Searching for the perfect trouser…

by jennine on February 2, 2010

plaid shirt

Dresses are easy. They have less factors to take into account to make the perfect fit. Trousers on the other hand… are a pain. Narrow hips, short waist, well endowed badunkadunk , pear shaped, pouch…basically any human shape that’s not mannequin can provide for an unlimited amount of challenges when searching for the perfect pair of trousers. For me, I love the high waist but I have a small waist/hip ratio so what fits at the waist has all this extra baggage on the hips. It sucks, and which is probably why I was always a dress girl.

I’ve been looking for the perfect pair of trousers, and so far, it’s been a challenge. A lot of what I like out there seems to be variations of a pair of harem pants I dug out of the $1 pile at the flea market, and they only seem to come in black, blue or grey. Three colors I love but kind of want to move away from. Since I have these trousers already in my closet, I figure it’s time to give them some love again. When I first brought them out, many of you didn’t like them,but I’m thinking  as time moved on, the silhouette is really just what I want.

Another thing I’ve been really drawn to lately are button up shirts. I can’t seem to get enough of them! Funny 5 years ago,  I wanted nothing but to get away from the ol’ button up, and nowadays..they’re not so common…well in the cuts that aren’t so old lady like. I think I need more button ups!Trousers : Flea market • Flannel shirt : BDG. • Rope belt : H&M • Shoes : No. 704b.

{ 42 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Jaime @ Denim Debutante February 2, 2010 at 11:25 am

I’m glad you love them… I don’t think I could ever wear them.
Jaime @ Denim Debutante´s last blog ..Frankie B. as low as $35 on TheSampleSale.com My ComLuv Profile

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2 Jillian February 2, 2010 at 11:35 am

I think the way that you’re wearing them in this photo defines your waist more – it’s really flattering! And I’m with you on the button-ups, I’ve really been loving the way they look tucked into high waisted pants.
Jillian´s last blog ..Save Donatella! My ComLuv Profile

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3 jennine February 2, 2010 at 6:48 pm

yeah, me too… it’s something relatively new… i had avoided button ups for ages, and tucking in? forgettaboutit

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4 Andrea February 2, 2010 at 11:50 am

I love your harem pants! And I love them in general. I don’t know what I’d do without my pair.

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5 Mallory @ MissMalaprop.com February 2, 2010 at 11:56 am

I love this look! And I just took a peek at that older look with these pants… I agree, the current styling gives you a more defined waist… I think the tucked in shirt and belt help pull it all together, whereas the other shirt over the waistband sort of made the widest bottom part of the shirt sort of blend into the pants and made for a more unflattering hip. But this current look I love, and I really love the grey shoe/blue sock combo!

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6 jennine February 2, 2010 at 6:50 pm

yeah, i think also having a patterned shirt on top helps off set the harshness of black pants. they can be severe you know!

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7 Amy February 2, 2010 at 11:57 am

i don’t think I could ever pull off harem pants, but I think they look lovely on you! I adore the belt with them too and those blue trouser socks with those gray shoes are just perfect!!

xoxo
Amy´s last blog ..Aww You’re So Sweet My ComLuv Profile

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8 lisa February 2, 2010 at 12:29 pm

You wear harem trousers so well! I also love the glimpses of electric blue peeping out from the cutout details of your shoes.
lisa´s last blog ..Banana Republic Classic Trench My ComLuv Profile

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9 Livi February 2, 2010 at 12:30 pm

one of my favorite outfits on this blog ever!

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10 Sabrina February 2, 2010 at 12:37 pm

I don’t have the figure to pull off harem pants, though I have tried several times since I love the cut of them. You look fabulous in yours and I love how you styled them up.
Sabrina´s last blog ..Favorite Way #1 My ComLuv Profile

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11 teresa February 2, 2010 at 2:09 pm

You have such a cute smile! Love the rope belt and trousers!

xoxo
Leoluca

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12 eyeliah February 2, 2010 at 2:55 pm

Pants are a nightmare! I’ve been in 3 stores this week to no avail, was about to write a post on it (or ask Sal of Already Pretty for advice!).
eyeliah´s last blog ..Printed Tee Shirt Collection My ComLuv Profile

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13 jennine February 2, 2010 at 7:06 pm

oh yeah… and finding decent pants too…i’ve been looking but it seems that most places only have jeans!

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14 stacy February 2, 2010 at 3:01 pm

You make them work!
stacy´s last blog ..Taffeta Darling! My ComLuv Profile

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15 Eli February 2, 2010 at 3:17 pm

they had a whole bunch of trousers on sale at h&m yesterday for $10, I’m kind of going crazy I didn’t get a pair. I will have to go back very soon, they had all sorts of colors too and other things really cheap, cant believe it. not good for my wallet

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16 Retro Chick February 2, 2010 at 3:50 pm

I have absolute nightmares buying trousers! Those look great on you. I think harem pants can be surprisingly flattering if you style them right and find the right cut.
Retro Chick´s last blog ..A Few of my Favourite Things My ComLuv Profile

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17 jennine February 2, 2010 at 7:07 pm

exactly.. finding the right cut always seems to be a challenge, it’s amazing how subtle a cut can make a huge difference!

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18 Cafe Fashionista February 2, 2010 at 3:56 pm

You look absolutely amazing in these trousers darling! I’m always worried that I’ll look bizarre in them myself – I’m quite short!! :)
Cafe Fashionista´s last blog ..Style Secrets: Symbol of Style My ComLuv Profile

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19 jennine February 2, 2010 at 7:07 pm

I”m short!

