Styling Stretch Pants
A very unglamorous way to say: how to look great while covering our bums. :)
A pretty straightforward newsletter today because sometimes, it’s the simplest inspo that kicks getting dressed into high gear. Last week was packed! Started with a meeting at my kids school, straight into an afternoon of eclipse viewing. A full day in the hospital Tuesday entertaining a toddler (my son is in a clinical trial, it’s going great!), a trip to the DMV on Thursday after two client closet visits plus the rest of life and work that falls in between all of that. Why am I briefing you on my schedule?? (We’re all busy, no tiny violins playing here!!) BECAUSE… I felt like I needed comfort in my clothing this week, more than usual. I was tired, and mentally stretched to the limit.
And when I want to be able to move, and/or feel extremely comfortable in my clothes, I do what we all do. Reach for stretchy pants! But the kick flare, which have been sold to us all as a no brainer are not as no brainer as I’d like them to be. I am sensitive about my bum/hips area. (Listen, we’ve all got our spots!) And I just don’t love wearing kick flares or leggings without keeping that area covered. For some of you it’s the tummy. Some of you might not even remotely relate to what I’m talking about! But I’ve heard from others that you’ve been experiencing the same styling challenges yourselves after dipping into the kick flare trend.
So today, five outfits that revolve around wearing our most comfortable, stretchiest pants in an intentional way. Without needing to tug at your top. Or feel like you’re drowning in an oversized tee.
The Shirt Jacket
A shirt or extremely lightweight jacket with a little heft balances out a stretch pant in (I think) a very purposeful way. This is an old safari shirt but this Maria McManus version is darn similar. A top/jacket with uniform details tones down the wacky print of these pants while the pockets give a bit of weight so it doesn’t just feel like I’m wearing a huge top to intentionally cover my bum. It’s also not *too* long. Just grazes my lower thigh. Last week’s transitional jackets would all be great here, left on as part of the outfit. Or a men’s utility shirt would easily suffice as well.
The Extreme Parenting Outfit
With our favorite new flannels. Or an oversized chambray when we finally get some sunshine. The one I’ve been leaning into the most is roomy but proportinal with a “traditional” shirt. Not too boxy, or cropped or tunic-y, so hits right below my bum. I actually have been wearing it with just one button buttoned and a lightweight tee underneath (aka how I wore this outfit four of the past seven days.) Again, this gives it an air of styled and not just…tight pants + big shirt, because it falls slightly open. Even though….it is just tight pants + big shirt. And the comfy ankle/desert boot has been a fun way to take this out of sneakerville while maintaining full mobility. Try it! The little bit of ankle showing, while still having warm toesies in this transitional weather, has been…charming!
Yoga Pants + Long Blazer
Just kinda chic, no? A fun way to make the Alo Yoga pants that Leandra made us all buy feel very mat to table! If only I didn’t cancel pilates this week…still a great outfit to sit at my desk! And also an awesome outfit with your dressier kick flares too. Personal favorites being the High Sport, Ann Mashburn and Apiece Apart varieties.
The Sweatshirt Belt
Yes. I leave the house with a sweatshirt (or long sleeve tee) wrapped around my waist with absolutely zero intention of removing it. And that’s all I have to say about that.
For Dinner!
Since we all have some sort of version of the button front vest/dress at this point. Pair it back to a dressy legging and heels and be on your way. This one is Attersee and the leggings from a Maria McManus sample sale I literally stumbled on in Soho four months ago from a sign in the elevator. Ha!
Stay comfy out there. And have a great week!
Yours TRULY,
Becky
I love you. That’s all.
Life, children, stretch pants, .. it can all feel like a cage fight.
You’re the emblem of grace in flannel & leggings & May all go perfectly for you & your loved ones xo
Hi! Do you (or anyone) have any suggestions for fancy leggings for petites? I love the toteme version, but that model is 5’11 (in an extra small! Ah, fashion), which is 10” taller than me! Same question with the stretchy pants. The break on the knee is usually mid calf on me.