When you get to play dress up in a beautiful location, in beautiful clothes with your friend/photographer, it’s a pretty fun time. Add a menagerie of lush plants and I’m happy as a clam.
Today I’m bringing you the second half of my Linen Pant series. Yesterday, I shared how to style linen pants and keep cozy. And today, I’m styling these pants into some warm weather looks, designed to have fun in!
Stay tuned at the end of this post for a discount code to Only Child, in celebration of these lovely pants AND the launch of their much-anticipated Spring 2019 collection!
But first, an ode to non-restricting pants. There are plenty of times when I am in the mood for some good structure in my outfit, by way of tailored canvas pants or hip-hugging jeans. But there are just as many (if not more) times when I am in the mood for some pants that make me feel relaxed. Thus, my affinity for flowy, elastic waist pants. They offer a hard-to-beat silhouette with little to no price to pay via comfort.
However, It’s really tempting when wearing something with an elastic waist to enter into ‘hyper-critical mode’ about my body. I start to go down a line of thinking that tells me I need to have a tiny, narrow waist, or these pants won’t look good. I fall prey to this idea that beauty is singular. I mentally beat myself and wonder why is my lower abdomen rounded and why do my pants feel two sizes too small by the end of the day?
I do not hold anyone else to this standard. In fact, I love all the body-positivity I am seeing these days from my favorite brands and influencers on social media. So why do I apply this very narrow standard of beauty to myself? It doesn’t make any sense. But I’m slowly, and gently working on giving myself permission to see the beauty in my body, just the way it is. And if you struggle in the some of the same ways I do, I hope you find a way to celebrate your beauty instead of looking for flaws.
Well OKAY! Who knew elastic waist pants would take us there? But it did, and I’m okay with that. Let’s get to the looks, shall we?
LOOK ONE: Light + Breezy
Styling these pants for winter is fun but, I have to say, styling them for warmer weather is even better. They feel celebratory and relaxing.
This oatmeal color is a perfect partner for all my white shirts. For a fun play on volume I added this loose and wide top to keep with the loose and beach-y vibe of the pants. Barely-there sandals help balance the volume of the fabrics, and the hat comes in nicely as the ‘third piece.’
Style Tip – Pairing unexpected proportions is a simple way to make a statement, use minimal shoes to create overall balance.
Outfit Details:
Alta Top in white linen, Only Child x Seasons + Salt (from Spring ’17, same in oatmeal linen) / Cove Pants* (M) in Oatmeal Linen, c/o Only Child** / Lark Sandals, c/o Beek / Hat, Brookes Boswell / Mobula Necklace, c/o Loop Jewelry – use code SEASONS15 to save 15%
LOOK TWO: Vintage Vibes
I love this look so much. It feels a little bold, but I am trying to get better at embracing my whimsy and go for bold outfits if that’s where my style-loving heart is leading me. Because, why not?
The controlled color palette helps keep this look in my wheelhouse (too many colors would definitely feel like ‘too much’ for me in a busy look like this). I added a few beloved items – a necklace from my husband I’ve had for a long time, and my favorite vintage sisal tote. It gives the look a ‘lived-in’ and ‘loved’ feel.
Style Tip – Playing with new silhouettes or style-boundary-pushing pairings? Control the color palette if you want to tone it down (or conversely, go for monochrome to make a bigger impact).
Outfit Details:
Baronne Duster, Esby (sold out, try this instead) | Tank, c/o Yala | Cove Pants* (M) in Oatmeal Linen, c/o Only Child** / Lark Sandals, c/o Beek / Vintage Sisal Bag, Etsy
LOOK THREE: Classic Clean Lines
This look feels very ‘classic Andrea,’ probably because you’ve seen me wear these mules many, many times, and this shirt quite a bit over the last few years. I love it when a new item in my closet gives new life to what I already own. It’s a much better feeling than when I feel like I have to run out and buy more new things to make it work.
I like how the tied waist brings clean lines and an overall hour glass silhouette to this look. Now all I need is some warm weather!
Style Tip – When considering a purchase, ask yourself if it will bring new life to old favorites, or if it will send you shopping for more items to ‘make it work’?
Outfit Details:
Luzon Tie Top (from Spring ’17), c/o Only Child (same in solid black) | Cove Pants* (M) in Oatmeal Linen, c/o Only Child** / Mariella Mule, c/o Nisolo / Necklace, gift from my husband
*A quick note on the fit of the Cove Pants. I featured the same style, but the tencel version, back in the fall. Since then, Only Child has updated the fit of the pants to give them a taller rise, making them extra comfy and flattering. I’m a big fan of the update!
**Use code ‘Seasons15’ to save 15% off at Only Child right now. It’s good on anything in their shop, including their brand new Spring 2019 line.
This blog post is not sponsored, but it does contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, or use my discount code with Only Child I will make a small commission, at no extra charge to you. All photography by Kiara Rose, special thanks for her help in styling the plants!
