Restyling an Outfit
Happy Tuesday ladies. It’s only been a week since I told you I’d be taking Tuesday and Thursday off from the blog (to get more accomplished behind the scenes), and I’m back already. I did get a fair amount done on that one day off but going forward, it’ll be most accurate to say that there will be some days I do not come into your email box. I can’t say with certainty, which days they will be but don’t be surprised when it happens. Today I am restyling a wide leg pants outfit.
I was returning a tee shirt that didn’t match the color I needed when I spotted this mannequin yesterday.
I like the wide-leg pull-on pants but wondered at their choice of top. When I checked for the label, I saw that the pants were almost doubled in the back and pinned heavily.
Here I am in the outfit. Nothing wrong with each piece but I’m not fond of flutter sleeves on me so I looked for alternatives.Ā
I’ve always liked black with this shade of sage green so I tried this button-front, soft Sanctuary tank that has a working drawstring at the waist. The length is better and having a closer fit is a better shape with the wide-legged pants.
Here, I tried a more structured, sweetheart neck ribbed sweater with a broad square neckline. I like the contrast of a knit with a wide leg.
Then I tried some color with this Nic&Zoe top and their 4-way Convertable Cardigan. The colors in the tank are strong for the sage green but the soft cardigan tones it down. I also like the visual weight the tank and cardigan provide.
Would you look twice at this mannequin?
Thanks for reading and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
Iām loving the loose wide leg pants. Theyāre very comfortable and cool.
The pants arenāt just wide in the leg, they are wide everywhere! I have some that are much more narrow in the thigh area, so they donāt make my 5ā4ā self look any shorter. The best looks you created to improve the boring mannequin look are the ones with a waist length top. Love the black with the pant color, but those tops still seem too long for the most flattering fit with pants.
I love the coral top and cardigan left open. It would be cute with black or white pants. Not a fan of the wide leg sage pants. They overwhelm your petite frame.
I absolutely love that sweetheart neckline on you! I think the black is smashing, even though I know you’re trying to get away from it.
The pants look great for around the house , lounging. I think these pants would make make me look overweight and sloppy. I am 5ā 2ā so I donāt think it would work for me. There is nothing slimming about them . The top is just not interesting to me , so would pass on it . Thanks for modeling these clothes.
What a wonderful surprise today — you appeared in my mailbox! Love your posts!
The mannequin is dorky. Not wild about wide-leg pants and the flutter sleeve top – just no. However, the pants with the sleeveless black sweater looks very nice on you. Like others have noted, who on earth is styling the mannequins? You should!
I love the pants – the color, fabric, style. Great summer pants. However I do not like the top. To me the top is sloppy looking. I would pair it with a tank top or fitted jersey, or blouse tucked in with a belt for accent.
As others have said I would have passed this by due to the flutter sleeve. However, I do LOVE wide legs. I struggled with skinny pants unless I could wear knee boots and or great tunic. I think, @ 5ā3ā, they work for me because I am short waisted and usually wear long not cropped. My legs actually look longer and I always do a tuck, partial tuck or my current love a crop top. (5ā3ā and short waisted, they are a ānormalā length on me š.)
Thank you for these suggestions for the sage pants. I have a body type similar to yours, not tall, and I have wide shoulders so I like a “uni” look. Anything that emphasizes my top (ruffles, puffy sleeves) make me look like a football player. I bought the sage pants with a sage tee to match, but it’s definitely bland. I love the idea of a smart black fitted top, and your idea of the coral.
Iām not a fan of the wide leg pants.
You did a great job of making them look so much betterā¦especially with the 2 black tops!
I really donāt like wide pants. I know they are in style but just look awful on me.
So Miss Mannequin would not get a second look from me. However, I did like the tops you chose.
I would not look twice at that display. I really am glad there are a variety of pants for people to choose from, but I am not a fan of wide legged pants. My daughter loves them! I prefer slim legged pants.
So glad to see you in my in box today. I would never of looked twice at this display. I truly donāt think the wide leg pants look good on anyone unless you are very tall and slim. They gave a wide boxy look to you (sorry) and make most people look shorter than they are. Not many of us want that. If I had to pick one of your redoās it would be the black tops, either one.
I wouldn’t have probably noticed this mannequin. I still can’t seem to get behind wide leg pants. The outfit looked better on you for sure. I liked it best with the black tops. Good to hear from you today!
My favorite top with the sage pants is the button front tank, but I almost never wear something sleeveless without a little topper over it. I really like arm coverage. Was there anything there that might work?
