Have you found your go-to denim style in a post-stretchy skinny jean world yet? I certainly have—I’m loving high rise wide-leg jeans in 100% cotton. There’s just one problem (aside from having to hike up their legs in public washrooms mid-hover): They’re all I wear now.
I need to branch out—my winter-day looks are subtle variations of the exact same outfit (jeans, sweater, boots). In other words, my style’s gotten safe, predictable, boring. But what pants will ever be as appealing as good ol’ blue jeans?
Apparently, I’m not the only one asking this question—or with pant problems in general. Toronto-based stylist and fellow Substacker
tells me, “I feel like 95% of the time, pants are the reason people are struggling with their style.” It’s why she goes straight to the bottoms section of a client’s closet when she’s in their home for a wardrobe edit. “Find good pants, and the rest of the outfit will come together,” says Irene.So. I scoured the interweb to find three practical everyday styles that we can wear now through spring, plus the easiest ways to wear them.
Stretchy cropped flare
You know High Sport’s Kick Flared Stretch-Cotton Knit Pants? They’re the ones known as the pants, worn by “fashion editors, Substackers, and microinfluencers who fall somewhere in the middle of the Odeon-Erewhon Venn diagram,” according to The Cut. They’re loved for feeling like a yoga pant but looking like The Row—but also boast The Row-like prices at $890 USD per pair. For less expensive options, try Theory’s Core Kick Flare Crop Pants or Everlane’s The Dream Kick Flare Pant.
Wear with: A chunky knit for day and a subtle structured peplum at night.
Brown corduroys
"But what do you pursue when you feel done with jeans?" wrote
in one of her January newsletters. "I’ve been dancing around this question out loud for at least two years now and I think the closest I’ve come is here—with a pair of straight leg brown corduroy pants." The reason? They're versatile, warm, and offer the same level of comfort and dressiness as jeans. I prefer them with a flare: Try Reformation’s Cary High Rise Slouchy Wide Leg Corduroy Pants or Madewell’s The Perfect Vintage Flare Pant in Corduroy.Wear with: A white or black turtleneck or a t-shirt and blazer combo.
Latte knit pants
Consider ribbed knit pants in a coffee hue the outdoor version of your favourite faded-black sweatpants. They’ll keep you comfortable yet polished, offering a just-flew-private-from-Aspen look. For a cost-effective pick, try The Frankie Shop’s Berkeley Pants or Sézane’s Lazare Pants.
Wear with: A matching knit or a white oversized shirt.
What are your go-to pants (that aren’t jeans) right now? Let me know if the comments!
Until next Sunday,
Renée