It’s no secret around here that I am purposing to purchase fewer and better items for my closet. If you want to know my reasons you can read them all here. After seeing the wide-leg pant silhouette everywhere this spring and summer, I knew I wanted to add a pair for fall. I actually purchased these back in July, but have been sitting on them till now, saving them for the fall.
[flare jeans, Madewell / shirt, Everlane / boots, Aldo, old (ethically made shooties)(dream boots) / bracelet / bag / necklace, Loop Jewelry]
Styling…
Believe it or not, these pants are harder to style than I expected. They pull 70’s or western so easily. I really tried to think through modern pairings so I didn’t feel like I was back in college again wearing flare jeans and wedge flip flops. I wore these jeans over the weekend with a buffalo plaid shirt and jean jacket, big mistake. Talk about cowgirl city. Fortunately I returned home a few hours later and de-cowgirled. Like every fashion “risk,” there is a learning curve. This look here works a lot better because of the modern and boxy cut of the t-shirt, along with the geometric jewelry, both modern pairings. Honestly, I think high waist pants look best with crop tops, but I don’t have many (or any) of those in my wardrobe, so styling these is going to be interesting. Perhaps I’ll style them like this, with a white button up, or like this with chambray on denim. I also really like this look (bottom right-hand corner) where the jeans are paired with a loose and flowy top. Accessories and hairstyle will also be key to consider.
Speaking of accessories, please say hello to my newest piece by the lovely and talented Lauren Greenwalt of Loop Jewelry. She is every bit as nice and friendly as she is talented. I had the pleasure of meeting her over the summer after she invited me to pick out a necklace. Lauren makes all of her pieces by hand in her Portland home. She has an eye for texture and shape. Her line is a nod to the Art Deco era of past married with a modern vibe. I simply love her work, which you can also see me wearing here and here.
Length…
The length of wide leg jeans is always tougher than skinnies, which can pair with flats and heels. With wide-leg jeans there is a commitment. You either commit to wearing them with flats or heels, depending on which hem length you go with. I chose the low heel hem-line. Unfortunately for me, I think the tailor did not take enough off. :( I have a few pairs of taller boots I will try them with or maybe I will return to the tailor. Still undecided on that one. Over time jeans seem to creep up anyway, so perhaps they will get a bit shorter on their own.
More on My Fall Closet…
Honestly, I am starting to get a little tired of hearing the term “capsule” because it’s definitely everywhere right now. It makes me think of this Portlandia skit where Fred Armisen’s character keeps deeming ‘cool’ activities “so over” because the ‘everday guy’ is doing them. Not that I truly feel that way, nor can I by any means claim to have originated the idea, I have just been doing it for a while. I was lucky enough to have found Caroline’s blog almost right after she started it and was quickly drawn into her approach to wardrobe building.
This fall I have been toying with not doing a capsule for the first time in more than a year. However as I have been slowly rolling out my fall clothes from storage I notice my closet looking more and more over-packed. The final straw for me was earlier today when I was considering a geometrical print cardigan from a few years back. It seemed ‘good enough’ for possibly wearing and not getting rid of, but when I considered whether it would withstand the chopping block of capsule list, it got a thumbs down. And, once again, I realized why capsules are so good for me. Style clarity. I guess I better get on that!
We will probably have one more week or less of hot weather and then I will get my buns in gear and select my pieces for my fall capsule, which of course I’ll share with you lovely folks here. :) What about you guys? Will you be ‘capsuling’ this fall?
I think you did a great job styling your flares, although I agree they can be tricky. My favorite pairing is a black or white button-up shirt (silk if you’re daring or don’t mind hand-washing), tucked in for a clean, modern twist on the seventies trend. Alas, it’s still waaaay too hot where I am to even think about pants – I’ll live vicariously through your fall!
I love it! That’s kind of what I have in mind for styling them too. Just need the shirts, LOL. Might try out my husband’s… Hope your weather cools down soon! :)
I have been wanting a pair of these flares. When I go to Chicago later this month I hope to find a Madewell store so I can try them on in person. Jeans shopping rarely works for me online…. I hadn’t really thought about what to pair them with. Hmmm……
I will not be doing the capsule; although my summery tops will go into a tote under my bed for the winter, as do my heavy sweaters in the summer. I have given myself free reign on the rest of my closet through to mix and match and use throughout the seasons. I have also made the commitment this fall to only buy 3 new things, and when I do 3 things need to go to consignment. I have replaced my skinny jeans and hope to add a pair of flares and a long sleeved, flowy, dressier blouse to the mix. Looking forward to seeing the fall combos you come up with and really looking forward to see how you pair the flares! :-)
Rebecca, I like your “rules”! Especially the three “in” three “out” rule. Good call! Makes you really think about how much you might want something…
As for the Madewell jeans, they run pretty long, I have long legs and they were still pretty long on me. But I believe Madewell offers free hemming!
I decided not to officially, properly capsule this season, partially because I had already planned the whole thing and was not especially excited about the result, but also because the new styles coming out now are exciting to me and I want to give them a try. I’m also into the idea of flares this season, but I haven’t worn them since high school and can’t conceive of tying down a whole slot in my capsule with something I’m unsure of. I think that’s one of the few issues with capsules- they have little leeway for experimentation and incorporating new styles or colors. I’m excited to see where this season takes me!
Kate
kateintheclassroom.com