Go Buy Now: Fancy Pants
There comes a time in everyone’s life when they should pull on a pair of pantalones festivos and that time is now. Last season the runway offered up various styles of pajama pants, but fall’s tailored take on the trend is definitely more sophisticated and something we think you should go buy now.
Last month Ashley Olsen provided us with an exemplary illustration of how chic fancy pants can look when she wore a high-waisted pair of black pleated trousers to the CFDA Fashion Awards. She wore the pants with a slim white shirt and a peplum jacket (all from Calvin Klein Collection Resort 2009) and, in doing so, gave us an interesting alternative to the cocktail or black tie frock.
Of course you can also look to the fall runways for more ideas on how to style this excellent evening option. Yves Saint Laurent, Nina Ricci, and Costume National all sent out variations of the fancy pant, all of which were femmed up with skinny stiletto super heels—the key accessory for this look. While we like the pant in the new slouchy slack shape (which resembles a champagne flute, no?), traditionalists can opt for a classic slim fit trouser. Either way, just make sure the hem hits at the right place. We like the seven-eighths/ankle bone grazing length ourselves.
1. Hengst Mission Pant ($303)
These ash-colored silk pants are by San Francisco designer Susan Hengst and we very much approve of the high waist, tapered leg, and cropped length. We don’t see how it would be possible to wear them and not feel elegant.
2. Mayle Nori Pant ($558)
We can’t get over all the lovely details incorporated into these silk trousers. We adore all the subtle chinoiserie elements, especially the frog closures at the ankle and traditional tone-on-tone floral print.
3. Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti Skinny Satin Pants
($545)
There’s something very femme fatale about these super slim cigarette pants—we could totally see Charlize Theron slinking around in them. They’re also quite flattering on the body, thanks to a pressed front seam (it helps to elongate your legs).
4. Topshop Tapered Leg Trouser ($70)
The shape of these super affordable fancy trousers reminds us of the slouchy slacks on Isabel Marant’s fall runway. The deep charcoal color is softer than black but just as chic.
5. Diesel Sinsity Pants ($200)
We were also delighted to find that Diesel is offering an excellent fancy pant this season. Their pant has cool leather details and will be available in their New York store on Lexington, as well as on the Diesel website, starting on September 15th!
Photo of Ashley, courtesy of GettyImages.
Last month Ashley Olsen provided us with an exemplary illustration of how chic fancy pants can look when she wore a high-waisted pair of black pleated trousers to the CFDA Fashion Awards. She wore the pants with a slim white shirt and a peplum jacket (all from Calvin Klein Collection Resort 2009) and, in doing so, gave us an interesting alternative to the cocktail or black tie frock.
Of course you can also look to the fall runways for more ideas on how to style this excellent evening option. Yves Saint Laurent, Nina Ricci, and Costume National all sent out variations of the fancy pant, all of which were femmed up with skinny stiletto super heels—the key accessory for this look. While we like the pant in the new slouchy slack shape (which resembles a champagne flute, no?), traditionalists can opt for a classic slim fit trouser. Either way, just make sure the hem hits at the right place. We like the seven-eighths/ankle bone grazing length ourselves.
1. Hengst Mission Pant ($303)
These ash-colored silk pants are by San Francisco designer Susan Hengst and we very much approve of the high waist, tapered leg, and cropped length. We don’t see how it would be possible to wear them and not feel elegant.
2. Mayle Nori Pant ($558)
We can’t get over all the lovely details incorporated into these silk trousers. We adore all the subtle chinoiserie elements, especially the frog closures at the ankle and traditional tone-on-tone floral print.
3. Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti Skinny Satin Pants
There’s something very femme fatale about these super slim cigarette pants—we could totally see Charlize Theron slinking around in them. They’re also quite flattering on the body, thanks to a pressed front seam (it helps to elongate your legs).
4. Topshop Tapered Leg Trouser ($70)
The shape of these super affordable fancy trousers reminds us of the slouchy slacks on Isabel Marant’s fall runway. The deep charcoal color is softer than black but just as chic.
5. Diesel Sinsity Pants ($200)
We were also delighted to find that Diesel is offering an excellent fancy pant this season. Their pant has cool leather details and will be available in their New York store on Lexington, as well as on the Diesel website, starting on September 15th!
Photo of Ashley, courtesy of GettyImages.
I wouldnt ever wear these, they are hideous. Ashlee looks like an idiot in it haha. Not a fan.
Posted by: bdp | 2008-08-20 01:56:52
love the mayle ones! love that photo of olsen...except the shoes--looks cheap :/ Check out my blog at http://omowrites.blogspot.com THANKS! xo, S.
Posted by: Samantha | 2008-07-18 23:31:25
i personally think ashley looks like a troll in those pants. not very flattering!
Posted by: loola | 2008-07-18 00:25:25
I remember when bell bottoms came back in style in the 90's. at first everyone thought they were hideous, but they somehow got used to them. the return of tapered pleated pants makes me feel old but i guess it's just inevitable, everything comes back in style eventually.
Posted by: nwad | 2008-07-17 21:44:22
These look like the pants that would give you "diaper butt". A high waist with a tapered leg is definitely not flattering to the majority of women, even the skinnies!
Posted by: S | 2008-07-17 21:36:10
i love this trend! i find slacks, trousers, and fancy pants sophisticated and they add glamour to a simple white blouse, like leelo said, i love the topshop imitation in dove gray, they're divine.
