WIW 5/27: The hated floral pants come out to play (with floral shoes)!

Here are the H&M floral pants again. DH HATES them with a passion--he can't help but make a comment every time I wear them! This time he said, "Those pants are so loud!" and he also said I looked like I was trying to act like I was 13. What say you--are these pants too juvenile for me? I admit I didn't feel 100% fab in this outfit--something felt off, but I wasn't sure if it was just because of the negative reaction from DH or because there was something wrong with the outfit. The Tshirt looked funny over my apple tummy untucked, so I tucked it but maybe it still looks bad. Also these pants are slightly too big--I sized up to size 8 because I was worried they'd be too tight, but they stretched out and now they're baggy. At least they were only $15--they're already less than $4 CPW! Although given how painful it is for DH to see them, I'm not sure it would be wise to get it down to $1, LOL!

Oh, and here are some new floral sneakers--very timely given Angie's post on floral shoes! They're Kate Spades, in my favorite Florence Broadhurst black and white Japanese floral pattern, with a coral colored stripe around the side. They're made by Tretorn and are on sale at Nordstrom. They were only available in pink online, so I bought it at the Kate Spade store instead. And the KS store didn't have my size so they found a store in LA that had it and sent it to me free of charge and agreed to pricematch the Nordstrom sale price! I'm pretty persistent about tracking things down! I think these will be a good addition to my red and yellow Converse for MOTG. Do you think it's too crazy to wear them with the floral pants? I had fun with the sneakers but I realize it adds to the loudness and I knew this outfit would offend DH's fashion sensibility!

We went to a carnival for a local school organization fundraiser. I was impressed at the size of the carnival. The kids had lots of fun on the rides!

Gap denim jacket
H&M teal T shirt
H&M floral pants (rolled up to capri length)
Kate Spade Tretorn Trey Japanese floral sneakers
Dooney & Bourke yellow satchel
Turquoise glass bead necklace

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33 Comments

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    I love these floral pants on you Natalie and have enjoyed your outfits with them thus far - but I must be honest and say I'm not crazy about the styling of them here. To my eye (and take it with a grain of salt - I'm no expert) the cuffing of the pants takes away from their beautiful floral pattern and paired with the socks and sneakers, does make them look more juvenile. They are such beautiful pants and look fab on you as pants. I love you in the clam digger length but would prefer it be with denim or some other item.

  • Traci replied 11 years ago

    This is not my favorite way I've seen you wear them. I don't love this outfit, but I don't think it's the pants. I'd prefer the sneakers with a no show sock. This is one of those outfits that is close to nice, but something doesn't quite work. When this happens to me I usually have to rip apart my closet trying every incarnation of toppers, tops and shoes because I don't have that instinct to know why it doesn't work, just that it doesn't. I'm on the fence about the rolled hems. I think it could work with tweaks to other parts of the look.

    I really do love the pants on you and I admire your determination to wear them even with the negative comments from dh.

  • goldenpig replied 11 years ago

    Thanks Shannon & Traci! Good suggestions! I agree something seems off. I tried rolling it because previously Angie had said she didn't like the ankle length on me and would rather it was capri length. But I agree it looks kind of funny with the rolled cuff. I'll let it out again next time. Good suggestion for the no show socks. I don't think I have any, I would have to buy some.

    I'm still trying to reach the perfect incarnation for these floral pants and don't feel like I've found it yet. I'll keep trying! Keep the suggestions coming!

  • modgrl replied 11 years ago

    Why not shorten them to this length, wear them with ballet flats and a tunic? that would tone them down. I have to agree with DH here, it is kind of a juvenile look all together with the sneaks... it is not up to your usual level of sophistication.

  • Ana replied 11 years ago

    You could commit to cutting the pants so the roll isn't so thick, if that makes sense. I think I would prefer the pants with more streamlined shoes as well. I like Modgrl's suggestion of ballet flats. I think sleek sandals would look nice as well.

