Linen pants for work

I was inspired by Angie's post on casual linen. I wore this outfit to work, though, so it's less casual than the inspiration post. The one recommendation I followed was to wear my peep-toe booties rather than closed shoes.

I got these linen trousers by NYDJ a few weeks ago. They didn't fit all that well, but they were such a great shade of grayish taupe for me (called "sand dollar"), and they were a slouchy trouser style that I really liked. I did something I rarely do: I bought them with the intention of altering them. After contemplating taking them to Nordstrom, where I bought them, for alterations, I decided to do the the work myself. (Wish I had taken "before" photos, but I didn't.) I took them in at the waist and below the hip in the back, and I shortened them an inch. I was really happy with how they turned out, and I wore them to work today. The first half of the day, I wore my denim jacket with this outfit (not pictured), but later it warmed up enough that I could take off the jacket.

The outfit: linen trousers (NYDJ, Wiley); red, blue, gray and stone floral chiffon peasant blouse (made by me); pewter floral cutout belt (Fossil); pewter metallic cutout peep-toe booties (Paul Green).

I've included rear-view shots (all alterations were on the back); I think they look better in real life than in these photos. At least they looked good in the mirror and felt good.

Thanks for looking. Comments and suggestions always welcome!

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20 Comments

  • Adelfa replied 10 years ago

    I love how you styled these, and I see what you mean about the color. Very nice back view, good job!

  • JAileen replied 10 years ago

    The pants look great on you. I'm afraid to do this - I think I'll wreck them. Congrats on a job well done!

  • Joy replied 10 years ago

    The metallic belt and booties look wonderful with the linen. They look great together and add cohesion to the outfit. The top is beautiful!

  • kellygirl replied 10 years ago

    Great pants from all sides! How fab that you can alter too :) I have no doubt that you do better work than Nordies!

  • Caro in Oz replied 10 years ago

    Fab outfit from all angles :)

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 10 years ago

    Adelfa, thanks. It's funny about the color. . . . I thought it would go with everything, but then I had the hardest time figuring out what to wear with these! It's a matter of the style, I think, and finding something suitably relaxed looking.

    JAileen, I was more than a little afraid of the same thing. But I was also afraid a tailor at Nordstrom would make them too tight. I seriously considered just returning them, but once I had washed them to see if they would shrink, I felt I was at the point of no return--ha ha!

    Thank you, Joy. I hemmed them for these shoes and some other sandals. We are not supposed to wear sandals to work, but I am willing to push the boundary a bit with peep-toe booties. My story is that they are booties and not sandals--and I'm sticking to it.

    Kellygirl, I am really not a tailor. Really. (Oh, no--do I sound like one of those people who make quilts and say, "Oh, I'm not a quilter"?)

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Wonderful pants! You did a great job with them. I definitely think they'd work with denim blues, as you obviously know already since you wore them with the jacket earlier in the day. They could look good with navy and black, too. And maybe white? But yes, I can see how it might be more a matter of style than colour, per se. I'll bet an older ensemble of Angie's for wide legs might offer some inspiration. 

  • Beth Ann replied 10 years ago

    Alterations can be as tricky as sewing the pants yourself!  You've done a great job on these.  Love the natural color with the floral -- feminine, with a bit of earthiness to keep it from being "sweet."   Perfect!

  • fern replied 10 years ago

    They look great. I got the pants too, in blue, but I just had to hem them, no major alterations.
    I love the soft slouchy fabric, but it's picking up all the shed dog hair around here. I should have chosen "Sand Dollar" to match the dog.
    I like the belt with them, a lot. Thanks for the styling ideas - I added the belt to my wishlist.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 10 years ago

    Suz, thanks for the ideas. I realize I have more trouble styling light colored pants than dark ones. I wondered about navy and wasn't sure about the high contrast look, but I'll have to give it a try.

    Thanks, BethAnn. I seem to be gravitating toward more florals lately. They feel like me if they have a little arty vibe.

    fern, I'm laughing at your comment about the dog. I look forward to seeing your blue pants. I'm flattered that I've inspired you!

  • Angie replied 10 years ago

    Love, love, love. I truly love the look of creased linen, and the colour is perfect. I do prefer linen pants in lighter colours. The florals are a fresh complement and the shiny shoes the cherry on top. Nicely done. 

    Another vote for remixing with blue and white. 

  • Day Vies replied 10 years ago

    You were right to go with your instincts. The color is neutral but not flat. I think it pairs well with the floral blouse and booties. A divine relaxed pairing.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 10 years ago

    Thanks, Angie! Blue and white versions to come--I think I'll be wearing these pants a lot this summer.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 10 years ago

    Thanks, Day Vies. I like your analysis--"why" is always helpful!

  • Jaime replied 10 years ago

    These look great! Alterations were excellent, I think the fit is just right.

  • Nebraskim replied 10 years ago

    The pants are really nice. I'm swooning over the blouse. Really really lovely.

  • Windchime replied 10 years ago

    Lovely outfit! The pants look amazing on you; I hope you'll show them to us again with other tops. Although I'd be glad to look at this gorgeous blouse again anytime you want to wear it!

  • rachylou replied 10 years ago

    This looks great. The blouse is a winner on you in particular.

  • replied 10 years ago

    They do look great!

  • jackiec replied 10 years ago

    Very nice! I agree - fantastic colour pants!!

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