Posted by: kashmere | 2008-07-16 10:40:43
the tapestry bags and the clutch with the studs are HOT. i just don't like the shiny logo bags
Posted by: Gina | 2008-07-16 00:29:11
So, is "fancy pants" a technical term?
Posted by: Sydney | 2008-07-15 23:05:01
For anyone who thinks about body shape before kowtowing to fashion would know that the tapepred look i snot for everybody. HOWEVER... by taking the elements displayed in this post, IE tailored, satin/silk paints with a low sheen and in an elegante and sophisticated colour, will know that a pant in any shap, suitable for your particular body shape, will embody the same "black-tie" ideals of this look. Can't wait to strut through the local bar in this outfit!
Posted by: Kylesja | 2008-07-15 18:13:50
I don't see how most of you think they will be unflattering, how about skinny jeans? Those are way more unflattering on not0skinny girls than these could ever be. By the way, the Gucci post, ugh, can you say tacky?
Posted by: Maia | 2008-07-15 17:17:07
I can't comment on the story below but i just want to say there are much better bags from Gucci when you click the link. why aren't you guys showing those instead???
Posted by: sara | 2008-07-15 16:29:10
Caroline, what do you do? sit at home? on a farm? You could wear a satin pant anywhere, tapered and billowy or not. This would be perfect for holiday parties, after-hours type get together or just going out paired with a basic t. I love the topshop version and that gorgeous dove grey.
Posted by: leelo | 2008-07-15 15:55:28
This trend is fit for the young and thin category, a category that needs wearable, sexy, and fun clothes to wear. Billowy satiny pants are too mature and too formal for the people who can pull them off! Leave this to the people who walk on red carpets, not real people.
Posted by: Caroline | 2008-07-15 13:22:41
I like this trend just find, its been a long time coming in the first place. Apparently quite a few people on here missed that whole article in Vogue a few months ago talking about trousers. Ashley Olsen wore that outfit in tribute of YSL and his le smoking suit after his death. I give her props for even trying that particular style of trouser because they tend to make us shorties look even shorter. Don't take trends so literal, use them as inspiration and figure out the best way to slightly alter and apply them to your own body and life.
Posted by: bella vita | 2008-07-15 13:20:57
Ashamed?? Reeeally? Good thing you're not overstating it or anything.
Posted by: simmerdown | 2008-07-15 13:12:06
i've been really ashamed of WWWD lately. yuck
Posted by: rebekah | 2008-07-15 13:09:33
This post is about different fancy night time pants not just the tapered ones. Read before you comment.
Posted by: frances | 2008-07-15 12:11:13
That Olsen looks ridiculous! I find it hilarious that anyone would find this look fashionable ...you don't always need to follow trends.
Posted by: alyL | 2008-07-15 11:17:57
Looks like my mom's look is back in fashion! High waist, pleated, and tapered leg. I have been trying to get her out of this look forever, because this isn't the most flattering style to wear.
Posted by: kt | 2008-07-15 09:51:54
All the naysayers totally crack me up. How can you say 'no' to something you haven't tried yet? Not every trend fits every body, granted. The question is: How can a pair of pants, properly tailored be unflattering? I am lucky to own a pair in black silk -- just gorgeous and decadent. Don't knock 'em until you've tried them!
Posted by: Lizzie | 2008-07-15 09:23:08
Remember when tent dresses were coming in a bit back and everyone was saying they were so unflattering? The NYtimes did a piece on them about how they were for truly skinny girls to show off their collar bones. Maybe these pants are that new proof-of-skinny item. You'd have to be thin to pull these (quite cute and interesting) things off.
Posted by: L | 2008-07-15 08:55:58
Wouldn't dare, I can imagine feeling fabulous stepping out of the house & then just catching sight of my silhouette in a mirror & feeling rubbish for the rest of the day. Just. Not. Flattering.
Posted by: Dell | 2008-07-15 07:47:01
I have to agree with most of the other posts; while I think the AF pants look good, I can do without the rest. I don't need to add any extra material to my hips.
Posted by: Alison | 2008-07-15 07:44:16
Ugly, ugly, ugly...why would I want to wear the black pants equivalent of mom jeans? Can't imagine how horrible they make your bottom look...
Posted by: J De | 2008-07-15 06:59:42
i don't know. clothing is made to be flattering and, perhaps its just my body type, but these would definitely not flatter me. www.runawaygallery.com
Posted by: runawaygallery | 2008-07-15 04:15:20
No offence, but this is the type of trend I avoid. Olsen just looks tacky to me, the whole outfit makes her thin figure pear shaped. These pants will only look good on 'Giseles'.
Posted by: badhairday | 2008-07-15 03:58:06
These are the new it pant and I'm soooooo excited to wear them for fall!!!!! I just bought a pair of convertible black silk pants like these from a vintage store about 6 months ago. I wasn't too sure about them yet and asked a few of my fashion forward friends what they thought. One mentioned they were hideous. Now I can't wait to forward this post to rub it in her face!!!! Thanks WWWD for the style confirmation although I LOVE THEM regardless!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Kethia | 2008-07-15 01:08:40
These pants are FAB.(; I especially love their versatility:Late night or early day. Please have a look: www.BirdieBlueSkies.blogspot.com
Posted by: BlueSkies | 2008-07-15 00:27:36