    I have some things my husband isn't too keen on, and he likes to wear t-shirts with "sayings" on them, which I don't favor all that much. But he really likes them and doesn't wear them when I ask him not to (if we are going to a nice dinner or party or something). I think it's common for couples not to like everything the other person wears. I guess what I'm saying is I feel your pain. But if you really like the pants and they make you feel good, then that is important too. :)

  • CocoLion replied 11 years ago

    I like all the pieces in this outfit, but would have preferred seeing the pants at their normal length with no socks and different footwear, maybe ballet flats. The floral pants with roll, socks and Converse style shoes are a lot to take in visually down there.

    I do like the new Cons though. Maybe with your red skinny jeans?

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    I really like the idea of shortening these to clam length; wear them with ballet flats or simple sandals and a flawy top or tunic, and it will be a great, fun, weekend look for you!

    I, too, admire your determination to wear this item because you love it!

  • Jonesy replied 11 years ago

    I think I remember that the general advice with these pants was to wear them with more sophisticated pieces (tailored, woven tops, nice jacket, heels if possible) so they seem more polished and fit better with your style. I could see them with a crisp white woven top and a black jacket, and some pumps or dressy sandals. That way they would look more toned down and dressy, and less "girly" if that makes sense. Also might make sense to have them shortened to a slightly shorter length (more clams length) if you want them shorter.

  • replied 11 years ago

    I think the key to these pants is to pair them with more sophisticated elements:
    http://www.google.com/imgres?q.....0,s:0,i:73
    The google search I ran:
    http://www.google.com/search?r.....0QGPwuG3Cg

    I think is the sneakers and the rolled up socks what makes the look young, not the pants themselves, but hey, you look great for a day out with the kiddos!

  • christieanne replied 11 years ago

    I love the shoes first of all - lived in Tretorns during my high school years so good to see them updated. I didn't even know they were making them anymore. Those would be fantastic with your colored skinny jeans (yellow, red).

    Not loving the pants rolled. I think I like them best with a sleek sandal and simple top - I could get on board with the black blazer and white shirt. Keep it simple.

  • Kari replied 11 years ago

    *grin* I actually had similar floral pants when I was 14, but I don't think you're trying to look like a teenager. The pants are fun, even if they aren't your hubby's cup of tea! I agree with others that they would look smarter un-rolled and with a sandal rather than sneakers/socks (it could even be a low heeled sandal/wedge.) That being said, I quite like the length that you've rolled them to, as it's not leg-shortening like ankle length patterned pants can be. Perhaps think about getting them hemmed to that length?

  • Kari replied 11 years ago

    P.S. Love seeing pics of your beautiful family. It looks like such a fun day!

  • ironkurtin replied 11 years ago

    Those pants are super fun, but yeah, in order for them not to seem "young" - although why we are using this as a negative is interesting in itself - you need to keep everything else crisper.

    Or you could embrace the young and make them into cutoff shorts.

  • Echo replied 11 years ago

    I am the voice f dissent here. I don't see anything wrong with this outfit, and I don't see anything at all wrong with a younger, less sophiticated look for a day at an amusement park. If you can wear a fun look anywhere, it is on a day like that! And for a person who commonly looks sophiticated, it is a nice break to wear fun items in combination. I agree that lower socks might have been better, but I rather like both the floral pants and the sneakers. It looks like it was a fun day, and you have a beautiful family!

  • Kiwichik replied 11 years ago

    Lobe the floral pants ( but like them better unrolled) and those floral sneakers are great. You look young & fresh not juvenile.

  • goldenpig replied 11 years ago

    Thanks for the advice! I agree, I think they would look better altered to capris rather than rolled, but I am hesitant to invest any more money into pants that DH hates! I may try them dressed up again, unrolled and with the turquoise pumps next time. I don't have any very dressy sandals, just Danskos and a pair of Ugg wedges.

  • rae replied 11 years ago

    I'm going to argue against the majority here and say that I don't think hemming them shorter is the answer - I think this print in capri length is actually going to look like those spandex floral biker shorts I used to wear as a little girl in the 80s... maybe this is what DH is reacting to as well? I think going shorter makes them even *more* casual and young, when they need a more grown up look to work.

    I like the idea of trying them with ballet flats. Maybe an untucked button front or silk blouse would go with them? Or if you have a structured black mini dress hiding somewhere, that could maybe produce a mod effect?

