The Restyle: Three Ways to Wear Black Pants

Over the course of my professional career, I have collected black pants like Easter eggs. Suit pants. Flare legs. Wide legs. Skinny ponte pants. Black pants are the foundation of many a working woman’s wardrobe. Here are three of my favorite ways to wear them.

Pants // As a work-from-home Mom, my favorite pair of black pants are the Spanx wide legs in a thick, ponte fabric (also in plus). For the office, my preferred pair are these Ann Taylor seasonless stretch high-waist trouser pants (in petite and tall). If you prefer a slimmer leg line, these WHBM pants (also in petite) are the ticket.

Need a truly relaxed option? Don’t miss these Athleta pants that look like wide legs in an athletic fabric. They also come in plus.

Casual // This is a simple outfit for work, errands, brunch, or kid events. It’s pulled together. It’s styled. It’s chic. It’s not trying too hard.

The denim jacket is from J.Crew Factory. The cool graphic tee with skiers traversing a stream of champagne is from Abercrombie. The sneakers are these fantastic Run Star Trainers from Convers; just the epitome of cool. And the purse is a cool shoulder bag from Madewell.

For styling, you can wear the hair in a bouncy ponytail, but I think it’s better down. These gold huggies from Quince work with both hairdos. You’re going to need a little lipstick to look really pulled together and this Summer Fridays balm is one of my faves.

Business // I spotted this look — a cape sweater atop a button down — on the Instagram of CRG Law. It’s clean, classic and less buttoned up with a jacket without sacrificing style. Plus, it’s gotta be warm in a chilly office.

I like this crewneck style capulet from Bloomingdale’s. If you want the turtleneck style from the original, snap up this one from Walmart. The button-down is a simple one from J.Crew. I chose the phenomenal heels from Ann Taylor for the extra shine from the metal detail. And I finished off the look with these demure pearl drops with a pretty cable detail and a sleek, modern bag from Demellier.

For styling, if your hair is shorter, wear it down. Longer, I would wear it up. Maybe something more relaxed than fussy. Finish it off with a great red lip.

After Hours // As the meme says, I thought restyling looks to go from day-to-night was going to be a bigger part of my life than it turned out to be. Such is the curse of a woman who read women’s magazines in her early twenties more than she read a Bible (sorry, Dad). But sometimes a daytime piece needs to do double duty.

For this look, I love these sheer-accented pieces from Marcella. You can’t tell it from the photo, but this top is actually a one sleeve where the right sleeve is complete sheer and just drapes the arm. It’s cool. Add to that these incredible bow earrings from Shashi (I own these, they’re fab for a party look) and ladylike shoe and your basically good to go.

To complete the look, OPI’s the Blues for Red is my go to winter red. Your manicured tips would look lovely stretched across this woven leather clutch from Shopbop. And for this look, I would be wearing my hair up for a formal event and down for dinner.

These outfits work, but what are your favorite ways to wear black pants?

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