I love my fancy pants. I actually bought these babies...OMG...wait...6? No...7 years ago? Could that be true? Anyway, these are one of my favorite things to pull on when I'm having a "I'm too cold to go out and WAAAY to cold to pull on a cocktail dress" moment.
I am usually having one of these moments every weekend Dec - April. Brrrr!
Like many of the other styles we've highlighted in our Holiday Styling Tips For Moms series, if you've pulled on a pair of fancy pants, all you really need is a comfy shirt, some bling-y jewelry, and a great clutch! Extra bonus points for fab shoes, but when it's really cold, I turn to my stiletto books with really warm, wooly socks. Nobody can see the socks.
In this pic, I've paired my velvet tux pants with a my basic J. Crew ribbed tank (which J. Crew is showing in their sleepwear section - nice), and threw on a few strands of pearls, and diamond costume jewelry.
I actually wore these pants to a Christmas party last year with a gray t-shirt. No joke. The thing I like most about this style of dressing (besides being insanely comfortable) is the fact that you can go BANANAS with jewelry. In fact, as a simple rule, the more basic your top, the more you can pile it all on.
However, since your Fancy Pants are...well...fancy, they can easily be dressed up. If your shindig is more formal than festive, and you are really dreading the gown, in all but the most strict cases you can pull off fancy pants with an equally fancy shirt. And fab shoes, jewelry, etc.
In this pic, I've paired my fancy pants with my new go-to holiday top: Banana Republic's Silk Tiered Top. This top has a low enough neckline to flatter a big bust, is A-line to hide stomach poochiness, and the flutter sleeves are big enough to forgive arm sins. This top comes in a bunch of festive colors and is on sale at bananarepublic.com for $30. Seriously.
So back to fancy pants. While 7 years later, I'm still loving my original version, there are a ton of new options to choose from. You can still find tux-style pants in all fabric types, pants in satin, lace, huge wide-legs, velvet leggings (that I'm dreaming over), etc. All of these types of pants would work.
NOTE: Keep in mind that the super skinny options are amazing, but might look dated 7 years from now. If you really want something that will last, stick to bootcut, straight, or even wide-leg trousers. These styles can be considered classics.
Skinny Fancy Pants
I'm in love with the effortless glamour of DVF's silk Lazar Pants, $225, and the way they would show off hot shoes perfectly. Unlike velvet, silk would look just as appropriate in the warmer months (Forever 21 has a version here that is similar for $23). Or, for a more traditional take on the skinny satin pant, try Bebe's Gina Glamour Satin Skinny Pant, $98. Lastly, I've been in such a leggings mood lately, and these super comfy yet oh-so-hot BCBG Mason Skinny Velvet Leggings might have to be my next purchase. They retail for $98 at Saks.
Tux Fancy Pants
I love Banana Republic's most recent take on the tuxedo pant, the BR Monogram Tuxedo Pant, $180. The color is fantastic, and would be especially gorgeous with a metallic or white top. Victoria's Secret has a traditional velvet tux pant, the Christie Fit Velvet Tuxedo Pant, currently on sale for $58. DVF's Tuxer Pant, $325, almost sold out at shopbop.com, is a beautiful, timeless option. Lastly, ASOS is carrying a classic tux pant by Gap, $76.49.
A Few Other Fancy Pant Options
You really can't go wrong with a perfectly tailored, gorgeous wide-leg pant. Worn with heels, it makes all of us look leggy. My favorite is BCBG's Tabitha Wide Leg Trouser, $198. I also really like the menswear inspired ASOS Flannel Braces Wide Leg Trousers, $60. Lastly, for a little color, try a fun cropped option like J.Crew's Casino Pant, on sale for $120. They somehow look like something my Grandma would wear...but in a good way.
xo,
S
