Party Pants
It’s a sure bet no one is going to holiday parties this year so I propose we add a touch more fun to our everyday look. This whole lockdown thing has me looking at color in a whole new light. If you recall, I had four virtual, personal color consultations which all typed me a different season.
I loved colors from each of the 4 pallets so rather than limiting me, the process has liberated me to wear whatever color appeals, then upping my makeup if it’s less than flattering:) If you’ve read me for any length of time you know that today’s outfit is a real departure for me. The pants are red and they’re patterned. Two things I seldom, if ever wear…before now!
Plaid pants
These are J.Jill’s best selling high-rise bi-stretch pants. I could have dabbled in pattern with the navy plaid which is a lower contrast…but I decided to go all-in with this red and black. They feel like happy pants and I couldn’t be more surprised to find I like them.
As with most J. Jill, they’re available in petite, regular, women’s (plus), and tall. I’m wearing a 6 petite which seems a touch long on me so I may be shrinking;)
Sweater
I toned down the preppy factor by styling them with my trusty, 
Footwear
I intentionally chose simple boots (
Accessories
I bought my sunglasses for the shape, then had Lens Crafters put my prescription in them. My necklace is a unique one I bought in a small boutique during our travels a few years ago. It adds just enough sparkle for me to not go overboard with these pants.
MORE PLAID PANTS
What fashion or color have you tried since this lockdown that has surprised you?
I love this outfit on you, so festive! Iām in the mindset of wearing what colors I like too. My husband always tells me certain colors like pink donāt look good on me because Iām blond and fair, well today I bought a pink sweater haha. Girls like pink, at least this one does!
I bet it looks great on you, too:)
I love the pants! Everlane has great cashmere, I purchased two this fall and love them! I like the black sweater with the pants but I might wear a white blouse with it since black up top is too draining on me.
Love this outfit on you. It screams āHappy Holiday Girlā.
Thanks for reminding us to ādress for lifeā.
We are off on a holiday for Christmas, so I splurged on a lovely red dress to wear Christmas Day (at a restaurant, so I have upped the ante) and a navy one for a catch up lunch with friends. I haven’t worn red for years, but decided I needed some colour. The plaid trousers look great on you Jennifer, but not so much me with my saddlebag thighs. But, I am finally going to wear the wide leg trousers I bought earlier having finally found the perfect sandal to wear with them.
This is one of your best outfits !
Wow, thanks Julie!
I love your move to plaid trousers. I too have plaid pants & the opportunities for different tops is amazing. I am 81 yrs old with very silver hair so wear lots of colours.
I love your blog; you are so honest …who talks about their bunion.
My bunion likes to speak for itself…too often if I am wearing snug shoes:) Thanks for being here, Nancy.
Love the plaid on you, so much fun!
I enjoyed your series on color a lot. I have been typed (in person) as several different seasons myself. Your series convinced me to lighten up a little, ignore the advice, and wear what I like on me! Iām now enjoying warm and cool colors equally, although I find I like them in the mid tones (not too pale or too bright). Thatās a big change for me. Camel is my favorite new color.
Awesome!! I love to hear that. I have never worn camel before this fall and I love it.
To me this is a simple but classic Christmas outfit. I love the colors and the outfit look festive while comfortable!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Thanks, Linda, Merry Christmas to you as well.
I love that outfit on you! If I had legs like yours, I’d definitely wear that too š
Since I have “thunder thighs”, I wear dark solid colors below the waist. I do like many colors, patterns, and prints but I only wear them above the waist.
Thanks for reminding us to still dress up, even when there’s no party to go to.
Thanks, Joan. We need to make a party where we are and dress for our lives.
Love the party pants. They look great on you and would be so fun! I’ve been wearing more plaid then I ever have this year. Very comfy for staying home so much
Love the party pants! Good for you to try something outside of your comfort zone – and like it!
There are flowers blooming where you live? How nice!
I wouldn’t say blooming exactly, but they are hanging on by a thread.
Gosh, Jennifer, you look truly stunning in this outfit. It’s obvious that you didn’t overindulge during the Thanksgiving holiday! You’re an inspiration!
Thanks so much, Judy. I worked hard to peel off a few pounds since getting home from our trip to Canada.
