Since losing weight last fall, I’ve been fairly considered in rebuilding my wardrobe, skewing mainly toward neutral colours in reasonably conservative, simple shapes. Prints have been limited, although I did choose two very graphic prints in JCrew’s knit linen summer tops and loved pairing these with my white jeans for a simple, strong look. . . They also work well with my navy pencil skirt and with dark jeans or black pants. . . .
Still, I resolved to continue being very careful about adding new prints; in fact, not really needing any item in particular, my wander through the Robson Street shops a week or two ago was intended mainly as a reconnaissance mission. With no major obvious holes in my wardrobe, I had the luxury of looking for one or two pieces to renew my enthusiasm for Front-of-the-Class Fall dressing — a perfect piece in some rich neutral that captured this Fall’s look while being classic enough to enjoy for many Autumns to come . . .
And then I spotted theseslim-cut sweatpants at J. Crew . I’ve never been much for a jogging/sweatpant, but I’ve really been loving the Aritzia cotton cargo joggers I picked up in olive this spring. Solid olive. A neutral. These toile-printed sweatpants, though, take the “trendy” factor of the athletic profile and complicate it with the additional Trend quotient of a print (did I just mix up my arithmetic metaphors?). In their favour, however, the print — yes, a wee bit wild, but what Francophile can resist a toile print for very long? — is practically a neutral by virtue of its black on grey, right? And the athletic effect is mitigated by the slimness of the profile. I happened to be wearing Vince d’Orsay flats, nude, pointy-toe, and that also mitigated the “jock” aspect, not that I might not occasionally wear these with my black Converse. . . .
No point carrying out the suspense, is there? You already know that I brought these pants home with me, and I’ve already come up with many different ways to style them. I’m convinced that I can make them look polished enough for my (admittedly rather casual) academic workplace, while nonetheless feeling as comfortable as if I were in pyjamas! But before I tell you how I plan to do that, I’d love to know: Would you consider a printed sweatpant? Do you think the slim jogger is a possibility for you this Fall? And how would you style a pant like this either for a casual workplace or just for hanging out?
I would consider these pants ( after all they're toile) and probably wear a black cashmere or merino v-neck and the Converse. Silver hoop earrings would be a nice addition.
Yes! I like this styling and it's close to one of the ways I'll wear this.
I LOVE those joggers. Of course, you know I'm on board with the style, but I particularly love the pattern…
Isn't it fun?! and maybe the teensiest bit sophisticated?
I adore that print. I tried on the similar sweatshirt, but it was just too stiff and boxy. How's the fabric on those? If drapey enough I might give them a try.
I find them drapey enough, and I expect they'll wash up to be even more so. They're just stiff enough to seem as if they won't immediately bag out, but it's been too warm here to test that theory by much wearing.
Funny you should mention it, I was looking at a pair of slim jogging pants online the other day, and thinking they'd be great for travel, but they were a dark, solid colour. I'm not sure if I'd go for the print … Of course, as you say, the colours and the classic print make these pants perhaps a bit more wearable.
I really appreciated the slim olive cargo joggers I brought travelling this summer — so much more wearable than jeans in the heat. I'd ruled out printed ones, but just couldn't resist these — understand your hesitance, because it was/should be? mine as well.
I love the print. Haven't really thought about sweat pants for eons, but it's fun to see how things go round and round in the fashion world. I'd probably wear them with a semi-fitted tunic or long shirt and ballet flats.
It does all come around again, doesn't it, with just enough of a switch-up to keep it interesting. I think ballet flats and a longer top would work well, and I'm thinking of trying these with a long-ish white shirt and flats.
Those pants are cool and I would definitely consider them, depending on whether the fabric was stiff or soft..
I could absolutely see you in these, Mardel, perhaps with a long top or sweater you've sewn or knit.
I'd definitely go for the printed sweat pants. Hmmm let's see…I'd undoubtedly pair them with a black, long sleeve, Gap tee shirt (love Gap for long sleeve tees) and a black cropped jacket, my big silver hoop earrings and silver bracelets. That's pretty much my recipe for wearing colourful or printed bottoms. Oh…and black or white Converse shoes esp with the structured jacket. OR hmmmm…. a long, slim, silky cream or white tunic or shirt, black flats and same silver jewelry. Can't wait to see what you've done with them. Oh….the suspense.
That's the spirit! All of those stylings could get you from your high school classes (if you weren't now living the retirement dream) to shopping and lunch with girlfriends or even dinner and a movie with your man. Nice demonstration of the versatility of these pants. . .
Nope. In my opinion, sweatpants are not workwear for people who work outside of the home. (Freelancers can wear whatever they like, natch.) Of course, that's my East Coast/Spanish bias showing. I can't imagine I'll see similar joggers on professional women of my age in Madrid, except perhaps on the weekend. The young things, well, we'll see. That said, I'll defend to the death your right to wear them where and how you see fit.
I like the confident clarity of your style rules, even though they're not mine. I'm guessing you don't see any kind of denim as appropriate to the workplace either. Am I right? I have to say that the styling (Converse and half-tucked shirt) makes these look much more casual than they can be. With a structured jacket and a pointed-toe flat, they read much more polished. Thanks for having my back when it comes to my right to wearm then wherever! 😉
No, denim is OK for work as long as it's a "nice" (not ratty or baggy) jean. You see women in Madrid wearing (tight-ish) jeans with heels or flats and blazers to work. They'll be accessorized with a pretty scarf and an elegant bag. The look is pulled-together, casual but chic.
I'll try to take some pictures for the blog next week when everyone's back from vacation — though it's still so hot (35C), not many blazers and scarves are likely be in the offing. The standard hot weather uniform is a pretty shift dress with flats, sandals, or alpargatas (espadrilles).
I'd love to see some photos if you can manage them.
Bang on trend! Printed trousers (byxa) are all the rage in Stockholm and I fell hard for them and now wear them all the time with silver ballet pumps and a thin cashmere jumper or t-shirt depending on the weather. Very comfortable and stylish.
Good to know, thanks! re the Stockholm stylishness I might be catching up to. Your interpretation sounds so simple and elegant — and comfortable and stylish! Yay!
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