Pant'. Printed pants seem to be the bottom du jour, and I have been fairly hesitant to try them due to my shorter stature. Prints can be overwhelming on a petite person, after all, so it's tricky--do them right and they can look all fashion-y and great! Do them wrong and you'll be the idiot-envy of alllllll the local 9-year-olds, wondering why the fuck you're wearing heels with your jammie-pants.

I really like these jacquard pants from ASOS for a few different reasons: they have a slightly fancy cut (a little high-waisted with pleats), they are a pretty good length for petites (I'm 5'2", so go from there), and they are made out of a jacquard fabric that is a bit dressy without being overly ostentatious.

Husband also says the print reminds him of basketballs. March Madness, shoot me:

 Jacket: Nordstrom, old (similar at F21) (similar at ASOS) (similar under $50)
Pants: ASOS (buy them here) (similar by Robert Rodriguez) (and another option at Anthropologie)
Belt: ASOS, old (similar at Topshop)
Ring: YSL Arty in Silver/Gold (buy it here)
Bracelet: Ann Taylor LOFT (buy it here)
Bag: Diane Von Furstenberg Tonda Clutch (buy it here) (similar here) (similar by Brahmin)
Pumps: Christian Louboutin Piou Piou Pumps (buy them here) (similar here, under $100)




And hey, let's throw some brightly-colored pants into the mix as well:

Jacket: J Crew Canary Tweed Jacket (similar here) (similar at The Limited) (similar at LOFT)
Blouse: GAP, old (similar here by Equipment) (similar under $100)
Jeans: Forever 21 (similar here)
Necklace: Auden Devon Necklace (similar here) (a fun option at Topshop)
Watch: Michael Kors (buy it here) (similar at Zappos for $150) (tip: you can sometimes find MK watches cheaper on Amazon!)
Bag: Marc Jacobs iPad Case in Coral (buy it here) (similar by Rebecca Minkoff in Coral) (similar by Kate Spade in Coral)
Shoes: J Crew Perfect Patent Pumps (similar here) (similar for under $100 by Nine West)



And some kinda-normal pants, too:

Blouse: GAP, old (similar here by Equipment) (similar under $100)
Pants: Ann Taylor LOFT (buy them here) (similar here) (similar at The Limited)
Necklace: Auden Devon Necklace (similar here) (a fun option at Topshop)
Watch: Michael Kors Oversized Rosegold Watch (similar here) (similar by Fossil)
Bracelet: Ann Taylor LOFT (buy it here)
Bag: Diane Von Furstenberg Harper Day Bag (similar here) (similar by Cynthia Rowley for under $150)
Shoes: L'Wren Scott Tropical Maryjanes (buy them here) (similar by Marc Jacobs) (similar by B Brian Atwood) (similar under $150)


Will you be rocking the printed/brightly-colored pants trend this spring? Have any personal tips on how to wear them? Share in the comments! ♥




27 comments:

  1. Ok - that first outfit. In honor of the upcoming holiday is like a really stylish leprechaun outfit. :) I love how you mixed the dark green with the orange print pants! I have YET to try printed pants. I'm also petite (at 5'1") and am not afraid of prints, but am afraid of printed pants because at 30, I feel like they're going to make me look older. Lol.

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  2. Love each look! The orange print pants are fab, wish I could pull those off. 
    I've feel like I've been wearing colored pants since Fall...guess I couldn't wait for Spring to show up. Yesterday I wore peach colored pants with a hint of neon pink in my striped shirt. I'm loving all the different shades of colored pants out there. 

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  3. I looove patterned pants! Thanks for giving me courage to try them out too :) 

    xoxo champagne

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  4. I think you wear pants just as well as you wear short! I love the last pair! I really want to try out a floral pair but i'm not sure I can pull them off!

    xoxo
    Stacey

    http://fiveminutestyle.blogspot.com/

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  5. So glad I'm not the only one buying a ridiculous amount of pants lately.  I have those same LOFT pair in bright red, plus just bought a cropped floral pair at H&M and bright kelly green ones from Lord & Taylor.  Maybe there is a support group for this?

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  6. i like how you styled those teal jeans! Great inspiration for a recent pair of pants I bought from Zara: http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/us/en/zara-us-S2012/189505/632257/SKINNY%2BJEANS

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  7. Cute looks! My fave is definitely the print pants! I love the color combo you used!

    xx
    Giovanna
    www.oliveandanarrow.com

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  8. Chloe, all of these outfits are gorgeous!  Those printed pants in the first are especially awesome!  And I totally sympathize with the height issue, we are the exact same height :)

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  9. dear god woman, what amazing colors!! those pants are perfect on you and they do make your legs longer!! i mean appear longer. you know what i mean. i should look into the higher waisted ones. im having short leg syndrome recently
    Easy Petite Looks

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  10. You are totally rocking those pants!

