Three Ways: Parchment Pants for Fall

This week is the 16th Anniversary of Capitol Hill Style. My blog baby, birthed during a sweltering, boring August Recess in 2008, is now celebrating its Sweet Sixteen. This blog has been with me through my time as a staffer on Capitol Hill, my lobbying career, my law school years, my marriage, my time in the Montana Legislature, two years of fertility treatments, the birth of my daughter, and now my career as an attorney. CHS is the undercurrent of my adult life.

As a ‘Thank You’ to everyone who has been a part of this site over the years, we are going back to basics this week. We’ll be covering professional attire — transitioning your wardrobe from summer-to-fall, how to style wardrobe staples, and the pieces you need for work — and we’ll have a fantastic giveaway for our Sweet Sixteen later this week.

Let’s start with a classic Three Ways post.

First, let’s talk about ivory pants. The hot color for fall is called ‘parchment. It’s a sandy hue with undertones of khaki or taupe. It’s a little more forgiving than a classic ivory, and significantly easier to wear in winter than bright white.

This pair from Spanx are my first choice (up to 3x, petite and tall). I also like this pair from WHBM, which come in a “curvy fit.” But I wanted to feature an affordable pair, so I chose these trousers from Quince that are $70, have a great drape, and are perfect for work or work from home.

For September. These pants pair well with a sleek, short sleeve blouse. This one from Open Edit is my first choice. It costs $50 and comes in eight colors. This terracotta hue is the best choice for a summer-into-fall look. I adore it.

To add a bit of texture, I added the woven Madewell tote from last week. Add in these tan suede slingbacks from Ann Taylor add a different texture into the mix for a chic look. They’re also 30% off sale right now. Add a bit of bling (without the noise of a bangle) with this gold wave cuff.

For makeup, this bronze eyeliner from Charlotte Tilbury. It’s one of my favorites. Impactful, but not overpowering.

For October. Chartreuse is one of my favorite colors to wear in fall. It was one of the hot hues last fall and into winter, and I hope it revives. This Jenni Kayne sweater is probably my favorite chartreuse piece on the market right now. I also love this cable Tuckernuck cardigan that would be a great jacket alternative.

I chose a parchment-colored shoe to for a clean look from head to toe. If that doesn’t work for you (light shoes are going to look dirty over time, it’s unavoidable), choose a snakeskin flat like this one from MM LaFleur. I added this wonderful woven bag from Melie Bianco in dark green. The malachite hue plays so well with the chartreuse. Need a larger bag for tote? Calpak makes a large laptop bag in dark green.

For styling, I added these textured hoops. I would push up the sleeves on the sweater for a more relaxed look. Add this red lip from Victoria Beckham.

For November. I wanted to mix in chocolate brown — one of the hottest colors for fall — and this blazer and silk top set from Theory are a spectacular way to do that. Need a cheaper blazer option? This Bardot blazer from Nordstrom is a great look. You can pair it with these chocolate suit pants for a professional suiting option.

These croc heels from Inez are allegedly super comfortable. I like the blunted, square toe look for a more modern, relaxed shape. I added in a light brown bag for contrast. This Mulberry tote is a dream. Sadly, the price is out of my reach, but I’ll keep hunting one on The Real Real.

I finished the look with this snake chain. The woven metal is such an expensive look. And you can hang pendants from the loop if you like.

Finally, I chose this rosy lip color. It’s a softer look than a red or burgundy, which is my preference for professional meetings or court. This $16 Sephora lipstick is a high shine choice that moisturizes.

So if you’re tired of black pants every day in fall-winter, give this parchment color a try. It’s more wearable than a lighter hue, but it adds a bit of chic to your wardrobe. Those Spanx pants are definitely on my list for fall.

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