Pants: Boden Hotch Potch Hem Wide Leg Pants. Also crushing on these ankle pants + these culottes! | Booties: Halogen Bergen Booties. A stylish and fun way to tie in white for cooler temperatures. | Top: Ruffle Sleeve Sweater from Ann Taylor. This mock neck blouse is so lovely, and if you’re looking for more great white tops that are similar, swing by here! | Necklace: Chunky Acrylic Necklace, past season from Anthropologie. While searching for a similar find I came across this one and all I can say is GIVE ME NOW.
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These pants are a statement, yea? Head turners. Hand clappers. Eye gazers. All of the physical reactions. (True story: I had a women blow me a kiss while wearing these. Blew one right back, of course.) Plus, there’s just something about a wide leg pant fit that makes me excited. Throw some big florals into the mix and I basically had them on before I left the store.
But, I did get some wide-eyes and one person even said, “Whoa, those are some pants!” To which I giggled, and then thought to myself…
What do you think of statement pieces?
I love them, though I personally tend to gravitate to them in moderation.
I admire people like Blair from Atlantic Pacific who seems to effortlessly pair statement + statement + statement. (Though, it should be noted that type of exceptional pairing is never effortless. It takes talent and such a creative eye!) If I looked into her closet I’d probably be both excited and intimidated because I’m not sure if I’d know how to pair it all together in a way that’s visually cohesive. (Really though, how fun would it be to try?! If you’re reading this, Blair, I’ll totally come over to test the theory. Also, seriously requesting to be your BFF. K thanks.) Iris Apfel is the same way.
I’ve been historically conflicted on this front when it comes to defining my personal style and tastes.
On one hand, style is an amazing form of creativity, so I love to have at it. Women (and men!) who wear eye-catching pieces well are so fun. It’s like walking eye candy – I stare, in a good way. I admire them for their ability to pair things together, to rock a *look*, wear something out of the box, and to really own it all. In many instances, I aspire to be like them.
On the other hand, when I think of my personal wardrobe, I often gravitate toward the basics because they’re so versatile and easy. (And, truth be told, with a basic item I’m not as pissed when jelly fingers roll down my pant leg. Ah-hem…Grace and Joey.)
Statement items can be loud, so on a practical level they get less frequent use when they’re in my wardrobe. If I wear a statement one day, I likely won’t wear it again for a while because, well, people will remember and you can’t wear the same statement too often, can you?! (That’s an actual question, by the way.) So on that front, I also admire people who live by capsule wardrobes and air more toward minimalism. They’re, too, creative — I love seeing how people put together the same items different ways to make entirely different looks.
Riddle me this: Can you be both a statement embracer and a basic lover?
You probably predicted where I was heading with this, but I think yes. To me, it’s all about the edit. Picking out your pieces in a way that’s right for you. (Like these pants are for me!) Most of my wardrobe is made up of basics that I repeat over and over, but I’d say 1/4 of it is made up of statement curve balls that I dabble in while feeling particularly inspired.
I’m cool with being both! I suppose this stance only becomes problematic when I try to “define” my wardrobe or style, to which the solve is that I don’t. 😉
Are you a statement lover or do you air toward the basics? Or both, like me?
By the way, if you haven’t already, consider white booties this fall. They’re a major fashion trend right now, and I’ve been trying them out as of late. I love them with these pants because they give just the right added flare, but I’ve also worn them with simple jeans and a chunky sweater, and they brought a really fun twist to the outfit!