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  11. so of course I love every outfit you posted, BUT my fave is #3.... absolutely LOVE those slacks and paired superb with that blouse!!!!

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  12. All these pants look great on you, Chloe! I especially love the second pair... the colour is just gorgeous.

    xo, alison*elle

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  13. love love love the bright pants on you! the yellow tweed jacket is also amazing!

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  14. You are the best at mixing colors! The jacquard pants and the green top look awesome together and I would have never thought to pair them.  I also love the bright jeans - that turquoise color is just great.

    Happy Humpday!
    CK

    http://ckstayingwarm.tumblr.com

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  15. Chloe you look great in pants! But I feel ya, we are probably the same height (I'm 5'1" and 3/4" - Ha!) and if I reacall from an email convo way back when we have similar measurements so I have maybe one pair of cropped dress pants that I love and the rest are jeans - so I'm usually either in jeans or skirts and dresses!  And sure, you are a blogger and you're petite so yea, you're a petite blogger :P 
    When I post outfits I usually just indicate my size (often stuff are from the petite lines) and if I'm wearing pants or long dresses if I hemmed it or not. It's an issue I have to deal with but I don't think that as a petite I consider myself "limited" I just have to try and be more creative I guess! 

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  16. Love the jacquard pants. So much so that I just bought them!!! Don't be surprised when I lose the last 10lbs to see me blogging about them. LOL! And of course I ordered another pair of shoes from them and again, huge disappointment. I ordered the gold brogues and they are brown and going right back. I think I'll stick to just clothing and accessories from Asos.
    Niki
    www.fashionatforty.blogspot.com

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  17. i am in LOVE with the last outfit! SO BEAUTIFUL! it looks like the pants are sold out....so bummed because i NEED a pair of cream pants and they are just so dang adorable. LOVE the basketball pants too...lol. i have been wearing lots of pants lately too. i just wore the h&m floral cropped pants...not sure if they are my MOST flattering pants...but they are fun!

    xoxo, jenn
    the stylish housewife

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  18. That last look - I could wear every single day of my life. Totally timeless.
    I have already acquired: printed pants and bright pants however I take forever to finally execute the outfits....

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  19. I LOVE the last outfit!  xoxo A-

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  20. You nailed it - I stick with skirts for the very same reasons!! Fantastic looks!!

    xo Chelsea (www.hautechildinthecity.com)

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  21. Lol! at the 9-year old jammie reference!

    I have not tried on any patterned pants, so I can't say a definite no. If I do try any, I will probably go for a faded animal print. I can definitely go for the bright pants, though! :)  I do love the pairing you did with the mint pants and green jacket!

    And my husband just visited South Denver this week....chances are slim now that we would move there....seems like things might be working out for him here.  It was fun to consider Colorado for a bit, though!

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  22. Bring me into your brocade and patterned life! 

    http://thewalkup.wordpress.com/

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  23. I hate to say this, but now that he said that, they kind of remind me of basketball too!  Really cute, though. 

    I like the printed pant idea but I'm a little dubious about all the 80s-couch florals I keep seeing.   I am having trouble getting past the thought that if I put some on I will be saying "I can't BELIEVE I did that" ten years from now. 

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  24. I just found your blog and think that you are amazing!

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  25. Nice colors and all are the amazing pant collections.  I want to shop last one pant.

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  26. I always enjoy looking at your outfits. You always look super cute! I love your fashion ideas.

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  27. Fantastic pants!  Were you aware that you been posted to "preppy girl theatre"? 

    http://www.wasp101.blogspot.com/2012/03/preppy-girl-theatre-by-richard_27.html

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♥ About...

Chloe, Colorful Colorado. 5'8" (only) when teetering in her highest 6 inch Miu Miu platform heels. Likes fashion, broccoli, ice cream, clarifying that she does not eat ice cream with her broccoli as to not cause worldwide panic, hoarding beauty products & pretty shoes, tickle fights with her husband (he would like to clarify that he does not like them back, OKAY?), anything covered in sprinkles, any alcoholic beverage made with Tang, live music, clicking the camera, sarcasm fonts, vases stuffed full of pretty flowers, and laughing hard until her belly hurts. Wants an adventurous life, lots of puppies, to never obtusely wander around with her fly down, and to be an iconic Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress with a bright, festive print when she grows up. This is where she bravely documents it all. (oh you really want more, do you?)