Cute outfit. Very festive. Perfect accessories
Love the pants on you and I love the sweater with Vee neck too ( I have it) . Boots are perfect wuth this outfit and you look so youthful and happy!
I must invest in a pair of patterned pants very soon!
Happy Tuesday!
Happy Tuesday, Paulette!
So youthful looking on you!
Love the pants! Neutrals always look very elegant, and I try them from time to time, but I am a color and pattern girl. The brighter the better. I started working in a bank about 4 years ago, I specifically asked if there was a color limitation or dress code. Business casual and the Bank logo on a top was the answer. Since then, they may have wished theyād been a little more restrictive. I have plaid pants, flowered pants, flowered dresses, paisley skirts-you name it, I have it. All are tasteful and worn with the Bank logo. Iāve even inspired a few other women to branch out a little. Clothes should be flattering and fun.
I love this outfit and I have 4 pairs of the plaids which I love to wear. Red is a great festive color and I think itās appropriate for the holidays.
This outfit is just right on you, Jennifer!
The V-neck on the sweater is flattering.
The sweater is lighter weight and a touch more fitted, so it shows that you have a waist.
The pants add just a little visual fullness so you don’t look at all top-heavy.
Compare to past photos and you’ll see the difference.
Your pants are fabulous and I subscribe to the idea of wear what you feel good in and up the make-up if needed. Actually those pants look about the right length for proper dress-trouser length. Unless you have a Tailor who does the correct hemming you will be stuck with a straight-around hem….a Tailor makes the front of the pants hem just a tough shorter so it sits across the shoe perfectly and the back is a wee bit longer so it does not catch in the shoe as you walk. We have lost a lot with fast fashion and ready-mades and most people think that a Tailor is Moore’s suits (all ready-made men’s suits). The current trend of very short pants look strange unless we wear sandals or flats. It would be nice to go back to fewer clothes that are actually made well and made to fit. “sigh”
@Lauren – Though I consider myself a hobby sewer; I totally agree with you as have seen myself alter a leg length just a smidgen, in order to accomplish what you describe …. āŗ.
@Jennifer – Do like these pants on you and the no detail boots IMHO are perfect with this outfit.
I remember hemming my pants that way, even when I wasn’t sewing them from scratch.
I love the outfit! I would definitely wear it ..very festive for the season! I must say…I like the look of V neck sweaters on you! I have been eyeing those sweaters for months… I should just bite the bullet and purchase one.
I like pattern in pants. Striped, flowered, geo, I like them all. But in only two neutrals plus a third color. Gray, white and purple stripe is one of my favorite pair. It makes it easy to just pull a neutral top and you’re done. I don’t have plaid but I love buffalo plaid flannel shirts so I would wear a pair if I had them. They give a holiday vibe. Just don’t suggest combining with your favorite ugly Christmas sweater š¬
I love buffalo plaid too!
What a beautiful combination of color and style! Iām thinking that the key to plaid or patterned pants is the fit. Not too big, not too tight but just right! We just donāt know what might work for us if we never try. Thanks for planting another seed for thought! I did wear plaid pants many years ago and hadnāt really given them much thought lately. Hmmmm. . . .
Love the outfit on you. Your blog is always informative and coveys your warmth and humor. Just saying, your hair looks lovely in these photos. Have a wonderful holiday, one that we will certainly
not forget.
Thank you, Candace!
Looks great! In fact, I am going to copy your outfit today as I have a similar pant and shirt!! I think this is going to be a favorite of mine from now on!
Yay, how fun!!
Love the pants! Wouldn’t work for me but look great on you.
I love those pants on you, Jennifer! I, too, can be pattern phobic, but those pants are a little more subtle since there are only two colors in the plaid. I remember that plaid pants were a thing when I was in high school in the 70ās. I had at least two pair, and one had a matching blazer!
I actually bought a pair of plaid pants (a first for me) this fall which I wore a lot when we were still able to go out. Now that we are in lockdown, and because the pants are lighter weight, I thought I may wear them in the house over the holidays with a big white shirt and black velvet slippers. Nobody but my hubby and the dog will see me, but I’m feeling the need for a little bit of fancy right now. Still debating on a New Year’s outfit – maybe leggings with a long sequined sweater.
I like that outfit on you Jennifer. It’s fun to get out of our comfort zone every so often.
I love the sound of your outfit fr around the house. We have to shake things up and enjoy as best we can.