  • Janet replied 11 years ago

    I like the idea of these pants with ballet flats or sandals as well, and hemmed rather than rolled. However, if I'm going to an amusement park, I seriously doubt I'll be looking my most sophisticated! It's a day to have fun and loosed the rules, IMHO.

  • annagybe replied 11 years ago

    I think you need something like this for MOTG

    http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/pu.....ltback=891

    ETA more colors and styles

    http://www.zappos.com/puma-womens-shoes~3x#!/puma-women-flats/CK_XARC11wFSAX3AAQHiAgQYAQoC.zso

  • nicoleb replied 11 years ago

    It seems like you've gotten some great advice! I'll echo it and say i don't think the pants themselves are too juvenile but with socks and cons i can see how it could make them appear that way. These pants are in A TON of different blogs so maybe just google "H&M floral pants" to get styling inspiration?

  • Angie replied 11 years ago

    I really like the idea of hemming the floral pants to a shorter length. They'll be less pattern and perhaps DH will like them more that way too. Ballet flats will work well with the look.

  • goldenpig replied 11 years ago

    I'll definitely try the pants again with heels. I just didn't want to wear heels for MOTG. Anna, cool shoes! I do have some Born ballet flats and Stuart Weitzman ballet flats but they are more sweet looking than sporty. I like the idea of sporty ballet flats.

    Zap, thanks for the links. Wow, there are a lot of fashion bloggers wearing the floral pants. Will have to do some digging around. I thought this link was funny from the search you posted:
    http://www.fashioncaramel.com/.....rdose.html
    This person posted a bunch of pics of different bloggers and said she was so sick of these pants because everyone is wearing them, LOL. I can see now that much of the coolness is all in the stance. If you pose like a blogger it makes it look cooler. ;)

  • goldenpig replied 11 years ago

    Angie, great thought. But I think these pants are something that DH will never come around to liking. He thinks they look like clown pants from the '80's. It's like animal print and faux fur. He just has a phobia about these things and I'm trying to desensitize him but I don't think he'll ever be cured. ;)

  • Mo replied 11 years ago

    I'm afraid I'm with your DH on floral pants, but hey, if you love 'em wear 'em! He can deal with it or just look away lol.

  • replied 11 years ago

    I'm telling you Natalie, I have seen that print everywhere!

  • goldenpig replied 11 years ago

    Zap, I was so afraid these pants made me stand out too much. I didn't realize it was the opposite, that these pants are lemmingwear, hee hee!

    Actually I've never seen anyone else wearing these around here. It would be fun to spot them IRL!

  • rae replied 11 years ago

    I see DH and I share the 80s phobia... maybe you can wear these out with the girls so he doesn't have to comment on them anymore? I decided to do that with my UWP sweater.

  • replied 11 years ago

    I love your new Kate Spade Tretorns! I loved those tennies in HS! I'd wear them with full length colored skinnies and wear ballet flats with the floral pants (which I also love)! Looks like you all had a really fun day!

  • Kari replied 11 years ago

    P.S. Maybe the next time your husband says those pants are too loud, show this to him - floral pants AND an animal print blouse! http://pinterest.com/pin/60306082480711527/
    (They look like they are the same pants as the ones you have, so I immediately thought of this thread when this pin came across in my feed.)

  • Angie replied 11 years ago

    Ahem! No '80s phobia allowed on YLF.

    :)

  • goldenpig replied 11 years ago

    Claire--that was what I was worried about--that these are high school shoes!

    Kari--so funny! I could actually do that outfit (I have a leopard print blouse and black leather jacket)! I don't think he'd ever recover from that one, though!

    Angie--I love the 80's! I think it was the only other time in my life that I can remember being interested in fashion (jr high/high school)! In 1985 I had a floral blazer exactly like these pants, which I guess is why I keep persisting with these pants despite his hatred of them!

  • Angie replied 11 years ago

    High five, Natalie! I LOOOOOOOOVE the '80s. Best. Music. Ever.

    You should keep the floral trousers. Shorten them. I had a floral tunic just like that in the '80s that I wore with white skinnies that cut off my circulation (no stretch in those days).

  • Joy replied 11 years ago

    Your DH could use a pair of these for Fathers' Day. then he can look young too.
    http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/br.....ltback=254
    Edit: Oh, I just saw the same pants on the sidebar!

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