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20 Kyla February 2, 2010 at 4:37 pm

This looks sooooo cool! It went immediately into my inspiration folder!
Kyla´s last blog ..BLUE COLLAR BUSINESS CASUAL My ComLuv Profile

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21 anthea February 2, 2010 at 6:13 pm

Aw you looks smashing! Love that belt to tie everything in. I have been obsessed with drop crotches like yours too for the last little while. Got a post ready with mine!
anthea´s last blog ..Grammy Awards 2010 My ComLuv Profile

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22 Stylestalker February 2, 2010 at 9:54 pm

i am in need of the perfect trouser, but because im shorter, it always needs to be tailored. :(

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23 dreamsequins February 2, 2010 at 11:36 pm

Seriously- you got em at the flea market? I’m in love with this silhouette on you! It’s also my preferred pants silhouette and I’m so glad they’re back!!
dreamsequins´s last blog ..Behind the Blog: Style Bite My ComLuv Profile

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24 Alicia February 3, 2010 at 12:55 am

I’m seeing a lot of these 704b shoes lately…I liiiiiiiiiiiiiiike!
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25 The Clothes Horse February 3, 2010 at 1:20 am

Love this look and I really agree with you on trousers! It sometimes bugs me when people say “nice casual look” when I wear pants b/c it seems to imply less effort and it took so much more time to put together than my dresses.
The Clothes Horse´s last blog ..My Father’s Dragon My ComLuv Profile

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26 Alice February 3, 2010 at 4:40 am

This pair looks gorgeous on you! Apparently statement trousers are in this year (again)! I know what you mean, I often have difficulties to find a good pair of trousers. I like the pouchy look and the narrow legs.
Alice´s last blog ..Yellow Tights My ComLuv Profile

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27 Keiko Lynn February 3, 2010 at 4:56 am

Jennine, I think these are the perfect pants for you. They look great.

I have this overwhelming urge to give you a hug when I see your smiley pictures. How creepy is that?
Keiko Lynn´s last blog ..Love and Marriage. My ComLuv Profile

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28 Kristen February 3, 2010 at 7:03 am

I LOVE this ensemble, seriously, I think it’s my favorite of all your outfits posts that I have seen! I love the unexpected pairing of a plaid button down with unstructured pants. Then the belt, shoes and socks bring it all home and make it all really pop. You’re awesome!
Kristen´s last blog ..Kaitlyn’s Guide to a Fabulous Valentine’s Day My ComLuv Profile

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29 Sheena February 3, 2010 at 10:03 am

I love those pants on you! They look great with the button up. I love how the colors in the shirt really compliment your tights. And you have the best luck finding some great items at the flea market/thrift stores!
Sheena´s last blog ..Channeling Corinne Bailey Rae My ComLuv Profile

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30 charles February 3, 2010 at 10:25 am

i’m really glad you love them and are not letting people tell you what to wear. I really admire that!
those pants are just hard for a lot of body types to wear, but they look great on you. and i love those shoes with the socks :D
xx
charles´s last blog ..As You Like It: Today’s Outfit My ComLuv Profile

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31 Foley February 3, 2010 at 2:07 pm

Amazing trousers! You look stunning in this outfit, seriously :)

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32 Kate February 3, 2010 at 3:22 pm

I love everything that you’ve done with this look – the trousers are brilliant.. & the socks w/ heels = looks really great.

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33 Ginger Skinner February 3, 2010 at 3:31 pm

I think I’d look truly hid-day-ous in those pants…but they really work on you. So maybe I’ll give it a shot…*feeling inspired* thanks, xo!
Ginger Skinner´s last blog ..downward facing dog. My ComLuv Profile

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34 Grace February 3, 2010 at 4:07 pm

This really is the perfect trouser.

Love Grace.

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35 Denise @ Swelle February 4, 2010 at 3:58 am

When this style first made an (re)appearance, I thought they were ridiculous, especially the super low ones. But they’ve really grown on me (that will happen when you see something over and over for a few years!) and I like them now. Normally that style with a pegged leg would scare the crap out of me but they look fantastic on you. ♥
Denise @ Swelle´s last blog ..My Fun Afternoon Playing ‘Victim’ in East London My ComLuv Profile

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36 dora February 4, 2010 at 5:53 am

I think the trousers are super cool. I like how you mismatched the different styles.
How funny, I used the belt during last night’s course when we had to create an accessories page. It was the first item I picked out of a magazine and then created a ’story’ around it…
Are you coming to LFW?
xoxo
dora´s last blog ..bad hair day? solving it 50s style! My ComLuv Profile

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37 Midtown Girl February 4, 2010 at 3:36 pm

You are the 2nd person I have ever seen actually look good in harem pants…the other – Rihanna.

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38 Clare February 4, 2010 at 8:57 pm

Those pants are just amazingness, and I love how they compliment the button-up and those fab shoes. Such a perfectly polished look.
Clare´s last blog ..We’re Still on the Payroll My ComLuv Profile

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39 Mousevox Vintage February 5, 2010 at 9:04 am

You always wear trousers so well! xo
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40 Fi Figueroa February 6, 2010 at 7:51 pm

THIIIIS is my FAVOOORIIITEEEE !! <3
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41 hanako66 February 8, 2010 at 11:18 am

these look great on you! i’ve sure had a difficult time finding decent trousers…by the time i hem them to fit, they lose their shape, it’s so difficult being a shorty!
hanako66´s last blog ..under cover My ComLuv Profile

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42 SwanDiamondRose February 8, 2010 at 11:25 am

i love this outfit ; )
SwanDiamondRose´s last blog ..wardrobe 02.06.2010 western? girl? [3] My ComLuv Profile

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