I hunted for a sheer or very lightweight, waist length black cardigan but didnāt find one in the store.
What a nice surprise to hear from you this Tuesday!
I would walk right by this mannequin; I think the two pieces look much better on you! That said, the two black tops look best to me. Mainly because I do not care for the orange colors with the pants. I do like the silhouette, however, of the cardigan with the tank.
I often wonder who Nordstrom hires to dress these mannequins and if they are aware of how important the results can be.
The mannequin is uninspired, it makes me wonder if the store has a display person on staff. White and soft green, are almost invisible, in a store full of clothes. The displays seem over complicated, or over simplified lately.
My first thought was to add color, maybe lavender, or two colors, lavender and pink, a colored hat, colored shoes, etc. And remove the white top.
Great instincts
Nothing about this look appeals to me. Thereās just too much fabric around the waist but then Iām an apple shape. True, the wide legs & top are cooler but not flattering for me at all.
I love seeing you in my email & it was a pleasant surprise this morning!
Good morning! I missed everyone on my day off š
Hi, Jennifer. I agree with you and everyone else about these pants needing a more fitted top. In looking for a suitable fitted top, would a small print top that incorporated the sage color and coral (or another soft summer color) in it work? A little of the sage color on top might better elongate the body and provide a more cohesive look. Just a thought. Thanks for the fashion challenge today!
Great point, Bea. Having a bit of the sage in a small print would be great for continuity and elongating.
The clothes on the mannequin wouldn’t catch my eye. The colors don’t say summer to me.
Though not a style I’d wear because of the flutter sleeve (have long slender arms); I do like the T-Shirt because of its detailing but feel it would work much better with slimmer bottoms that has a defined waistband. As to your styling with the wide leg pants; my favourite is the buttoned tank as IMHO and not to offend, doesn’t accentuate your broad shoulders yet still provides balance to the eye. Also I do like its length as doesn’t demand an under-tuck (or tuck-in).
-Brenda-
No offense taken. My shoulders are what they are š I prefer to wear shapes that help them look as balanced as possible.
Today, summer officially begins but the country has already experienced extreme heat and humidity! Last evening we had our 2nd storm of the season that recorded 80 mph winds!
Regardless of the tendency to wrinkle, hats off to all cotton or linen clothing. The pants you featured do need that trimmer, more fitted top. The same principle with a maxi skirt. My favorite restyle was with the sleeveless black top.
I canāt tell you how many times I had a restyle episode not knowing why a certain outfit just didnāt work for me. Your blog has opened my eyes to so many basic concepts. As my body continues to change, I need a constant stream of refreshing ideas to keep a positive outlook. Who knows what surprises these next years may unfold.
Thatās quite a windstorm! Wrinkling fabric still bothers my persnickety self but theyāre so cool to wear I work to get over it.
Love the wide leg pants with the black sweetheart sweater. You look wonderful in all the outfits as usual. Have a great week Jennifer!!
I agree with everything Dianne said!
Thanks, Dianne
The only thing that would catch my eye on the mannequin is the sandals. I love the way you styled the outfit. The black sweetheart top and pant looks great as does the fitted coral. I agree fitted tops with wide leg pants is more flattering.
The metallic is cute!
I believe this shop needs to hire you as a consultant!! Your choices were amazing in bringing style to an otherwise “not a second look” to a mannequin.
I love the pants. Te best look on you was the black sleeveless top. I have totally embraced the wide look pants this summer, mostly linen. They are so comfortable and cool. A great alternative to shorts. I do think the key to wearing this style pants, is pairing it with a more fitted top.
I am surprised if anyone would give this mannequin a second look. ā¦definitely not inspiring. You look great in the relaxed slacks and the various topsā¦ displaying different options. I would not buy the white top with the fluttered sleeves. I have broad shoulders and this one is not flattering.
My broad shoulders are not flattered by it either š
The original mannequin I would not look twice at. But you brought the soft green wide leg pants alive with the V-neck button front top. My very favorite look is with the bright colors at the end of the post. I am a short 5ā1ā apple shape and try not to cut my vertical line. But loving these bright colors on you.
I would walk past that mannequin. I like how you styled the pants with different tops but the pants still look too full to me. Maybe a black cami/tank and a fitted jean jacket?
Cami and denim jacket would be nice
The black sweetheart neck sweater is my favorite look with these wider leg pants. Proportion seems right.
I agree the mannequin needs serious help. There is nothing āappetizing ā in this display.