I love the last look.
Thanks Sarah, me too!! It’s an easy-peasy one!
When does the code expire?
Hi Rose, we haven’t set a closing date yet for the code yet, but we usually do about two weeks! I’ll update the post when we do.
Thank you! I love that there isn’t a big rush, which allows me to make better decisions. :)
❤️❤️❤️
Do you have the same size in both linen and tencel? I have the older version of the tencel pants and found the waist a little snug in the size small. Do you find the linen are more giving? Thanks! Katie
I do have the same size, both are mediums. I don’t know if they changed the measurements for the waist, but the pants fit me very roomy, more roomy than the first pair. I think the higher rise allows me to wear them a little higher in the waist, at a smaller point in my torso. I hope that helps! I do know they have all the garment measurements on their site, which might help!
Is your Luzon tie top a small or medium? Your post has me excited for spring!
It is a medium! I am excited too!! We finally have some spring-like weather coming too, and I’m over the moon!
These are all lovely. I love the tank tucked into the pants.
Thank you so much Erika!! I like that one a lot too. :) Very excited for spring now!
Soooo close to arm bearing weather! I rode home with only long sleeves today (no coat) for the first time in 2019. I love those sandals – such great details!
Yayyyyyy! And the forecast is AMAZEBALLS!! Thank you, the sandals are really fun. :)
How badly do they wrinkle? Linen is so lovely and light in the summer, but it does tend to wrinkle something fierce.
Hi Valerie, the wrinkle factor depends on the weight of the linen, the lighter, the more prone to wrinkles. Heavier weight linen (like these) are still wrinkle prone, but it’s not as bad in my opinion. I wore these pants over the weekend, and I’ll show the pics in my blog post this week, hopefully that will help you get some perspective.
I totally agree with what you say regarding being nice to your own body and not always wanting to change something about it.
I can look at other women with less volumineus boops than me with some envy because my boops sometimes make it difficult for me to wear some clothes that I really love.
But I never want an operation to change them, so I need to work with them and not around them :-)
The pants are great and I love the first outfit you made with it.
Here (in the Netherlands) this style of clothing is not seen so often, so reading this (an other US blogs) make me feel less alone in my love for wide leg pants and cropped, flowy tops ;-)
Exactly Martine!!!
Thank you for your kind words about the outfits, I had fun styling the pants. That is so interesting to hear! What types of styles are people into in the Netherlands? I think your weather is similar to ours in Portland (rainy).
For us clothing need to be pratical.
We use a lot of bikes, women take their kids to school by bike, I get to work by bike (when the weather allows it hahahaha) so cloths need to be pratical.
It’s as if the trends get here, after they are no longer trendy anywhere else (if you get me).
And “just act normal, that is already grazy enough” that is also typical for our culture.
So no need to make too much of an effort of your clothing.
I always try to find something similar here, like the wide leg cropped pants of Everlane, but I end up with nothing or I order it online anyway.
The term “slow fashion” has not landed here yet but we do have ethical brands but, to me, it has not the wauw factor like Elisabeth Suzann nor the good basic style of Everlane….
Can’t wait to get to the US next year!
So interesting! It’s been a bit since I’ve been to the Netherlands, but I do remember being stunned by all the women transporting kids via bike in nice clothes. It was so impressive!! Here when people bike to work (my husband included) they sort of get all ‘geared out’ in biking clothes.
Love how you styled these, Andrea! I especially love the duster layered over the wide legs – so cute!
Thanks so much Brianna! I am so very excited for spring!
Do you have ES Florence pants too? Would be very interested in hearing how they compare!
Hi Kathryn, I have never tried the ES Florence Pants, so not sure how they compare! From a quick glance it looks like these ones might be a tad longer, and maybe a bit more relaxed in fit through the hip. If I find someone who has both, I’ll let you know! 😅
Thanks!!
These photos are so beautiful! All three looks are great, with the first two being my favorites. I appreciate what you wrote at the intro for this post, about how elastic waist pants can bring on some insecurities and negative self-talk. I just read this post today, and happen to be wearing ES linen pants, and had this exact experience. Thank you for your candor and normalizing an ongoing struggle I also have with body image and self-love ❤️
Thank you for your words Rosa! I am glad that resonated with you. I feel like normalizing this is a key to hopefully overcoming the struggle. Our bodies are so amazing! I bet your ES pants look beautiful on you.
I absolutely love all of these looks, Andrea! They couldn’t be more on point for me, as I’ve been planning to have my spring/summer wardrobe revolve around elastic waist flowy linen pants. Thank you for giving me not only confidence in this choice but also outfit planning inspiration and practical advice!
It’s my pleasure! I am wearing them today and they feel so good. I think having your spring/summer wardrobe revolve around elastic waist flowy linen pants is an EXCELLENT strategy.