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Monday, February 1, 2016

Magic Pants!

Are you confident in your pants and shoe combinations?


It was almost seventy degrees in Asheville on Sunday! So I wore one of my favorite combinations to brunch at the Grove Park Inn. 

I feel very comfortable in a long cardigan or jacket, a tank top over great fitting ankle pants, and a pair of fun heels. This long cardigan is old from Saks Off 5th. The silver tank is old from Chico's. 




Have you worn Lisette L Pants? Hoda and Kathy Lee feature them on today's show often. These were supplied to me by Purple Poppy in Cape Cod. 

I enjoy wearing ankle-length pants because my legs are short. That means this length won't bunch up on the top of the short boots and funky shoes I like to wear, such as these Vince Camuto shoes. If the jeans I am wearing are too long, I may turn them up a couple of times to fit long and lean instead of creating that very unattractive bunching over the top of the shoe. To my eye, this event adds pounds through the muffin shoe effect. (Yet another muffin to think about!) 

I always want to wear pants that fit smoothly and stop no more than one inch above the top of the shoe or boot. Again, I do not want to create visual breaks on my legs to make them look even shorter because I have short legs. That's why I rarely ever wear cropped pants. When I do, I make sure they end at the slimmest part of my leg and not on my thick calves. I will also wear a killer pair of nude sandals with a heel or platform to elongate my legs.

I look for pants that are slim fitting with a smooth waistband. That is another reason these pants are winners! This color is dark slate, which will go with everything in my closet. I had never worn this brand of pants before, but as soon as I slipped them on, I felt as if I had lost five pounds. 

They have a wide comfortable waistband as well as a built-in fit-control feature that is fantastic. It smooths your tummy area without ever feeling constricted or uncomfortable. I can easily see why these are the favorite pant style for Hoda and Kathy Lee!




Many of you tell me you don't wear heels, so I am also showing you how to wear these pants with cute flats. Notice that I paired a shorter asymmetric jacket supplied to me by IC Collection via ShopMyFairLady with these bow detail flats by Vince Camuto. This pairing shows more of the full length of my leg. This proportion is also better for petite women. A more fitted jacket would also flatter the petite woman.

These pants were supplied by Purple Poppy, and the jacket was supplied by ShopMyFairLady.

The opinions are my own.


I limit statement accessories to one area per look. Too many accessories and a bag that matches your shoes can look dated. I normally wear ankle pants and cute shoes without socks. The Kenneth Cole Reaction clutch is old from T.J.Maxx.



I hope you find these tips for wearing ankle pants helpful. They have been around for several years, and I see them offered in many different styles each season. They are here to stay for me!

17 comments:

  1. Susan...I really do not like the high-heeled, open toed look for you. Your legs look great in flats. Ditch those heels. Really!

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  2. OK Marlys, since I have invested several thousand dollars in these heels that I enjoy wearing, I doubt I will be ditching them anytime soon. I do wear flats more often during the day.

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  3. Thanks for posting today's comments on wearing pants. I always have trouble figuring out shoes to go with the pants. Those pants look very comfortable. There is another brand called Tribal which is very similar. They run about $80 a pair. I didn't think I would like to wear pull on pants but I do like the wider waistband which is very slimming.

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  4. I love this look on you, with the high heels. This is not a look I can wear, but I am a different shape, and ankle pants don't work. For me, it's dark boot-cut pants, with the new higher waist (hurray -- speaking of muffins, that's what low-rise pants do to me).

    Keep on wearing what looks good on you, Susan. You have it down to a science.

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  5. Both outfits are stunners! Wonderful to see you in Lissette L pants. As a proud Canadian, I love these pants. Just met Lisette and her daughter at a trunk show. Lots of fun styles for Spring 2016! Now about those heels; wear them proudly and walk tall!

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  6. Great looks. Thanks for the tips.

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  7. I think those heels, your legs and you are a great combination! Really don't get the "wear only flats" comment and respectfully disagree with it.

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  8. Both are great outfits with fabulous shoes Susan. Oh how I miss wearing high heels (sigh).
    And may I add it is so wonderful to see our talented Canadian designers getting global recognition.
    I'm lucky that where I live now I'm close to 3 stores that carry their line. Almost time to think spring! :)

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  9. Okay, I finally get it. By wearing a high-vamp shoe in gray, the line of the gray ankle pant is extended, visually elongating the leg. This subject is a tricky one! Do I get an A now?

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  10. I recently lost about 40 lbs myself, and I've found you're spot on when you say skinny pants, tailored jackets and tunics in solid colors are THE most flattering looks for my body type. I love your classic, elegant, yet comfortable style and am shamelessly guilty of copying it as closely as I can. Your blog and Polyvore collections are my go-to's as I recreate my wardrobe, but I'm on a perpetual quest to find high heeled strappy booties in a tad lower height. After 10 plus years in flats I'm finally enjoying heels again but can't quite do the 4" ones -- yet!

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  11. Hi Susan! I am new to your blog and have been reading through your archives to educate myself on how to find my style. I will be turning 50 this year and I want to enter my next 50 looking as fabulous as I feel:)! This post was quite helpful---thank you! What would you recommend as a starting point for someone like me who has no idea where to begin? I read your suggestion to find a style icon that you like and study what she wears and how to pair items. I think that's a great idea! Do you recommend finding someone with a similar body? I'm 5'3", so I get stumped on finding a celebrity that is around my height.

    Also, if you or any of your readers have some beginner tips, I'd love to hear them! After reading this post, I think I need to figure out what pant length would work best for me. I have nearly every type of pant out there--skinny, ankle length, boot cut, straight leg, etc. and I have no idea what looks best on me. Anyway, thanks for doing what you do, sharing your life with us and providing such great inspiration and practical tips!

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  12. Thank you for your comments goldenfosters. Reese Witherspoon is petite for one good example. Try taking a selfie of your outfit each day and make notes at the end of the day about how the outfit made you feel or how it fit. Study how the combination makes you look. Take note of the successful combinations so that you can repeat that formula. You are most welcome!

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  13. I'm amazed at how much longer your legs look in the second outfit!

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  14. Thanks for the helpful suggestions Susan!

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  15. Hi Susan,
    Just discovered your blog and loving it. Lots of good info. My question is - how would you dress that 40 lbs heavier you? I am 5'8" and really the only skinny part of me is my calves, ankles and feet. I am very active - biker, walker, gym rat, but still have a belly that I can't lose. Also a big time gardener (outside a lot) and chase after a 2 year old grandson most days, so I have to have practical clothes and shoes. However, I feel I've lost all sense of style in trying to dress practically and I'm not much of a shopper. Suggestions?

    Keep posting the great info!

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  17. Mimi, I would dress my 40 pounds heavier body in dark wash jeans with a simple scoop neck tank and crisp solid color shirt worn as a jacket with the sleeves turned up during the warmer months. In the cooler months, I would wear a nice navy jacket. The goal is to choose classic pieces that fit you well. Wear them with one or two pieces of jewelry or a nice scarf as an accessory. Classic, clean lines in solid colors work best for me. Thank you for your comments.

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You may also write to me at Susan@Fiftynotfrumpy.com.