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Friday, April 15, 2016

Walk on Wide Side

I hope you have enjoyed my experiment with breaking my personal style rules this week.



Certain lines and silhouettes look better on each body type. That doesn't mean you have to wear the same thing every day, but it is nice to know why some combinations look great on your body and others, not so much.




I rarely wear wide-leg pants because they turn me into a huge rectangle. I need the slimmer silhouette of straight leg, more narrow fitting pants, but I couldn't resist this unique style by Clara Sunwoo. These pants are made from the same very comfortable soft, flattering knit as the tunics you see me wear so often in warm weather.

This is the look I wore to brunch on Sunday at the Grove Park Inn. I attempted to make my top half look as neat and compact as possible to balance with the fullness of this fuller flowing pant style.

Photo from the Clara Sunwoo website.

There is a little tie wrap detail across the front so that you don't even realize they are pants until I walk or see me from the back. NOTE: If you order these pants, please size down. They do run large. I am wearing an extra small.




I wore them with my shortest tightest fitting white jacket over a slim fitting Chico's white tank top fully tucked in to balance the fullness. The white biker style jacket is from White House Black Market.

A key styling trick to remember is to balance the proportions of the top with the bottom. Two long flowing items worn together are rarely flattering on me. I find the looks that combine a narrow item with a wider item to be the most successful.

I want to share a safety note about wide-leg pants and long skirts. Stiletto heels are NOT a good idea with these items! The heels might get tangled in the fabric as you attempt to gracefully glide down the stairs. (Hmmm, could this be the voice of experience?) It is much safer and more balanced to wear these longer, fuller shapes with flats, platforms, or block heel shoes. 

This is the perfect pant silhouette for the pear-shaped body because it flows across your bottom half while bringing attention to your slimmer upper body.

Those cute little black and white flats I didn't know for sure that I would ever wear got a lot of "airtime" this week. They are by Circa Joan & David from Saks Off 5th. The gunmetal box clutch is old from T.J.Maxx.

17 comments:

  1. Not a fan of these pants on you!

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  2. This is a great look for you. These pants are a wonderful look for you; not quite pants, not quite a long skirt; feminine, fun & elegant. I have similar pants from Joseph Ribkoff and LOVE them. I think you have very successfully broken your rules this week! Thank you for your insight.

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  3. That's part of my teaching style. I have to show you what doesn't work as well as those looks that do so, that you can see an example.

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  4. One more comment about these pants ~ pictures do not do them justice - they are so fluid and soft when you walk in them. That is when they are at their best.

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  5. I think the pants are fine for a change up in looks. Appearing in the same style of clothing each day would be boring. I enjoyed seeing all the different styles this week!

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  6. I like this look on you. Very slimming. Love the jacket.

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  7. I think the pants are a fun look. I also loved seeing different styles this week. Thanks for all of the teaching tips.

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  8. This look is great for your shape. You look tall and slim. You CAN wear wide pants. You could wear a longer top as long as it had an empire waist or maybe a twist in the front, giving you a waistline with your endless legs below. A long jacket with a single button cinching the waist does the same. Love it!

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  9. I enjoyed seeing all the different looks this week. Your creative ideas and useful tips have been interesting! I think the wide leg pants have lots of potential for various seasons and occasions!

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  10. I have enjoyed this week of different looks. Thanks so much for taking the time to put them together. You always look fabulous no matter what you are wearing!

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  11. Love, love, love the pants. And the black and white flats. You have looked so good this week, yes, quite different from your usual style, but very good. Thanks for breaking your rules with all the fashionable and put together yet looking casual and effortless. Trish

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  12. I have enjoyed this week's series and I think that most of the outfits looked good on you, even if they weren't what you would normally wear. These pants are the exception. I think you look much better in ones that are more fitted. Thanks for making yourself vulnerable, however, and showing us a variety of styles.

    Elaine@Following Augustine

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  13. I love the pants...don't think they are "awful" on you but you definitely do look better in the slim-leg versions of pants. My legs and thighs are very thin so I can pull this style off, especially now that I've whittled my middle away and feel comfortable tucking in my tops. I still prefer slim-leg pants with flowing tops though. You have taught this 76 year old Grandmother SO much and she appreciates it a whole lot.

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  14. You insight is very helpful. Can you just come over to my house and go through my closet with me?

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  15. Interesting week Susan. Thanks for stepping out of your comfort zone to show us how you won't know if something works unless you five it a try.

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  16. Such fun pants! Wide legged pants can be tricky for sure! I like how you styled them and your explanations!

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  17. They're different, and a bit dressy. Looking at Clara Sunwoos web site it seems like she does drapey easy fits. I wouldn't put anything long and fluttery with them.
    I think they look good on you.
    I wonder if they appeal to women who're intent on dressing modestly or a draping apron tummy.

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